Sherwin-Williams predicts the colors that will shape homes and workspaces in 2026
Subscribe to our free newsletter today to keep up to date with the latest homebuilding news.
Sherwin-Williams has released its Colormix Forecast for 2026, revealing the shades the company expects to define interiors in the coming year. The annual forecast draws from trends in architecture, fashion, art, and culture, distilling them into a cohesive vision for the future of color.
This year’s selection is organized into four distinct palettes that balance natural influences, nostalgic references, and global aesthetics. The result is a collection designed to resonate with both residential and commercial spaces, offering options for a wide range of design goals. For Sherwin-Williams, the forecast is not just about predicting trends. It reflects how people want to live and work, and how color can shape those experiences.
Nature’s resurgence through biophilia in paint
One of the strongest influences on the 2026 forecast is biophilia, the design philosophy that prioritizes a connection to nature. This influence is visible in a selection of deep greens, muted clays, and soft moss tones. These shades are versatile enough to work in a variety of interiors, yet distinct enough to make a visual statement.
The popularity of nature-inspired colors reflects a growing focus on wellness and sustainability. These hues pair well with eco-friendly materials, recycled finishes, and low-VOC paints. Designers are using them to create spaces that feel restorative, from open-plan homes to corporate offices that incorporate natural light and greenery.
Color psychology supports this approach. Greens are associated with renewal and balance, while earth tones can create feelings of stability. Together, they offer an antidote to fast-paced modern life, helping interiors feel grounded and calm.
Nostalgia meets the future with retro-futurism in color
Alongside the organic tones of biophilia, the 2026 forecast embraces retro-futurism. This style merges mid-century design influences with forward-looking optimism, resulting in a palette that includes vibrant oranges, golden yellows, and metallic silvers. These colors recall the space-age aesthetic of the 1960s and 1970s while feeling relevant for contemporary interiors.
Retro-futurism appeals to those who want to combine the comfort of familiar design with the excitement of innovation. It has been showing up in curved furniture, playful lighting, and bold accent walls. In commercial settings, these tones can signal creativity and energy, making them a natural choice for retail spaces, co-working hubs, and hospitality venues.
By blending vintage references with modern finishes, retro-futurism allows designers to create interiors that are both warm and cutting edge.
Global influences and cultural crossroads
The 2026 palette also reflects the growing impact of global design. Sherwin-Williams color experts studied emerging trends from regions as diverse as North Africa, Scandinavia, and Southeast Asia. The result is a selection of warm terracottas, rich blues, and sun-washed neutrals inspired by traditional crafts and architectural details.
Global influences have become more visible as design trends move quickly across digital platforms. Homeowners and businesses are drawing from international inspiration to create layered, personalized spaces. A restaurant might incorporate Mediterranean tile patterns alongside Scandinavian furniture, while a home might pair Japanese indigo textiles with midwestern hardwood floors.
This cross-cultural exchange offers designers an expanded palette of stories to tell through their work. Each hue carries both aesthetic appeal and cultural resonance, allowing interiors to feel both local and connected to a broader world.
What the 2026 colors mean for the industry
For architects, interior designers, and product developers, the Sherwin-Williams 2026 Colormix Forecast is more than a color chart. It is a roadmap for anticipating client needs and market preferences. Nature-inspired hues speak to the continued emphasis on wellness and environmental responsibility. Retro-futuristic shades reflect the tension between tradition and innovation. Global influences add the diversity and richness that today’s consumers value.
In practice, these colors will shape more than paint choices. They will influence fabric selection, lighting design, furniture finishes, and even branding decisions. A well-chosen color can set the tone for an entire space, influencing how it feels and how people interact within it.
The 2026 Colormix Forecast outlines a direction for interiors that draws on proven design traditions while responding to current needs and anticipating future shifts. From a single accent wall to a full-scale project, these colors have the potential to shape how spaces look, feel, and function over the next year.
Sources: