The 2026 Behr Color of the Year Is the ‘Hidden Gem’ Your Home Has Been Waiting For

As more people look to their homes as sanctuaries from daily stress, finding colors that calm while keeping pace with today’s design trends can feel downright impossible. Enter: Hidden Gem, Behr’s 2026 Color of the Year.

“It’s a special one—it’s unexpectedly one of those colors that feels current of the moment, but it’s also timeless,” says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr.

The smoky shade of jade subtly nods to nature, combining the grounding effect of green with the quiet characteristic of blue. “It’s such a calming and soothing color, and people are really craving that nowadays,” says Manuella Moreira, principal and founder of Manuella Moreira Interiors.

Bringing Hidden Gem into Your Home

One of Hidden Gem’s most compelling features is its versatility. “You could go big or you could go small with this color—as much or as little as you want to use it,” says Woelfel. “You can color-drench an entire space, use it on all four walls, use it on the ceiling, or, if you just want to dip your toe in, you can use it as an asset to ground and anchor a kitchen by painting it on the island or cabinetry,”

For an unexpected dose of the blue-green hue, consider painting furniture, your front door, or even inside a closet. “This is a really easy choice to do that because it’s so transformative, and it just makes a beautiful statement,” says Woelfel.

Don’t worry if a neutral space is more your style; Hidden Gem can do that, too. “If someone doesn’t want any other colors in the space, you can design a room that’s entirely neutral and have this color as a very subtle accent,” says Moreira.

And you don’t have to replace your existing decor to make Hidden Gem work for your home. “That’s one of the biggest factors—how to use it to update what you already may have,” says Woelfel. Especially when 4 in 5 Americans say that if they were to paint their house (inside or out), they would choose color palettes that add timeless luxury over riskier, trendy colors, according to a press release from the company.

As for textures and materials that pair well with the soothing paint color, Woelfel suggests organic, earthy textures, warm wood tones, and gold metallic accents to add a hint of decadence. For Moreira, it’s all about the antique brass. “It really elevates the color, and they just work so well together. I also love it with richer textures like velvet and mohair.”

How to Pair Colors with Hidden Gem

When it comes to choosing a color scheme, the options can seem endless. To narrow down shades (and ease some stress), Moreira suggests starting by asking yourself how you want your room to feel. “Color has such a powerful way of transforming space, whether it’s just that one color alone, or it’s paired with another,” says Moreira.

You can also turn to Behr’s 2026 Trends Palette, which includes a variety of colors that make pretty partners for Hidden Gem. “There’s just such a big range that you could go with something that’s bolder or something more quiet and calming,” says Moreira.

Hidden Gem is a chameleon-like color that feels just as fresh when paired with cool and warm tones alike. For warm neutrals, Woelfel suggests Blank Canvas, Wheat Bread, and Smoked Tan. For something darker, Baronial Brown works well for interiors and exteriors alike. Meanwhile, Curtain Call, a dusty plum color, creates a dramatic pairing perfect for those drawn to a more moody look.

As for cooler midtones, Urban Nature, Ecological, and Watery all create a soothing, biophilic feel. “But there are so many different ways [to pair Hidden Gem], whatever the mood is you’re trying to create, whether it’s soothing and soft, lighter colors, more dramatic, dark, or bold,” says Woelfel.

And above all else, remember to “have a little fun,” says Moreira. “Don’t be afraid to experiment. Pops of color and accents go a long way.”