Have you uncovered the BEHR® 2026 Color of the Year? Hidden Gem is a smoky jade that’s redefining design in both residential and commercial spaces.      With its elegant balance of blue and green, Hidden Gem delivers a rich and dynamic shade that resonates across interiors—from multifamily living rooms to boutique hotel lobbies and modern office suites. This subtle yet captivating hue offers professionals a sophisticated option that’s as timeless as it is trend-forward, making it the perfect choice to elevate any environment with ease and intention.      Crafted by BEHR® Color Experts to reflect growing demand for grounded, nature-inspired tones; Hidden Gem shows how subtle color choices can redefine commercial interiors.       In high-touch environments like this modern washroom, Hidden Gem transforms an everyday utility space into an intentional design statement.          Designed to bring a quiet confidence to open layouts, this shade offers visual interest without overwhelming the space. The result is an elegant, polished look that works across a wide range of modern workplaces.          Pair with muted neutrals and grounded accents to bring calm sophistication and create a welcoming first impression in healthcare spaces.         Now’s the time to show your clients how subtle color can make a stunning statement with BEHR® Hidden Gem.    To explore more of the 2026 Color of the Year, visit behr.com/2026coty.  

Today’s commercial and residential design landscape is ever-evolving. Rising movements such as technology, nature, travel and more continue to influence the built environment. With current macro design trends blending futurism and nostalgia, traditional color boundaries are dissolving to create spaces that feel balanced and connected to both our heritage and our future.   The desire to achieve this harmonious design in commercial environments is the foundation of Behr Paint Company’s second annual BEHR® 2026 Commercial Color Forecast. The curated collection centers around elemental harmony – which includes 50 colors that balance nature, nostalgia, and technology.   We’re thrilled to introduce our second annual Commercial Color Forecast. These colors honor traditional color elements while embracing contemporary aesthetics that reflect forward-thinking design trends in the commercial space,” says Erika Woelfel, Head of Color & Creative at Behr.     The collection is organized into five distinctive themes, each designed to create harmonious spaces across a diverse range of commercial settings such as workplaces, healthcare facilities, hospitality suites, multifamily spaces, and more.   EVOLVEDNeutrals Credit: Original photography and design by Bethany Nauert and Michelle Sprauer. Paint color by Behr Paint Company.Walls: Sculptor Clay PPU5-08; Roof Trim: Shoelace OR-W13   Designed to be a foundational element, these dynamic neutrals range from “pure” to “toned” to anchor spaces that exude balance and harmony. Sculptor Clay (PPU5-08) and Shoelace (OR-W13) help create a balanced exterior for this modern multi-family home.   SOULScape Credit: Original photography and design by Bethany Nauert and Stina Funch at Atwater Inc. Paint color by Behr Paint Company.Walls: Eastern Bamboo PPU9-25; Trim/Ceiling: Nano White HDC-MD-06   Inspired by the Mediterranean, these soulful and moody hues create an inviting environment with a warm, coastal feel. This hotel room features Eastern Bamboo (PPU9-25) for a fresh pop of color that brings dimension and visual appeal to the space.   MYSTICWave Credit: Original photography by John Sutton. Paint color by Behr Paint Company.Siding Walls: Coral Cloud M200-4; Ceiling Accent: Mayan Treasure P490-7; Side Building Walls: Beach Foam S450-1; Window Accent: Coral Cloud M200-4; Skinny Window Trim: Deep Fire M180-7   Drawing off the tranquil nature of aquatic hues, these soothing colors help promote well-being and comfort within a space. Coral Cloud (M200-4) and Mayan Treasure (P490-7) give this elementary school a vibrant, playful aesthetic that inspires creativity and joy.   METROChic Credit: Original photography and design by Bethany Nauert and Allie Bell. Paint color by Behr Paint Company.Walls: Nano White HDC-MD-06; Accent: Extreme S530-6   This selection of colors combines Parisian charm with New York City’s energy that can add both classic elegance and a modern flair to interiors. Create subtle beauty in a patient room by opting for a grayed blue like Extreme (S539-6) for a refined aesthetic.   FUSIONDream Credit: Original photography by John Sutton. Paint color by Behr Paint Company.Back Wall: Eon N370-2; Outer Wrap-Around Walls: Sultana P100-7; Inner Accent: Coveted Gem N560-2   Featuring a blend of frosted pastels and edgy bright tones, these hues create a striking blend of allure and mystique. This workspace features Sultana (P100-7), a bold purple hue for eye-catching impact.   Behr Designer Council The colors in this forecast palette were inspired by the expertise and insights from our first-ever Behr Designer Council. The Council includes eight designers whose expertise spans across commercial and residential markets.     We gathered feedback from our Council to ensure we were providing a collection that could be a go-to resource for designers to leverage for their projects,” says Woelfel. “By uniting a curated collective of visionary talent, we are better positioned to understand the desires of the designer community and shape the future of color and design together.”     To learn more about the 2026 Commercial Forecast Palette, click here. To learn more about the Designer Council, click here.  

