House paint probably isn't the industry that comes to mind when you think of technological advancements, but it's making improvements all the time. Whether you’re a DIYer or planning to hire professionals to paint your home’s interior or exterior, the industry is shifting. Homeowners are prioritizing paints that deliver long-term performance, and more paints are emerging as a tool for making our homes healthier. Here are some exciting trends to watch out for in 2025 and 2026.
Better paints for the environment
Scientists have formulated modern paints to be more durable on walls, quicker drying and greener. Because many paints in the past had higher levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), you needed to paint in well-ventilated spaces or use breathing protection when applying them, said Bar Zakheim, CEO of Better Place Design & Build , in San Diego, Calif. “Modern paints are lower in VOCs, but without compromising their vibrant color or quick drying properties, making them safer for everyone,” he told Yahoo Local.
According to Jack Reading, marketing manager at Emperor Paint , a U.K.-based paint company specializing in hydrophobic paint, environmental awareness has driven the evolution of the science behind paint, with low-VOC formulas becoming an accepted industry norm.
“The environmental impact will become more nuanced, with how long paint lasts, how often it must be reapplied and how it contributes to your home’s overall health," Reading told Yahoo Local. "Durability is an environmental factor many people overlook when considering ‘green’ products, but choosing a higher-performance exterior paint means you can repaint less often . You use less paint over time and reduce packaging waste, contributing to a lower carbon footprint.”
B Corporation certifies paints that meet rigorous standards in performance, accountability and transparency. This certification has inspired companies to develop more green and eco-friendly paints that have significantly reduced off-gassing, helping keep homes — and the people painting them — healthier. Michael Zalich, senior development chemist at Pennsylvania-based Pittsburgh Paints Co ., told Yahoo Local it’s a misconception that these paints aren't as durable as conventional paints. These paints weather typical wear and tear just as well as traditionally-manufactured paints, but they have other benefits that include a reduced carbon footprint, lower reliance on petroleum and decreased use of VOCs and heavy metals.
Improved paint performance
Major paint brands are introducing faster-drying paints, including some that can complete a job with just one coat, said Carr Lanphier, CEO of Improovy , a house-painting company with branches in Illinois, California, Colorado and Florida. “This technology is pretty revolutionary because it will bring the cost of painting down, along with the time professionals and DIYers spend on projects .”
There’s also nothing worse than choosing the wrong shade if you need a touch-up or want to see how multiple colors might work together. According to Jonathan Palley, CEO at California-based Clever Tiny Homes , phone apps are making this a thing of the past. “Color matching apps are incredible," he said. "They take the guesswork out of finding the right color for touch-ups, let you compare prices from different brands and retailers and even choose accent colors.”
Relatively new additions to the market are ultra-washable paints , said Erika Woelfel, VP of color and creative services at paint company Behr . These paints stand up better to everyday wear and tear, including kids’ fingerprints and the occasional scuff. Stain-resistant paints also help prevent oil- and water-based smudges from permanently staining walls.
There’s also a growing anticipation for how newer technology will improve matte paints, said Melissa Oholendt, founder and principal designer of Oho Interiors , an interior design company in Minneapolis, Minn. and Black Forest, Colo. Since matte finishes have traditionally been more prone to smudges, new formulations increasing their hardness and durability will allow designers to experiment more with paint textures and expand their potential applications, such as with woodwork and cabinetry.
More comfort and lower utility bills
In addition to choosing colors that can absorb temperature (darker shades) or keep things cooler (lighter shades), chemists have been developing thermal-reflective paints.
Unlike conventional paints that absorb solar heat, thermal-reflective paints contain specialized pigments that bounce or reflect a high percentage of sunlight, including visible light, ultraviolet (UV) rays and infrared (IR) radiation. They have a high Solar Reflectance Index (SRI), meaning they reflect a large portion of the sun’s energy away from the surface, like your home’s roof or exterior walls.
Many of these paints also have high thermal emissivity, which means they release absorbed heat back into the atmosphere rather than transferring it into the building. These paints are excellent options for passive climate control, said Improovy CEO Lanphier.
Self-healing paint and eliminating PFAS are next
In March, global non-profit Green Seal announced a new certification for paints manufactured without per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). While PFAS resist heat, water and oil, these “forever chemicals” can accumulate in people and contribute to health issues if the levels become too high. According to a recent article in Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI) online magazine, the movement to eliminate PFAS where possible continues to gain momentum, thanks to new regulations and increasing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products. Regulatory bodies aren’t just limiting PFAS—they’re studying the risks associated with different PFAS compounds.
Self-healing paints and coatings are another coming advancement, according to PCI Mag . At the nanoscale level, researchers have recently developed and continue to refine innovative, ultra-thin, self-healing coatings with water-resistant properties. These coatings repair damage almost instantaneously. Currently, this technology has been used in coatings for steam power plants. As it’s refined and the cost drops, paints used for residential buildings could also be manufactured using this technology.
