2026 Colors of the Year: What Major Brands Have Announced and How to Use Them

Every year, “Color of the Year” announcements generate a lot of attention. But for brands, retailers, and gift companies, the real challenge is not inspiration. The challenge is clarity.

By the time product planning, packaging decisions, and seasonal collections are finalized, dozens of brands across different industries have already released their 2026 Colors of the Year. These announcements do not all mean the same thing, and they are not meant to be followed blindly. However, taken together, they form a valuable map of where global color direction is heading.

This article is designed as a practical reference. I have compiled every company that has officially released a 2026 Color of the Year or Color of the Year family so far, explained what each color represents, and translated what it can realistically mean for products, gifts, and retail applications.

If you are planning 2026 collections and want help translating these colors into actual gift products, packaging, or preserved flower designs, you are welcome to contact us at sales@sweetie-group.com at any point while reading.

Index:

What “Color of the Year” Means in 2026

All Official 2026 Colors of the Year, Brand by Brand

What These 2026 Colors Have in Common

How Brands Can Use 2026 Colors of the Year in Real Products

How We Translate Color Trends at Sweetie-Gifts

What “Color of the Year” Means in 2026

Before reviewing each announcement, it is important to clarify one thing. There is no single authority that dictates one universal color for the entire market.

In 2026, Colors of the Year come from several different sources:

• Pantone, which provides a symbolic, cross-industry reference

• Paint and coatings brands, which focus on colors that perform well over time

• Design and décor brands, which emphasize emotional and aesthetic impact

• Retail and platform companies, which reflect consumer behavior and demand signals

Each of these perspectives is valid. The value for B2B buyers lies in understanding how they overlap and how they differ.

All Official 2026 Colors of the Year, Brand by Brand

If you are unsure which of these colors fits your brand or product line, our team regularly helps clients narrow down color choices based on market, channel, and price positioning. You can reach us at sales@sweetie-group.com for practical guidance.

1. Pantone: Cloud Dancer (PANTONE 11-4201)

Pantone named Cloud Dancer, a soft, airy white, as its 2026 Color of the Year. The brand describes it as calm, open, and quietly confident, a color that creates mental space rather than visual noise.

For products and gifts, Cloud Dancer signals a move away from stark, clinical whites toward warmer, more human neutrals. It works especially well for premium packaging, preserved flower bases, and long-term gift products that are not tied to a specific season. This color is not meant to dominate. It is meant to support other materials and details.

2. Benjamin Moore: Silhouette (AF-655)

Benjamin Moore selected Silhouette, a deep brown with charcoal undertones. It feels rich, grounded, and sophisticated without being heavy.

For gift and décor products, this color reflects a growing acceptance of darker tones in everyday items. It works well for jewelry flower boxes, masculine gift collections, and autumn or winter assortments. Silhouette communicates durability and refinement, which is important for products positioned as keepsakes rather than impulse purchases.

3. Sherwin-Williams: Universal Khaki (SW 6150)

Sherwin-Williams chose Universal Khaki, a balanced neutral that sits between beige, green, and gray. The brand emphasizes reliability and timelessness.

This is a strong signal for mass retail and year-round SKUs. Universal Khaki is the kind of color that performs quietly but consistently. It is ideal for packaging, gift box exteriors, and background elements where longevity matters more than trend impact.

4. Behr: Hidden Gem

Behr’s Hidden Gem is a smoky blue-green that feels calm but expressive. It balances emotional warmth with visual depth.

For brands, this color is particularly useful when you want to introduce color without alienating conservative buyers. It works well for Mother’s Day gifts, wellness-oriented products, and preserved flower designs that emphasize emotional connection rather than bold contrast.

5. Valspar: Warm Eucalyptus (8004-28F)

Valspar selected Warm Eucalyptus, a muted green inspired by nature and restoration. The brand highlights its calming and grounding qualities.

This color aligns well with sustainability narratives and nature-inspired collections. It is suitable for everyday gifting, botanical-themed products, and packaging that aims to feel responsible and intentional rather than decorative.

6. PPG (Industrial and Global Trend System): Secret Safari (PPG1110-4)

PPG’s industrial and global trend teams named Secret Safari, a yellow-green mid-tone with energy and optimism.

