Elevating Exterior Design: The Moody Hues Redefining Home Facades in 2026
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PublishedDec 25, 2025 1:00 AM EST
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What does 2026 have in store for exterior design? InDesign Psychic, our community of editors, experts, and tastemakers forecasts the defining trends arriving soon to a home near you.
Refreshing bath towels every few years is second nature, but repainting an entire home exterior is a far more considered investment—one that demands both confidence and longevity. Yet there is a compelling case for moving beyond the familiar whites and grays. We recently consulted leading interior designers on the exact paint swatches they are most eager to specify in 2026, and the welcome news for the design-cautious is that even the most daring hues prove remarkably timeless (or can be elegantly confined to trim and accents). One moody shade in particular leads the charge…
The Leading Palette: Brown-Purple and Purple-Brown Tones
Vintage Wine — Benjamin Moore
Aubergine, a deep purple infused with warm brown undertones, serves as an exceptional exterior accent color. While not recommended as a primary façade shade, it pairs beautifully with natural outdoor materials such as limestone and varied terracotta tones. Vintage Wine by Benjamin Moore was specified for a front door application in Miami, delivering refined contrast and depth.—Karen Asprea, founder ofAsprea Studio
Mahogany — Farrow & Ball
Farrow & Ball’sMahoganyis a standout: an earthy, plummy brown that shifts between chocolate and aubergine in natural light. It reads as a new neutral with real depth, pairing beautifully with creamy trim, natural wood, and aged brass for a warm, elevated exterior palette.—Amy Courtney, founder ofAmy Courtney Design
Branchport Brown — Benjamin Moore
Richer exteriors are in demand for 2026, with deep chocolate hues taking center stage—especially on modern Los Angeles architecture. The standout swatch:Benjamin Moore’s Branchport Brown, offering a sophisticated depth that anchors contemporary facades with warmth.—Coco Greenblum, founder ofStudio Coco Greenblum
Brinjal — Farrow & Ball
The design world is shifting toward moodier palettes, with deep hues like aubergine, olive, ochre, and mauve-taupe emerging as new staples for exterior applications.—Huma Sulaiman, founder ofHuma Sulaiman Design
Silhouette — Benjamin Moore
Broccoli Brown — Farrow & Ball
Benjamin Moore’s Silhouette is a smoky charcoal-brown that adds sophistication to any facade, whileFarrow & Ball’s Broccoli Browndelivers a warm, earthy tone that feels timeless and rooted in nature. Both colors pair effortlessly with stone, natural wood, aged brass, and deep green landscaping.—Sarah Akbary, founder ofSarah Akbary Interiors
The Runners-Up: Deep and Mid-Tone Greens
Succulent — Benjamin Moore
Succulentdelivers a rich, layered green that feels unexpected yet sufficiently neutral to complement a wide range of exterior materials—from stucco and brick to natural stone.—Alykhan Velji, creative director atAly Velji Designs
Black Forest Green — Benjamin Moore
Studio Green — Farrow & Ball
Deep, desaturated olive-blacks that evoke shadows in a forest canopy are capturing attention. Benjamin Moore’s Black Forest GreenandFarrow & Ball Studio Greencreate a palette that feels both powerful and poetic when paired with natural stone or warm woods.–Anu Jain, founder ofAtelier Oleana
Green Smoke — Farrow & Ball
Olive and sage green exterior shades likeGreen Smokepaired with a deep contrasting trim such asBrinjalby Farrow & Ball deliver a refined, nature-inspired façade composition.—Christina Cruz, founder ofChristina Cruz Interiors
Louisburg Green — Benjamin Moore
A deep, warm green that feels both grounded and sophisticated—Louisburg Greenis a distinguished choice for exteriors seeking character and elegance.—Michelle Murphy, founder ofDemi Ryan
The Honorable Mentions
Black
Paean Black — Farrow & Ball
Ultra-dark, moody exteriors are making a strong statement—Farrow & Ball’s Paean Blackpaired with contrasting shutters delivers a dramatic yet refined façade.—Cynthia Ferguson, founder ofCynthia Ferguson Designs
Tricorn Black — Sherwin-Williams
Wrought Iron — Benjamin Moore
Black exteriors with layered textures—charred woods and matte metals—define a compelling trend. Featured swatches:Benjamin Moore’s Wrought IronandSherwin-Williams’ Tricorn Black.—Britany Simon, owner ofBritany Simon Design House
Cream
Feather Down — Benjamin Moore
While white has long been the default, it is beginning to feel predictable. Benjamin Moore’s Feather Downoffers a refined cream alternative. Paired with a wintery blue or sage green accent, it achieves an elevated and historically informed exterior.—Christine Vroom, founder ofChristine Vroom Interiors
Grecian Ivory — Sherwin-Williams
Grecian Ivory by Sherwin-Williamsis a soft, warm off-white that creates a welcoming presence. A timeless, classic color suited to both modern and traditional architectural styles, it performs beautifully across a variety of materials including brick, stucco, and siding.—Kevin Kaminski, architect and cofounder atKaminski + Pew
Gray-Blue
Inchyra Blue — Farrow & Ball
A monochromatic exterior application—including trim, windows, and doors—inInchyra Bluecreates a cohesive, statement-making façade with understated elegance.—Jay Jeffers, founder and principal ofJay Jeffers Inc.
Raccoon Fur — Benjamin Moore
Deep, dark blues likeBenjamin Moore’s Raccoon Furare poised to make a strong impression. After a decade dominated by white and cream exteriors, the shift toward depth and dimension brings welcome visual richness to residential facades.–Kristin Harrison, founder ofGeorgia & Hunt Design House
Nuanced Pink
Dusty Mauve — Benjamin Moore
A shift toward more vibrant hues is emerging, moving beyond the dulled-out shades of gray and blue that have dominated recent years. These bold, lively colors make a distinctive statement while offering a fresh, contemporary appeal.Benjamin Moore’s Dusty Mauveserves as a beautiful, sophisticated exterior choice. —Caren Rideau, principal ofKitchen Design Group
Fruited Plains — Benjamin Moore
A soft, architectural pink exterior is emerging as a heritage-inspired choice for 2026. Evoking the Mediterranean-revival villas and sun-lit boulevards of 1920s California—reinterpreted with contemporary sophistication—this is an emulsion-finished pink with depth, warmth, and a golden undertone that glows beautifully in sunlight and at dusk. —Jaime Rummerfield, founder ofJaime Rummerfield Interior Design
Lydia Geisel
Home Editor
Lydia Geisel has been on the editorial team at Domino since 2017. Today, she writes and edits home and renovation stories, including house tours, before and afters, and DIYs, and leads our design news coverage. She lives in New York City.
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