Say Goodbye to Oatmeal Tones and Hello to Richer Neutrals

"After years of oatmeal walls and sofas, people are ready for rooms with a pulse," says interior designer Zoë Feldman. The designer recommends replacing the safety of beige with deep ochres, mossy greens, and moody blues that maintain a sense of calm thanks to their roots in nature.

"Neutrals aren’t gone, but they’re getting richer, warmer, and more intentional," Feldman explains. Instead of default neutrals, she suggests smoky, herbaceous greens in kitchens and inky blue-green cabinetry to bring a sense of depth and refinement. "Depending on the light, this shade shifts between moody gray, blue, and green—complex, architectural, and quietly powerful," Feldman says.

Read McKendree

Trade Dusty Pastels for Moodier Tones

While dusty pastels are charming in theory, interior designer Ashley Rose Walsh says they are giving way to richer, moodier tones that possess more confidence and presence. "For 2026, expect homeowners to embrace colors with depth: merlot, olive, moody blues, terracotta, and warm clay," the designer says. She loves these hues for the grounded sophistication they offer, while being both contemporary and enduring.

Ali Harper

Replace Cool Grays With an Earthier Palette

There are paint color trends that dominated the last decade that Walsh says are now fading fast. "Cool grays, once the default neutral for nearly every renovation, now feel cold and impersonal compared to today’s warmer, earthier palette," she says. Leave overused, cool neutrals in 2025 and take advice from interior designer Marianne Jones and embrace warm, earthy, and saturated color palettes. "Hello rich browns, dusty olives, tobacco tones, warm yellows, deep teals, plums, and moody reds and burgundies," the designer says.

Lisa Romerein

Tone Down Stark Whites and Opt for Softer Shades of White

"Stark, gallery-style whites are being replaced with softer, more nuanced shades that offer warmth without sacrificing brightness," Walsh says. Not all white paint colors are alike, and choosing an overly bright shade can read as sterile, cold, and impersonal. "Whites, if used, should lean towards warmer, creamier undertones rather than stark, clinical whites," Reese recommends. The color is a classic that will never go out of style, but getting it right is key. For the perfect blend of warmth and brightness, go with an off-white shade, or add a soft and sophisticated feel to your space with a luxurious cream paint color.

John Bessler

Instead of Cold Minimalism, Go All-In with Color-Drenching

Cold minimalism is on its way out, being replaced with its polar opposite: color-drenching. "Color-drenching (painting walls, trim, and ceilings in one hue) continues, often in warmer, nuanced shades," Jones says. The designer explains that the paint trend is both a backlash against cold minimalism and a yearning for cozy, enveloping spaces that boost the mood. "The palette is ever evolving into deeper, more sophisticated warmth for emotional comfort during uncertain times," Jones shares. If you're ready to go all-in with a bold color-drenched look, try a saturated color such as ochre, deep dusty rose, aubergine, terracotta, or olive.