Benjamin Moore Just Released Its 2026 Color Forecast

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Benjamin Moore Just Released Its 2026 Color Forecast

Benjamin Moore just announced their Color of the Year 2026 (the dark and mysterious Silhouette AF-655), and with that reveal came seven other hues the brand predicts will dominate interiors over the next few seasons. Known as the Color Trends 2026 Palette, each shade was painstakingly chosen during a lengthy process, according to Hannah Yeo, senior manager of color marketing at Benjamin Moore. 

“Week after week, we were placing colors, adding colors, subtracting colors. We would come back the next day and ask, Does it still feel good? If not, we worked on it the next day,” Yeo describes. “So we went over weeks and weeks of that editing process, and we landed on eight colors that perfectly balance each other.”

Yeo explained that this year’s selections were divided into two categories: the enchanting pales and the handsome midtones. “It was all about balancing and layering,” Yeo says. “All of these colors work well with each other and have a beautiful color palette that you can really layer different elements into.” Here, she details exactly why each color was carefully picked for the prestigious palette, and how you can weave them into your own home.

  • Hannah Yeo, senior manager of color marketing at Benjamin Moore

Raindance 1572

Credit:

Benjamin Moore


Starting off the enchanting shades is Raindance, a pale blue-green with a gray undertone that Yeo describes as “easygoing.” It’s a shade that adapts well to many types of design styles, like rustic farmhouse or more traditional spaces with classic features like crown molding.

It’s also the kind of color that pairs nicely with so many other shades. “That gray undertone really softens everything,” Yeo says. “It’s a subtle color that doesn’t overpower anything, and lets all the different elements in an area come to the forefront.”

First Crush CSP-310

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Benjamin Moore


First Crush is “just that hint of blush and such a feel-good color that you can open your eyes to in the morning, whether it’s your bedroom or a powder room or a primary bath,” Yeo says. She notes that it’s similar to Swiss Coffee in that it helps boost a space’s details and brings textures to the forefront. You can use it to create a high-contrast, playful setting or a quieter, more traditional space. “It’s a good example of how you can take a color and create very different looks with it,” Yeo adds.

Swiss Coffee OC-45

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Benjamin Moore


Swiss Coffee is definitely iconic in the world of design. In fact, we’ve even polled designers for a story here at REAL SIMPLE, and they all agreed it was the best white paint color. So it’s no surprise to see it made the cut. “It sings so well with all the other colors in the palette,” Yeo says. “You can pair it with any color, and it will work. I mean, you can really use it anywhere, interior or exterior, for that matter.”

It’s a creamy white that contrasts beautifully with darker accents, creating a refined and timeless look. Yeo says it’s also a great choice for highlighting built-ins, where its warmth really shines.

Batik AF-610

Credit:

Benjamin Moore


The last enchanting pale is Batik, a hue that blends together violet and rose with a gray undertone. It’s an ethereal, delicate shade that, according to Yeo, looks neutral but can skew purple-ish under certain lighting. “It’s a nice wink of color; it’s very soft and subtle,” Yeo says. “A room’s detailing and that subtle wink of color can elevate a space into something more personalized, more tailored.”

Narragansett Green HC-157

Credit:

Benjamin Moore


Moving on to the handsome midtones, there’s Narragansett Green, a striking blend of black and teal from Benjamin Moore’s Historical Color Collection. “It really conveys a strong sense of history and architectural relevance,” Yeo says. “It’s a very stately color, but you can also balance it with soft textures or even a hint of Batik—they’re complementary colors and would definitely balance the bold and the soft look, and also the cool and the warm look.”

Narragansett Green functions beautifully as an exterior shade too, Yeo notes.

Southwest Pottery 048

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Benjamin Moore


Perhaps one of the most versatile shades in the palette is Southwest Pottery, a brown-red hue reminiscent of clay. “It’s like that fashion piece that can have so many different takes on it,” Yeo says. “Maybe it’s the top that you pair with some pants and it has a certain look, and then pair it with different pants or a skirt and it has a completely different look.”

For example, she notes you can layer the color with raw wood for a specific style, but then if you switch it up and pair it with a slate shade or an off-white, it completely changes the overall look and feel. Yeo also notes that ochre—used as an accent color rather than a paint shade—pairs beautifully with Southwest Pottery.

Sherwood Tan 1054

Credit:

Benjamin Moore


Sherwood Tan, an earthy tannish brown, is a classic neutral. “It is a beautiful backdrop color that can really bring everything else to the forefront,” Yeo says. It’s flexible enough to work in both traditional and modern spaces. Try pairing it with creamy whites like Swiss Coffee for a soft, layered look, or with darker shades for a more dramatic contrast.

Silhouette AF-655

Credit:

Benjamin Moore


Last—but not least—of the handsome midtones is Silhouette, Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2026. It’s a deep, dramatic charcoal-brown, and it’s highly versatile. “You can dress it up in a more formal setting or use it to create a cozy, cocooning atmosphere,” Yeo says. “I love to pair it with different patterns for that dramatic effect, but you can also pair it with other, subtle neutrals and you have a calming retreat.”

She notes that while Silhouette is undeniably dark, it doesn’t have to overwhelm a room. If you’re hesitant, Yeo suggests using it in smaller doses—on wainscoting, trim, or doors—balanced with Swiss Coffee on the walls and ceiling.

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