The Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year 2023 Has Us Blushing

Every year, a paint brand picks a “Color of the Year,” and every year the internet reacts like it just found out
the season finale got spoiled. But Sherwin-Williams’ 2023 pick didn’t arrive with fireworks or neon swaggerit
showed up with a warm hug, a mug of chai, and the emotional maturity to say, “It’s okay, we don’t need more gray.”

Enter Redend Point (SW 9081), the Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year 2023:
a blush-beige, pinky-brown neutral that somehow feels both grounded and a little flirty. It’s the color equivalent
of “I’m calm, but I still have a personality.” And yes, it has us blushingbecause this shade is basically beige
with great boundaries.

Meet Redend Point: The “Beige That Blushes”

If you’ve been burned by neutrals that looked perfect online and then turned “sad oatmeal” on your wall, you’re
not alone. Redend Point is different. It lives in that delicious in-between zone: not quite pink, not quite tan,
not quite terracottayet somehow it nods politely to all three.

Sherwin-Williams describes Redend Point as a warm, soulful neutralone that brings comfort without falling asleep
on the job. Design editors called it blush-beige and desert-inspired; homeowners called it “cozy,” “grounding,”
and (occasionally) “why do I suddenly want linen curtains?” In other words: the vibe is earthy, modern, and
quietly confident.

What it looks like in real life

In daylight, Redend Point often reads as a soft, clay-tinted beige with a gentle pink-orange undertone. In warm
evening light, it can lean richeralmost like sunbaked adobe that decided to moisturize. If you’re pairing it with
crisp whites, it may show more blush. Pair it with deeper browns or bronzes and it can look more grounded, like a
refined neutral with a faint rosy heartbeat.

Why 2023 needed a kinder neutral

The story behind this shade is bigger than one pretty paint chip. Sherwin-Williams’ color team framed Redend Point
as part of a broader shift: people craving warmth, connection, and “home that feels like a human lives here.” The
brand tied the pick to themes of empathy, care culture, and restorative designbasically, the opposite of sterile,
showroom gray. And honestly? About time.

Why Redend Point Works: It’s Neutral, But Not Boring

Most neutrals try to disappear. Redend Point doesn’t. It shows up like a supportive friend who also makes great
playlists. The secret is its undertone balance: enough warmth to feel inviting, enough softness to stay versatile,
and just enough blush to keep your space from looking like it’s waiting for a corporate PowerPoint meeting.

This is also why it plays nicely across styles. In a modern space, it reads clean and minimal. In a traditional
room, it feels like a timeless “warm backdrop” neutral. In a boho setting, it’s basically a welcome mat for
rattan, woven textures, and plants with dramatic personalities.

Redend Point in the Wild: Rooms That Love a Soft Neutral

Entryways and hallways

If you want your home to greet people with “Hi, come in, you’re safe here,” this color is your wingman. Redend
Point warms up narrow spaces without making them feel smaller, especially when paired with bright trim and good
lighting. Add a chunky wood console, a woven runner, and suddenly your entryway looks like it owns at least one
French press.

Home offices that don’t feel like punishment

Redend Point is a strong contender for office walls because it’s soothing without being sleepy. It’s warm enough
to feel welcoming on Zoom, but subtle enough that your background won’t compete with your face. Pair it with
clean white shelving and a darker accent (think bronze, charcoal, or deep olive) for a space that says,
“Yes, I have deadlines. No, I don’t have to decorate like a printer manual.”

Bedrooms built for exhaling

In bedrooms, Redend Point reads like a soft, comforting cocoonespecially with creamy bedding, textured throws,
and warm woods. It’s also forgiving: it can handle minimal decor or layered styling. If your goal is “hotel calm”
but with a little more heart, this color gets it done.

Kitchens and cabinets (yes, really)

Painting cabinets Redend Point sounds bold until you see it. Then it feels…inevitable. On cabinetry, it can read
like a modern clay-beige that pairs beautifully with brass hardware, white countertops, and natural wood accents.
Want to keep it safe? Use it on an island or lower cabinets and keep uppers light. Want to be brave? Go full
kitchen and let your toaster live in its truth.

Powder rooms and bathrooms with personality

Small rooms are where Redend Point can really shine. It has enough pigment to feel intentional, but it won’t make
a tiny powder room feel like a cramped makeup bag. Add a warm mirror, a vintage sconce, and maybe a cheeky art
printboom: instant “boutique bathroom” energy.

Color Pairings That Make Redend Point Sing

The fastest way to fall in love with Redend Point is to pair it correctly. The second fastest way is to see it
next to an accidentally icy gray and wonder why everything suddenly feels like a dentist office. Let’s avoid that.

Official coordinating colors (the easy button)

Sherwin-Williams highlighted coordinating shades that naturally support Redend Pointthink a clean white for trim,
a soft beige for continuity, a deeper neutral for contrast, and a richer accent for depth. A few favorites from
the brand’s orbit include Pure White (SW 7005) for trim, Cool Beige (SW 9086)
for tonal layering, Elephant Ear (SW 9168) for grounded depth, and Carnelian (SW 7580)
when you want a warm accent with a little drama.

Pair it with warm whites and creamy neutrals

If you want Redend Point to feel sophisticated and airy, pair it with warm whitesthink creamy, not stark. This
combination is especially good for open-concept spaces where you need continuity without monotony.

Pair it with bronzes, browns, and earthy reds

Redend Point loves earth tones. Deep bronze or brown accents (like a moody trim color or a statement piece of
furniture) give it structure and make the blush undertone feel intentional. Earthy reds and clay tones can push
the palette into desert-modern territorywarm, grounded, and a little romantic.

