A Few of My Favorites: 2026 Colors of the Year
Behr's 2026 Color of the Year, Hidden Gem (N430-6A), is a smoky jade that's quietly expressive. Familiar yet mysterious, the striking blue-green celebrates the unexpected and nods to nature. The shade "feels very, very intentional…but still isn't going to overwhelm a space because we know people are still living in neutrals,” Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr Paint Company, told House Beautiful.
Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year: Universal Khaki
Sherwin-Williams and HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams teamed up to name a joint shade for 2026: Universal Khaki. “Homeowners are investing in interiors that balance comfort and functionality, and this shade plays directly into that by offering a versatile backdrop that adapts to many styles,” Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, told House Beautiful.
The classic tan embodies life’s bare necessities and reflects a growing desire for purpose-driven design. Whether used in a dining room or office, the surprising pick is endlessly versatile.
Benjamin Moore is casting a light on an everlasting hue with the announcement of its Color of the Year for 2026: Silhouette (AF-655). The rich espresso, softened by notes of charcoal, emulates the warmth, sophistication, and timelessness of a custom-tailored suit—and it’s poised to satisfy neutral paint color enthusiasts and critics alike.
Silhouette is a smooth transition from the company’s 2025 pick, the purple-brown Cinnamon Slate, and both paint a larger picture; over the past couple of years, there’s been a shift toward warmer colors.
“Browns have become very, very important… almost becoming a nice substitute to using black, or using charcoal, because [brown] has a little bit of a softer warmth to it,” Andrea Magno, the company’s color marketing and development director, tells House Beautiful.
A Whisper of Tranquility and Peace in a Noisy World
Introducing Pantone Color of the Year 2026, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, a lofty white that symbolizes a calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection. A billowy white imbued with serenity, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation. Read the full story →
With its expansive presence, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer invites a space where function and feeling intertwine to build atmospheres of serenity and spaciousness, providing a refuge of visual cleanliness that inspires well-being and lightness.
