Sophisticated, warm and neutral “Silhouette AF-655”.
A rich espresso brown with charcoal undertones, offering timeless sophistication and a warm, neutral alternative to black. It's a perfect balance of 'comfortable and chic'.
The color reflects a broader shift toward warmer, classic tones and classic design, drawing inspiration from fashion’s return to tailored, layered styles.
Elegant, versatile and cozy. This is “Silhouette”, the COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2026, which, together with seven other shades, constitutes the COLOR TRENDS palette for 2026.
COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2026 like a well-tailored suit…
“The connection between fashion and interiors has always been a source of inspiration, but this year in particular, we’ve noticed a renewed interest in suiting and classic silhouettes; the resurgence of timeless pieces; and the growing interest in the brown colour family,” said Andrea Magno, Director of Colour Marketing & Design at Benjamin Moore.
“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.”
Shade steps out of the shadows and into the spotlight…
Every year, the Benjamin Moore Color Team spends months researching, gathering observations, sharing ideas, and analyzing all the information and materials collected.
'Drawing inspiration from diverse sources – various design disciplines, museum and art exhibition, technology and cultural influences both locally and globally – we capture emerging macro design trends and distill them into the colours that shape our surroundings.'
'We are seeing people reimagining the idea of suiting and opting for more relaxed, laidback clothing that straddles between comfortable and chic.' – explains Hannah Yeo, senior manager of colour marketing at Benjamin Moore
According to Andrea Magno browns have become very, very important… almost becoming a nice substitute to using black, or using charcoal. Brown, however is much softer and warmer.
This year Color Hunters have seen a resurgence in brown shades, from Pantone’s 2025 Color of The Year “Mocha Mousse” to fashion brands embracing the underrated hue. The grounding qualities of brown has steadily gained popularity, acting as a warm alternative to black and grey.
Color Team fell in love with Silhouette because it’s rich yet soft, intriguing yet familiar, and bold yet approachable. The color can work in a traditional space but also reads as modern. All of these qualities give the distinct brown boundless appeal in a world with growing trend fatigue.
It's not a coincidence…
As a color of the year, Silhouette reflects the convergence of past editions of Benjamin Moore’s annual color trend palettes.
Chocolatey Wenge (a 2023 pick), the worn-in character of Leather Saddle Brown, and the cidery, ochre-inflected Chowning’s Tan (both of the 2024 palette) have represented earthy tones well over the past several cycles, evoking influences from Southwestern deserts to decadent desserts.
Above all, “Silhouette” is a smooth transition from the purple-brown color of the year 2025, “Cinnamon Slate,” demonstrating a shift towards warmer colors.
We're looking for something more timeless
Benjamin Moore & Co. Color Team notes a clear shift away from some microtrends. People look for something that's more timeless, something that feels really classic.
Magno says - “You go on social media, and it's this trend, that trend, and it's almost like you can't keep up, but we're seeing almost a reaction to that where people are looking to have good, timeless, classic pieces in their home and really taking this layered approach so that [their] home feels really unique to them.”
In selecting “Silhouette AF-655”, the Benjamin Moore team also focused on the correlation between fashion and interiors. Namely, for 2026, they zeroed in on the return of suiting with classic lines. The modern-day looks are refined, but they maintain comfort for long periods of wear.
They were also inspired by the details that go into making a custom suit, from the stitching to the color of the jacket lining, and how that layering translates to designing a room.
Since Silhouette is a neutral with depth, there’s no limit to how it can be used at home. When used on the walls and ceiling of a living room, the shade can make neutral furnishings stand out. As a front color door the brown kindles a warm welcome.
Whether you color-drench a home movie theater or dining room in this hue, it can instantly fashion a cozy atmosphere.
Silhouette gives incredible depth…
Color of The Year 2026 „Silhouette AF-655” will add balance and depth to interiors.
Color Team recommends pairing the shade with rich navy tones or even bold metallics to anchor a room. And just like a perfectly-tailored jacket, Silhouette is bound to be a timeless colour you'll return to again and again.
One of EIGHT
These colours are artfully curated based on their incomparable presence and ability to layer effortlessly for a sophisticated feel.
With a focus on attention to detail, craftsmanship and refinement, the Colour Trends 2026 palette reflects a graceful balance of enchanting pales and handsome midtones: Silhouette AF-655”, „Raindance 1572”, „Swiss Coffee OC-45”, „First Crush CSP-310”, „Batik AF-610”, „Narragansett Green HC-157”, „Southwest Pottery 048”, „Sherwood Tan 1054”.
The eight-color palette features a mix of pale, ethereal colors, like the dusty pink „Batik AF-610”, and handsome midtones, like the blackened teal „Narragansett Green HC-157”, that can be combined in countless ways.
If you’re into the palette but don’t know where to start, Magno points to a common suggestion interior designers tell a client when they aren't sure what colors to use in their home. “Sometimes, the advice is to look in their closet, and [determine] the colors that you feel best in, and use that as almost the starting point for the colors that you would use when you're designing your home,”.
