The Best Rooms & Ways To Use Behr's 2026 Color Of The Year In Your Home

At the start of each year, some of the leading paint brands release the color that they think will be most appropriate for the coming twelve months. And for 2026, Behr's selection is a shade titled "Hidden Gem." A moody, dusky blue shade, this paint color fits well into the recent popularity of rich jewel tones such as dark blues, reds, and purples, which suggest a feeling of opulence, luxury, and sophistication. But, while it may be easy to picture Hidden Gem in the pages of a magazine surrounded by expensive hardware and lush seating, is it a color that can actually be used in your home?

Thankfully, it is! This shade brings a sense of elegance as well as a feeling of motion, meaning it could just have enough versatility to work on living room walls and in home offices as well as on trim, paneling, and even doors. Keep in mind that Hidden Gem is a relatively dark color, so it is probably best to use it sparingly until you can get a sense of how it will work in your space to avoid overwhelming the rest of your design features. For example, you may want to test this shade out on a piece of furniture or a smaller wall to see how you feel about it. If you are a fan of the shade, however, you can always go bolder and try color drenching a room with it for a strong impact. 

The living room is a place for relaxation and harmony. So, if you like the look of Behr's Hidden Gem, it can be used in that space to promote a calming atmosphere in a few different ways. First, it is a relatively bold, inspiring living room paint color, so it can be paired with quieter neutrals like white, cream, or beige for a sense of balance. Alternatively, if you are a fan of the blue-green family, you can aim for a sense of cohesion by layering in similar colors such as teal, sky blue, and even cobalt.

If you aren't afraid to go bold in your home — and you like the idea of a restful night's sleep — you might want to try using this dusky blue shade to color drench your bedroom. This all-in painting technique has recently become popular because painting the walls and ceiling in the same color can create a sense of coziness, unity, and tranquility. In addition, the color psychology behind blue often links it to feelings of calm and stability, both of which are perfect for the bedroom.

If you prefer a lighter touch when it comes to paint, this year's color can be used in more subtle ways, too, like on the trim and molding that edges a room. By using the dark Hidden Gem shade on the trim in your dining room, kitchen, or even bathroom along with a lighter wall color, you can draw the eye up towards the ceiling, giving the impression of height. To make the space feel even taller, you can always try using the paint on vertical accents such as windows, helping the room to appear to stretch upwards.

Wall paneling, or molding, is a popular trend right now because it adds dimension to a space without the need for busy patterns. It is also great for showing off how a paint looks from different angles, so you may just want to try out Behr's color of the year on your own paneling to see its versatility on the edges and grooves underneath. Keep in mind that the satin sheen is recommended by the paint company for baseboards, so that is likely the best option when painting paneling as opposed to the flat sheen.

A home office can be a stressful place, particularly if you use the space for everything from working to paying bills and sorting through personal files. Having a boring beige or stark white color on the walls can therefore make you feel like you're back in an office cubicle rather than in the comfort of your own home. So, why not try a more calming, luxurious color in that space to help make it feel relaxing and comforting? Behr's Hidden Gem could be a good choice for this space due to its stable feel and cool undertones.

Your front door is important for first impressions and for giving you a spark of joy every time you return home after a long day. As such, it can be beneficial to paint your door in a color that matches the aesthetic of your house. If your home has a coastal or farmhouse vibe featuring whites and blues, then Hidden Gem could be a good front door color to tie those together with a sense of refinement. It could also work for a modern house by pairing with other dark tones like red and black.

Bathroom tiles that feature fun, unique designs have been popular in recent years due to their personal feel and customizable aspect. If you have patterned tiles in your bathroom, you may want to try pairing them with Hidden Gem on the walls because its tone is relatively somber and sophisticated. This means it will be less likely to clash with the tile designs. Try pairing it with shiny brass hardware to create a satisfying, tasteful contrast similar to those found in upscale hotels and restaurants. Or, opt for chrome accents if you prefer a sleeker, more effortless feel.

The entryway of a home can sometimes feel hectic because it is a key transition space between the outside and inside. It can be helpful, therefore, to choose a paint color which feels stable and relaxing, rather than one that adds to the chaos of entering and exiting. Hidden Gem could be a good choice for this location, helping you take a deep breath as you enter the space or prepare to leave. Try pairing it with a few multifunctional pieces such as cabinets that have shoe storage to reduce clutter and make your entryway feel more inviting.

Choosing the right shade for outdoor furniture is tricky because the yard or garden can often feature different colors depending on the time of year. Going for a bright color, for example, can add some vibrancy to a winter garden but can also clash with the flowers that bloom in spring and summer. Choosing a more subtle tone like Hidden Gem might therefore be the right fit for you if you prefer your outdoor space to be understated and timeless. Just remember to use the exterior semi gloss version as this is the one recommended for outdoor items.

Many people don't paint or decorate their garage because they mainly use it for storage and it isn't a room visitors typically see. However, if you tend to spend more time in yours doing DIY projects, sorting through tools, or working on a car, it can be nice to find some garage makeover ideas to make it a more enjoyable place to be. Choosing a paint color that's suitable for multiple different lighting setups, such as Hidden Gem, can be helpful, as it may work well with the overhead lights or with the garage door open.