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Home should feel like a sanctuary. I always want to feel peace and tranquility the moment I walk in the door. Especially after being in the hustle and bustle of whatever is going on outside. Of course, a home can evoke all kinds of emotions you want, but after all, home is a place where we rest. It’s where we relax after a hard day’s work, where we lounge in our pajamas on a slow Sunday morning, and where we go to sleep and wake up every day. Having a home that radiates tranquility is a good New Year’s resolution, but there’s one sure-fire way to achieve it. It’s the color.
Top color predictions for 2026
There’s no denying that color affects our mood and health. 2026 paint color trends show that we collectively want to relax. “Homeowners want comfort and stability, and they will especially try to achieve that in their homes,” says Carolyn Fife Biver. foundry house Say. “The future of paint color is a big warm embrace from nature. Something comforting, familiar, and grounded.”
Designers are turning to warm neutrals, soft blues and greens, and desert-inspired tones to create a sense of security. In the coming weeks, interior designers will share their favorite 2026 paint color trends and how they can create a relaxing feeling in each room.
warm neutral
A few years ago, cool gray was the neutral. Coined as ‘Millennial Grey’, the tide has turned and warm neutrals continue to reign supreme. “Instead of cool grays, we’re seeing a shift toward warmer neutrals like mushroom taupes, soft stones, and warm-toned beiges,” says color expert Daniele Dolguet. california paint,KK. “These colors are timeless and can create a space that feels inviting rather than cold or bleak.”
If you think neutrals are a little boring, check out Lauren Lerner, Founder and Head Designer, Living with Rolosuggests otherwise. “Warm, neutral colors create an inviting backdrop for architecture, furniture, and textures to truly shine,” she says. “Colors inspired by limestone, sand, clay, weathered wood, and mushroom colors feel timeless to me because they are based in nature rather than trends.”
Painted finishes can also create a sense of calm, especially when using warm neutrals. “High-gloss paints, especially warm-toned paints like these, can be seen to draw sunlight back into the room. Broccoli Brown by Farrow and Ball and Creamy by Sherwin Williams‘ added Fife Biver.
Greige
Even if Gray keeps calling to you, all is not lost. 2026 Paint color trends include greige. This is a warm, creamy gray without any cool, harsh undertones.
“For 2026, we recommend warm greiges that are calming and grounding,” says lead designer Erica Yeoh. rumored designThat’s what I say. “While cool grays are finally making their way, this neutral feels fresh, clean, and approachable without yellow or worn tones.”
Current interior design trends embrace unique and highly personalized spaces, and greige is suitable for both calm and relaxed spaces, as well as spaces that are a bit bolder, explains Yeo. “We applied this color to both the walls and ceiling of the living room to establish a warm and inviting environment while providing a neutral foundation for striking design elements such as an icy blue lounge chair, patina metal fireplace, and vibrant accent rug,” she says. “The overall effect felt rich and inviting, with warm greiges tying all elements of the space together.”
Green and blue close to nature
There’s a reason why lush forests and sunny bodies of water relax us. Being in nature is calming, so it makes sense to use the same calming paint colors at home. “Earthy greens will continue to be at the forefront in 2026, as they create a direct connection with nature,” explains Doelge. “These tones have a restorative and relaxing effect, making them perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, and other areas where you want to calm your mind.” What are the shades of green? “Like a deep green Dakota Woods Green by Benjamin Moore “It will heat the reading room and ground the kitchen cabinets,” Fyfe-Biver predicts.
The same goes for soft blue. “The secret to subdued paint, which will be popular in 2026, is to choose colors that mimic natural light,” says Lee Faulkner. Lee FalKerner Interiors Ltd. “In spaces with few windows, especially bedrooms, a gorgeous pale light blue can lift your mood and calm you down.” Pale powder #204 by Farrow and Ball”
Colors inspired by the desert
Camille is the queen of desert-inspired color palettes, and it’s no wonder these are all the rage this year. “We’re seeing more play with clay, terracotta, and ‘tanned’ earth tones,” says Doelge. “They bring warmth and tranquility to a space, but they’re also exciting colors for those who want to add a different tone to a room.”
“Clay, putty, soft terracotta, and warm charcoal feel incredibly grounding,” Lerner adds. “They are calming because we already associate them with the outdoors, so they create balance rather than demanding attention.”
Neutral colors inspired by the desert are also very attractive. Who doesn’t want to look and feel good in their space? “When I visited the spa, which featured beautiful stucco walls painted to match Farrow & Ball #231 Setting Plaster, I realized that the colors complimented a wide range of skin tones, further enhancing the blissful experience for everyone,” said Faulkner. “As an additional option, you can soften this color a bit by mixing it at 75% strength.”
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