Behr Paint Company is excited to announce the winners of its first-ever Student Design Competition. The competition was created in partnership with MattoBoard, a 3D virtual sampling platform, to champion emerging designers by providing opportunities to showcase and celebrate their talents.   About the Design Competition Behr invited design students to submit an original design plan for any commercial space such as hospitality, workplace, healthcare, multifamily and more. The design theme, “No Clear Boundaries,” drew inspiration from the BEHR® 2025 Commercial Color Forecast, which celebrates the fluidity between designed environments that reflect the intersection of the past and future, digital and physical, and timeless and modern.   Entrants were required to incorporate colors from the BEHR 2025 Commercial Color Forecast in their design along with Behr’s 2025 Color of the Year, Rumors, a deep and timeless shade of ruby red.     Judging criteria included: Originality, Creativity and Style of Overall Design Plan (40%) Creative Expression in Use of Behr Paint Colors (40%) Creativity of MattoBoard in Entry (20%)   The judging panel included Erika Woelfel, VP of Color & Creative at Behr; Adam Ailion, Architect and CEO / Co-Founder of MattoBoard; Kayla Kratz, Director of Color & Designer Segment at Behr; and Amber Jones, Director of Architect & Designer Strategic Initiatives at Behr.   Grand Prize Winner: Leanne Hlavka BOUNDLESS Women’s Work and Play Center​ BOUNDLESS is a women’s work and play center that blends work, childcare, and social settings into a seamless, multi-functional environment. Inspired by Behr’s design theme, “No Clear Boundaries,” the space removes traditional divisions between work, motherhood, and social life, creating a space where working women and mothers can be productive, supported, and fulfilled.     The center incorporates timeless mid-century modern design elements—open floor plans, clerestory windows, and materials like wood and raw finishes—while fluidly connecting indoor and outdoor areas. This style uses color to define the spaces where there are otherwise “no clear boundaries”, reinforcing the concept’s openness to blur the boundaries of the spaces women work, play, live, and learn in.     With color paramount to the design, a palette was curated in timeless earth tones and bold saturation for a modern touch. Rumors MQ1-15 was prioritized in the workspace for its sophistication to create a feeling of intimacy for focused work, with Wild Berry P110-6 adding a pop of femininity and playfulness to this non-traditional center. Colorful Leaves M190-7, Flaming Torch PPU3-03 and Wild Ginger M270-7 create an ascending transition, while Boreal N420-5 and Fresh Artichoke M340-5 work in synergy in the outdoor courtyard. Audition MQ5-36 brings a calming presence to the nursing room, and Baronial Brown N170-7 and Leather Work S240-7 add depth to the beam ceiling, altogether bringing BOUNDLESS to life.   3D Materials Board Using MattoBoard   About LeAnne LeAnne Hlavka is a Bachelor of Arts student at the Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach, CA. She is passionate about commercial design, biophilic design, and historic preservation. Balancing studies with motherhood, she is excited to pursue interior design as her second career. For her Grand Prize entry, LeAnne was awarded a $3,000 cash prize and a one-year MattoBoard Pro subscription. Her design school also received $1,000.     First Prize Winner: Mary Dilanchian “Aeternum” Echoes in Mauve- The Eternal Glow of Rumors​ Featuring colors from the BEHR 2025 Commercial Color Forecast, the Schiaparelli-inspired fashion pavilion in Rotterdam comes alive as the sun begins to set, transforming with the fading light. At its heart, Behr’s 2025 Color of the Year: Rumors MQ1-15, glows as dusk falls, reflecting the muted hues of a Rotterdam sunset. It becomes a beacon, interacting with reflective surfaces to create a dynamic play of color and shadow while paying homage to the natural beauty of the site and enhancing the pavilion’s presence.     Supporting this central glow, Behr’s Wild Ginger M270-7 adds depth and richness with warm, earthy undertones. Baronial Brown N170-7 serves as an anchor, grounding the design in a sense of stability and connection to the earth. Even Better Beige DC-010, used on the pavilion’s supportive skin structure, provides a soft, neutral backdrop, enhancing the pavilion’s skeletal design, and Limo-scene N560-7 acts as an accent, adding a subtle coolness to the pavilion.     