Benjamin Moore Color Of The Year 2026 -Silhouette AF-655

Benjamin Moore has just announced Silhouette AF-655 as its Color of the Year for 2026 — and it’s stunning!

Benjamin Moore color of the year 2026 is a rich, moody gray-brown hue that’s warm and sophisticated!

As a Designer and True Color Expert®, I’m sharing my insider tips and expert advice on how to use this earthy huet with total confidence in your home.

I’m also sharing how Silhouette paint color by Benjamin Moore looks in real spaces and why it’s a beautiful color choice.

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What is the Color of the Year 2026?

Just revealed, the color gurus at Benjamin Moore have named Silhouette as it’s signature color for 2026.

Inspired by classic suiting and pairing rich espresso brown with charcoal, this color adds refined elegance to any space.

It’s timeless, grounded and so sophisticated.

It’s a beautiful earthy neutral like Sherwin Williams Color of the Year 2026: Universal Khaki!

And it’s similar to the ever popular Sherwin Williams Color Of The Year Urbane Bronze SW 7048.

BM Silhouette is cozy and stylish.

Its LRV (light reflectance value) is about 10.18, meaning it’s in the “dark neutral” category — it won’t bounce a lot of light but can lend depth and intimacy to a space.

As a True Color Expert, I always emphasize that context (lighting, other surfaces, furnishings) dramatically shifts how a color reads. Silhouette is not flat brown — it has a complexity that allows it to lean warmer or cooler depending on adjacent colors and light.

Benjamin Moore describes it as “reminiscent of tailored suiting,” evoking the structure, elegance, and subtlety of classic fashion.

BM Silhouette pairs beautifully with whites, grays, blacks and amber hues.

It can add the contrast your space may need!

What Color is Benjamin Moore color of the year 2026?

Silhouette is a gorgeous grayed dark, rich brown color with a very subtle violet-gray undertone.

Don’t be scared of the word violet!

It’s the accurate True Color Expert® terminology for this undertone!

The violet gray undertone gives it beautiful warmth and sophistication.

It is in the same color family (and on the same paint strip) as:

• BM Fusion, a smokey purple gray
• BM Kendal Charcoal, a very popular warm charcoal color

Benjamin Moore Silhouette AF-655

Why Silhouette Is a Smart Choice (From My Expert POV)

1. Trend with longevity
   While many “color of the year” picks trend strong then fade, Silhouette is rooted in neutral territory with just enough character to feel fresh. It bridges the move from light neutrals toward deeper, more enveloping shades.
2. Versatility in style languages
   Whether your aesthetic is modern, transitional, classic, or even rustic, Silhouette can adapt. In modern settings it reads as a dramatic neutral; in traditional interiors it layers beautifully with warm accents like leather, natural wood, and brass.
3. Supports layering and accents
   In Benjamin Moore’s 2026 palette, Silhouette sits among eight harmonizing hues (e.g. Swiss Coffee, Raindance, Narragansett Green) that you can mix, match, or let Silhouette anchor.
4. Emotional + spatial quality
   Because Silhouette is “deep but not heavy,” it can cocoon or ground a space without overwhelming. Use it in rooms where you want mood and richness: dining rooms, libraries, accent walls, or even full-room color-drenches in well-lit spaces.

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Designer Tips & Insider Secrets For Benjamin Moore Color Of The Year 2026

Here are some of my professional (and rarely shared) tips you won’t always find in generic articles:

• Tip: Start with a small area first
  Use a Peel-and-Stick Paint Sample of Silhouette to try it on your wall near different windows or light sources. Always view at different times of day. (More on sampling below.)
• Secret: Use warm neutrals beside it to soften
  Pair with creamy whites, tawny beiges, or sandy taupes to break the intensity. For example, Swiss Coffee or Sherwood Tan (from the 2026 palette) are ideal companions.
• Tip: Use ceiling or trim in lighter contrast
  A crisp white or softened off-white on trim or ceilings will frame Silhouette walls gracefully, avoiding a cave effect.
• Secret: Layer metallics and materials
  Bronze, burnished brass, aged copper, or matte black accents look stunning against this deep hue. For texture, try woven rugs, boucle upholstery, or tactile pillows to lift the darkness.
• Tip: Lighting is your secret weapon
  Use dimmable lights and warm (2700–3000K) LED bulbs to keep the tone cozy. Avoid cool-daylight bulbs that might expose the charcoal side of Silhouette too starkly.

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Color Tips You Can Use Immediately

• Try a 3-color scheme: Silhouette + a soft midtone (e.g. muted blush or green) + a light accent (e.g. off-white). That gives layers and balance.
• Test “negative space framing”: Paint around windows, doorways, or architectural features in Silhouette and let the lighter wall show through the “frame.” This adds dimension without full walls in dark color.

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How to Sample & Visualize Benjamin Moore Color Of The Year 2026 In Your Home

• Order a peel-and-stick paint sample to test on multiple walls and lighting conditions.
  • Benjamin Moore Silhouette Peel‑and‑Stick Paint Sample
  • Or try a bundle of peel & stick samples if you also want to compare with popular neutrals: Bundle of 8 Peel & Stick Paint Samples
• Use a paint deck / fan deck to compare against other tones and pull coordinating colors:
  • Benjamin Moore Fan Deck
• Choose high-quality brushes and roller systems so your sampling looks true and professional:
  • The best paint brushes that don’t shed or leave brush marks
  • The best paint rollers that don’t shed and paint roller frame

Using high-quality tools ensures edges are clean and avoids false artifacts (feathering, roller marks) that can mislead your eye when judging color.

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Where to Use Silhouette

• Living Rooms: Pairs perfectly with layered textures—linen, soft bouclé and rattan.
• Bedrooms: A cozy yet polished backdrop for both light and dark bedding.
• Kitchens: Beautiful on cabinetry when paired with warm brass hardware.
• Exteriors: A smart choice for siding that complements both light and dark roof colors.
• Front Door: Silhouette is a gorgeous front door color that’s welcoming and stylish.

💡Designer Tip: Always test paint in your actual lighting. A color that looks warm and soft in a south-facing room might feel darker in a north-facing one.

Try a Samplize Peel-and-Stick Paint Sample of Silhouette before committing.

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My Final Designer Take On Benjamin Moore Color Of The Year 2026 Silhouette

Silhouette is a timeless neutral that will ground your home while giving you the freedom to layer in both warm and cool accent colors.

As with any paint color, its success lies in the details—your lighting, finishes, and furnishings.

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Online Color Consult

If you’re overwhelmed choosing the right color for your home, I can help!

As a Designer and True Color Expert®, I offer Virtual Interior Design Services that take the guesswork out of paint colors, finishes, and design choices.

Email us for more information on a color consult or design consult!

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