3 Color Trends Mixing Up Spaces—And Which One Could Sell Best in Real Estate

Learn these three color trend terms. They’re influencing style, appeal and value.

By: Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Has “quiet luxury”—with its whisper-soft neutrals and ultra-minimal styling—officially run its course? According to Sherwin-Williams color marketing manager Emily Kantz, homeowners in the new year will crave spaces that feel personal, joyful and emotionally rich again. And that doesn’t have to be at odds with real estate.

Kantz highlights the shift to three major color and style trends for 2026: Loud Luxury, Cozymaxxing and Tropical Escapism. Each offers a different take on style—whether it’s embracing bold, statement-making colors for highly customized spaces, leaning into warm and welcoming comfort or creating a breezy, vacation-inspired vibe that brings cheerful energy into a room.

Here’s how each trend is expected to shape home design in 2026.

1. Loud Luxury: Bold Personality

If quiet luxury was all about restraint, Loud Luxury is the opposite—playful and personality-driven, Kantz says. She describes it as perfect for those who love expressive color, along with meaningful objects and layered in patterns—not clutter, but curated character.

Kantz emphasizes saturated greens and jewel tones, such as jade, are popular colors with this style—and are expected to continue to be major color trends into 2027.

Loud Luxury can work in living rooms, powder rooms or anywhere you want to make a bigger style moment, she says.

Ways to channel Loud Luxury:

• Add color through cabinetry or an accent wall
• Use bold furniture fabrics or patterned pillows
• Highlight architectural details with deeper tones

2. Cozymaxxing: Brings Warmth and Calm

Kantz describes Cozymaxxing as “extreme comfort”—a multisensory environment built on layers of texture, warmth and ease. “You want people to picture themselves snuggling by the fireplace or decompressing after a long day,” she says. Colors with this style often include more neutrals, like creams, taupes and warm grays. She says this style often fits best in living rooms and bedrooms.

Ways to channel Cozymaxxing:

• Favor warm wood tones
• Layer in textures, such as through throws, pillows and plush rugs
• Design spaces for softness and emotional ease, like by creating a reading nook

3. Tropical Escapism: Brings Joy and Optimism

Tropical Escapism is the “feel good” style of 2026. This style channels vacation energy through resort-inspired items. It’s not about theme décor, but about infusing lightness and joy through color pops, Kantz says. She says the color palettes could include guava pinks, sun-washed oranges, greens, breezy acquas and tropical wood tones. Kantz says the trend appears most as accents—like feature walls or accessories—but it can also be great for smaller spaces in the home, like the powder room.

Ways to incorporate Tropical Escapism:

• Add pops of color, like guava or coral, in accessories such as throw pillows
• Layer in lighter wood tones
• Introduce watery blues that blend in with existing grays and whites

So Which Trend Works Best for Real Estate?

Cozymaxxing, Kantz says. While Loud Luxury and Tropical Escapism spark joy and creativity, Cozymaxxing offers what home buyers are currently craving: Warmth, comfort and the ability to picture themselves living in the space. Here’s why Cozymaxxing may win for selling:

• Warm neutrals can photograph beautifully: Soft creams, warm grays and natural wood tones make listing photos feel inviting and updated.
• It can work well with existing furniture that most people already own—especially those who still have homes heavy on gray color schemes.
• It feels modern without being risky: Cozymaxxing feels fresh and stylish, but it won’t scare off buyers who prefer a neutral backdrop.
• It creates emotional connection: Reading nooks, layered textures and warm lighting help buyers feel security and comfort.