The Paint Color Trend That Will Be Replacing Dated And Overdone Greige In 2026

Greige entered interiors, offering a lush blend between the cold, steely gray of the 2010s and the outdated, basic beige that flooded homes of the '90s. As common ground between cool and warm tones, this neutral gave spaces a sense of coziness, while still acting as a gorgeous backdrop for the rest of the design. However, it may be time to say goodbye to greige as the neutral paint color you used to see everywhere is officially out. This color achieved mass popularity, but now it's beginning to feel overdone and stale as we shift into 2026 home design. Instead, homeowners yearn for color palettes that are bolder, offer more depth, and showcase a sense of personality. This includes an increased preference for color.

This year, adding rich and bold colors to your home is the once-controversial trend that might increase your home value. While subdued neutrals had their place, rich, sultry brown shades will be replacing greige in 2026. Designer Will Brown, of Will Brown Interiors, told The Spruce, "Cooler tones ... lack the vibrancy and warmth people seek these days." While greige may have been a happy medium between cool and warm tones, it now feels flat, lifeless, and cold compared to the warmer, more vibrant hues we're seeing today. Brown continued, saying this shift may be because, "With the chaos happening in our world, gray feels dreary and depressing." 

When looking at trendy paint colors that will be taking over walls in 2026, you might be able to sense the theme, which seems to be a return to cozier warm neutrals and earth tones. For example, Benjamin Moore's 2026 color of the year, Silhouette AF-655, is a dark, moody charcoal brown tone that blends drama and depth. Other notable colors from the brand, like Sherwood Tan, First Crush, and Southwest Pottery, also feature rich undertones. Sherwin-Williams named Universal Khaki its 2026 color of the year. The shade is creamy and earthy with a warm honey undertone. And Glidden chose Warm Mahogany, a flavorful, muted red with rich chocolatey notes.

While greige and other neutrals are still well-received in home design, we'll likely see homeowners incorporating colors like the ones mentioned above more often. Further, Zillow's 2025 paint analysis shared that homebuyers are no longer searching for all-white or light neutral interiors. Rather, their interests have shifted towards organic, cozy hues, which will likely carry on into 2026.

Warm browns are incredibly versatile, with some designers calling brown the new black. Some of the more popular ways to add brown to your color palette are through coffee-stained woods, walnut pieces, or leather furniture. Color drenching, which encompasses painting trim, walls, and ceiling all in one note of color, can be another excellent choice for incorporating brown into the home. Zillow shared that mentions of color drenching jumped 149% year over year, making it a trendy way to add brown to your space. Following 2026 home trends, adding other natural and organic hues to a brown-based palette will enhance the cozy and biophilic aesthetic. Olive green, muted blue, cream, beige, and other shades of brown add a natural, layered look.

Texture also plays a role. We're seeing handmade, raw pottery, tactile wallpapers, natural fibers, and rough-cut stone added alongside brown for a more rustic touch. Alternatively, mid-tone brown woods and orange-based browns are getting paired with rich red burgundy tones for a moody, autumnal look.