By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, contributing editor for REALTOR® Magazine and editor of the Styled, Staged & Sold blog.

Neutrals make a comeback as beige tones dominate the new year.

Paint companies are dialing down bold choices for 2026, favoring beige-toned, creamy, and earth-inspired hues. Those choices will find a welcoming home in real estate.

Sherwin-Williams and HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams announced Universal Khaki as their joint 2026 Color of the Year. The earthy, mid-tone tan reflects a new era of “ultimate luxury,” blending functionality with practicality, the companies note.

“Khaki is more than just a neutral—it’s a timeless, go-anywhere shade that brings a sense of grounded elegance to any space,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “With its warm, earthy undertones, Universal Khaki effortlessly complements a wide range of colors, creating a rich, inviting backdrop that can transform an entire design with quiet confidence.”

The paint firms also unveiled a 2026 Color Collection of the Year, highlighting earthy combinations that promote warmth and simplicity through “clean lines, minimalist décor,” says Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager of HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams. Featured shades include neutral browns like Griffin, off-whites and stuccos such as Creamy and Neutral Ground, deeper tones like burgundy (Cordovan) and reddish terracotta (Reddened Earth), as well as blues and greens including Secret Garden, Still Water and Hazel.

Other paint brands are embracing similarly muted, elegant tones for the new year. C2 Paint selected Epernay, an earthy pale yellow, describing it as a “refined color, with subtle, balanced undertones” that bring “an air of understated elegance.”

Dutch Boy Paints named Melodious Ivory, a creamy beige, as its 2026 Color of the Year. The paint firm calls it a “classic backdrop” to everything from exteriors to sun-drenched kitchens and cozy bedrooms for “comfort, quality and connection.”

Complementing the earthy vibes, wood tones are also making a statement. Minwax chose Special Walnut, an earthy, warm stain, as its 2026 Color of the Year. 

With wood emerging as a key element in interior design—from furniture and flooring to cabinetry and architectural details—there’s a renewed appreciation for finishes that enhance its natural character,” says Lisbeth Parada, color and design lead at Minwax. Parada describes Special Walnut as a classic tone that feels “both familiar and fresh,” perfect for restoring vintage pieces or complementing contemporary styles.