Warm Mahogany, Glidden’s 2026 Color of the Year

Blog Title: The Return of Radical Warmth: Designing with Glidden’s 2026 Color of the Year, Warm Mahogany

Introduction: A Shift Toward Connection

For the past decade, the design industry has oscillated between the safety of cool grays and the stark purity of minimalism. But as we look toward 2026, the pendulum is swinging decisively. We are entering an era where our clients—whether residential homeowners or commercial stakeholders—are craving something that feels less like a showroom and more like a sanctuary. They are asking for "lived-in" luxury, heritage, and, most importantly, connection.

Enter Warm Mahogany (PPG1060-7), Glidden’s 2026 Color of the Year.

This isn’t just another red. It is a nuanced, grounded hue that sits comfortably between a deep cherry and a rich brown,. For architects, interior designers, and furniture makers, Warm Mahogany represents a pivotal tool in our palette: a color bold enough to serve as a focal point yet reserved enough to act as a neutral foundation for a layered, historical aesthetic,.

In this deep dive, we will explore the anatomy of this color, dissect the four key trend palettes for 2026, and discuss material applications that will help you specify this shade with confidence.

The Anatomy of Warm Mahogany

Why this color, and why now? The selection of Warm Mahogany coincides with a broader cultural shift toward "intentional togetherness". After years of digital saturation and burnout, the 2026 forecast suggests a collective desire to slow down,.

Technically speaking, Warm Mahogany is a "rich, grounded red". It possesses strong brown undertones that prevent it from reading as too aggressive or primary. Instead, it evokes the feeling of "heirloom antiques" and "historic brownstones",.

For the professional specifier, this color solves a specific problem: How do we add drama without sacrificing tranquility? Ashley McCollum, the color expert for Glidden, describes it as having a duality: "It's bold and daring, but it also can be restful". This makes it uniquely versatile for spaces requiring both stimulation and comfort, such as dining rooms, hospitality venues, and creative studios.

The 2026 Design Narratives: Four Palettes for Pros

To truly leverage Warm Mahogany, we must look at it within the context of the broader 2026 trend forecast provided by PPG and Glidden. These four narratives—Ode, Portal, Collective, and Heirloom—offer distinct roadmaps for application in residential and commercial projects.

1. The "Ode" Palette: Moody & Mineral

Best for: Boutique Hospitality, High-End Residential Living, Powder Rooms

The Ode palette is where Warm Mahogany truly flexes its romantic muscles. This narrative is a blend of "jewel-toned opulence and subtle mineral touches". It is poetic and storied, designed for spaces that want to feel artfully aged rather than brand new.

The Palette:

• Anchor: Warm Mahogany (PPG1060-7)
• Support: Purple Basil (PPG1046-7), Cavalry (PPG1041-7), Oakwood Brown (PPG1054-6)
• Neutrals: Ghost Writer (PPG1007-3), Stone Gray (PPG1023-5)

Application Strategy: In a commercial lounge or a residential study, move away from the accent wall. Instead, embrace color drenching. Paint the walls, trim, and even the ceiling in Warm Mahogany to create a jewelry-box effect,. Use the mineral tones like Stone Gray for flooring or large upholstery pieces to ground the red. Introduce Purple Basil through velvet textiles or drapery to heighten the sense of drama.

2. The "Portal" Palette: Dreamy & Grounded

Best for: Wellness Spaces, Spas, Modern Bedrooms

If Ode is the past, Portal is the future. This palette balances the grounding nature of Warm Mahogany with dreamy, digital-inspired hues. It strikes a balance between "dreamy and grounded," utilizing soft accents to speak to wellness and restoration.

The Palette:

• Anchor: Warm Mahogany (PPG1060-7)
• Support: Intrigue (PPG1019-7), Smoky Slate (PPG1028-4), Aqua Smoke (PPG1034-5)
• Neutrals: Delicate White (PPG1001-1), Moth Gray (PPG1024-4)

Application Strategy: Here, Warm Mahogany serves as the "earth" element against ethereal skyscapes. Use Smoky Slate or Moth Gray as the dominant wall color in a bedroom or spa waiting area, and apply Warm Mahogany to joinery, door frames, or lower cabinetry,. This grounding technique prevents the airy blues and silvers from floating away, anchoring the room in reality.

3. The "Collective" Palette: Expressive & Social

Best for: Co-working Spaces, Casual Dining, Creative Agencies

This palette is "layered and expressive," designed to celebrate community. It mixes dramatic shades with lively brights. It acknowledges that 2026 is about gathering—dinner parties, group journaling, and rebuilding community.

The Palette:

• Anchor: Warm Mahogany (PPG1060-7)
• Support: Jitterbug (PPG1118-4), Just Gorgeous (PPG1047-3), Lovely Lilac (PPG1167-4)
• Neutrals: Blank Canvas (PPG1085-1), Dusty Trail (PPG1097-4)

Application Strategy: For architects designing wayfinding in commercial spaces, Warm Mahogany acts as a "Here I Am" marker. Use it on structural columns or central gathering points. Pair it with unexpected pops of Lovely Lilac or Jitterbug (a teal-blue) in furniture upholstery. The clash of the warm red-brown against the cool teal creates a vibration that keeps the energy high—perfect for spaces where conversation and ideation are the goals.