Pair it with greens for a “nature, but make it cozy” effect

Greensespecially olive, sage, and deep forestlook incredible next to Redend Point. The blush-beige warmth makes
green feel fresher, and the green makes Redend Point feel more grounded. Add plants and you’ve basically created a
room that whispers, “I do yoga sometimes,” even if you absolutely do not.

Lighting, Undertones, and the “Wait…Why Is It Pink?” Problem

Here’s the truth about any blush-leaning neutral: it’s a social chameleon. Redend Point can look more beige in one
room and more rosy in another, depending on exposure, existing finishes, and the type of light bulbs you’re using.
That’s not a flawit’s a feature. But you have to test it.

How to test like a sane person

  • Sample it on multiple walls (especially the wall that gets the most light and the one that gets the least).
  • Watch it for a full day: morning, noon, golden hour, and “why am I still awake?” nighttime.
  • Compare it to your trim: a warm white will feel harmonious; a cool white may emphasize the blush.
  • Use peel-and-stick or small paint samples if you’re commitment-shy (no judgment).

Sheen tips

For walls, matte or eggshell keeps the look soft and modern. For trim and doors, satin or semi-gloss is practical.
On cabinets, a durable cabinet-grade finish in satin or semi-gloss usually looks best and cleans easierbecause
kitchens are basically obstacle courses for sauce.

Redend Point on Exteriors: Warmth Without Going Full “Tuscan Villa”

Yes, Redend Point can work outsideespecially if your home has warm stone, brick, or earthy landscaping. As an
exterior body color, it can read like a soft clay neutral (think approachable, not flashy). As an accent, it’s
perfect for front doors, shutters, porch ceilings, or even outdoor furniture.

Exterior success depends on context: roof color, hardscaping, and surrounding greenery all matter. If your exterior
is dominated by cool grays or blue-toned stone, you’ll want to test carefully so the warmth doesn’t feel out of
place. But if your home leans warm or natural, Redend Point can make it feel instantly more invitinglike your
curb appeal just started saying “hello” first.

The Trend Behind the Blush: A Shift Away from Cold Neutrals

Redend Point didn’t appear in a vacuum. Around 2022–2023, major outlets and design editors noted a broader move
toward warmer, earthier palettesless cool gray, more clay, sand, bronze, and softened pinks. That shift mirrors
what homeowners were already doing: adding natural textures, warmer woods, and colors that feel emotionally
supportive rather than clinically “perfect.”

In that sense, Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year 2023 is less “trend stunt” and more “trend
translation.” It captures a mood: comfort, connection, and a home that feels lived-in (in a good way), not staged
for a real estate listing where nobody is allowed to own a phone charger.

Conclusion: The Warm Neutral That Doesn’t Need Attention, But Gets It Anyway

Redend Point (SW 9081) is the rare neutral that can be subtle without being forgettable. It’s warm, versatile, and
surprisingly adaptableequally happy in a calming bedroom, a creativity-boosting office, or a kitchen that finally
stopped trying to be “all white everything.”

If you’re ready to move on from cool grays but you’re not trying to paint your living room electric magenta (no
shade to magenta lovers), Redend Point offers a sweet spot: a blush-beige that feels grounded, modern, and very
easy to live with. In short: it’s a glow-up for your wallsand yes, we’re blushing too.

Bonus: of Real-Life Experiences With Redend Point (AKA How the Blush Won Me Over)

The first time I met Redend Point, I did what any responsible adult does when faced with a “pinky-brown neutral”:
I panicked quietly and pretended I was “just browsing.” On the swatch wall it looked sophisticated. At home, taped
up next to my trim, it looked like it was flirting with the idea of being pink. And I, a person who has been
personally victimized by lighting, was not ready.

Experience #1: The Sample Patch Spiral. I painted three patchesone in the sunniest spot, one in
the shadiest, and one in the hallway where nothing thrives. By noon, the sunny patch looked like warm clay-beige.
By evening, it leaned rosier and made my “neutral” rug look slightly cooler than I remembered. Lesson learned:
Redend Point doesn’t change personalitiesit just tells the truth about what’s already in your room.

Experience #2: The Trim Revelation. Next to a bright, clean white, Redend Point read more blushy
(in a good, “soft makeup” way). When I held it next to a warmer, creamier white, it calmed down and looked more
like a cozy beige with a hint of sunburn from a great weekend. If you’re nervous about the blush, choose a warmer
white for trim and watch the whole palette relax.

Experience #3: The “Is This Too Much?” Accent Wall That Became Four Walls. I planned a single
accent wall in a small office. Then I watched the color at golden hour and suddenly I was painting like I had a
home improvement show deadline. The room felt warmer, quieter, andthis is realmore flattering on video calls.
The color didn’t shout; it just made the space feel cared for. Also, my plants looked happier, which is either
science or pure coincidence, but I’m choosing science.

Experience #4: The Cabinet Commitment Test. I tried it on a thrifted cabinet door first (because
I like my risks medium, like salsa). With brass hardware and a creamy backdrop, it looked custom and expensive.
With a cool gray countertop sample, it looked…confused. The takeaway: Redend Point is a team player, but it wants
teammates that share its warm, earthy vibe.

Experience #5: The Compliment You Don’t Expect. Nobody walked in and said, “Wow, your walls are
Redend Point.” That would be unhinged. What they did say was, “This feels really cozy,” and “Your house feels
warm,” and “Did you change something? It feels nicer in here.” That’s the magic. Redend Point isn’t trying to be
the main characterit’s trying to make your life feel a little softer. And honestly? It nailed the assignment.