The 2027 Interior Colors of the Year

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to bring more color into your home, 2027 might be your year. Interior paint companies have been announcing their “Colors of the Year” over the past several weeks, and the choices feel fresh, warm, and remarkably easy to live with, offering plenty of inspiration whether you’re planning a full renovation or just looking to refresh a room.

After years of white, gray and greige dominating interiors, color continues to make its way back into our homes. But this isn’t a return to anything overly bright or bold. The 2027 palette is earthy, muted, and inviting with greens, blues and warm natural shades that add personality while still feeling timeless. Here’s a look at some of my favorites: 

Behr: Grounded

Behr's Grounded is an earthy olive green with mossy tones and subtle brown undertones. It's rich without being overly dark and feels more like a neutral than a traditional green.

This is one I could see working particularly well on kitchen cabinets, built-ins, an office or even throughout a smaller room. Pair it with natural wood and warm whites and it feels current without screaming "2027."

Glidden: Artifact

Glidden went in a cooler direction with Artifact, a soft, muted aqua that falls somewhere between blue and gray.

Don't picture tropical turquoise. Artifact is much quieter and more sophisticated. It could work nicely in a bathroom, bedroom or living space, especially alongside warm wood, cream and other earthy colors.

Valspar: Cottage Door

Valspar's Cottage Door is another blue, but this one has enough gray in it to keep it from feeling overly sweet or coastal.

It's an easy color to imagine living with for a long time. It could work across an entire room, but it's also a good candidate for cabinetry, a bathroom vanity or built-ins if you aren't ready to commit four walls to blue.

Dutch Boy: Deep Rooted

Here's where things get a little more interesting. Dutch Boy chose Deep Rooted, an earthy orange that brings some real warmth into the mix.

This isn't bright pumpkin orange. Think clay, terracotta and the warm tones you find in natural materials. It would make a great accent in a dining room, mudroom or on a piece of furniture, and for the brave among us, it could make a pretty memorable room.

Sherwin-Williams: Celery

Sherwin-Williams chose Celery, a light herbal green that feels fresh without venturing into mint territory. Of all this year's picks, this might be one of the easiest to use throughout a home. It's light enough for larger spaces but still gives you noticeably more color than another coat of off-white.

What the 2027 Picks Tell Us

If there's one clear takeaway this year, it's that color is back, but we're using it thoughtfully. The cool gray interiors that dominated for years continue to give way to warmer, more natural colors. Greens are still everywhere, but blues, clay tones and other muted colors are joining them. Instead of choosing between "neutral" and "color," homeowners are increasingly using colors that can behave like neutrals.

What I like most is that these shades don't require a complete redesign of your house. Most work well with the things many of us already have: hardwood floors, stone, warm wood cabinetry, cream upholstery and natural materials.

How to Bring Color Home

Remember, you don't need to paint an entire room olive green just because trends say so. If you're curious about these colors, start with a smaller project. Built-ins, a bathroom vanity, kitchen island, interior door or even the back of a bookcase can completely change a room.

And always test before you commit. Greens and blues in particular can look dramatically different depending on natural light, flooring, and the other finishes in your house. A color you love on your phone may be a very different beast once it's covering 400 square feet of wall. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

All the Colors for 2026

Every year, paint companies roll out their “Color of the Year.” Sometimes they’re bold. Sometimes they’re confusing. For 2026, the big takeaway is this: things are calming down. These colors are practical, livable, and meant for real homes, not show houses.

If you’re thinking about repainting a room, updating a front door, or planning a bigger renovation, these six colors from the most popular paint brands are worth a look.

1. Pantone – “Cloud Dancer”

Pantone surprised a lot of people this year by choosing a soft white. “Cloud Dancer” isn’t bright white and it’s not gray but it does sit comfortably in between. Think clean, calm, and easy.

Where it works:

• Inside: Living rooms, hallways, and kitchens, especially if your home doesn’t get a ton of natural light. It keeps things bright without feeling cold.
  
  

• Outside: Trim, porch ceilings, or even siding on smaller homes. It freshens things up without screaming “new paint job.”

This is a great option if you’re selling soon or just want something you won’t get tired of.

2. Benjamin Moore – “Silhouette” (AF-655)

This one’s a deep brown with charcoal undertones. It’s dark, but it doesn’t feel heavy. Think espresso, not black coffee.