Together, these colors transform the pavilion into a cohesive, living organism that shifts with the changing light, creating a vibrant and harmonious interplay that honors the themes of rebirth, transformation, and layered experiences. This palette elevates the pavilion from a mere structure to an evolving masterpiece that embodies the essence of fashion, architecture, and the Rotterdam landscape.   3D Materials Board Using MattoBoard   About Mary Mary is an Interior Architecture student at Woodbury University in Burbank, CA, driven by a passion for creating immersive designs that connect people to their spaces. She thrives on creating meaningful experiences and has a keen eye for detail and experiential design. Mary was awarded a $1,500 cash prize and a one-year MattoBoard Pro subscription for her First Place Prize entry.     Second Prize Winner: Brittany Marie Ott Urban Sipology From Grapes to Glass: Urban Sipology redefines wine tasting in Chicago, blending the city’s industrial history with a sleek, modern aesthetic for today’s youthful, vibrant audience. This innovative venue reimagines tradition while catering to diverse, modern tastes.     The venue offers a warm, sophisticated atmosphere with oxidized steel, earthy leather, and bronzed metals, complemented by ambient lighting that creates an inviting environment. Designed with fluidity in mind, the space echoes the winemaking process—filtration, flow, and bottling—to create a sense of graceful movement. Behr’s Rumors MQ1-15 provides a sultry and sophisticated energy—perfect for a wine venue.     Guests can enjoy a trendy, inclusive space featuring an extensive wine display, casual tasting bar, private nooks, seasonal patio, and soft background music, making it ideal for winding down with friends. The design begins with a narrow retail corridor, guiding visitors into an expansive tasting area that mirrors the richness and joy of each sip. This intentional layout reflects the progression of wine tasting—starting with anticipation, leading to discovery, and ending with delight.   3D Materials Board Using MattoBoard   About Brittany Brittany Ott, a senior at East Carolina University, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. She’s passionate about designing functional, impactful spaces that elevate human performance and leave lasting impressions. Brittany was awarded a $500 cash prize and a one-year MattoBoard Pro subscription for her Second Place Prize entry.     Learn more about the Student Design Competition here.  

Have you heard about the BEHR® 2025 Color of the Year? Rumor has it, it’s the perfect hue to make a statement in any commercial or residential space.     It’s true, our Color of the Year, Rumors, is a deep red that adds warmth and draws a rich allure to hospitality, retail and other dynamic spaces. Designers and paint professionals alike can offer Rumors with confidence on projects to make a powerful and fearless statement. This tone is the perfect shade that captivates and enhances the built environment.     Let this elevated color speak volumes, no matter the scale of your project. Rumors will create an energy that evokes beauty and vitality.         With its vibrant tone, Rumors is a great choice for creating a dramatic and charming environment. Whether the space is large or small, Rumors packs a punch with a touch of luxe.         Pair Rumors with light neutrals like greige, tan and gray to balance hospitality spaces and create depth.         Or create a sense of enclosure by drenching the color in a room for a rich and modern look. This can be particularly effective in larger rooms where your client wants a space that fuels productivity.         Now’s the time to give your clients a compelling look with BEHR Rumors.   Rumors is part of fifteen distinct hues in the BEHR 2025 Color Trends collection. Create an inviting atmosphere with these nostalgic and personal colors. Pair warm neutrals with jewel tones and nature-based hues for timeless charm in commercial and residential spaces.     WORKPLACE | Walls: Aerial View S530-3   MULTIFAMILY | Walls: Boreal N420-5   EDUCATION | Walls: Jackfruit PPU6-07   RESIDENTIAL | Walls: Even Better Beige DC-010     To explore the 2025 Color of the Year and Color Trends, visit behrpro.com/2025coty.  

