Fashion and interior design may be two distinct industries, but they're inherently entwined and constantly inspiring one another. Benjamin Moore's 2026 Color of the Year selection is proof.
Appropriately named 'Silhouette', the paint brand's color choice is a luxurious shade, one that blends rich espresso hues with shadowy charcoal tones. It's a color trend that was developed by the Benjamin Moore team to reflect the tailored suiting styles that many consider timeless staples within the fashion industry.
'Silhouette embodies a renewed interest in suiting and classic silhouettes, the resurgence of timeless pieces, and a growing appreciation for the brown color family – rich with depth and a luxurious blend of burnt umber and delicate charcoal undertones,' the brand's Color Marketing & Development Director Andrea Magno explains. 'Like a perfectly tailored suit, this hue has the versatility and softness to bring a space from expected to exceptional.'
To develop the color, Andrea and the Benjamin Moore color team spend months collecting points of inspiration, researching trends, and analyzing popular room color ideas. This leads them to the selection of the color of the year.
At Silhouette's launch party in Midtown Manhattan, Andrea spoke of her team's work, explaining how fashion is always a source of inspiration for Benjamin Moore. However, this year, the team noticed a renewed interest in suiting, classic silhouettes, and the timeless workwear staples that have been coming off the runway.
Thus, Silhouette was born.
And looking at the other Color of the Year announcements we have seen so far, it's so in keeping with the moody, dramatic hues that are setting the tone for 2026. We've had Behr's deep teal Hidden Gem, Sherwin-Williams' moody tan Universal Khaki, Little Greene's plummy purple Adventurer, and Graham & Brown's rich cherry red Divine Damson. Silhouette joins a lineup of paint shades that make it very clear decorating with moody hues is going to be huge in 2026.
Even among its other moody siblings, Silhouette is the most dramatic of the lot. However, that's not to say it's not a usable shade. More so than a bold teal or a deep red, this soft, brown-toned charcoal would be so easy to make work in a neutral color scheme, or add some depth to a kitchen, or even just make doors and millwork look more elegant. Decorating with brown has been on the rise this year, and Silhouette is the perfect paint for bringing this color into your home, no matter what your style.
'We love it for an allover, enveloping look, and it's also fantastic for a look that's more high contrast when it's paired with lighter colors,' Andrea explained at Silhouette's launch party while unveiling the supporting 2026 Color Trends palette. Called the 'Tailored Classics', these seven hues – made up of Raindance, First Crush, Batik, Narragansett Green, Southwest Pottery, Sherwood Tan, and the ever-popular Swiss Coffee – sit perfectly alongside Silhouette. These colors help tell the story of the color of the year.
Looking at the palette together, you can see how Silhouette isn't the dramatic shade it appears when used alone. As part of this soft, muted scheme, it becomes a grounded neutral shade that can add a touch of luxury to paler colors.
Shop the Silhouette-Inspired Decor Edit
Not ready to commit to a paint overhaul? The brown/charcoal tones of Silhouette can be found in all these decor pieces that you can add to your rooms, without picking up a paintbrush.
Decorating with dark colors can make any room feel more alluring and attractive, and some dark colors even have the potential to make a space feel cozy. Silhouette certainly does. This chair in a similar shade invites coziness any time of day.
This aluminum side table blends rich brown tones and deep black tones perfectly to produce a finish that looks just as elegant as Benjamin Moore's Silhouette. Style this in your living room as a chic accent feature.
This vase leans slightly more espresso brown than charcoal gray, reflecting the inherent variation in Silhouette as a paint color. In different lighting or at different angles, one hue might appear stronger.
Silhouette has an inherently sophisticated look, just like this pedestal plate in a similar shade. It's an elegant decor feature that can elevate the look of any tabletop in your home.
