Behr’s 2026 Color Of The Year Is The New Neutral You’ll Love

2025.08.27

We might be having a butter yellow summer, but Behr is leaning into a timeless sea of green for their official 2026 Color of the Year. Hidden Gem (N430-6A) is a dynamic and sophisticated blue-green blend that’s both calming and energizing, allowing it to act as a neutral or pop of color.

“We know people have been using blues and greens for quite some time, and Hidden Gem is really that perfect, harmonious balance between the two. It makes a statement, but isn’t overwhelming, especially when paired with lighter colors,” Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Color and Creative Services at BEHR Paint tells Southern Living. “It’s a deep smoky jade that is both subtle and striking at the same time and works remarkably well in any room.”

While the COTY is certainly on-trend, it’s also one with lasting appeal. “It’s not completely unfamiliar [to homeowners], it’s just being served up in a new way,” Woelfel tells Southern Living. 

After looking at lighter and darker variations of the color and considering how homeowners live in their spaces, the #1 DIY paint brand selected this versatile hue as their 9th annual Color of the Year for its usability and familiarity.

“We looked at colors they're currently living with and where the future of color might be going,” Woelfel tells Southern Living. “We realized people are still using those warm, cozy neutral colors, but they’ve pivoted away from the cooler neutrals and grays. They're looking for unexpected colors that are deeper and moodier.”

At a time when personal expression and wellness are at the heart of home design, this equally grounding and lively shade couldn’t be more timely. “Now more than ever, there’s a growing appetite for colors that challenge convention and bring an unexpected sense of wonder to everyday spaces,” says Woelfel.

“Hidden Gem captures that spirit in both name and color—its depth and refinement meets the desire for colors that are eternally stunning and stylish.” 

According to a recent Behr survey, 67% of Americans believe the Hidden Gem would make a space feel unique, while 66% say it brings a sense of peace. And perhaps most notably, 82% say the colors in their home impact their self-confidence.

"Color holds the power to express who you are—it tells your story without saying a word," says Andy Lopez, SVP, Head of Global Marketing at Behr Paint Company. "Hidden Gem empowers DIYers, designers, and paint professionals to craft spaces that are both purposeful and expressive—delivering lasting value through our high-quality products." 

As longtime blue and green lovers in the South, we’re all about this vibrant, nature-inspired shade. It’s the ideal paint color to elevate everyday spaces and create an atmosphere that feels intentional, thoughtful, and inviting.

“It’s the new neutral,” says interior designer Manuella Moreira, a partner in bringing the 2026 COTY story to life. “There’s so much range with the color. It can be bold, quiet, expressive, or subtle depending on how you use it.”

Whether you’re looking to drench an entire room, add some personality to a powder room, update a piece of furniture, or repaint your front door, there are truly endless ways to incorporate this blue-green hue into any space—small or large.

Moreira also recommends considering different finishes which can change the color’s energy. "A high gloss immediately makes it bolder and more dimensional while a flat finish is much calmer and soothing," she says.

Sold exclusively at The Home Depot, Hidden Gem (N430-6A) is part of the BEHR 2026 Color Trends Palette—a collection of 20 hues that ranges from cool mid-tones and soft pastels to warm neutrals and vibrant shades. Some of our favorites include:

摩卡冰(N150-1) 

蜂巢(M270-5)

赤土瓮(PPU2-12)

冰铜(S200-3)

水样(HDC-CT-26)

城市自然(S380-3)

阿迪朗达克蓝(N480-5)

男爵棕色(N170-7)