The Behr 2026 Color of the Year: Hidden Gem was simply introduced, and it’s a lush inexperienced that can be utilized in each room of your own home. The coloration embraces nature, which these making an attempt to create the proper yard entertaining house will admire.
Even in case you plan on promoting your own home quickly, Behr’s Color of the Year: Hidden Gem is on the colour spectrum of paint colours that enhance resale worth.
On this Forbes unique, I spoke with Behr’s vice chairman of coloration companies, Erika Woelfel to study extra about how the colour was chosen and how one can incorporate it in your house.
How The Behr 2026 Color Of The Year Was Chosen
“Behr chosen Hidden Gem because the 2026 Color of the Year as a result of it embodies the grounded sophistication and quiet confidence that as we speak’s owners and purchasers are searching for,” Woelfel says. She provides that this smoky jade brings a way of steadiness and depth that feels each timeless and recent.
“Hidden Gem represents the great thing about the sudden, a coloration that reveals one thing new every time you see it.” Woelfel says the colour’s versatility makes it equally impactful whether or not masking all 4 partitions or used as a placing accent. “With its wealthy, layered tone, Hidden Gem invitations us to reimagine acquainted areas in ways in which really feel elevated, intentional, and provoking,” sheexplains.
In contrast To Final Year
Final yr’s Color of the Year was “Rumors,” a deep ruby purple that Woelfel says introduced heat and wealthy attract to each inside and exterior areas. “It’s a daring, fascinating shade that made a powerful assertion wherever it was used.”
And this yr’s decide, Hidden Gem, continues in the same spirit of timeless sophistication. “Whereas Rumors leaned right into a dramatic, edgy vitality, Hidden Gem affords a barely extra grounded magnificence,” Woelfel explains She says it’s a flexible and provoking hue that displays a rising need for colours which can be each livable and enduring.
In reality, a current survey commissioned by Behr discovered that just about 4 in 5 People (79%) would select coloration palettes that may add timeless luxurious over riskier, fashionable colours in the event that they had been to color their home (inside or out). Rumors is daring and edgy, whereas Hidden Gem stands the take a look at of time. It’s actually livable and provoking for a variety of householders. This tracks with a current Houss report that reveals the colours to keep away from when promoting your own home.
What Makes The Color Of The Year Distinctive
When requested what she likes most about Hidden Gem, Woelfel says it’s how effortlessly the colour captures a way of understated magnificence. ‘It’s a smoky jade that feels each grounded and alive,” she says. Woelfel loves that it’s a dynamic mix of blue and inexperienced that brings depth and character to any house with out overwhelming it.
“There’s one thing actually particular a couple of coloration that may be each delicate and placing, and Hidden Gem does precisely that.’ The coloration can be utilized in any design model to nice impact. “Whether or not it’s used all through a room or as a daring accent, it creates an environment that’s wealthy, trendy, and unexpectedly timeless” That is the type of shade that uncovers magnificence within the on a regular basis and Woelfel says that’s what the identify Hidden Gem displays.
“It’s this versatility and emotional resonance that make Hidden Gem stand out. It invitations individuals to reimagine their areas in a means that feels recent, private, and enduring.”
The place The Color Of the Year Works Greatest
Hidden Gem is a type of colours that works effectively in quite a lot of setting. Woelfel says it may be utilized each inside and outdoor. “For a relaxing, restorative really feel, strive it in bedrooms or studying nooks, the place its smoky jade tone creates a serene and grounded environment.’ And In dwelling rooms or eating areas, she notes that it provides a way of refined sophistication, whereas in dwelling workplaces or artistic areas, it encourages focus with a classy, composed presence. For exteriors, Hidden Gem makes a sublime assertion on a entrance door or painted outside furnishings.
Woelfel recommends embracing it on all 4 partitions for a daring, immersive look, or use it as an accent (on cabinetry, a function wall, it even appears to be like nice on ceilings, for a pop of coloration that’s each delicate and placing.
Nevertheless or wherever it’s applie Woelfel says Hidden Gem brings a recent sense of magnificence and considerate reinvention to each nook of the house.
Complementary Colours
Since Hidden Gem is a flexible hue, it pairs effectively with a variety of colours, making it a pure option to debut alongside the 2026 Color Developments Palette. “This thoughtfully curated assortment options approachable, adaptable shades designed to pair effortlessly with Hidden Gem.”With 88% of People saying they need to concentrate on dwelling enchancment initiatives that may make their houses really feel extra customized, this versatile palette arrives on the good second by providing an inspiring reply to the rising demand for self-expression by way of coloration.”
She say Hidden Gem’s smoky jade tone is a perfect companion for each heat and funky tones. For a grounded, pure really feel, it really works seamlessly with earthy accents like Terra Cotta Urn (mudroom shot), creating an invigorating and welcoming environment. To create relaxed concord, pairing it with a lightweight soothing hue like Urban Nature (bed room closet door shot) brings steadiness and a refreshing distinction. For a extra dramatic coloration blocking look, mix Hidden Gem with deep jewel tones like Curtain Call to create a daring, luxurious house (see shelf and counter element shot).
“Regardless of the mix, Hidden Gem brings depth with out drama, and class with out pretense. It’s a reminder that transformation doesn’t at all times need to be daring to be impactful,: Woelfel concludes.