Where it works:

• Inside: Offices, dining rooms, built-ins, or an accent wall behind a TV or fireplace.

• Outside: Front doors and garage doors. It pairs nicely with white trim, stone, or brick.

If you want contrast without going full black, this is a smart move.

3. Sherwin-Williams – “Universal Khaki” (SW 6150)

This is one of those colors that just works. It’s a warm beige-tan that doesn’t lean yellow or gray.

Where it works:

• Inside: Open floor plans, living rooms, and family rooms where you want continuity.

• Outside: Siding, especially on Colonials, Capes, and ranches. It plays well with almost any roof color.

If you’re nervous about color, this is your safety net.

4. Behr – “Hidden Gem”

A smoky green-blue that looks bold on a paint chip but surprisingly calm on the wall.

Where it works:

• Inside: Kitchen islands, bathroom vanities, or an accent wall in a bedroom.

• Outside: Shutters or front doors if you want personality without going too trendy.

It’s a good “one-room” color, just don’t put it everywhere.

5. Valspar – “Warm Eucalyptus”

This is a soft, muted green with gray undertones. It feels relaxed and grounded.

Where it works:

• Inside: Bedrooms, home offices, or reading nooks. It’s easy on the eyes.

• Outside: Trim or doors, especially if your yard has mature trees or landscaping.

If you like green but don’t want it to feel like a forest, this one keeps things balanced.

6. Glidden – “Warm Mahogany”

A rich reddish-brown that adds warmth without looking dated.

Where it works:

• Inside: Dining rooms, accent walls, or kitchen islands.

• Outside: Front doors and shutters—especially on lighter homes.

This color feels solid and classic, which is why it works so well on older New England houses.

My Advice

The 2026 colors are less about making a statement and more about making your home feel comfortable. Whites are warmer, neutrals are richer, and color shows up where it counts: doors, cabinets, and accents.

If you’re painting to enjoy your home, stick with the softer shades. If you want curb appeal, use the darker colors sparingly where they’ll stand out for the right reasons.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Interior Design Colors of the Year 2024

Every autumn, all the major paint brands and color influencers choose a specific shade that sets the mood for the year to come. Influenced by what’s happening in the world around us as well as trends in fashion, design, and pop culture, the “Color of the Year” is chosen to give people inspiration for how to design and decorate their homes. While each major brand goes its own way, there are sometimes overlaps or themes that really set the tone for the upcoming season. Here is a sneak peek of what we will soon see in homes across social media, according to the big names in color. 

Limitless by Glidden for PPG

Anything but white, this creamy neutral shade is warm and inviting, the perfect pick-me-up that still pairs well with a wide-ranging palette. A beautiful canvas for warmer tones, it works well for walls, trims, and cabinets, setting the stage for more dramatic design elements. If you love neutral colors but are tired of dominant whites and grays, this is the hue for you. 

Renew Blue by Valspar

A sleepy shade of soft sky blue, this shade for 2024 offers off-season coastal vibes when the weather turns, the beach is quiet and everything feels calm and meditative. Think fog, mist, clouds, and everyday earthy elements that lean towards restoration and reflection.  This color looks beautiful when paired with other blue and gray tones and really pops with a contrast of gold. 

Cracked Pepper by Behr

A deep charcoal hue that adds style and elegance to any room and makes for a perfect alternative to black. The softness enables this color to fit in as comfortably in a modern farmhouse aesthetic as it would in a more industrial and modern apartment. If you’ve ever wanted to paint a whole room black but your nerves got the best of you, this is the color that fits the bill. 

Persimmon by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

The most vibrant of the picks so far, this color offers the warmth of a Tuscan country estate. A far cry from Barbie, this is pink all grown up with a sophistication that feels elegant and inviting. Warm orange tones bring a nice balance to this color, especially when paired with tans, mossy greens, and deep gray-blues. It’s unique and unexpected but won’t go out of style anytime soon. 

Ironside by Dutch Boy

Army green with an upscale edge, this 2024 pick feels ultra-earthy and sets the stage for settling in. We like the way Dutch Boy uses Ironside as an alternative trim color to typical white or black tones, pairing the deep green with peach and blue hues for a look that’s unique. We would pick this for a masculine retreat, office, or as a way to bring nature into the home. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.