PPG & Glidden Color of the Year 2026: Warm Mahogany
Glidden has announced its 2026 Color of the Year, and it’s a hue that’s as rich as it is inviting: Warm Mahogany. This deep, luxurious red brings both comfort and character, making it a natural choice for homeowners and designers seeking a color that feels both timeless and bold.
“Quiet and loud, introverted and extroverted, playful and resilient, Warm Mahogany is as functional as it is stylish,” says Ashley McCollum, Color Marketing Manager at Glidden. “It’s a versatile shade that can be intimate or dramatic, aligning beautifully with Glidden’s 150-year heritage.”
How the Color of the Year Is Chosen
The selection of Glidden’s Color of the Year is no small feat. McCollum explains that the decision is informed by a team of color experts who draw from global and regional trends, cultural influences, product forecasts, and consumer sentiment.
“We come together annually, backed with research and studies across residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality design, to select the Color of the Year and inspire both homeowners and professionals,” McCollum notes.
The process begins with forecasting a broad palette of trending colors, which is then narrowed to the single standout shade that best reflects the year’s spirit.
This research-backed approach helps take the guesswork out of color pairing, offering reliable guidance for everything from home interiors to commercial spaces.
A Bold Shift in Consumer Paint Trends
Color trends are evolving, with homeowners becoming more daring in their design choices. According to McCollum, 2025 marked a turning point as consumers began embracing colors that spark joy, focusing less on resale value and more on creating personalized, curated spaces.
The 2025 Color of the Year, Purple Basil, paved the way for this bolder approach. “We’re shifting from a purple, which is created by a blend of warm red and cool blue, further into the warmer red side for a natural color evolution,” McCollum explains.
Warm Mahogany captures this transition, representing a growing desire to create spaces that embody connection, rest, and play, while remaining timeless enough to suit any style.
How to Use Warm Mahogany in Your Home
Warm Mahogany’s versatility makes it ideal for a variety of applications, from cozy bedrooms to striking exteriors. Glidden has created a color palette with 15 additional hues that can be easily combined with the 2026 color Warm Mahagony.
aqua smoke – momentum – cavalry – deep emerald – starless sky
intrigue – sharskin – moth gray – off white – delicate white
Bedrooms
Create a calming retreat by pairing Warm Mahogany with soft, complementary tones. McCollum recommends Sandy Beach or gentle greens like Smoky Slate to balance the richness of the red.
For a dramatic look, try color drenching, painting walls, ceilings, and trim in Warm Mahogany, then layer in texture with chunky blankets, velvet cushions, and woven rugs.
Living Spaces
Warm Mahogany can transform a small corner into an intimate escape. Pair with Delicate White to keep the space bright, or ground it with earthy neutrals such as Copper Beech and Momentum for a more organic feel.
Kitchens
Move beyond traditional white cabinets by introducing Warm Mahogany to cabinets, kitchen islands, or accent walls. Pair it with creamy whites like Off White, warm neutrals such as Moth Gray, or natural hues like Smoky Slate. Finish the look with matte black or brass hardware for a modern touch.
Pair Warm Mahogany kitchen cabinets with a warm yellow hue like Glidden’s Toffee Crunch.
Bathrooms
Add a shade like Warm Mahogany to a bathroom by adding tiles in this color. It gives the bathroom a rich and classic look.
Exteriors
Warm Mahogany isn’t just for interiors. Use it as a main exterior color balanced with natural neutrals, or as an accent for doors, shutters, garage doors, and porch ceilings.
Pair with stone, brick, or wood for an earthy, grounded look, and complete the design with warm metal accents like bronze, copper, or black fixtures.
A Timeless Statement for 2026 and Beyond
Whether you’re seeking a cozy sanctuary or a bold, dramatic focal point, Glidden’s Warm Mahogany delivers. Its rich, red undertones bring depth, character, and warmth to any space, while remaining versatile enough to adapt to your personal style.
As McCollum sums it up, “Warm Mahogany is more than a color, it’s a reflection of our desire to create spaces that connect us, calm us, and inspire us to play.”