Every year, paint companies come out with their color predictions and announce the shades they think we’ll be seeing everywhere.
Some years, they’re a little hard to imagine actually using in your house.
This year is different.
The colors we’re seeing for 2026 are warm, comfortable and surprisingly easy to live with. If you’ve been thinking about painting this fall, there are some really good options from both Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore that are worth putting on your sample list.
Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki SW 6150
Let’s start with Sherwin-Williams’ 2026 Color of the Year, Universal Khaki SW 6150.
And before the word “khaki” makes you picture a pair of pants, give this one a chance.
Universal Khaki is a warm, earthy neutral that sits somewhere between beige, tan and a very soft brown. It’s warmer than the cool grays we’ve seen everywhere for the last decade, but it’s still neutral enough to work throughout a home.
This is the kind of color we could see working really well in a living room, foyer, hallway or open main level.
It’s also a good option for homeowners who want to warm up their space without making a dramatic color change.
Benjamin Moore Silhouette AF-655
Benjamin Moore went much darker with its 2026 Color of the Year.
Silhouette AF-655 is a deep espresso brown with charcoal undertones, and it’s a great example of the darker, moodier colors we’re seeing come back.
Would we paint every wall in the house with it? Probably not.
But in the right space, absolutely.
Think home office, dining room, powder room, built-ins or even an accent wall. Paired with lighter furniture, warm wood and creamy trim, a color like this can completely change the feel of a room.
Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green HC-157
If you like the green trend but want something with a little more depth than sage, take a look at Narragansett Green HC-157.
It’s a deep green with blue undertones that can look beautiful in an office, dining room or bedroom.
This is another color that doesn’t necessarily need to go throughout the entire house. Sometimes one room with a little personality is enough.
We especially like deeper greens with natural wood tones and warm whites.
Benjamin Moore Southwest Pottery 048
This one definitely feels like fall.
Southwest Pottery 048 has that warm terracotta feel without going full pumpkin orange.It’s earthy, warm and a little unexpected.
We could see this being really nice in a dining room, powder room or even paired with a neutral wall color through furniture and décor.
If your house has a lot of warm wood, stone or natural finishes, colors in this family can work really well.
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45
Not ready for brown, green or terracotta?
That’s completely fine.
Warm whites are still going strong, and Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee OC-45 continues to fit right into the warmer direction interiors are taking.
It’s softer than a bright, stark white and can help a room feel warmer while still keeping everything light.
For homeowners who are tired of gray but aren’t ready to commit to a strong color, a warm white can be a great place to start.
Benjamin Moore Sherwood Tan 1054
Here’s another one for anyone who wants to move away from gray without going too far.
Sherwood Tan 1054 is a warm tan that fits right into the return of earthy neutrals we’re seeing this year.
Colors like this are especially useful in rooms where you already have several finishes to work around. Hardwood floors, stone fireplaces, countertops and existing furniture can all influence which paint colors are going to work.
A good neutral should help pull those things together instead of fighting with them.
So, Is Gray Officially Gone?
Not necessarily.
If you love your gray walls, we’re not coming to take them away.
But we’re definitely seeing things warm up.
The cooler grays and stark whites that dominated interiors for years are making room for khaki, tan, brown, terracotta, green and warmer whites.
And we’re seeing homeowners become a little more comfortable with actual color again.
That’s probably our favorite part.
Always Sample It First
Here’s the part we can’t stress enough.
Don’t pick a paint color based solely on a picture you saw online.
The same color can look completely different depending on the room. Natural light, artificial lighting, flooring, cabinets, furniture and even the direction your windows face can change the way a paint color looks throughout the day.
Grab a sample. Put it on the wall. Look at it in the morning, afternoon and at night.
You may love it at 10 a.m. and hate it at 7 p.m.
It happens.
Can’t Decide on a Color? We Can Help With That Too.
Picking a paint color sounds easy until you’re standing there comparing six shades that looked completely different on the paint chips and somehow look exactly the same on your wall.
If choosing colors isn’t your thing, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
STB Painting Company offers color consultations for an additional fee with a member of our team who can help you narrow down your options and choose colors that actually work in your home.
We’ll look at the things that matter in your space, including your lighting, flooring, furniture, existing finishes and the overall feel you’re going for.
Whether you’re trying to find the right warm neutral for the entire main level or wondering if that dark green you love is actually going to work in your dining room, having another set of eyes can make the decision a whole lot easier.
After all, there are enough decisions to make during a home project. Picking between 47 slightly different shades of white doesn’t need to be one of them.
Thinking About a Fresh Color for Fall?
Fall is a great time to tackle interior painting. The kids are heading back to school, schedules start getting back to normal and, before we know it, we’ll all be spending a lot more time inside.
If you’ve been thinking about changing up a room, we’d be happy to help.
STB Painting Company provides professional interior painting and optional color consultations in Howard County, Columbia, Ellicott City and surrounding Maryland communities.
Whether you already know exactly what you want or have absolutely no idea where to start, give us a call.
We’ll help you get from “maybe this one?” to a finished space you love.
