For every home builder and designer, the announcement of the 2026 Colors of the Year is one of the most exciting times of the year! This lineup of hues from leading paint producers provides a helpful guide for what homebuyers are looking for and inspires upcoming projects.

Our team compiled a list of this year’s announcements to give you a go-to guide so you can keep your Gerstad Home trendy and fresh as we move into 2026:

The 2026 Colors of the Year

The overall 2026 color trends strongly lean toward warm, grounded neutrals and deep, nature-inspired tones, offering both comfort and sophistication for every space:

• Benjamin Moore’s pick, Silhouette, is a richly saturated espresso brown with a subtle charcoal cast. This distinctive selection brings drama and a tailored elegance to a room, making it a comfortable yet striking choice for a dining room or a main bedroom accent wall.
• Sherwin-Williams selected Universal Khakias their 2026 choice. This mid-tone neutral has a slight yellow undertone, making it an easygoing foundational hue that adds a soft glow to walls. It pairs beautifully with natural finishes or bold pops of accent color. In tandem, HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams revealed The Honest Essentials Collection, an earthy-toned palette that complements Universal Khaki beautifully.
• TheDunn-Edwards Paints choice, Midnight Garden, is a deep, muted green with earthy undertones. This botanical tone brings an instant calming atmosphere and works well on cabinetry, interior walls or even exterior trim for a timeless look.
• Instead of a paint color, Minwax selected the wood stain Special Walnut. This pick highlights the timeless beauty of wood and delivers a classic dimensional tone, offering a fresh way to add warmth and character to wood surfaces like flooring, cabinetry and architectural details.

Stay tuned for the official announcement of PANTONE 2026 Color of the Year.

Tips for Choosing Colors

Selecting the right shades for your Gerstad home does not have to be difficult. The biggest mistake owners make is choosing a selection based only on a small chip. To get it right, test large swatches of your preferred paint choices directly on the wall. View them at different times of the day before committing to the whole project because the lighting in your space, both natural ambient and artificial, will drastically change a color’s appearance.

When planning your palette, remember to balance your neutrals with stronger tones. For large areas like walls and trim, use a versatile neutral such as Universal Khaki or a soft, creamy white. Introduce trending, deeper shades like Silhouette or Midnight Garden on a single accent wall, built-ins or your front door to create focal points without overwhelming the area. Finally, for open-concept layouts, choose hues that transition smoothly. Using a consistent neutral base when connecting rooms creates a seamless, harmonious flow throughout your entire home.

Why Builders Follow the 2026 Colors of the Year

The Gerstad Builders commitment to quality means we build homes that stand the test of time structurally and remain stylish for years to come. By staying up to date on the 2026 Colors of the Year announcements, we stay ahead of buyer preferences and ensure the selections in our design center reflect the latest design trends.

Ready to choose the perfect backdrop for your favorite 2026 Color of the Year selections? Contact the Gerstad Builders team today to take the first steps toward owning a home in any of our Illinois or Wisconsin communities.

Take a tour of our model homes to shop for your future home in person:

• Truman and Genesis model homes at The Trails of Dawson Creek
• 202 Cress Creek Trail in Poplar Grove, IL.
• Journey model home at Bailey Estates
• 421 Cumberland Drive in Williams Bay, WI.

Follow along on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on today’s top trends and upcoming Gerstad Builders communities.