This color reflects a more expressive side of 2026. It is not a core neutral, but it works well as an accent or limited-edition color. For gift brands, Secret Safari can be used in smaller details, seasonal inserts, or younger-targeted collections where differentiation is important.

7. PPG Paints: Warm Mahogany

PPG Paints identified Warm Mahogany as its 2026 Color of the Year within the architectural paints system. It emphasizes heritage, craftsmanship, and warmth.

For products, this color supports the return of classic, almost nostalgic tones. It works well for premium men’s gifts, holiday collections, and packaging that aims to feel established and confident rather than trendy.

8. Glidden: Warm Mahogany (PPG1060-7)

Glidden also selected Warm Mahogany, tailored for mass retail audiences. While related to PPG Paints, its positioning focuses on accessibility and broad appeal.

This reinforces the idea that deeper browns are no longer niche. For large-volume retail gift programs, this color offers a safe way to introduce richness without overwhelming the consumer.

9. Dutch Boy Paints: Melodious Ivory (313-2DB)

Dutch Boy Paints named Melodious Ivory, a soft off-white with warmth and subtle depth.

This color supports products meant to feel comforting and familiar. It works particularly well for wedding gifts, neutral preserved flower designs, and collections where emotional reassurance is more important than visual statement.

10. C2 Paint: Epernay (#639)

C2 Paint selected Epernay, a warm, mineral-inspired neutral that reflects craftsmanship and artistry.

This color is well suited for smaller, high-value gift collections and custom programs. It communicates care, material quality, and intention, which are important for premium or limited-batch products.

11. Dulux: The Rhythm of Blues (Color Family)

Dulux did not select a single color for 2026. Instead, it released The Rhythm of Blues, a family of blue shades ranging from deep and dramatic to soft and muted.

For B2B buyers, this approach is practical. Blue remains one of the safest colors in retail, and a family approach allows brands to create cohesive series across different price points and styles.

12. Graham & Brown: Divine Damson

Graham & Brown named Divine Damson, a deep plum tone with drama and elegance.

This color reflects a growing comfort with bold, emotional hues in interiors and décor. In gifting, Divine Damson works best for statement pieces, holiday collections, and products designed to stand out visually.

13. Etsy: Patina Blue

Etsy’s trend team selected Patina Blue, inspired by aged metals and time-worn surfaces.

This color reflects consumer interest in authenticity and story-driven design. It is especially relevant for online marketplaces, handmade-style products, and collections that emphasize character over perfection.

14. IKEA: Rebel Pink

IKEA chose Rebel Pink, a playful, expressive pink designed to encourage creativity and self-expression.

For B2B use, this color should be applied carefully. It is best suited for limited editions, youth-focused products, or accent details rather than full collections.

If you are planning 2026 gift assortments and want support turning these color signals into sellable designs, we are happy to discuss options at sales@sweetie-group.com.

What These 2026 Colors Have in Common

When viewed together, several clear patterns emerge:

• A strong return to calm, grounding tones

• Nature-inspired greens and blues replacing sharp brights

• Whites becoming warmer and more human

• Bold colors appearing as accents rather than defaults

For brands, this suggests that restraint and balance will matter more than novelty in 2026.

How Brands Can Use 2026 Colors of the Year in Real Products

For product development, it is rarely necessary to follow every trend. Choosing one or two colors that align with your brand identity is usually enough.

For seasonal collections, softer blues, greens, and warm neutrals are well suited for Mother’s Day, wellness gifting, and year-round assortments. Deeper tones like mahogany or damson work better for autumn and winter.

For packaging, color is often most effective when introduced at the box or display level rather than the product itself. This allows flexibility while keeping core SKUs stable.

How We Translate Color Trends at Sweetie-Gifts

At Sweetie-Gifts, we track Color of the Year announcements every season, not to chase trends, but to help our clients make informed decisions. Our role is to translate abstract color direction into practical gift products, from preserved flower boxes to customized packaging solutions.

We support small test runs, private label development, and long-term programs for global retailers and brand partners.

Final Thoughts

Colors of the Year are not rules. They are signals. Used thoughtfully, they can reduce risk, improve product relevance, and support stronger storytelling.

If you are planning 2026 collections and would like help applying these colors to real gift products, please contact us at sales@sweetie-group.com.

Warm Regards,

Annie Zhang

CEO, Sweetie-Group