Minwax Selects 2027 Color of the Year
Minwax announced Pickled Oak MW260 as its 2027 Color of the Year. A light, soft neutral with gentle warm undertones, Pickled Oak creates a subtle wash that allows wood's natural grain to show through.
The selection reflects growing interest in understated wood aesthetics and finishes that showcase natural materials, along with a desire for clarity, calm and intention in living spaces.
"We're seeing a shift toward wood tones that celebrate the material itself and its character," said Lisbeth Parada, color and design lead at Minwax. "Inspired by the popularity of light woods like white oak and vintage pine, Pickled Oak offers a modern interpretation of wood that feels versatile across everything from furniture and cabinetry to larger DIY projects."
Beyond its appearance, Pickled Oak speaks to an appreciation for thoughtful design and pieces that bring meaning to a space. For wood species such as pine or red oak, it offers a way to achieve the pale, minimally finished aesthetic associated with lighter wood trends without masking the material beneath the stain.
"Comfort, well-being and a sense of purpose are increasingly shaping the way spaces are designed and experienced," Parada said. "Pickled Oak embodies a return to simplicity through its daylight-soft effect, honoring the wood beneath it while creating rooms designed for restoration, healing and intentional living."
Three Trends Behind the Selection
Minwax identified three lifestyle and design trends that informed its choice. The first, Natural Beauty, Revealed, centers on approachable, enduring materials and an interest in authenticity. Pickled Oak is intended to highlight craftsmanship, texture and the variation that makes each wood surface different, supporting interiors that feel relaxed and personal.
Gentle Living reflects the role of calm, supportive spaces and a connection to the natural world in design choices. Minwax describes the color as balancing ease and quiet resilience in a soothing, welcoming finish.
Thoughtful Restoration focuses on refreshing existing pieces rather than replacing them. Updating cabinetry, reviving a thrifted find or restoring an heirloom can extend the life of meaningful furniture and other wood items. Minwax positions Pickled Oak as a fit for those smaller, creatively driven projects throughout the home.
A Coordinated Color Story
Pickled Oak also complements Color of the Year selections from other Sherwin-Williams brands. Celery SW6421 and HGSW6421, selected by Sherwin-Williams and HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, is a soft, light green with gentle yellow undertones. Minwax pairs it with Pickled Oak to reinforce a natural, calming interior palette.
Dutch Boy Paints selected Deep Rooted 311-7DB, a rich, earthy orange. In that pairing, the lighter wood tone provides a foundation for a stronger wall color while retaining the visual character of the wood.
Availability Across Interior Wood-Finishing Products
Pickled Oak is available in the new Minwax One Step Stain & Topcoat. It is also offered in Premium Water-Based Minwax Wood Finish Semi-Transparent Color and Solid Color Stain, as well as Minwax Wood Finish Color Series Premium Oil-Based Stain.
The products are available at retailers nationwide for furniture, cabinetry, doors, trim and other interior wood surfaces. Minwax offers more than 240 stain colors across its portfolio.
Minwax is part of Sherwin-Williams Consumer Brands Group, headquartered in Cleveland. Its wood-finishing and care products include stains, clear protective finishes and materials for preparation, maintenance and repair. Additional product information is available from Minwax.
The selection connects visible-grain aesthetics and restoration demand with finishing choices across water-based, oil-based and combined stain-and-topcoat systems.
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