Green is a versatile color that works in so many settings with many other colors. In particular, the warmer shades provide a sense of nature and warmth to any room or space. For Valspar, selecting Sage Slate V143-5, a warm green, is perfect for its 2026 Color of the Year.

It should be noted that this color has two distinct names, depending on where you purchase it: Sage Slate V143-5 is its name at independent retailers nationwide, while Warm Eucalyptus 8004-28F is its name at Lowe’s nationwide.

Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar, notes that Sage Slate V143-5 is a beautifully flexible shade that works throughout the home, inside and out. It reflects a collective desire for calm, grounding design.

“Sage Slate is more than just a beautiful shade of green, it’s a reflection of the comfort we crave in our homes,” says Kim. “Its warm undertones create a grounded, welcoming mood while drawing inspiration from nature and the familiarity of retro design. This is a color that encourages restoration and resilience.

“We chose this grounding soft green hue based on cultural trends and the direction toward which we see consumer insights trending,” adds Kim. “People are craving comfort, nostalgia and a deeper connection to nature in their homes.”

Kim points out that regarding paint specifically, consumers are gravitating toward greens

“The color marketing team at Valspar chose a color that provides that feeling and serves as an entry point for consumers and designers looking to incorporate greens into residential and commercial properties,” Kim says.

“Because of its versatility, the hue lends itself to color drenching spaces to encourage serenity, like in bathrooms, or to ground areas of visually busier rooms, like a reading nook in a living room,” notes Kim. “Because it is a green that draws from nature and a warm mid-tone hue, Sage Slate is a beautiful exterior color that helps connect a house to its surroundings.”

Kim points out that Sage Slate continues Valspar’s recent color of the year trends.

“Our recent colors of the year have offered resilience and serenity while infusing joy, blending retro inspiration with modern sensibility and providing a versatile hue that fosters calm and optimism in today’s ever-changing world.”

“Sage Slate continues the conversation we have been having with our consumers in recent years, where we have been drawing attention to blues and greens in our portfolio to show them how they can explore various color options that provide them with calm and serenity at home, as that is where design has been pointing the past couple of years,” Kim notes.

For example, Epic Adventure V073-6, Valspar’s 2025 Color of the Year, is a bold, atmospheric blue, and Kim says it works very well with Sage Slate.

“The versatility of Sage Slate allows it to harmonize easily with Epic Adventure, which is known as Encore 8002-45G at Lowe’s nationwide,” Kim says. “For rooms painted in Epic Adventure, consider painting the door, trim and/or ceiling in Sage Slate. You also can consider painting a desk or bench for a room with Epic Adventure serving as the backdrop.”

Valspar sees that renters and homeowners are evolving their spaces to offer more than just living; they’re creating havens for rest and renewal. To go along with Sage Slate, Valspar suggests a pair of earthy colors that complement this year’s Color of the Year very nicely: Degas Blue 8004-35B is a breezy light blue warmed by hints of green and gray, which Valspar notes evokes soft nostalgia and quiet joy, while Groundbreakinq 8005-8F is seen as a cozy deep brown with gray undertones.

Sage Slate V143-5, is available at independent home improvement retailers nationwide, while Warm Eucalyptus 8004-28F is available exclusively at Lowe’s stores, on Lowes.com and the Lowe’s mobile app.