We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Along with the colors that burst out of treelined vistas and fall upon us, autumn always brings another spectacle for color enthusiasts to enjoy. This is the season for the color of the year (COTY) announcements from paint and stain brands. And if you are a card-carrying color expert (aka color nerd) like me, you’ve been diligently considering the 2026 color of the year picks as brands make their announcements and have quickly noticed some trends among the hues.
For the skeptical who regard COTY picks as just a marketing tool, COTY is so much more than that. Colors of the year are a physical representation of the mood of humankind. Brands are attempting to capture and express the current state of the planet and what they feel will unfold in the coming year.
So, here is a look at some of the color of the year picks for 2026 and the trends I’m seeing.
What is the color of the year for 2026?
While we won’t know the Pantone color of the year 2026 until December, many major paint and stain brands have already announced their color of the year picks. Here are some of these.
| PPG: Warm Mahogany |  | A rich red, Warm Mahogany is a warm and classically calm neutral. The paint brand PPG says the color “thrives in environments designed to encourage depth of conversation, such as dining rooms and cafes.” |
| Krylon: Matte Coffee Bean |  | A dark brown, “Matte Coffee Bean taps into the rise of dark neutrals like rich browns,” says Krylon color marketing manager, Lisbeth Parada. “It represents a timeless yet sophisticated color that elevates spaces and brings a sense of warmth, without dominating them.” |
| C2: Epernay |  | Epernay is named after a French village that’s known for its limestone architecture and rolling vineyards. “We found ourselves drawn to classic colors that have endured throughout history…shades that bring old-world elegance into modern spaces,” says Tia Clarida, C2 Paint’s marketing director. |
| Sherwin-Williams: Universal Khaki |  | A subtle and timeless earthy tan, Universal Khaki is a classic color that pairs well with other stronger neutrals and freshens vibrant colors. It’s a hue that’s quietly content to be in the background. |
| Valspar: Warm Eucalyptus |  | A delicious green that’s restorative and serene, Valspar shared that Warm Eucalyptus is about “mindful living—slowing down time and injecting restorative design to appreciate small moments.” |
| Behr: Hidden Gem |  | Exuding a rich quiet confidence, Hidden Gem is a soothing jade. “This smoky jade hue offers a sense of balance and depth, feeling both timeless and fresh,” says Erika Woelfel, Behr’s vice president of color and creative services. |
| Dutch Boy: Melodious Ivory |  | A creamy warm neutral that gives feelings of nostalgia, Melodious Ivory offers a hint of a yummy indulgence while bringing harmony and calmness into any living space. |
| Minwax: Special Walnut |  | ”Special Walnut takes its cues from the honest beauty of wood in its truest form,” says Lisbeth Parada, color and design lead, Minwax. “We were inspired by the renewed desire to surround ourselves with materials that feel real and enduring, such as reclaimed beams, heirloom furniture and the aged patina of well-loved spaces.” |
Color of the Year Trends
After being a devotee of color of the year trends for more than 15 years, I’ve enjoyed sussing out what’s happening in design through the lens of these COTY picks. Here are the common themes I’m seeing from the Colors of the Year 2026.
Earthy
There’s a lot of talk about grounding, being inspired by organic elements, and earthiness during this COTY reveal season, so it’s fitting that all of the colors can be found in nature. Most of them are literally grounded in an earth color—some version of brown. However, instead of ground-pounding strong color picks, there’s a common, soothing quality to the COTY picks across paint and stain brands.
Classic
If you asked me to suggest how to spend your hard-earned money wisely on well-made clothing, I’d tell you to pick classic colors like the pigments represented by the 2026 colors of the year. All of the picks on the list above are business-wardrobe appropriate and generally don’t go out of style. Just like with smart wardrobe investments, these colors are mindful and will provide extensive cost per use so you won’t have to repaint or restain when the next trend comes along. Incorporate the hues into either your home or your wardrobe with equally long-lasting effects.
Retro
We’re dipping back 50 years into the 1970s with the 2026 COTY selections. Warm and natural colors were all of the rage five decades ago, and they are making headlines again. While the 1970s celebrated a bit bolder versions of this palette of COTY, the essence of the colors are still represented. It’s now just in a more modern, subdued way.
Neutral
Another common theme among the COTY picks for 2026 is that all of them can be paired with vibrant colors, and they all happily take a supporting role to their powerful color companions. The neutrality of the colors represents the serenity and gentleness that brands are predicting for 2026.
