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Top Painting Trends for 2026 Show DIY Isn’t Slowing Down Despite Budget Uncertainties

New FrogTape® brand survey reveals homeowners are turning to cozy palettes, practical updates and smart tools for success to keep homes in style affordably

A Couple admiring their freshly painted walls. The man is holding a roll of FrogTape Advanced in his hand.

A top New Year’s resolution for homeowners? Impactful – affordable – upgrades.New research from FrogTape® brand painter’s tape highlights that painting remains one of the most popular home improvement projects expected in 2026, driven by tighter budgets and a desire for lasting design. In fact, nearly 60% of homeowners plan interior paint projects in the year ahead, while over one-third expect to refresh exterior surfaces, underscoring paint’s role as a cost-conscious way to transform a home.

“We’re seeing that painting remains a top priority for homeowners because it offers an affordable, high-impact way to transform interior spaces,” says Melanie Canning, Director of Insights for FrogTape®. “DIYers are embracing projects that are creative, yet practical, with budget-friendly upgrades, timeless color palettes and AI-assisted design choices.”

From cozy, comfort-first color palettes to practical room refreshes and AI-powered planning tools, DIYers are using paint to make meaningful updates that feel both intentional and attainable. Based on the FrogTape® research, here’s what’s ahead for interior painting projects in 2026:

Trend One: Affordable Upgrades

A wall being painted with a paintbrush. FrogTape Advanced is taped around the molding so there will be clean paint lines when removed

Despite a tight financial environment, over 45% of people have undertaken a project in the past month, and the data indicates that this momentum is expected to continue into the new year. Nearly half of respondents agreed that tough economic conditions have influenced their DIY plans for 2026 – but they still intend to complete projects, just on a tighter budget.

“When budgets tighten, homeowners become more intentional with their time and money,” said Canning. “Painting gives DIYers flexibility to work at their own pace, manage costs and see noticeable results.”

Trend Two: Timeless Over Trendy

Homeowners are gravitating toward spaces that feel calm, timeless and built to last. Seventy-one percent of respondents agreed that they prefer painting projects that are long-lasting and classic.

Despite being fun for the moment, trendy colors, patterns and styles can quickly lose appeal – 44% say they’re motivated to repaint because their current space feels outdated. For a classic look, homeowners can opt for neutral walls and add accent colors through accessories like pillows, artwork, and candles that can be easily swapped for different seasons, moods or trends.

“Painting is a simple project in terms of skills, but it requires time and patience. We are seeing that DIYers want to feel like their work is going to pay off for years to come, not be changed with the seasons,” Canning added.

Couple admiring their freshly painted dining room

Trend Three: Comfort-First Colors

A Couple looking at different color paint chips on their wall to help determine what color to pick

DIYers are saying goodbye to plain, colorless rooms and hello to warm, inviting spaces. According to nearly half (49%) of survey respondents, stark white rooms are their biggest design “ick.” For many (45%), their 2026 design outlook is warm and natural, and they plan to lean into earthy tones like beige, taupe, clay, greens and blues. The ultimate goal for 47% of DIYers is to create spaces that are calm and relaxing through the colors they select. Additionally, “comfortcore” is the most popular design style being embraced by DIYers in 2026. Anyone can achieve “comfortcore” in their own space with soft textures and calm colors for a cozy ambiance.

Personal preferences aren’t the only factor impacting the trend — 65% of respondents are planning their upcoming paint projects for entertaining guests, and 62% agree that their main goal is to make the space feel more inviting, making comfort a key priority.

Trend Four: Tech & Tape are Go-To Tools

Making decisions related to changes in your home can be difficult, but modern technologies can help. More than half of people reported using AI to assist with home improvement projects in some capacity, from previewing paint colors to assisting with design decisions and identifying paint trends.

However, even in the age of AI, traditional tools, like painter’s tape, remain irreplaceable. Ninety percent of people have used or plan to use painter’s tape on recent painting projects. The most common surfaces they tape include trim and baseboards (74%), doors and windows (65%), edges (58%) and walls (49%).

A couple applying Green FrogTape Advanced to a Mantel and Archway

No matter the painting priority, FrogTape Advanced™ Painter’s Tape is the ideal tool to have on hand. The ultra-premium painter’s tape conforms around challenging curves and edges like trim, molding and light fixtures without tearing. Additionally, it contains exclusive PaintBlock® Technology to seal tape edges and block paint bleed for super sharp paint lines.

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