After years of bold, loud colour trends, the shade that’s setting the tone in 2026 is much quieter.
Pantone, the globally renowned colour experts, just named Cloud Dancer as its Colour of the Year for 2026. It’s a soft, luminous white that instantly makes a space feel cleaner and calmer. And maybe that’s why we love it. After all, who couldn’t go for some serenity now?
The most intriguing thing about this year’s selection isn’t necessarily the colour (or shade) itself, but more about the colour combinations and ambiance you can unlock for your home.
Curious how to make it work in your living space? We’ve compiled a list of the top paint colours for 2026, as chosen by leading paint brands. From moody greens and smoky jades, to introspective neutrals and refined darks, a common theme has formed, and it tells a story of comfort.
Ready to meet the whole palette of colours of the year for 2026? Let’s start at the top.
Pantone’s Colour of the Year: Cloud Dancer
Pantone describes PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer as “a key structural colour whose versatility provides scaffolding for the colour spectrum,” enabling every hue around it to glow a little brighter. It carries an “airy lightness” that invites relaxation and quiet focus — qualities many of us crave at home.
In interiors, Cloud Dancer hints at spa-like serenity. It’s bright without being stark and peaceful without feeling flat. Pantone notes that it “invites a space where function and feeling intertwine,” building rooms that feel spacious, intuitive, and beautifully uncluttered.
How to use it at home:
• Bathrooms Think boutique-hotel serenity, especially when paired with soft woods or brushed metals.
• Kitchens Use Cloud Dancer on cabinetry or walls to create an open, breezy atmosphere.
• Living rooms It’s a perfect backdrop for bold art or richly textured furniture.
• Bedrooms Layer it with creams, sandy tones, and neutrals for an elevated minimalist look.
BeautiTone: Muse
Canadian brand BeautiTone (owned by Home Hardware) dives straight into a more dramatic feel this year with Muse (TR26-4-3), a deep, introspective green inspired by the artistry of classic painters. They describe it as “a place where mystery and light converge,” offering earthy depth and grounding energy.
It’s the kind of green you could imagine in a Paris apartment, an old library, or a snug reading nook with a velvet chair and a hot cup of tea.
How to use it at home:
• Accent wall in a living room Pair with Cloud Dancer trim for instant sophistication.
• Home offices Its tranquil darkness helps you focus, not scroll.
• Bedrooms Create a cocooning effect when used head-to-toe.
• Open shelving Behind books or ceramics, it adds museum-like richness.
Cloverdale Paint: Day Spa
This Canadian paint company’s 2026 star, Day Spa (0634), is described as a colour that “transcends trends: at once timeless and new, intimate and expansive.” It embodies the idea that beauty isn’t just visual, rather, it’s emotional. Day Spa sits in that sweet spot between coastal calm and modern sophistication. It feels clean, soft, and refreshingly uncomplicated.
“Perfect for creating tranquil nooks, serene bedrooms, or mindful workspaces, this colour inspires a sense of comfort and peace,” states Cloverdale.
How to use it at home:
• Bathrooms Obviously. The name does half the decorating for you.
• Entryways Greet guests with a soothing vibe.
• Kitchens Use on cabinets for freshness without going full white.
• Bedrooms Layer with linens and natural textures.
Benjamin Moore: Silhouette
Benjamin Moore turned up the romance for 2026 with Silhouette (AF-655), calling it “a distinctive colour that weaves luxurious burnt umber with delicate notes of charcoal.” It’s moody, rich, and endlessly sophisticated.
Silhouette anchors Benjamin Moore’s 2026 palette of “enchanting pales and handsome midtones,” perfect for rooms craving depth.
How to use it at home:
• Dining rooms Think candlelight bouncing off dramatic walls.
• Media rooms Dark tones equal instant theatre energy.
• Hallways Surprise guests with a rich, warm transition space.
• Fireplace surrounds Architectural details pop.
Behr: Hidden Gem
Behr’s Hidden Gem (N430-6A) is a smoky jade described as “gentle and captivating,” revealing “a new layer of depth in every detail.” It sits somewhere between moody green and mystical blue, the kind of colour that transforms depending on the time of day.
Behr emphasizes its “air of mystery and sophistication,” and they’re right: this colour feels alive.
How to use it at home:
• Kitchens Jewel-tone cabinetry is still thriving.
• Bathrooms Add brass hardware for a high-end boutique look.
• Bedrooms Rich, calming, cocoon-like.
• Accent furniture Painted consoles, sideboards, and nightstands pop beautifully.
Sherwin-Williams: Universal Khaki
Sherwin-Williams chose Universal Khaki (SW 6150), praising its “beautiful balance of livability and longevity.” It’s a warm neutral that feels familiar yet fresh. Subtle enough to anchor a room, but warm enough to keep it from feeling flat.
Think of Universal Khaki as the easygoing, steady friend who goes with everything.
How to use it at home:
• Whole-home continuity Perfect for open-concept layouts.
• Living rooms Creates a soothing base for layered textiles.
• Exterior trim Works wonderfully with stone, brick, or siding.
• Nurseries Soft, warm, and timeless.
2026 is the year of emotive colour pairings
Pantone’s Cloud Dancer may have taken the spotlight, but the supporting cast is just as compelling. Together, the 2026 Colours of the Year tell a bigger story.
Craving calm? Check out Cloud Dancer, Day Spa, Universal Khaki
Deciding on depth? Check out Muse, Silhouette, Hidden Gem
Whether you’re planning a whole-home refresh or just a small weekend project, there’s a 2026 colour that will meet you exactly where you are.
— REALTOR.ca