written by Colleen Coleman, CMC Design Studio LLC
Photos Courtesy of Benjamin Moore
[From the 2026 Home & Lifestyle Magazine]
I must say…this year’s color collection is sophisticated, refined and full of luxury!
I immediately fell in love with the balance between deep couturier hues embracing craftsmanship and refinement to captivating, natural colors offering an irresistible urge to layer effortlessly! In design, we’re seeing a greater emphasis on tailored spaces. The idea of having what is seen as the go-to solution such as saved images from Pinterest and Houz is fading. Moving into 2026, there’s a yearning to explore individuality over popularity. Greater offerings for custom sizeable furniture, hand crafted cabinetry, artful tile and more! At any price point, however, paint can change your interior world faster than any other purchase! Let’s see how these colors for 2026 can change yours!
Benjamin Moore's
Color of the Year:
Silhouette
AF-655
For Color of the Year, Benjamin Moore chose Silhouette AF-655 aligning interiors to a higher degree with the fashion industry. Just as there’s an increased attentiveness in suiting or fabrics used for suits, this desire is now heavily translating into wall color. Andrea Magno, Director of Colour Marketing & Design at Benjamin Moore stated, “…it’s the resurgence of timeless pieces; and the growing interest in the brown colour family, Silhouette embodies these qualities with its depth and luxurious blend of burnt umber and delicate charcoal undertones. Like a perfectly tailored suit, this hue has the versatility and softness to bring a space from expected to exceptional.” Don’t let the “browns” of the past haunt you…this color is deeper, refined and balanced with red undertones to hold its own in any space! With a leaning also toward charcoal, the color pairings with gray undertones settle beautifully in unison.
For a complimentary white, one of my personal favs is Swiss Coffee OC-45. Its greige profile is on the warm side, resting effortlessly with rich wood elements in a room. As a custom cabinet designer, I swoon over the perfect lush white wall that focuses attention on fine furniture-quality wood cabinets or rests quietly on painted cabinets as a backdrop for books, treasured items and collectables. Either way, its frothed cream leaves one with a sensation to reach out and almost sneak a flavor!
Swiss Coffee
OC-45
Adding an artful balance of color to this year’s repertoire, Raindance 1572 hits the mark for a balanced steel gray with blue/green undertones that exude relaxation and calm! Early morning sunrise hours draws out the blossoming blues and greens while the afternoon sun saturates this color welcoming a luxurious green gray. Just as natures flora changes with the day, so this humble blue/green offers a rich addition to interiors for cabinetry, furniture and walls…and don’t forget the ceiling! Personally, I think this is the perfect color for my two hand-me-down children’s twin headboards for my grandchildren’s room! Where might you use it?
Looking for something a bit more subtle? Try First Crush CSP 310, infused with a hint of blush, this color offers an unassuming backdrop for colors to pop forth. Quiet, subdued and restful…in daylight its color all but disappears. Indirect sunlight pulls more of the beige tones forward, offering a soft warmth without overwhelming a space and the decor within. Don’t be shy, pair this wall color with Raindance 1572 for window trim and wainscot and let Swiss Coffee OC-45 hover above softly for a finish.
Moving into a more sophisticated, dusty violet-mauve is Batik Af-610. In the late 80’s and into the early 90’s, this color was insatiable…heck…
I even had a velour love seat and sofa in this hue! Don’t let the rose tone fool you into thinking this is too feminine, It’s a cozy, welcoming neutral with undertones of gray and brown creating a peaceful calm in any room of your home!
Now, if you love a more bold, dramatic color…no need to step any further than Narragansett Green HC-157 from the Historical Collection (also known as Navy Masterpiece 1652). It’s blackened teal influence is forged with rich, dark blends of green and blue with robust black undertones… It’s grounding and foundational! Use for all five walls of a room or cast its rich palette in high gloss on office shelving and trim. Don’t underestimate its stately effect in a room!
For a more earthy, unpretentious and enduring space, be rest assured that Southwest Pottery 048 will calm your senses and create harmony. It’s reddish-brown clay tones seems almost palatable …like an earthy glass of wine…one with nature. This grounded pigment is a perfect background for natural woven floor coverings, rich knitted fabrics dyed in golds, deep teals and coffee. Surround yourself in comfort visually…
For the perfect backdrop to tranquility, allow the classic hue of Sherwood Tan 1054 to nestle your space in simplicity. It’s undertones of brown, earthy red and hints of warm gold all combine to offer a chic traditional space, tailored for today’s lifestyle. This color is perfect for cabinetry, Trim work with lighter walls or even a dramatic ceiling above deeper, moodier spaces. Also known as Wild Mushroom CC-336, its iconic warm tan hue is reminiscent of the perfect cashmere coat…go-with-everything kind of color yet adding a touch of vitality beyond your typical beige.