4. The "Heirloom" Palette: Academic & Refined

Best for: Kitchens, Traditional Renovations, Law Offices

Rooted in tradition, Heirloom recalls "academic interiors" and "library stacks". This is perhaps the most natural habitat for Warm Mahogany, playing into the "Heritage Character" trend.

The Palette:

• Anchor: Warm Mahogany (PPG1060-7)
• Support: Spiced Cider (PPG1068-7), Fallingwater Red (PPG13-02)
• Neutrals: Timeless, warm whites and deep browns.

Application Strategy: In kitchen design, we are moving away from the all-white laboratory look. Specifying Warm Mahogany for an island or lower perimeter cabinets brings immediate warmth and sophistication. Pair this with Spiced Cider glazed tiles or terracotta flooring. This palette demands authenticity in materials—think real wood, brick, and stone.

Materiality: What to Specify with Warm Mahogany

A color never lives in isolation. For the makers and interior architects reading this, the success of Warm Mahogany depends entirely on the materials you layer against it. Based on the 2026 trend reports, here are the winning combinations:

1. Metals: The Warmth of Brass and the Edge of Black Because Warm Mahogany has brown undertones, it harmonizes beautifully with unlacquered brass, gold, and copper,. These finishes pick up the warmth in the paint, creating a cohesive "glow." However, to prevent the space from looking like a period set piece from the 19th century, introduce Matte Black fixtures. A matte black faucet or door hardware adds a contemporary "edge" that modernizes the red,.

2. Woods: Walnut and Oak While it might seem counterintuitive to pair a wood-tone paint with wood furniture, the monochrome look is trending. Dark walnut flooring reinforces the depth of Warm Mahogany. Alternatively, lighter white oak flooring can provide a necessary lift, preventing a small room from feeling cavernous. The key is to ensure the wood stain has a warm undertone; avoid gray-washed woods, which will clash with the richness of the mahogany.

3. Stone and Surfaces Warm Mahogany loves natural stone. Specify countertops in creamy quartz (like Blank Canvas) or marbles with warm veining (Calacatta Gold). Avoid cool, blue-toned Carrara marble, as the contrast can feel jarring. For a moodier application, consider dark soapstone or slate, which aligns with the Portal and Ode palettes,.

Strategic Application: Tips for Designers

The "Color Drenching" Technique We are seeing a move away from the single accent wall, which can sometimes feel dated. The 2026 approach is color drenching. This involves painting the baseboards, walls, crown molding, and ceiling in the same shade—Warm Mahogany. This blurs the boundaries of the room, making small spaces feel larger and more enveloping,. This is particularly effective in rooms designed for focus, such as home offices or dining rooms.

The "New Neutral" Perspective While red is rarely considered neutral, the brown undertones of Warm Mahogany allow it to function as one. In a living room, treat it as you would a navy or a charcoal. It provides a dark backdrop that allows art, gallery walls, and furniture silhouettes to pop,.

Exterior Curb Appeal Don't limit this color to interiors. Warm Mahogany is an exceptional choice for front doors, shutters, or even siding on Craftsman or Victorian-style homes,. It bridges the gap between the natural landscape and the built environment, offering a warm welcome that feels organic rather than synthetic.

Furniture & Decor: The Maker's Perspective

For furniture designers and makers, Warm Mahogany offers a rich backdrop for textiles.

• Velvet & Chenille: The depth of this color creates a sense of luxury. Upholstering a sofa in a deep green (like Mallard Green or Midnight Garden) to sit against a Mahogany wall creates a classic complementary pairing (red/green) that feels sophisticated, not festive,.
• Leather: Cognac or distressed leather chairs share the same warm lineage as the paint, creating a monochromatic, masculine energy perfect for dens and libraries.
• The "Eclectic" Mix: Glidden suggests that this color pairs well with "vintage comfort." Encourage clients to mix eras—a mid-century modern chair in a room with traditional millwork painted Warm Mahogany creates the "transitional" tension that defines current high-end design,.

Conclusion: Designing for the Soul

The selection of Warm Mahogany as the 2026 Color of the Year is more than a trend forecast; it is a directive. It tells us that the future of design is not cold, sterile, or purely digital. It is warm, tactile, and deeply human.

For us as industry professionals, this color challenges us to be bolder with our specifications. It invites us to create spaces that wrap around the stimulating conversations of a dinner party or the quiet solitude of a reading nook. It asks us to respect heritage while innovating for the future.

As you move into your 2026 projects, consider how Warm Mahogany can serve as the heartbeat of your design—grounding, connecting, and undeniably warm.

Ready to spec? Warm Mahogany (PPG1060-7) is available in PPG Paints and Glidden formulations. Order your swatches today and start building your "Ode" to the future of interiors.