Picking the right paint color for your home can feel overwhelming. Between bright or muted, warm or cool, traditional or modern, the options are limitless. With every room serving its own unique purpose — and design trends constantly evolving — it can be challenging to find a color that captures your desired mood and stands the test of time.

Do-It-Yourselfers (DIY) and professionals alike are becoming increasingly keen to select colors that fit within the larger lifestyle of a space, not just one prescribed function or moment in time. Feeling torn between finding a color that feels authentic, personal and safe and one that offers a rush of newness, risk and excitement? What if homeowners don't have to choose? What if they can have their cake and eat it too?

Understanding this desire, color experts with the Pittsburgh Paints & Stains brand have predicted that one color will shine above the rest in 2026. Both a shining star and supporting character, the 2026 Color of the Year, Warm Mahogany (MEN7084-6), embraces the relief found in juxtaposition and removes the boundaries of abiding to trends.

"Just as quiet luxury brought us years of warm neutrals, our spaces now require a color that can feel both calming and adventurous," said Ashley McCollum, color expert for the Pittsburgh Paints & Stains brand. "Warm Mahogany is vivid enough to draw immediate attention and reserved enough to make a timeless statement."

Warm Mahogany is an anti-trend trend, according to McCollum. Timeless and fresh, pragmatic and daring, quiet and loud, introverted and extroverted, playful and resilient, daring and restful. It's not one or the other.

"Warm Mahogany thrives in spaces craving connection, rest and play. A rich, warm-toned red, it adapts itself for the mood and purpose of any space," continued McCollum.

Warm Mahogany works well in environments designed to encourage depth of conversation, such as dining rooms and cafes, while simultaneously breathing sophistication and timelessness in rejuvenating spaces like libraries and study rooms.

McCollum especially recommends using Warm Mahogany to refresh the interior walls and trim of these spaces:

• Bedrooms: For your relaxation, Warm Mahogany creates a cozy, calming atmosphere that's perfect for winding down after a long day. It helps a space feel intimate and stylish without being too dark or heavy. Try Warm Mahogany in Pittsburgh Paints & Stains' super-premium REVOLUTION^® paint and pair it with soft linens and warm lighting.
• Kitchens: On cabinets or islands, Warm Mahogany brings depth and character. Pair with matte black or brass hardware for a sleek, modern look or try it on a single wall or behind open shelving paired with white or cream countertops. For excellent durability and washability in the kitchen, use Pittsburgh Paints & Stains PARAMOUNT^® paint.
• Dining Rooms: Every meal will feel like a special occasion, as Warm Mahogany adds drama, yet keeps this space relaxed. Pair it with natural wood, sleek metals and bold art. To achieve beautiful, long-lasting color in dining spaces, Pittsburgh Paints & Stains product experts recommend DISTINCTION^® paint.
• Library or Reading Nook: This color creates a snug, intimate atmosphere perfect for quiet moments when it's easy to get lost in your favorite book. For painters at any skill level, PREMIER™ Interior Paint & Primer brings Warm Mahogany to life.

There's no longer a need to choose between different moods or styles that fit your space — experts say you can have it all. The 2026 color of choice for homeowners and DIYers, Warm Mahogany, is available at Menards locations.