Homeowners

Bold and Balanced: 2026’s Top Paint Trends

If you’re ready to give your home a new look in 2026, paint is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to update your home.

This year’s leading colors strike a balance between bold personality and everyday livability, offering homeowners fresh options to suit a range of styles.

Expect to see airy pastels, warm reds and golds, deep moody tones, and a standout smoky jade appearing across living spaces, kitchens, and even front doors.

Two major paint brands have set the tone for the year ahead.

Behr selected Hidden Gem, a jade that blends blue and green undertones, as its 2026 Color of the Year.

Meanwhile, Sherwin-Williams released its 2026 Colormix Forecast Anthology Volume Two, a collection of 48 colors organized into four palettes: frosted tints with soft pastels; foundational neutrals with timeless taupes and grays; sunbaked hues with warm reds and yellows; and restorative darks featuring deep plums and blues.

These colors can be used in a quick, cost-effective refresh or incorporated into a larger remodel. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), cash-out refinance, or second mortgage may allow homeowners to tap into the equity of their properties to fund larger renovations.

“The ‘all grey houses’ trend is officially over—and not a moment too soon,” said Jessi Economos, founder and chief interior designer at Jeid Studio in Des Moines, Iowa. “There’s a big swing toward depth, warmth, and unapologetic personality in design.”

“The real fun is happening in the way homeowners are layering bold tones, sometimes in entire rooms, sometimes in millwork or architectural details, and doing it with a newfound confidence,” said Economos. “Color isn’t just a throw pillow anymore. It’s the star of the show.”

How to use hottest paint colors of 2026

There are a myriad of ways to make these colors play well in your home.

“It’s all about knowing when to turn the volume up and when to keep it low-key,” said Economos.

Those who aren’t ready to commit to painting a full room may want to start by painting trim, doors, or crown molding in one of these colors so that it contrasts with a neutral-colored wall.

Color enthusiasts may also choose to paint smaller, less-trafficked spaces rather than a kitchen, living room, or bedroom.

“Powder baths, laundry rooms, and home offices are perfect little playgrounds for experimenting, spaces where a bold move won’t hijack the whole house,” said Economos.

Her tips for keeping the rooms timeless, so they don’t become outdated next season, is pairing these colors with classic materials, like wood, stone, and clean-lined architecture.

“Even if your wall color changes down the road, the bones stay chic and ageless,” said Economos.

How to pay for your home updates and renovations

You can change the vibe of your home in a weekend with a single accent wall or front door in a trending shade.

For larger projects, such as repainting an entire home exterior or combining new colors with upgrades like cabinetry, flooring, or lighting, planning and budgeting become more important.

Homeowners undertaking more extensive projects may consider financing options that leverage their existing home equity. Your equity is how much of your property you own outright when factoring in your down payment, how much of the principal on your loan that you’ve paid down, and home appreciation.

You may be able to tap into this equity to borrow the money you need for home repairs and alterations.

A HELOC acts like a credit card, where homeowners only borrow as much as they need over a five- to 10-year draw period. Then they pay it back over the next 10 to 30 years.

A cash-out refinance replaces your mortgage with a higher loan amount, providing funds upfront. You repay this new mortgage every month.

Meanwhile, a second mortgage allows you to access some of your home equity by taking out an additional mortgage with that equity as the collateral. This leaves your current loan untouched, especially beneficial if you have an ultra-low mortgage rate.

These approaches can help cover the cost of updates while potentially adding value to your home over time.

Remodeling your home with resale value in mind

If you’re thinking of selling in the not-too-distant future, but still want to embrace the warmth these trends offer, you may want to analyze your Instagram feed.

“Pay attention to design ideas shared by designers and influencers on social media,” said Erin Feddersen, director of design and marketing at Claman Custom Homes based in Ankeny, Iowa. “The images that receive the most positive feedback and likes are often the styles that home buyers look for when searching for a new home.”

As long as homeowners don’t go too crazy with their color palette, a fresh coat of paint could be a good investment.

“The good news about color is that it’s typically an affordable option to change,” she said. “If a buyer truly loves a home, a paint color shouldn’t deter them from buying it.”  

From smoky jade and delicate pastels to sun-warmed reds and enduring neutrals, 2026 may be your year to experiment with color.

“Homeowners are leaning into richer choices and giving their homes more character,” said Economos. “Turns out moody colors weren’t scary after all—they just needed better PR.”