As the global workforce evolves, workplace designers are prioritizing innovation, wellness, and collaboration. Gone are the days of dull, uninspiring offices with cubicles stifling creativity. Instead, companies are investing in dynamic spaces tailored to diverse employee needs and workstyles. Workplace expectations for 2024 and beyond center on promoting flexibility, connection, wellbeing, and sustainability. Recognizing how the pandemic significantly altered how and where we work, employers are focusing on meeting the needs of an ever-changing workforce. With that in mind, let’s explore the trends shaping today’s workplaces and office paint color pairings.     1. Hybrid is Here to Stay The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our work landscape significantly. In 2023, some companies mandated a return to the office, highlighting a contrast between workers adjusting to the “new normal” and businesses eager to restore the “old normal.” Yet, according to Gallup, 53 percent of U.S. workers prefer a hybrid model, while 21 percent opt for full remote work.   To create an atmosphere that provides employees a welcoming transition between home and the office, consider choosing elevated neutrals for an office space. Pairing subtle, yet nuanced, shades — such as Tranquil Gray DC-007, a delicate taupe gray, or Taupe Tease N210-1, a light neutral gray —with a cool beige like Cotton Knit PPU7-11 creates a sense of warmth while maintaining a professional feel.   Windows & Ceiling: Cotton Knit PPU7-11 | Panels: Tranquil Gray DC-007     2. Attracting Millennials, Gen Z Back to the Office Millennials and Gen Z are not just the future of the workforce; they’re redefining where and how we work. These generations value flexibility, aesthetics, and a culture that fosters creativity. Offices need to offer more than just workstations and amenities; they should be vibrant environments that inspire.   A pivotal strategy for fostering a connection with these generations is creating a vibrant atmosphere environment that beckons them into the heart of the workplace. Consider playing with the light, dark and neutral hues. For example, cultivate a productive yet calming environment by combining Mountain Olive N350-7A, a deep olive green, and Even Better Beige DC-010, a warm neutral, with a bold pop of color like Tart Orange HDC-MD-27. To cultivate a sleek, sophisticated impression, combine these bright hues with BEHR’s 2024 Color of the Year Cracked Pepper PPU18-01.   Ceiling & Right Wall: Even Better Beige DC-010 | Back Wall: Mountain Olive N350-7A | Ceiling Accent: Tart Orange HDC-MD-27 | Ceiling Behind Panels: Cracked Pepper PPU18-01     3. Energizing Hues Foster Collaboration The emphasis on collaboration and innovation has led to the rise of modifiable workspaces. To truly energize these spaces, go bold with colors that ignite creativity and encourage interaction. Consider an optimistic, gold-tinged hue like Dandelion Wish MQ4-12 or an energetic retro orange like Flaming Torch PPU3-03 and confident New Age Blue PPU15-05 to infuse life into collaborative zones, breakout areas, and communal spaces.   Walls: Blank Canvas DC-003 | Nook Wall: New Age Blue PPU15-05 | Cove Wall: Dandelion Wish MQ4-12     4. Biophilic Design Biophilia: The business world continues to recognize the vital benefits of bringing nature into the workplace, as elements such as natural light, indoor plants, and organic materials can improve air quality, reduce stress, and increase productivity.   When it comes to color, opt for a palette-cleansing white like Winter White DC-004 with an ocean-inspired cool hue like Yacht Blue S490-4 — creating a sense of tranquility and relaxation.   Walls: Winter White DC-004 | Ceiling & Accent: Yacht Blue S490-4   For more biophilic color inspiration, visit our BEHR® BioNature Collection — 50 colors to infuse harmony and wellbeing into built environments to elevate the human experience.     5. Restore, Recharge, Revitalize “Resimercial” Design: Blurring the lines between home and work, this uber-cozy trend integrates elements to inspire comfort and creativity. Envision plush sofas, soft lighting, and personal touches that make employees feel relaxed and inspired — a home away from home.   To create an authentic and peaceful environment, embrace forest-inspired greens like Meteorological N430-6 to accent a comforting neutral like Dove HDC-MD-21.   Ceiling & Right Wall: Meteorological N430-6 | Back Wall: Dove HDC-MD-21   By incorporating residential-inspired elements, such as relaxing furnishings and personalized decor, offices can be a space where employees feel at ease, fostering satisfaction and wellbeing.     