Paint trends in New York rarely exist just for the sake of style. In apartments and townhomes across the city, color choices have to work with limited natural light, compact layouts, and rooms that serve more than one purpose. What designers are using in 2026 reflects that reality. These are colors that feel intentional, livable, and flexible enough to evolve with a space.
This year’s NYC paint trends focus on updated classics, grounded palettes, and subtle ways to brighten interiors without overwhelming them. From Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year to warmer pastels and saturated neutrals, we see these colors playing a big role in NYC homes for a reason—and early adopters of trends already know why we have our eyes on these palettes.
Fresh Takes on Classic Paint Colors
Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2026 is Silhouette AF-655 for a reason. It’s sturdy and stable while fresh enough to give designers flexibility when it comes to pairing this deep, charcoal gray with accent colors. The name of the game is refined and comfortable. This Color of the Year signals a shift toward classic neutrals, like creams and grays, but with some added depth that is visually interesting. We love these deeper shades in flat and eggshell finishes for a look that is saturated and captures natural light, creating contrast with white trim and bright window treatments.
Keep It Grounded
We’re not talking about the traditional earth tones you may be thinking of—muted browns, greens, and blues. In 2026, we have our eyes on color palettes centered around bold, saturated, and visually unique takes on earthy tones. Think olive, terracotta, and navy that soaks up the sunlight rather than reflecting it.
Need some inspo? Narragansett Green HC-157, Southwest Pottery 048, and Swiss Coffee OC-45 are at the top of our list. You can practically feel the sun’s glow influencing these shades—plus they pair gorgeously with Silhouette AF-655.
Brighten Up the Place
Pastels are a hot topic. Not necessarily because of the love they’re getting from designers in 2026. We believe it’s the tones designers choose, rather than the concept behind the color, that makes all the difference.
New Yorkers are familiar with the limited space in NYC apartments and flats. Narrow halls, dull and outdated fixtures, and a lack of natural lighting all make it harder to express your sense of taste and individuality. This is why pastels are a must for us in 2026, but pastels that lean warm and neutral for versatility. Buttery yellows, sunlight-filtered greens, and dusty pinks. We see Benjamin Moore’s Raindance 1572 and Batik AF-610 inspiring small apartments this year.
Transform Your NYC Apartment with 2026 Color Trends
If your space is feeling a bit stale, then an on-trend interior color facelift may be just what your apartment needs to carry you through 2026 in style. For generations, we’ve been working with New Yorkers to craft a space they love spending time in, away from the bustle of the city. If one of these colors speaks to you—or there’s another trend you’re exploring—our design team is here to help you turn that inspo board into a reality.
Schedule a free color consultation or stop by one of our New York City paint stores today!
We are located throughout the New York City area, including Manhattan, SoHo, Chelsea, Long Island City, Gramercy Park, Hell’s Kitchen, Lower East Side, Throgs Neck, The Bronx, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Uptown West, and Yorkville.
Durable Paint Finishes for High-Traffic Areas
