A 2026 Color of the Year for Every Design
Interpreting 2026 Colors of the Year through the Formica® Portfolio of Surfacing Solutions.
While Pantone may be the most well-known organization to name a Color of the Year, it is far from the only one. Organizations from paint brands and global trend forecasters to consumer platforms have all named their key colors for 2026, each drawing from cultural, economic and design insights from (and for) their distinct audiences.
The result is a wide spectrum of inspiration. Whatever the Color of the Year may be, the Formica® Portfolio of Surfacing Solutions offers surfaces that align, enhance or thoughtfully contrast. Whether designing the next college campus building or simply dreaming of remodeling your own kitchen, we offer reliable, durable products to match your design of choice.
Below we explore several Colors of the Year and match them with surfaces from our own portfolio to align in both color and design sensibility.
Pantone
Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer
A soft, light neutral that feels open, calm and adaptable. Pantone describes the color as “a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection. A billowy white imbued with serenity, that encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.”
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 7197 Dover White
FENIX® Innovative Materials – J0032 Bianco Kos
Everform® Solid Surface – 408 Luna Brite White, 748 White Renew and 109 Brite White
WGSN
Color of the Year: Transformative Teal
WSGN notes the color is “A fluid fusion of blue and aquatic green that reflects the diversity of nature and taps into an Earth-first mindset.” A perfect tone for biophilic design.
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 1198 Jadeite
FENIX® – J0750 Verde Comodoro or J0792 Blu Shaba
Color Marketing Group (CMG)
2026 Key Colors by Region
North America: Bio-Graphing – “A low-chroma, fragile and nonchalant, pale blue with a refreshing dash of natural green.”
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 8792 Winter Sky, 1198 Jadeite and 8683 Glass Cloth
FENIX® – J0794 Verde Kitami
Arpa® Laminate – J0607 Lavanda
Asia: Cherish – CMG says this color is “a soft, subdued, peachy orange that radiates a gentle, pink warmth full of affection found in cherished personal bonds.”
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 8858 Just Rose
Europe: Protopia – “A deep, muted, red-cast purple carrying a profound significance to the narrative of sustainable transformation.”
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 8243 Night Shade or 6903 Cassis
FENIX® – J0790 Viola Orissa
Latin America: Mistério Complexo – is a desaturated, yet “profound and intense, green-cast blue capturing and mirroring the complexity of the mind.”
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 8822 Denim or 8792 Winter Sky
Homapal® Metal Laminate – M9421 Dark Rolled Steel
FENIX® – J0792 Blu Shaba or J0754 Blu Fes
Everform® Solid Surface – 626 Indigo Speck
Behr
Color of the Year: Hidden Gem
Behr describes Hidden Gem as a “smoky jade with an air of mystery and sophistication,” a rich, dynamic color that creates spaces that feel both grounded and alive.
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 8792 Winter Sky or 8793 Green Slate
FENIX® – J0750 Verde Comodoro
Valspar
Color of the Year: Warm Eucalyptus
Valspar describes this color as “naturally restorative.” A muted green intended to promote calm and balance.
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 8793 Green Slate
FENIX® – J0750 Verde Comodoro
Everform® Solid Surface – 625 Sage Speck
Glidden
Color of the Year: Warm Mahogany
“Warm Mahogany is a rich, grounded red that’s bold enough to draw immediate attention and reserved enough to make a timeless statement,” according to Glidden.
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 7966 New Burgundy
FENIX® – J0751 Rosso Jaipur
Homapal® Metal Laminate – M9958 Antique Rubbed Copper
Benjamin Moore
Color of the Year: Silhouette
Benjamin Moore notes that Silhouette is “a distinctive color that weaves luxurious burnt umber with delicate notes of charcoal.”
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 837 Graphite or 3245 Smoke
Arpa® Laminate – J0526 Grigio Antracite
FENIX® – J0793 Grigio Aragona
Homapal® Metal Laminate – M5312 Brushed Umbra
Sherwin-Williams
Color of the Year: Universal Khaki
An essential neutral selected by Sherwin-Williams color experts for its beautiful balance of livability and longevity
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 8751 Mojave or 929 Oyster Gray
FENIX® – J0748 Beige Arizona
Everform® Solid Surface – 333 Wheat Matrix
Homapal® Metal Laminate – M9427 Champagne Stainless
Dutch Boy
Color of the Year: Melodious Ivory
Dutch Boy notes that “Creamy warmth brings a nostalgic, elevated vibe, perfect for showcasing handmade pieces and bold layers. A timeless shade that makes your space feel effortlessly you.”
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 899 Desert Beige
FENIX® – J0719 Beige Luxor
Krylon
Color of the Year: Coffee Bean
Krylon’s color of the year is a warm brown that “creates a sense of calm and a lovely connection to nature. This unpretentious shade brings timeless luxury and modern sophistication to everything it touches.”
Similar tones:
Formica® Laminate – 837 Graphite
FENIX® – J0749 Cacao Orinoco
Everform® Solid Surface – 782 Luna Weather
Homapal® Metal Laminate – M5312 Brushed Umbra
Etsy
Color of the Year: Patina Blue
Etsy chose a blue inspired by craftsmanship, individuality and vintage character. Inspired by copper’s natural aging process, it embodies the quiet magic of change and the way materials evolve as they’re lived-in and loved.
Formica® Laminate – 8822 Denim or 6130 Chambray Fabric
FENIX® – J0792 Blu Shaba
Everform® Solid Surface – 626 Indigo Speck
Homapal® Metal Laminate – M9421 Dark Rolled Steel
Designing With Confidence Across Color Trends
Across laminates, super-matte surfaces, metals and solid surface solutions, the Formica® Portfolio of Surfacing Solutions offers the flexibility to match, complement or contrast today’s most influential colors while supporting both design intent and performance.
Whatever Color of the Year inspires your next project, there is an option in the Formica® Portfolio of Surfacing Solutions ready to bring it to life.
“Each Color of the Year tells a different story, and that’s exactly why color feels so alive right now,” says Meghan Howell, Design & Creative Director at Formica Group North America. “The idea of a single ‘right’ answer is gone. Color belongs to everyone from global design leaders to the neighborhood fabric shop. I love watching how different communities make it their own.”
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