Behr has called it: Hidden Gem (N430-6A) is its 2026 Color of the Year.
The company's trend experts say the elegant blue-green paint shade can enhance just about any area of the home, indoors and out. It's part of Behr's 2026 Color Trends Palette, which helps customers take the stress out of finding the right complementary hues for their space.
“We're always looking for something that's timeless, but current and a bit fashion-forward,” Erika Woelfel, Behr Paint’s VP of color and creative services, told Good Housekeeping. “This is a color that people can use anywhere for any size project.”
According to Anna Miller, The Home Depot’s director of trend and design, it was only right to settle on jade this year, as more and more people enjoy expressing themselves through color. There's been a shift away from minimalist interiors (yes, stark whites and grays are losing some momentum). “We know the customer is craving change,” Miller added. “They're craving color, depth and moodiness, and they want to bring soulfulness back into their spaces.”
In a survey, Behr discovered that 58% of Americans believe painting a space in Hidden Gem would create visual appeal, and two in three respondents shared that the color would add a unique touch, calming feel and timeless flair to their home.
Design Inspiration for Hidden Gem
Need even more motivation to give the blue-green color a try in your home? Consider these pointers from Woelfel and Miller:
Upgrade your kitchen. Hidden Gem can give your cooking space a personality boost, whether it’s used on your cabinets or island. If you go this route, temper it with neutral walls (think Behr’s Blank Canvas). “Customers have really embraced bringing color into the kitchens,” Miller says. “We had that ubiquitous navy island for a long time, and I think this is the new navy.”
Use it in unexpected places. From painted furniture, like an entryway table, to ceilings and exterior doors, Hidden Gem has no limits. “It's a bit of a chameleon color that works so well across design styles and in different rooms,” Miller explains.
Go for a monochromatic look. Color-drenching is back, so if it’s your style, deck out a room’s walls and moldings in the hue to make a statement. Since it’s “such a beautiful, nuanced color and doesn't feel overpowering,” Woelfel says it almost acts like a neutral.
Experiment with different sheens. Eggshell or semi-gloss might be your go-to finishes, but you don’t have to stop there. Embrace high-gloss to draw the eye to a room’s unique architectural details. “It reflects light differently and can bring out the intricacies of crown molding,” Miller says. “Utilize the color across different sheens and it will change the effect in your home.”
Go ahead and shop Behr's Hidden Gem exclusively at The Home Depot.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
