Clark and Kensington Crown a Deliciously Neutral 2026 Color of the Year

As the leaves begin to turn and the air hints at a fresh season, the design world is abuzz with anticipation for the unveiling of 2026’s most influential hues. Paint brands annually roll out their highly anticipated Colors of the Year, offering a curated glimpse into the palettes that will define our living spaces. For homeowners eager to refresh their interiors or simply stay ahead of the curve, this moment presents an unparalleled opportunity to embrace emerging trends and infuse their homes with contemporary style and personality. This year, the collective forecast points towards a comforting embrace of nature, with prominent brands like Behr, Valspar, and Glidden gravitating towards serene blue-greens and deeply rooted, warm browns.

Stepping into this landscape of grounded tones is Clark + Kensington’s standout pick for 2026: Hazelnut Crunch. This isn’t just any brown; it’s a rich, earthy, and exceptionally versatile shade that exudes profound warmth and inviting depth. It immediately captivates with its ability to transform a room into a sanctuary of comfort and style. Imagine Hazelnut Crunch creating a striking color-blocked arch in a sophisticated home office, or providing a calming, gender-neutral backdrop in a cozy nursery. Its potential is as expansive as your imagination. Join us as we delve into the unique allure of Hazelnut Crunch and explore why it’s poised to become the defining color of the year.

Unveiling Clark + Kensington’s 2026 Color of the Year: Hazelnut Crunch

Clark + Kensington has officially crowned Hazelnut Crunch as its 2026 Color of the Year, a choice that resonates deeply with contemporary lifestyle desires. This isn’t just a color; it’s a feeling—a warm, earthy neutral that epitomizes comfort, connection, and restorative tranquility. The selection process, a thoughtful collaboration between Clark + Kensington’s seasoned design team and the expert trend forecasters at Colour Hive, was meticulously guided by a deep understanding of evolving consumer preferences. Hazelnut Crunch emerges directly from the burgeoning trends of cozy minimalism and nature-inspired living, two movements that champion authenticity, simplicity, and a strong bond with the natural world.

In an increasingly digitized and fast-paced world, there’s a growing collective yearning for spaces that offer refuge. Homeowners are actively seeking environments that feel not just aesthetically pleasing, but deeply restorative and calming. Hazelnut Crunch perfectly answers this call, creating interiors that are grounded, sensory-rich, and intrinsically comforting. It’s about crafting spaces that look as inviting as they feel, fostering a sense of well-being and ease.

“In an increasingly fast-paced world, homeowners desire spaces that offer restoration, comfort and calm. Hazelnut Crunch delivers all of that and more. It’s a beautiful, deep shade that creates the perfect backdrop for relaxed living, pairing effortlessly with both natural textures and modern elements.”

— Kim Lefko, Chief Marketing Officer at Ace Hardware

As Kim Lefko aptly highlights, Hazelnut Crunch is more than just a paint color; it’s an invitation to cultivate a lifestyle centered around peace and connection. Its profound depth and remarkable versatility allow it to anchor a room while remaining adaptable to diverse design palettes. This exceptional hue pairs exquisitely with the subtle elegance of mineral shades, the vibrant intensity of jewel tones, and the understated softness of creamy neutrals. This adaptability makes Hazelnut Crunch an ideal choice for virtually any room in the home, offering warmth and character without ever feeling overwhelming or dominant. It serves as a sophisticated foundation, allowing other design elements to shine while contributing its own unique, grounding energy.

The Psychology Behind Earthy Neutrals

The selection of Hazelnut Crunch reflects a broader shift towards colors that evoke feelings of security, warmth, and connection to the earth. Brown, often associated with stability, reliability, and resilience, provides a sense of anchoring in our homes. In color psychology, earthy tones like Hazelnut Crunch are known to promote comfort and simplicity. They remind us of wood, soil, and natural elements, fostering a serene atmosphere that encourages relaxation and introspection. This makes it an ideal choice for creating inviting communal areas, tranquil bedrooms, or focused workspaces where a sense of calm is paramount. Its inherent warmth ensures that even when used extensively, a room will feel embracing rather than stark.

Why We’re Obsessed: Envisioning Hazelnut Crunch in Our Homes

To truly understand the transformative power of Hazelnut Crunch, we turned to the expert eyes of Family Handyman editors, asking them to share their personal visions for incorporating this exceptional shade into their own living spaces. Their diverse perspectives offer a compelling testament to the color’s incredible versatility and broad appeal.

