5 Outdated Paint Trends We’re Not Bringing Into 2026
Paint trends come and go faster than we expect, and every few years we collectively look back and think, “Why did we all do that?” As 2026 approaches, a few once-popular choices are starting to feel a little tired already. Letting go of outdated colors doesn’t mean chasing whatever is trendy next. It simply means choosing paints that feel calm, timeless, and genuinely what you want for your home. Here are five trends we’re gently retiring, along with smarter alternatives that we think will hold up better.
Cold Grey Walls
For years, grey was the default paint color for every room. But those chilly, blue-leaning greys are starting to feel flat and impersonal now. Instead of replacing them with another trendy color, try softer neutrals like warm greige (that’s grey-beige) or creamy beige. They make rooms feel more welcoming without being overpowering. Plus, these hues have a quiet warmth that plays nicely with both modern and traditional décor, and they shift beautifully with changing daylight.
High-Contrast Black And White Everything
The stark black-and-white palette had its moment, but it can make spaces feel a bit too sharp and dramatic instead of welcoming and cozy. As we move into 2026, natural contrast is winning over harsh contrast. Softer blacks, deep charcoals, muted browns, and warm whites create the same chic feeling without the visual jolt of stark black and white. If you love contrast, just warm it up a little. It makes a room feel lived-in instead of staged.
All-Over Jewel Tones
Rich emeralds, bold navies, and dramatic burgundies are beautiful, but painting entire rooms in them can feel heavy. As tastes shift toward calm, layered spaces, lighter versions of these colors are having their moment. Think dusky blue instead of navy or sage instead of emerald. You still get personality, just with a gentler impact. These toned-down shades are easier to live with long term and won’t overwhelm your furniture.
The Accent Wall That Doesn’t Connect To Anything
Random accent walls of bold colors or patterns used to be everywhere, but many ended up feeling like afterthoughts. Instead of choosing one wall to paint a bold color, consider using slightly different tonal variations throughout the room or adding depth with texture, like limewash or soft color drenching. This creates flow instead of a single spotlight moment on one wall. The effect is cozy, feels cohesive, and far more timeless than one funky wall hogging all the attention.
Ultra-White Trim Paired With Every Wall Color
Bright white trim became a default choice, but it doesn’t always flatter the wall color or the room’s natural light. For 2026, softer trim colors are stepping in to take it’s place. Creams, warm whites, and even light taupes make a room feel richer and more intentional. Muted trim tones blur harsh edges and let your walls shine without shouting. It’s a small shift that changes the whole mood of a space.
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Trends can inspire us, but they shouldn’t make us feel restricted. Moving away from these outdated paint choices opens the door to colors that feel softer, more personal, and easier to live with year after year. The best paint choices aren’t loud or trendy, they quietly match your home’s style and the way you live in it. Let 2026 be the year your walls feel more like you.
Bliss Donahue-Power
