6 Paint Colors That Designers Agree Will Look Outdated in 2026

Every year brings a new trending palette of paint colors, while others fade into the background. 2026 will be no exception—designers are seeing a shift away from the cool, muted tones that dominated the last decade, and a move toward richer, earthier, and more complex hues.

Shades like icy whites and sugary pastels, then, will feel outdated in the new year. As always, trends are subjective, and everything comes around again at some point. So, if you love your greige living room, stick with it. But for anyone interested in seeing what's next for paint colors, read on for intel regarding what shades will feel passé in 2026—and what's replacing them.

Greige

The gray-beige hybrid that defined countless interiors for nearly a decade is finally losing its appeal.

“Greige has become so common that it now reads as builder-grade rather than designer-chosen,” says interior designer Tyka Pryde. “It lacks the warmth people are craving right now, often making spaces feel flat and uninspired.”

Instead, expect to see true beige, soft taupe, and creamy off-whites.

Stark White

Crisp, blue-based whites once felt modern and cool. Now, they read as sterile. “[They] make a home feel stark and uninviting,” says Lauren Lerner, founder and principal of Living with Lolo. “We’re moving toward warmer whites with softer undertones—they make spaces feel lived-in and cozy.”

Warmer alternatives, like ivory, chalk white, and creamy ecru, flatter natural light. They also blend seamlessly with the organic materials that are dominating interiors today.

Sage

This calm, gray-leaning green had a strong run, but it’s finally losing its freshness. “The more desaturated versions that lean gray read as a pandemic-era palette," says Anabella Mainetti, CEO of Mainefactured. "Softer, cleaner greens—like olive, eucalyptus, or moss—feel much more uplifting.”

Millennial Pink

Once the darling of minimalist interiors, this soft blush tone has officially passed its prime. “Millennial pink and pale blush had their moment, but they’re starting to feel overly trendy,” says Pryde. “What worked beautifully in 2018 now feels like it’s trying too hard to stay relevant.”

Replacing them are clay, terracotta, and peach-toned neutrals, which feel more mature and sophisticated.

Cool Gray

The icy grays that dominated the 2010s are aging poorly. “Gray had its moment, but those cool, blue-based tones now make spaces feel cold and lifeless,” says Mainetti. “With the return of organic design and warm minimalism, those shades can make a home feel smaller instead of refined.”

Warmer gray alternatives with brown undertones are now taking their place.

Butter Yellow

Sunny yellow walls had a moment, but that cheerful shade is starting to fade. “Butter yellow feels nostalgic in theory, but can quickly look dated or washed out in practice,” says Lerner.

The new direction? Richer golds and ochres that bring warmth without feeling overly retro. “Saturated earthy tones feel more intentional,” she adds. “They ground a space, rather than overwhelm it.”

Navy Blue

Deep navy once signaled timeless sophistication, but in 2026, it risks feeling heavy. According to Mainetti, darker jewel tones will shift toward accents: “These dramatic colors will always have a place—but on trim, doors, or cabinetry, rather than entire rooms.”