Getty Images
When I first moved into my home four years ago, it had recently been painted. The soft gray color that covered every wall was neutral and simple. One of those shades that’s so plain you hardly notice it. But the longer I’ve lived here, the more I’ve grown to hate it.
Maybe the boring shade wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t in every room—from the kitchen to the guest bathroom. But as it stands, each room feels like a vanilla wafer: fine the first time, and maybe the second, but eventually you have to demand more flavor.
So, it’s time for an upgrade. But I’ve been at a loss for which colors to pick, and for what rooms. I want colors that are contemporary and stylish but won’t seem dated in a few years.
That’s when I came across an interview in which Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, offered some predictions for which colors will make it to the company’s 2026 Sherwin-Williams Color Forecast.
Banbury told Real Simple that the colors she’s seeing these days are on trend with what we’ve seen in the past few years, noting: “Warmer shades are becoming more and more popular.” She said to look out for sandy beiges, earthy reds, and tranquil teals.
But is following any of the paint and design company’s “official” colors a good idea? And how should I use them? How do I know if I depart from “a pop of color” to “what did you do to your house?”
Here’s what the experts say.
Should we follow colors of the year?
I’ve always wondered about the annual color selections. Who makes the picks? Do the paint companies compare top choice notes? Is the color selection all a scam to sell buckets of paint that someone in a warehouse somewhere accidentally ordered too much of?
Kristin Railton, luxury real estate advisor with Spears Group at Compass, based in Florida, says the color picks tend reflect the cultural mood or broader design shifts, “which is incredibly helpful when you’re trying to stay ahead of what buyers are responding to.”
She says she sees these colors as a tool, particularly when it comes to staging and design.
“They allow you to make a home feel current and inviting without chasing fleeting fads,” she says.
Justin M. Riordan, founder of Spade and Archer Design Agency in Portland, OR, says color-of-the-year announcements are “like horoscopes for your living room.”
Sometimes they’re spot on and other times they’re, well, not.
“That said, I love them for what they are: cultural timestamps,” he adds, noting that the colors are helpful if “you treat them as inspiration, not gospel.”
But Luka Milicevic, a contractor, builder, and real estate agent based in Nashville, TN, warns that homeowners shouldn’t automatically use colors just because they’re popular. He says some past color selections have gotten negative feedback from the designer community he works with, so he chooses not to use those. Meanwhile, tastes don’t change every year on Jan. 1. He says there have been some paint color picks that he’s using way past the on-trend years.
Here are today’s trending colors, according to Sherwin-Williams, and how to incorporate them into your home design.
(Realtor.com)
Retro teals—throwback shades with a calming twist
Quietude is the official Sherwin-Williams color of the year for 2025, and it’s no wonder why—teals are big right now. And Banbury says the color isn’t going anywhere.
The color, which is delightfully retro, is reminiscent of beachside motels and vintage tile. Shades feel contemporary, soothing, and natural.
Teal is great for younger buyers and those who love retro aesthetics. It’s also idea for beachside properties as it feels costal but doesn’t have to be cliché.
Teals pair well with warm wood tones and sandy neutrals. You can use it alongside simple white tile and aged brass or copper.
(Realtor.com)
Natural reds—rich hues that make a space feel grounded
We typically think of reds as being bold, bright, and daring. But the reds Banbury highlights are more organic and earthy—think rusty hues, terra cotta, and clay-red tones.
Banbury tells Real Simple, “As a more muted tone, [earthy reds] become versatile and act as a neutral foundation for various design applications.”
These warm, rich reds are great for those going for a desert-inspired design or those who like Mediterranean vibes. These colors work well with warm whites, olive green, soft peach. Add bronze fixtures to an earthy red cabinet to make it pop.
(Getty Images)
Not-so-boring beiges—they’re natural and neutral
While reds and teals tend to be a little more bold, beige is the go-to color to even it all out. Banbury says people love soothing, sandy shades these days, likely thanks to minimalist, coastal, Japandi, and Scandinavian design trends. “Millennial Gray” used to be the must-have neutral, but Banbury says beige has really taken a front seat.
Plus, it’s generally a safe and easy paint choice. It’s a great base color and looks perfect with natural wood and whites. Brass hardware is a perfect pair.
What’s the best way to incorporate these colors?
Before you buy buckets of paint, Milicevic says just because a color looks good in pictures, doesn’t mean it’s going to look great in your home.
“Color trends are just one piece of the puzzle, and you have to consider how a paint color will blend with the rest of the home’s features,” Milicevic says. “For example, if you’re using flooring that follows a current trend, the trending paint color might not complement it well.”
Riordan says it’s fun to use trendy colors, but if it’s “in” today, it might be “out” tomorrow. So don’t douse your house in any one shade.
But, he notes that there are places where it’s okay to get a little more colorful. He says the powder room is the perfect place to make a statement without committing to the 2025 look for years to come.
“Think of it as a stylish wink, not a full-blown commitment,” Riordan says, adding, “Trendy colors are like exclamation points—use them sparingly, or you’ll lose your impact.”
Railton agrees that it’s best to find a neutral, welcoming backdrop and use trend colors to create layers and interest. She suggests using a trendy color on the front door, the kitchen island, on a bathroom vanity, or a built-in cabinet.
“These moments feel custom, curated, and on trend but still approachable,” Railton notes.
She explains that buyers don’t usually want a home that screams ‘trendy,’ but they do gravitate toward spaces that feel updated.
“There’s a clear distinction,” she says. “While a few buyers are drawn to the latest styles, most want something timeless with a subtle nod to what’s current.”