Behr 2026 COTY Hidden Gem
What’s trending for 2026
It’s that time again. The paint companies have launched their 2026 Colors of The Year. We’re just waiting on Pantone at this point. Here’s what’s going strong.
2026 Trend: Bold color and pattern in the Kitchen
While deep blues, greens and teals continue to track for the whole house, the past few years have seen an explosion of using bold warm hues for the kitchen paired with dynamic and exciting marble counters. Think brown, orange, berry and deep red for cabinets and/ or walls with strongly pattered marble veining.
2026 Trend: Color drenching with paints.
Greg Natale Design
I HATE using this term because I’ve been a proponent of matching trim to walls in a higher sheen since I’ve been a Professional Color Consultant. We didn’t need a catchy new phrase to describe it. People use white as a default decision for trim. It’s a non-decision actually, made without thought often. White trim is a traditional approach not suited for many interior styles and wall colors. It creates a highly contrasting line at your wall base and crown molding. It stops the eye and prevents cohesion and flow in the room. Matching the trim to wall color is a sensible and elegant approach and you can pull the color onto the ceiling if all the factors are right to do this taking into consideration room size and available natural light.
2026 Trend: Wallpaper in bathrooms
Studio Wu interiors. photo: Cait Beyer
While wallpaper in the 1/2 bath or powder room has been popular for years, we’re seeing it more and more in full and en-suite bathrooms as well. As long as you’re careful about not placing it near splashing water or using vinyl paper where needed, it’s a great look offering endless patterns and designs to create any kind of ambience you’re looking for.
2026 Color Trend: Deep orange, dark red and berry colors.
Studio SFW. Photo: T Williams
Amy Krane Color
Koi Colour Studio
These deep, dark, warm hues are everywhere. They utterly transform a room into a cozy and enveloping cocoon. Be bold and try it!
2026 Trends: Mossy Green and Lime Paint
Studio Squire. Photo: Christopher Horwood
Two trends both exemplified by this room. Chalky, natural paints have been on the uptick for years. Plaster walls, Tadelakt and lime wash give that natural mottled appearance which harkens back to foregone times. It’s an earthy look and more healthy with less synthetic ingredients which can off-gas fumes.
2026 Trend: Colored Ceilings
Benjamin Moore
While we mentioned pulling your wall color onto your ceiling, it’s getting more and more popular to paint your ceiling a color other than a neutral like white, even if it’s different than the walls. This is an adventurous approach to decorating which helps pull the room together. Having the high contrast of white above your head in an otherwise colorful room can make the room seem incomplete. We are so accustomed to the contrast in values, darkness/lightness of colors, as well as hue, as we look from wall to a ceiling. Try a color that’s different than the walls but of equal value to lessen the contrast.
2026 Trend: Vintage inspired bathrooms
Sam Villiers Design
Whether its a hat tip to deco style or the use of certain kinds of colors, tiles, bathroom and lighting fixtures, these rooms harken back to past eras. Vintage inspired bathrooms abound.
2026 : Biophilic Design
Riccardo Vicarelli
Though Biophilic has been a concept for years, seeing explosive growth since the pandemic, the principles are so sound and practical that I see it more than a trend but rather how we will want to approach our homes hereafter. It is more than adding plants to your rooms or having enough windows to bring the outside in, it’s a wholistic approach to your choice of colors, color combinations, lighting and materials to help mimic the benefits of living in the natural world.
I must admit, not one trend is new. The direction has been set for these trends over the past few years and in 2026 they will continue to gain traction.
