9 Paint Colors Interior Designers Are Loving for 2026

Taos Taupe by Benjamin Moore

Creamy taupe hues are trending, and light gray tones are fading into the background. People are tired of the millennial gray aesthetic and instead craving more depth and warmth. Fortunately, even among these aesthetic shifts, Taos Taupe by Benjamin Moore still serves as a beautiful neutral and pairs well with leathers and a rich, accenting color palette.

“I love this color for anywhere from a living room to a bar room or a butler’s pantry. I’d even use it in a mudroom,” says Shannon Askinasi, interior designer and founder of Ash & Pine Interiors. “The warmth keeps a home feeling lived in, while the neutrality and darker hue raise sophistication levels instantly.”

Colorado Gray by Benjamin Moore

If you love your grays, fear not. Making them feel modern in 2026 means choosing gray colors with more depth, like Colorado Gray by Benjamin Moore. This hue still has some coolness, but is deeper, and has more blue and purple underneath. 

“These dusty blues still feel warm and inviting and strike that perfect contrast against the warmer whites and browns we’re all gravitating towards,” says Dana Ayala, principal designer at The LoCal Community. “Great for bedrooms, powder rooms, offices, and libraries, this blue tone can really be used in a variety of spaces as a new neutral.”

Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams

While billed as a true black, Askinasi says Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams provides much more depth, and doesn’t feel too stark. Still, it’s rich, inky, and moody, and it complements a variety of other colors.

“Black will never go out of style, but that doesn’t mean we can’t keep things interesting. This color offers just that—a compelling take on a classic,” she says. “I love pairing it with warm neutrals, fun patterns, tactile accessories, and natural wood elements.”

October Mist by Benjamin Moore

October Mist is a warm, soft green with gentle, beige-greige undertones that give it a refined, grounded presence.

“It reads as a true neutral-green that’s subtle and sophisticated and not sharp, minty, or overly earthy,” says interior designer Janie Hungerford. “The color shifts gracefully throughout the day, appearing fresh and airy in morning light and deeper and more enveloping as the light softens.”

Hungerford says this is her favorite green-forward neutral for 2026. Interiors continue to move toward warmth and natural influence, and this hue connects to nature, without feeling overly thematic or trend-heavy. She recommends pairing it with natural wood tones, honed stone, non-lacquered brass, and tactile textiles.

White Flour by Sherwin-Williams

When Pantone chose Cloud Dancer as its Color of the Year, many were confused about the choice. However, Meghan Sharp, interior designer and co-founder of the Mister + Mrs Sharp design studio, says there are many ways to work white tones into homes for a refined, sophisticated feel. 

“White Flour is a perfect example of the new generation of whites. It’s warm, without a trace of yellow,” she says. “In 2026, we’re favoring whites that feel inviting rather than clinical, and this one consistently performs.”  

It’s a beautiful option for homes with abundant natural light, and can be used on everything from walls and trim to cabinetry.

Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore

Wrought Iron is another variation of black, this time veering more towards soft charcoal. In some rooms, Askinasi says it may even read a bit navy. 

“After years of seeing bright white rooms, I’m loving the more dark, sleek spaces. I think they’re particularly chic when color-drenched,” she says. “So if you’re over the look of all white, I’d recommend doing a 180; this is a great color to use if you’re going all out.”

Pink Shadow by Sherwin-Williams

Sharp says one of her favorite paint colors for the new year is Pink Shadow by Sherwin-Williams. “It’s soft, muted, and atmospheric, and never sugary or overly feminine,” she says. “In 2026, we’re seeing homeowners gravitate toward colors that feel calming and architectural, and this shade delivers exactly that.”

She recommends it as a full-room envelope, ideal for sitting rooms, nurseries, bedrooms, and even bathrooms. Pair it with warm woods and linen textures. “Our favorite way to use it is as a backdrop for layered neutrals,” she says. “It creates warmth without visual noise, which is exactly what many interiors need right now.”

Card Room Green by Farrow & Ball

“I love Card Room Green by Farrow & Ball, as it feels both classic and nostalgic,” says Alicia Roche, principal at Brooklin Interiors. “This rich green tone offers warmth, depth, and incredible versatility when mixing in other colors and textures.”

With earth tones and green color palettes more popular than ever, it feels a perfect fit for the new year and beyond.

Cloud White by Benjamin Moore

For another neutral white that doesn’t feel overtly sterile or boring, Ayala is championing Cloud White. “As we continue to trend away from the grays and stark whites, finding that perfect neutral white is an increasing request in the design world,” she says. “Cloud White is soft and delicate. It picks up cues from the environment and leans into the tones of the flooring and other adjacent materials.”

Use it as a base for bolder accent furniture, as a backdrop for a beautiful kitchen cabinet color, or in a bathroom with neutral tones. It can truly go anywhere and pair with anything.