Today, Pantone announced their Color of the Year 2026: Cloud Dancer, a billowy white that blends well into palettes of powdery pastels and soft shadowy hues.
We spoke with four paint brands that have named their 2026 Colors of the Year as well, and while the hues diverge, a common thread runs through all of them: comfort, versatility and a desire for colors that feel grounding in uncertain times. Let’s take a look at how they complement one another:
Little Greene: Adventurer
Little Greene’s pick, Adventurer, is a regal aubergine plum that signals the industry’s shift away from earthy browns toward richer, more confident jewel tones.
“The movement toward burgundy represents customers’ growing confidence with color in their homes, “ says Ruth Mottershead, Little Greene’s Creative Director, “Adventurer provides that perfect balance of regal sophistication and intimate comfort.” The brand positions it as a color for clients ready to step into deeper palettes without losing approachability.
Sherwin-Williams: Universal Khaki
Sherwin-Williams and HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, which is available exclusively at Lowe’s, unveiled their choice, Universal Khaki.
Warm and neutral, the color anchors HGTV Home’s Honest Essentials collection and embodies the pared-back elegance of minimalist design. The partnership itself feels as noteworthy as the color, signaling a united front on what will resonate with mainstream American homeowners. Universal Khaki pairs nicely with shades of sage, icy blues and plums.
Alkemis Paint: Earthstar
Alkemis Paint named Earthstar their 2026 Color of the Year. “We all need a grounding, earthy green right about now,” says Price Latimer, Co-Founder and CCO of Alkemis Paint, “In a time when our homes have become sanctuaries from an overstimulating world, Alkemis Paint’s Earthstar (102) is the antidote to digital fatigue and environmental anxiety. More than a color trend, Earthstar represents a paradigm shift toward interiors that heal rather than harm people and the planet, grounding us in nature while celebrating a healthier, more sustainable future.”
Earlier this year, Alkemis produced a custom color for the Cisco showroom at High Point Market, aptly named Howdy Cisco, in honor of the late Pinedo Cisco. Not only is the color’s warm earthiness perfectly on trend, Howdy Cisco was created with Cisco and Alkemis’ shared affinity for wellness and sustainability.
Valspar: Warm Eucalyptus
Valspar leaned into nostalgia with Warm Eucalyptus, a grounded green drawn from vintage palettes, evoking optimism and comfort through its timeless quality, that also feels playful when paired with bolder hues.
After a decade of grey-dominance as the preferred interior neutral, a shift began to take place in furniture in the past couple of years with the resurgence of heavy dark wood and raw textures, and collectible design and art shows showcasing tye-dye pieces with melty textures. The paint companies and color trend predictors fused these trends to provide them a soothing, neutral backdrop with their 2026 color of the year selections. Taken together, these speak to a collective mood — a craving for colors that reassure, inspire and adapt to the ways we’re living now.
