Prioritizing personal style is perhaps the biggest home trend of 2026. When homeowners design new builds or purchase a home new to them, they are often selecting and making changes to create a space that reflects their personality.
Color is at the forefront of those upgrades, reflecting both a signature look and specific mood.
“Everyone interprets color differently,” says Shannon Coan, who owns Northern Nevada’s PaintEZ with her husband Kelly Coan. This makes developing a fashion identity within your four walls important when selecting the hues that will ultimately color your space.
Color Explained and Explored
Color drives design both indoors and out, using both primitive and advanced color theory concepts to create spaces that feel esoteric.
“Color should make you feel something,” Shannon says. “What emotion do you want to feel in the space?
Color theory also guides color interaction, influenced by light, room size, window glass tint, etc.
As a general rule of thumb, north-facing rooms get less sun, benefitting from warmer paint colors, while south-facing rooms are sunnier, benefitting from cooler colors. The ceiling, or fifth wall, is a design element, as well. “Lighter ceilings make rooms feel taller,” Kelly says.
Interior Trends: Jewel Tones, Washes & Color Drenching
“We see homeowners changing interiors more frequently [than exteriors],” Shannon says.
Paint in general is perhaps the easiest way to reinvent a space without extensive effort and a hefty budget. It allows home owners to explore bolder aesthetics without a long-term commitment.
“Take risks anywhere that’s easy to repaint,” suggests Shannon. Islands, offices, and accent walls add personality without permanence.
As for what’s in now, interiors are leaning rich, moody, and expressive. Bronze, black, navy, jewel tones, and deep greens define accent walls and home offices. Color‑drenched rooms—where walls, trim, and ceilings share one enveloping hue—are rising nationwide, creating intimate, immersive spaces.
Limewash (an eco-friendly paint made from crushed limestone and water that appears matte and mottled) and Venetian plaster (a classic Italian finish made from fired limestone and marble dust) are gaining popularity, adding soft, old‑world depth to modern homes.
And wallpaper has returned, especially in laundry rooms and powder rooms.
“In the next five years,” Kelly predicts, “many homes will have at least one wallpapered room; bringing a custom-feel to a space.”
Shannon says paint trends tend to move in 20-25 year cycles. That logic suggests renewed interest in autumnal hues; the warm, earthy palette of the early 2000s may be poised for a stylish comeback.
Cabinets: Warm Whites, Saturated Greens & the Return of Oak
White kitchens remain timeless, but they aren’t the only option. Some homeowners prefer contrast, choosing warmer whites, taupes, and greiges for the main palette and a darker, standout island. Many homeowners are painting contrasting upper and lower cabinets and getting more adventurous with bathroom vanities.
Stained kitchen cabinets are also resurging. While some homeowners are opting for painted cabinets to bring color into their kitchens and bathrooms, others prefer a stain, even if it costs a bit more.
Exterior Trends: Greige, Black & High Contrast Trim
Northern Nevada’s hot, dry climate draws people to neutral exteriors: warm whites, taupes, and sage greens. Homeowners increasingly push boundaries with black, navy, and charcoal exteriors and many are replacing white trim with darker shades. Popular pairings include white with black trim, light gray with charcoal, and greige with deeper accents. Front doors are a design focal point, as well.
“Research found black or charcoal doors actually increase resale value,” Kelly says.
In the end, the experts can weigh in, but it’s all about personal preference. At the end of the day, you’re the one who needs to feel at ease in your space.
“It’s just paint,” Kelly adds. “Enjoy your home!”
“Color should make you feel something... What emotion do you want to feel in the space?"