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Category | Inspiration

A 2026 Color of the Year for Every Design

01/22/2026 02:47

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 
 

Formica® Laminate 1198 Jadeite gives hints of Transformative Teal and Bio-Graphing

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 Sky1198 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 
 

FENIX® J0750 Verde Comodoro evokes both Hiddeen Gem and Warm Eucalyptus

 

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

 

Homapal® M9958 Antique Rubbed Copper features similar rich tones to Warm Mahogany

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

FENIX® J0748 Beige Arizona shares characteristics with Universal Khaki

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 

FENIX® J0749 Cacao Orinoco shares the richness of Coffee Bean

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 
 

Formica® Laminate in 6130 Chambray Fabric evokes both the color and texture Patina Blue

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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