The definitive paint colors of 2024 were characterized by a mix of soothing, cosmic-inspired blues, comforting warm hues, and grounded dark neutrals. Major brands selected flagship hues to reflect a collective desire for tranquility, creativity, and connection.
The top paint color trends feature serene pastels, warm grounded neutrals, and moody saturated hues. The defining trend relies heavily on soft, breezy blues acting as a "new neutral," complemented by deep earthy tones and vibrant color pops.
Cool, sterile greys are being replaced by warm neutrals, earthy greens, and rich browns. Designers are pivoting toward these shades to create cozier, more inviting spaces.
Sherwin-Williams named Upward (SW 6239) its 2024 Color of the Year. It is a breezy, blissful, and airy light blue with subtle gray undertones designed to bring a sense of tranquility, relaxation, and positivity to any space.
Deep, moody hues like charcoal, navy blue, and olive green, or warm, grounding neutrals like rich taupe and creamy white, instantly make a house look expensive. These bespoke colors add depth and a timeless, custom-tailored feel that standard flat whites or cold grays lack.
By all interior design accounts, the three paint colors that will never go out of style are classic white, warm beige (or greige), and navy blue. These shades transcend fleeting fads and provide a balanced, versatile foundation for any home.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
The most popular Sherwin-Williams paint color right now is Agreeable Gray (SW 7004), the brand's best-selling warm "greige". Other reigning favorites are Alabaster (SW 7008) (a warm, creamy white) and Pure White (SW 7005) (a versatile, soft white).
Interior designers and sleep experts generally recommend avoiding colors that are overly stimulating or overly gloomy in a bedroom. To create a peaceful sleep environment, steer clear of bright, fiery tones like electric blue, neon green, and bright yellow.
Globally, blue is overwhelmingly the most popular favorite color across all demographics. The "top 3" colors typically refer to either the primary colors in art or the top three global favorites in consumer surveys.
Interior design trends have shifted away from stark, sterile, and heavily saturated cool tones in favor of warmer, earthy, and more complex hues. Designers broadly consider the following paint categories to be outdated:
Blue is universally considered the most calming color. According to Moffitt Cancer Center, light or sky blue can actively lower heart rates, reduce anxiety, and encourage a powerful sense of serenity and peace.
Joanna Gaines frequently leans toward "Wedding Band" as one of her absolute favorite grays. Inspired by her husband Chip's wedding band, this silvery, pale sage-gray features subtle hints of sky blue. She has also famously relied on a few other classic gray shades across her projects:
The most popular wall colors right now are warm, creamy whites (like Sherwin-Williams Pure White or Benjamin Moore White Dove) and earthy, organic neutrals like taupes, sands, and mushrooms. Cool grays are out, as homeowners pivot toward softer, cozier, and more lived-in hues.
Avoid stark bright whites, dingy "muddy" neutrals, and highly saturated or neon brights. These choices can make bathrooms feel sterile, dark, claustrophobic, or visually overwhelming. Additionally, yellow tones should be avoided as they can make your complexion look sickly under artificial vanity lighting.
Benjamin Moore named Silhouette (AF-655) as its 2026 Color of the Year. It is a deep, dramatic, and luxurious blend of espresso brown and charcoal gray with a subtle hint of aubergine.
To make a home look expensive, rely on high-contrast, nature-inspired, and deep neutral palettes. These colors require intention and layering, creating an understated elegance—often called "quiet luxury"—that feels grounded and custom rather than generic.
People can be made to see reddish green and yellowish blue—colors forbidden by theories of color perception. These and other hallucinations provide a window into the phenomenon of visual opponency.
The top three bedroom colors are tranquil and restorative. Design experts favor soft blues, sage greens, and warm neutrals (like creamy beiges, sands, and taupes). These hues are scientifically proven to lower heart rates, reduce stress, and promote mental clarity for a better night's sleep.
Beige, taupe, and "mushroom" neutrals are officially replacing the cool, sterile grays of the last decade. Designers are leaning into warm khakis, sandy beiges, creamy whites, and earthy tones that add a cozy, comforting energy to spaces.
Sherwin-Williams (including HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams) selected Universal Khaki (SW 6150) as the 2026 Color of the Year. It is a warm, earthy, mid-tone tan with slight yellow undertones that emphasizes a return to simple, functional, and grounded design.
Joanna Gaines frequently relies on a classic, spa-like base of crisp whites, neutral grays, and soft blues or greens for bathrooms. For a neutral aesthetic, her go-to color is a soft gray called Wedding Band, while for bolder, moody spaces, she often uses a sophisticated dark green called Locally Grown.
To make a bathroom look expensive, avoid loud, trendy, or purely stark colors. Instead, design professionals recommend deep, moody jewel tones (emerald green, navy blue) or sophisticated, warm neutrals (creamy beige, taupe, deep olive). Paired with the right finishes, these palettes evoke a luxurious spa feel.
While no single color rules forever, white, black, and navy blue are the ultimate timeless pillars. They transcend fleeting fashion and design trends because they serve as perfect, versatile backdrops.
In interior design, there is no single color of the year; rather, 2026 trends emphasize warmth, nature-inspired tones, and soothing neutrals. Popular palettes range from airy off-whites to rich, dramatic hues, replacing the stark grays and flat whites of previous years.