• Katie Bandurski, Deputy Editor: A Moody Dining Room Masterpiece
  “I have a deep admiration for moody dining rooms, and Hazelnut Crunch strikes me as the absolute perfect rich neutral—it offers profound depth without veering into overly dark territory,” shares Katie Bandurski. She vividly imagines festive holiday feasts bathed in the soft glow of abundant candlelight, perfectly complemented by the inviting warmth of Hazelnut Crunch walls. For an extra layer of drama and sophistication, Katie suggests pairing the color with a thoughtfully curated gallery wall featuring antique brass frames, which would brilliantly pop against the earthy backdrop, enhancing the room’s elegant and lived-in feel. This combination promises a dining experience that is both intimate and grand.
• Ethan O’Donnell, Deputy Editor: Practicality Meets Style
  Ethan O’Donnell, another Deputy Editor, offers invaluable practical advice for working with brown paints, including Hazelnut Crunch. “Browns truly shine in rooms that are illuminated with warm lighting, which enhances their inherent coziness and depth,” he advises. Ethan also notes their exceptional pairing with crisp cream trim and cabinetry, which provides a lovely contrast and brightens the overall aesthetic. Beyond aesthetics, he points out a practical benefit: “Plus, brown effectively conceals dirt and minor wall imperfections, making it a highly forgiving and low-maintenance choice for busy households.”
• Nicole Doster, Content Director: Embracing Color-Drenching
  “As a millennial, I’m genuinely done with the reign of sad grays and bland beiges,” declares Content Director Nicole Doster. “I’ve been yearning to dive into the ‘color-drenching’ trend, and I can unequivocally envision Hazelnut Crunch as a bold, incredibly warm choice to completely revitalize our bedroom.” Color-drenching, the technique of painting walls, trim, and even ceilings in the same hue, creates an enveloping, cocoon-like atmosphere. Hazelnut Crunch would transform a bedroom into a serene retreat, fostering relaxation and a sense of sophisticated comfort, moving definitively away from cooler, less inviting tones.
• Kirsten Schrader, Content Director: A Modern Nursery Alternative
  Content Director Kirsten Schrader sees Hazelnut Crunch as an inspired and refreshing alternative to traditional pinks in a nursery setting. “I can truly see this color as a wonderful option for a nursery,” she suggests. Its gentle, grounding qualities make it perfect for creating a calming and gender-neutral space that grows with the child. Paired with soft whites, natural wood, and playful accents, Hazelnut Crunch can craft a sophisticated yet whimsical environment, moving beyond conventional gendered palettes.
• Melissa Franco, Senior Set Designer: Creative Color Blocking
  Senior Set Designer Melissa Franco’s vision leans into sophisticated design techniques. “I would expertly pair Hazelnut Crunch with rich natural wood tones, crisp creamy white colors, or even a deep, moody charcoal for a striking contrast,” she explains. Melissa is particularly drawn to the idea of incorporating a color-block painted arch on the wall behind her home office desk. “Paired with the organic beauty of a natural wood desk and elegant brass accents, this arrangement would inject incredible depth and a welcoming warmth into the workspace, making it both functional and inspiring.”
• Emily Way, Shopping Editor: Mid-Century Modern Harmony
  Shopping Editor Emily Way is currently engaged in renovating her mid-century cape cod home, meticulously striving to honor and enhance its distinctive aesthetic. “It’s been quite a challenge to discover a wall color that perfectly balances my love for vibrant hues while still capturing the cozy, authentically lived-in spirit of mid-century homes,” Emily admits. Her search, it seems, has concluded. “Hazelnut Crunch is precisely the color I’ve envisioned for my living room. It’s warm, incredibly inviting, and sufficiently neutral to harmoniously blend with whatever delightful kitsch I decide to incorporate!” This color offers the ideal backdrop for mid-century furniture, textures, and decorative elements, maintaining authenticity while offering modern appeal.

Broader Styling Applications for Hazelnut Crunch

Beyond these specific editorial inspirations, Hazelnut Crunch offers a wealth of design possibilities. Its earthy base makes it an exceptional partner for a wide array of materials and textures. Consider pairing it with the tactile richness of woven fabrics, the timeless appeal of leather, or the sleekness of modern metallics like brass or matte black. For a truly biophilic design, integrate plenty of lush greenery; the warm brown will make potted plants and botanical prints truly pop.

This color isn’t limited to walls either. Imagine upcycling an old dresser or a set of kitchen cabinets with a fresh coat of Hazelnut Crunch, instantly transforming them into contemporary focal points. It could also be used for interior doors, creating a subtle yet impactful statement, or even for exterior trim on certain home styles, adding a touch of rustic sophistication. Its ability to serve as both a dominant force and a complementary accent makes it a designer’s dream.

Where to Purchase Clark + Kensington’s Hazelnut Crunch

The highly anticipated Hazelnut Crunch (09A-5), Clark + Kensington’s 2026 Color of the Year, has officially made its debut. This exclusive shade is available for purchase at participating Ace Hardware stores nationwide, ensuring easy access for homeowners and designers across the country. Additionally, for those who prefer the convenience of online shopping, Hazelnut Crunch can be found through The Paint Studio, Ace Hardware’s dedicated online platform for all your painting needs.

Ready to introduce this exquisite hue into your home? Getting started is simple and flexible. You can acquire a full gallon of Hazelnut Crunch in any desired finish for under $50, an excellent value for larger projects like painting an entire room. Alternatively, if you’re looking to test the waters, tackle a smaller accent wall, or experiment with a creative color-blocking technique, a quart-sized container is available for approximately half the price. This smaller option is perfect for projects that demand a powerful visual punch without requiring extensive coverage. Before committing to a large quantity, we always recommend picking up a sample to see how Hazelnut Crunch truly appears in your home’s unique lighting conditions throughout the day. This small step can make all the difference in achieving your desired aesthetic.

Embrace the Warmth of 2026

Clark + Kensington’s Hazelnut Crunch is more than just a fleeting trend; it’s a timeless hue poised to define the aesthetic of 2026 and beyond. Its rich warmth, earthy depth, and remarkable versatility offer homeowners a powerful tool to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also deeply comforting and inviting. Whether you’re embarking on a full home renovation or simply seeking to refresh a single room, Hazelnut Crunch provides the perfect foundation for a design that is both stylish and genuinely reflective of a desire for grounded, restorative living. Don’t miss the opportunity to transform your home with this exceptional Color of the Year.