2026 Design Trends: Your Expert Outlook

The start of a new year brings the excitement of new possibilities, and in the world of home design, that means a refresh of our palettes. The design landscape for 2026 is moving definitively toward personalized comfort, nature-inspired warmth, and rich, emotional color—a striking departure from the all-white and all-gray minimalism of the past decade. Emily Varner, Design Consultant at our Belmont office, confirms this departure from cooler colors. “Homeowners are starting to select warmer tones.”

If you’re considering building a home with Wayne, you are perfectly positioned to embrace these trends, starting with the foundation for home design: paint. We’re proud to include premium Sherwin-Williams paint for your walls and trim, ensuring your custom home is built with both quality and style. To inspire your selections, let’s dive into the Sherwin-Williams 2026 Color of the Year and the complete Colormix® Forecast, alongside the latest in flooring and interior design trends.

The 2026 Color of the Year: Universal Khaki SW 6150

Every year, one shade stands above the rest to define the design conversation. For 2026, Sherwin-Williams has announced their Color of the Year: Universal Khaki SW 6150.

This selection is an essential neutral that offers a beautiful balance of livability and longevity. Classified under the Foundational Neutrals category of the Colormix Forecast, Universal Khaki is described as “Tailored & Timeless”—a mid-tone hue with a slight yellow undertone. It embodies the core shift in design, moving away from cool, sterile grays and embracing warm, grounding tones. Rachel Ballou, Design Consultant at our Portage office, confirms this trend towards warmer tones. “For paint colors, I’m noticing that most homeowners still prefer neutral colors. But there’s a noticeable shift toward warmer tan-based tones than grays.”

How to Use It In Your Home

Universal Khaki is the ultimate partner for nearly any design style. Use it as a serene backdrop throughout open-concept living areas, or pair it with bold accent colors from the Restorative Darks or Sunbaked Hues palettes for a sophisticated, layered look. The trend for 2026 is moving toward interiors that feel restorative and cozy, and this perfect neutral delivers that emotional comfort beautifully.

The 2026 Colormix® Forecast: Anthology: Volume Two

Sherwin-Williams’ latest forecast, Anthology: Volume Two, breaks down the future of color into four distinct palettes, each offering a pathway to a personalized, trend-forward home.

1. Foundational Neutrals

This palette provides the necessary balance for any design scheme. It’s where Universal Khaki lives, along with a beautiful Included Features paint: Passive SW 7064. These are the refined neutrals that anchor your space, offering warmth and sophistication without falling flat. This color also works well has a whole-home paint color. According to Julie Hoffman, Design Consultant at our Delaware office, “Most of my homeowners are opting for a consistent wall paint color throughout their homes. Simplicity in the paint allows them the freedom to add expression through other interior design elements. Neutral tones remain incredibly popular for wall paint.”

Design experts confirm that “cremèle neutrals”—creamy and caramel shades—are being chosen over crisp white and stark gray. The Foundational Neutrals palette is your go-to for creating a sophisticated backdrop that aligns with the trend of nature-inspired elegance and works seamlessly with natural wood tones and brass hardware.

2. Frosted Tints

For homeowners seeking serenity, the Frosted Tints palette is a must-see. It features cool, analogous tones of icy pastels in whispers of blue, green and purple. This collection is about weightless, wondrous color, perfect for creating a tranquil escape.

This is where you’ll find another one of our included paint color options: Upward SW 6239. Upward, a light, tranquil blue, is ideal for promoting a sense of calm and connection to nature, making it a perfect fit for bedrooms, reading nooks, or a bright home office. It’s a wonderful way to introduce soft color and depth without overwhelming the space.

3. Sunbaked Hues

Reflecting the design trend of “Clay and Terracotta Revival,” Sunbaked Hues brings the warmth of the earth indoors. This palette features rich, vibrant, and emotionally-driven colors like terracotta, copper, and warm oranges. This is the design antidote to all-neutral palettes, encouraging personal expression and an artisanal feel. Incorporate these as accent walls in dining rooms or cozy gathering spaces to channel a grounded, Mediterranean-inspired energy.

4. Restorative Darks

For those craving drama, the Restorative Darks offer a sophisticated solution. As designers move away from “play it safe” decorating, they are embracing jewel tones and deep, rich colors. This palette includes intense, grounding shades—think deep forest greens and midnight blues. Using these colors in a bold, monochrome application—such as painting the walls, trim, and ceiling in varying shades of a single dark hue—creates luxurious, statement-making rooms that are both dramatic and functional.

The Total Look: Aligning Paint with Flooring

A beautiful wall color deserves an equally striking floor. The 2026 design conversation extends right down to the carpet and hard surfaces, with our included flooring partner, Mohawk, leading the way.

Just like the paint trends, flooring is all about marrying performance with a soft, natural aesthetic:

• Carpet: The popular color choices echo the Colormix Forecast’s neutrals: think sand dune beige, mushroom taupe, and greige with depth—which complements our Foundational Neutrals perfectly. For subtle color, soft greens (like sage or moss) are popular, reflecting the current design trend of bringing nature indoors.
• Wood-Look Flooring: The demand for wood-look flooring remains strong. Designers favor matte finishes over glossy ones for a more natural look that also happens to be more practical for hiding wear and tear. Expect to see trends in patterns like herringbone and wide plank floors, which add a sophisticated, enduring character to your home.

The New Design Ethos: Cozy, Colorful and Curated

The most significant takeaway for 2026 is a design philosophy focused on comfort and personal storytelling. Designers are advising against the “all-white” and “gray everywhere” looks that can feel cold and sterile.

Instead, the new design ethos prioritizes:

• Texture and Natural Materials: Look for organically flowing wooden silhouettes, nature-mimicking textures, and oversized seating designed for maximum comfort.
• Emotional Connection: Your home should nurture your body and mind, which is why color is making a powerful return. Whether you choose the soft pastels of Frosted Tints or the grounding warmth of Universal Khaki, you’re choosing shades that evoke a sense of calm, personality, and connection.

At Wayne Homes, we give you the choices and quality materials—from included Sherwin-Williams paint to Mohawk flooring—to create a home that is not just beautiful, but perfectly reflects the personalized, comfortable, and sophisticated trends of 2026.

Would you like to talk to the experts about getting your dream home started with Wayne? Contact us to get all the details.

About Wayne Homes

Wayne Homes is a custom homebuilder in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia (see all Model Home Centers). We offer more than 50 fully customizable floorplans and a team dedicated to providing the best experience in the home building industry. For more information, Ask Julie by Live Chat or call us at (866) 253-6807.

Disclaimer: The details of this blog are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change.