We’re living in The Future: Behr just dropped “Hidden Gem” — its 2026 Color of the Year

Hey, wake up. The new color of the year just dropped. Say hello to BEHR’s “Hidden Gem”: a deep, velvety blue-green that looks like it was brewed in a forest under moonlight. It’s rich. It’s moody. And it’s here to save us from the tyranny of beige.

And yet, something is brewing inside you… 2026 is still so far away, right? Wasn’t July literally yesterday?

Remember when we used to get color of the year announcements in, oh I don’t know, December? Those quaint days when paint companies waited until the current year was practically over before telling us what shade would define the next one? Feels like mere months ago we learned Pantone’s Mocha Mousse was the It Color of 2025.

Ha, you fool. Haven’t you heard? Time waits for no one! 

And maybe, just maybe, “Hidden Gem” is exactly what your tired creative soul needed. A little jewel-toned calm in the chaos. A swatch of serenity. A whisper from the future that says: hey, you’ve got this.

Hidden Gem (N430-6A) is a smoky jade that blends blue and green for a rich, moody hue that supposedly captures our collective desire for quiet confidence and sophistication.

The shade is between a forest canopy and a moonlit lagoon, which might sound pretentious to someone who just wants their kitchen to look nice. But for the color nerds and creatively obsessed out there (if you’re reading this, that’s most likely you), you’ll know that one could go on and on about color theory and obsessive details behind each shade.

And credit where it’s due — Hidden Gem does have that chameleonic quality that makes you look twice. Each time you see it, it reveals something new (at least, according to Behr’s Vice President of Color & Creative Services, Erika Woelfel).

This early announcement feels like the latest play in the great color of the year race — guaranteed headlines. While some are still processing 2025’s picks, Behr said, “Hold my paint brush”, and leapfrogged straight to 2026.

But it’s not just empty corporate calories; there’s some real meat to the forecasting. Research by Behr discovered that 58% of Americans agree that a room painted with Hidden Gem would be captivating, while two in three say Hidden Gem would make a space feel unique (67%), create a sense of peace in their home (66%), and stand the test of time (66%). That’s market research gold, especially when you’re the only game in town for next-next year’s color conversation.

Here’s where it gets interesting for those of us making things: this hyper-accelerated timeline mirrors how we consume design inspiration. We’re mood-boarding 2026 aesthetics while half-finishing 2025 projects. 

Hidden Gem works because it’s what color experts call the new neutral — complex enough to feel intentional and muted enough to live with long-term. It’s full of surprises but won’t assault your retinas at 7am.

For designers and creatives, this early reveal is actually useful. You can integrate these blue-green tones into client work, knowing you’re ahead of the curve rather than chasing it. Whether building brand color palettes, choosing stock imagery, or just trying to future-proof your own workspace, having this intel so early can be a good thing. (Although let’s call a hard limit here, okay? If you catch someone talking about 2027’s color of the year before June next year, you have our permission to let out a loud, drawn-out, high-pitched shriek until they stop. 

Whatever you may think of the timing of the announcement (good marketing or mild insanity — hey, one could argue they’re two sides of the same coin 🤪), the color itself is Really Nice. Hidden Gem is the kind of thoughtful, versatile shade that’ll age better than most Instagram trends (and thank goodness because if I see another Lebubu or Italian brainrot post, I think I will truly shut the laptop and walk slowly into the ocean and never turn back).

So, in closing, Hidden Gem is very lovely. You might want to consider having some fun with it on your next project.

Just don’t be surprised when they announce their 2027 pick sometime next Tuesday. At this rate, we’ll be discussing 2030 color trends before we’ve figured out what to do with all that millennial gray.

Q: What color is Hidden Gem?
Hidden Gem (N430-6A) is a smoky jade — a balanced blend of blue and green that Behr calls “grounded and energizing” yet quietly sophisticated. 

Q: What’s the RGB / HEX value?
Behr lists the digital equivalent as RGB 89 109 105 / HEX #596D69 on its product page.

Q: When was Behr’s 2026 Color of the Year announced?
The shade was unveiled in Behr’s official press release on July 30, 2025, several months earlier than the industry’s usual northern hemisphere autumn reveal cycle. 

Q: What colors pair well with Hidden Gem?
Behr positions Hidden Gem inside its 2026 Color Trends Palette of grounding earth tones, deep jewel tones, and relaxed pastels. In practice,e that means it plays nicely with:

Q: Is Hidden Gem considered one of the “new neutrals”?
Yes. Behr and independent coverage describe it as a “new neutral” — complex enough to feel intentional yet calm enough to live with daily. 

Q: Is it suitable for small spaces?
Generally, yes. Because the color sits in a mid-dark range yet carries muted undertones, designers use it to create a cozy, cocooning feel without the claustrophobic effect of purer dark greens or blacks. (Proper lighting still matters.)

Q: Can I use Hidden Gem outside?
Absolutely. The color is available in Behr’s exterior lines (e.g., PRO e600 and Premium Plus), so it can go on front doors, shutters or full façades. 

Q: How does Hidden Gem compare to previous Behr Colors of the Year?
It follows “Rumors” (2025), a deep ruby red announced in August 2024. Hidden Gem returns the pendulum to a cooler, quieter palette while still delivering saturated character. 

_{Feature image: Behr Paint Company.}