Behr Paint Company Makes One Big Announcement That Left Jaws on the Floor
The home design world has been waiting all year for this moment.
Paint companies across the country compete to unveil the next big color trend.
And Behr Paint Company made one big announcement that has home decorators racing to the store.
Behr unveils Hidden Gem as 2026 Color of the Year
Behr Paint Company dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves through the interior design community.
The Santa Ana, California-based paint giant announced Hidden Gem (N430-6A) as its official 2026 Color of the Year – a smoky jade that promises to transform ordinary spaces into something extraordinary.
"Now more than ever, there’s a growing appetite for colors that challenge convention and bring an unexpected sense of wonder to everyday spaces," said Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Color and Creative Services at Behr Paint Company.¹
Behr’s timing couldn’t be better.
Hidden Gem represents a dramatic shift away from the stark whites and boring grays that have dominated home design for the past decade.
The color experts at Behr spent months researching what Americans really want in their homes. Turns out, people are tired of spaces that look like they belong in a real estate listing.
Research commissioned by Behr shows that four in five Americans (82%) believe the paint colors in their home have the power to impact their confidence.²
Americans aren’t just drawn to Hidden Gem for its beauty. More than half (58%) agree that a room painted with Hidden Gem would be captivating, while two in three say it would make a space feel unique (67%) and create a sense of peace in their home (66%).³
Why Hidden Gem is causing such a stir
Behr couldn’t have picked a better moment for this announcement.
American families have had enough of living in spaces that feel like sterile hotel lobbies.
Hidden Gem delivers exactly what people didn’t even know they were craving. According to Behr, this "dynamic blend of blue and green creates environments that feel both grounded and energizing."¹
"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," Woelfel explained.⁴
Interior designers are already lining up to praise Behr’s bold choice.
Designer Drew Michael Scott of Lone Fox was impressed: "Wow, I love this color! The muted, smoky green has such calming energy – it’s subtle but still makes a statement."⁵
Rachel Sloane Sherman of Rachel Sloane Interiors sees major potential for the versatile shade: "I love the richness and depth of this color – it would certainly add moodiness to any space. I’d use it in a butler’s pantry or home bar and play off the tone with some funky marble on the countertop or backsplash."⁶
Hidden Gem breaks all the rules
Hidden Gem is revolutionary precisely because it refuses to be boxed in.
Previous color trends came with a laundry list of do’s and don’ts. Hidden Gem tosses those rules out the window.
"There really isn’t a watch-out. I can’t even think of one," Woelfel admitted when asked about potential limitations for the color.⁷
Talk about versatility.
Hidden Gem works beautifully on kitchen cabinets, creating a sophisticated alternative to the navy blue islands that have been everywhere for years.
Anna Miller, The Home Depot’s director of trend and design, believes Hidden Gem could be "the new navy" when it comes to kitchen design.⁸
But why stop at kitchens?
From front doors to family rooms, healthcare facilities to hospitality suites, bedrooms to bookshelves – this shade leaves a lasting impression in both residential and commercial settings.
For those ready to make a dramatic statement, color-drenching an entire room in Hidden Gem creates a moody, luxurious atmosphere that feels both contemporary and timeless.
The science behind the trend
Behr’s choice of Hidden Gem goes way beyond surface-level aesthetics.
The company’s color experts know that Americans are desperate for spaces that actually reflect who they are.
"Color holds the power to express who you are – it tells your story without saying a word," stated Andy Lopez, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Marketing at Behr Paint Company.⁹
People have had enough of minimalist, Instagram-perfect spaces that dominated the 2010s.
They want their homes to feel personal, lived-in, and authentic.
According to Behr, Hidden Gem is part of the company’s "comprehensive 2026 Color Trends Palette – a collection of trend-forward colors that reflect a significant shift toward embracing warmth, comfort, and a hint of playfulness."¹
The company describes the palette as consisting of "grounding earth tones, deep jewel tones, and relaxed pastels, all designed to complement the sophisticated beauty of Hidden Gem."¹
How to get your hands on Hidden Gem
Behr isn’t wasting any time getting Hidden Gem into the hands of eager decorators.
According to the company, Hidden Gem is "available in top-rated, one-coat hide guaranteed BEHR DYNASTY® and BEHR MARQUEE®, as well as BEHR ULTRA® and BEHR PREMIUM PLUS®, sold exclusively online and nationwide at The Home Depot."¹
To celebrate the 2026 Color of the Year announcement, Behr is giving away $50,000 to one lucky winner.
The company states that "from July 30, 2025 through August 13, 2025, you can enter by purchasing any BEHR® product from The Home Depot, uploading your receipt, and following BEHR Paint on Instagram or TikTok."¹⁰
The contest details and official rules are available at behr.com/2026COTYsweepstakes.
What this means for your home
Behr’s announcement of Hidden Gem signals a seismic shift in how Americans approach their living spaces.
The era of playing it safe with bland, neutral colors is officially over.
Today’s homeowners demand spaces that reflect their personality and boost their confidence.
Hidden Gem delivers on both counts.
Whether you’re planning a complete home makeover or just want to refresh a single room, this smoky jade offers endless possibilities for creating spaces that feel both grounded and alive.
The color works beautifully with natural materials like wood and brass, making it perfect for those who want to bring organic elegance into their homes.
For the more adventurous, Hidden Gem pairs stunning with rich metallics like gold and bronze, creating a luxurious aesthetic that feels both modern and timeless.
Hidden Gem represents more than just a color choice – it’s a declaration about who you are and how you want to live.
In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, having a home that truly reflects your personal style has become essential, not optional.
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¹ Behr Paint Company, "Behr Paint Company Announces 2026 Color of the Year: Hidden Gem," PRNewswire, July 30, 2025.
² Ibid.
³ Ibid.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ Lauren Nelson, "6 Designers React to Behr’s Understated 2026 Color of the Year," Domino, July 30, 2025.
⁶ Ibid.
⁷ Grace Gallagher, "Behr’s 2026 Color of the Year, Hidden Gem, Is the Perfect ‘New Neutral,’" House Beautiful, July 30, 2025.
⁸ Monique Valeris, "Behr Paint Reveals Its 2026 Color of the Year," Good Housekeeping, July 30, 2025.
⁹ Behr Paint Company, "Behr Paint Company Announces 2026 Color of the Year: Hidden Gem," PRNewswire, July 30, 2025.
¹⁰ Ibid.
