Deep, rich, and timeless, Warm Mahogany (PPG1060-7) was just announced as Glidden’s 2026 Color the Year.

The bold hue isn't too surprising: It fits right in with the sumptuous, moody design styles that are popular today. (Compare it with another 2026 color pick: Behr’s "Hidden Gem"—also dark and luxurious.)

But don't you dare think Warm Mahogany is one of those trendy, here-today-gone-next-season colors. The shade is classic, earthy, and reminiscent of wood panels in Victorian homes and dark, cozy reading nooks. The color has been around for a long time and isn't going anywhere. In a press release, the Pittsburgh Paints Company, Glidden's parent company, says the color "has long held star power in home decor, providing homeowners with relief from the boundaries of abiding to trends."

Warm Mahogany is also a little daring, which speaks to the trend of homeowners becoming braver with their home design. For years, people stuck to beiges, blues, and greys—hoping safe choices would impress their house’s next buyer. But these days, owners aren't afraid to add whimsy with wallpaper, personality with paint, and generally put the “me” in “home.”

“Consumers have become more and more comfortable with color, and BOLD color,” says Ashley McCollum, color marketing manager at Glidden tells Realtor.com®.

Where to use Warm Mahogany

At the press event held at Walt Disney World Resort, Glidden explained that the color inspires "intentional togetherness" and creating "places where strangers become neighbors." And that makes sense: The color is warm and inviting. It's cozy but not stifling.

It's also wonderfully versatile and can be dressed up for a regal look or dressed down for a cottage feel.

“Warm Mahogany is bold enough to blend in but reserved enough to make a timeless statement, and can be used for any space, any mood and any style,” says McCollum.

Glidden 2026 Color of the Year gives a sense of warmth, living up to its namesake. Glidden

For an elegant, expensive look

This color is great for those looking to elevate the aesthetic of their home. McCollum says color drenching (using the same shade all over a room) with Warm Mahogany will make your space look refined—but not cold.

Color drenching often works best when using different sheens, so McCollum recommends a matte or eggshell wall, with a satin or gloss on the trim and moldings, plus a flat ceiling.

"With color drenching, you have the ability to play with the same color with different sheens to add depth and dimension, In these spaces," she adds.

When it comes to styling, McCollum recommends elegant furniture styles such as tufted velvet sofas or leather armchairs in neutral or jewel tones (such as emerald green or navy blue).

“You can use rich textures like silk, velvet, or polished wood finishes (mahogany, walnut) to complement the depth of the color,” she adds.

A dining room exudes a different kind of elegance with Warm Mahagony. Glidden

For those looking for a more casual design

If you like a more casual, rustic look, McCollum says to use Warm Mahogany as an accent. Put it on built-in bookshelves, in a reading nook, a fireplace surround, or cabinetry (in the kitchen or bathroom).

If you choose to cover the cabinets in this shade, McCollum says Warm Mahogany works best with “warm metal fixtures and hardware such as bronze, copper or even black.”

Pair it with natural, earthy tones such as olive green, mustard yellow, or burnt orange look great with Warm Mahogany, adds McCollum, and can enhance the color’s hominess.

Thinking outside the house

Warm Mahogany also works well on exteriors and should be balanced with natural, neutral tones.

“Stone, brick, and wood paired with Warm Mahogany will further enhance the earthy, grounded feel of the exterior,” McCollum explains.

She says this color is great for accents too, suggesting using the hue on exterior doors, shutters, trim, garage doors, or smaller details such as planter boxes.

Source:realtor.com