6. Soothing Seclusion Responding to today’s emphasis on mental wellness, office designs are incorporating private pods or alcoves that provide employees space to focus and relax, while allowing them to escape the hustle and bustle of the office environment. Providing such sanctuaries can reduce stress levels and improve productivity.   Try adding a pop of color to a ceiling installation with a smoky turquoise like Sophisticated Teal HDC-CL-22 and create depth by using a tone-on-tone combination of warm and peaceful hues such as Toasty Gray N320-2 and Grant Gray HDC-AC-19.   Art Ceiling Accent: Sophisticated Teal HDC-CL-22 | Left Wall, Conference Room Back Wall & Lobby Desk: Toasty Gray N320-2 | Office Wall: Grant Gray HDC-AC-19   The future of work presents a compelling opportunity for businesses, designers, and architects to reimagine office spaces as dynamic and human-centric environments. By integrating flexibility, technology, nature, and inclusivity, we can create workplaces that not only meet the functional needs of teams, but also inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and enhance employee wellbeing.   To learn more about the many color services Behr offers and to contact an Architect & Design Rep, please visit behr.com/designer.

As the design world continues to evolve in 2024 and beyond, there’s a fluidity in how we live, play, and work. This post-COVID era is reshaping the way we occupy spaces, bringing more flexibility into the conversation. Multifunctional spaces are more prominent than ever as we break through traditional norms and create areas that offer both productivity and pause.   BEHR® 2025 Commercial Color Forecast In today’s commercial landscape, there are no clear boundaries. From home-inspired workspaces to luxe recreational facilities, the lines are blurred in how spaces are defined. This trend served as the inspiration behind our BEHR® 2025 Commercial Color Forecast, which reflects the rising design movement of blurring boundaries between past and future, timeless and modern, and technology and nature.   The five themes in this palette are a nod to the fluid world we live in, with colors ranging from neutral to bold, traditional to grandiose, and cool to warm tones. Each subpalette has versatility for a wide range of uses in both residential and commercial spaces.   Limitless Whites White paint colors are often the foundation for a project and a canvas for boundary blurring. These warm hues are versatile, approachable, and barely there. Use them to visually soften surfaces and textures to create effortless style.   Back Wall: Gallery White PPU12-12  |  Desk: Bakery Box BL-W09   Bleisure Blurring the boundaries between business and leisure, these colors are adventurous and travel inspired. The bright pops of color are indicative of the hues we find in nature with familiar mid-tones that inspire creativity and evoke joy.   Wall: Venus Teal PPU13-08  |  Accent: Dandelion Wish MQ4-12   Renew-trals These colors are neutral and nuanced with a sense of healing and connection. The earthen mid-tones blur the boundaries between today and tomorrow’s neutrals with a lived-in and memorable quality.   Wall: Boreal N420-5  |  Accent: Colorful Leaves M190-7   Grand-luxe Timeless meets luxury in these rich, deep hues. The bold colors are versatile and sophisticated, grounding spaces with premium, aged quality.   Back Wall & Trim: Limo-Scene N560-7  |  Accents: Leather Work S240-7, Amazon Jungle PPU9-24 & Very Navy M500-7   AI-sthetic Blur the lines of the physical and digital world with this AI-inspired palette. Powdery pastels are anchored by dark and light pops of colors to create surface dimension and soften contemporary, technologically forward spaces.   Left Wall: Autumn Blush S220-1  |  Right Wall: Dove HDC-MD-21  |  Accents: Breathe S360-2, Flowerpot S180-3, Pimento P180-6 & Violet Aura M550-5   Commercial Color Forecast Workshop The colors in this palette were largely inspired by our first-ever Commercial Color Forecast Workshop held at our Southern California headquarters. Six commercial designers from various commercial backgrounds came together to explore the driving influences behind color and trends alongside Behr color experts in this immersive in-person experience. The designers also curated palettes based on industry trends and their own insights and expertise. The emerging themes from the workshop were the basis for the 2025 Commercial Color Forecast palette direction.     Are you a commercial designer interested in design trends and color forecasting? Fill out the form on this page to receive updates on our next workshop.