Reese Witherspoon's Vibrant Paint Color Choice Is Right On Trend

Viewers of Reece Witherspoon's TikTok channel in August last year might have noticed her sitting in front of a vibrantly bright, zesty wall with a hue sitting somewhere in between green and yellow. This is chartreuse, a color whose name is derived from the French liqueur with the same name and color. It might not be one of 2026's official paint colors of the year, but chartreuse is trending. This acidic tart color was part of a palette that was popular back in the early 2000s and 2010s but started to make a return last fall, with designers embracing it as a tool to lighten up the darker days. 

"As the weather turns colder and we lose the green outdoors, chartreuse can keep things feeling fresh and alive, even when it's dismal out the window," interior designer Tara McCauley told Homes and Gardens. But the chartreuse trend wasn't just for fall, and we're seeing it extended into 2026, with many designers embracing it as one of the key colors of the year. "Chartreuse is not a filler color; it's a point of view. To me, it feels bold, unexpected, and slightly irreverent in the best way," designer Cortney Bishop explained to Better Homes & Gardens. "In the right application, it makes a house feel fresh, fearless and deeply personal."

Chartreuse is a bold color, and its intensity can sometimes be a drawback. "The biggest risk with chartreuse is that it naturally commands attention," said Cortney Bishop to Better Homes & Gardens. "That can be wonderful when you want a room to feel memorable, but it can also create too much visual energy if it's used too broadly or without enough restraint." 

So, what is the best way to incorporate bold chartreuse in your home decor without it getting overwhelming? Designer Brinley Trent suggested to InRegister that "To add it to your home without it becoming overpowering, consider using it as an accent color — like in decorative pillows and artwork — or as a foundational element, such as a rug. You can definitely appreciate this vibrant color without allowing it to overpower the entire space."

Using chartreuse as an accent color can open a whole area of creativity. Use the color for an easy DIY paint project that takes less than an hour by painting a small table or chair, or adding a vibrant access wall or door inside or outside your home. You can also have fun visiting thrift and antique shops to see what you can find in this shade. Chartreuse has been around longer than you might think, and you could well stumble upon a vintage gem with a little patience. With even Vogue designating chartreuse as spring's newest hit color, you can't go wrong with embracing this trend.