How to Confidently Choose Interior Paint Colours That Elevate Your Home

Across Canada, homeowners are diving into personalized home-improvement projects to elevate their living spaces and maximize their investment. But often, the biggest challenge comes before the first brushstroke:  figuring out where to start. In fact, a survey commissioned by BEHR® found that nearly half (46%) of Canadians lack confidence in their home design skills¹.

Whether you’re planning a major renovation or simply adding a fresh coat of paint, taking that first step can feel overwhelming. That’s where BEHR comes in—with curated colour palettes, helpful tools, and expert guidance to make choosing the right shade easier and more intuitive.

A great place to begin? BEHR recently announced the 2026 Colour of the Year — Hidden Gem — alongside The 2026 Colour Trends Palette. These thoughtfully chosen hues offer inspiration and direction to help homeowners choose colours that feel right for their space. After all, a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest, most-affordable ways to refresh your home.

How Choosing the Right Paint Colour Can Boost Your Confidence

If you’re one of the many Canadians who don’t feel confident in their home design skills, selecting the right paint colour is a great place to start.  A survey commissioned by BEHR reveals that 86% of Canadians believe that paint colours can “make or break” a home’s appeal. And it’s not just about aesthetics — 78% of Canadians say the paint colour in their home has the power to impact their confidence.

So why does colour matter so much?  Thoughtfully selecting a paint colour helps shape how a home looks, feels, and functions. The result is a space that feels purposeful, grounded and expressive.

The BEHR 2026 Colour of the Year: Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem is a part of the BEHR® 2026 Colour Trends Palette—a collection of trend-forward colours that perfectly complement the 2026 Colour of the Year.  This curated collection features shades for every style from casual and traditional to modern and eclectic.

With 81% of Canadians saying they want to focus on home improvement projects that make their homes feel more personalized, this versatile palette arrives at the perfect moment to meet the growing demand for self-expression through colour.

Discover the unexpected charm of the BEHR® 2026 Colour Trends Palette – a collection of warm neutrals, vibrant accents, soft pastels and cool mid-tones:

• Grounded, natural look: Earthy neutrals and soft browns like Smoked Tan and Baronial Brown create a serene, inviting atmosphere.
• Refreshing contrast: Lighter, soothing hues like Watery or Urban Nature provide balance and a sense of calm.
• Bold, dramatic style: Deep jewel tones like Curtain Call or Rumors deliver a luxurious, statement-making feel.
• Warmth and lightness: Soft pastels like Dainty Lace or Beehive complement Hidden Gem’s richness with a playful yet sophisticated touch.

Tools to Help You Choose with Confidence

If you’re hesitant about committing to a new colour, BEHR® offers tools that make experimenting simple and stress-free. The BEHR Colour Visualizer allows you to upload a photo of your own room or choose from pre-loaded rooms to digitally preview how different colours will look on your walls.

The BEHR Colour Smart tool goes a step further, providing personalized colour recommendations, coordinating palette ideas, and detailed product information. These tools take the guesswork out of colour selection, helping you explore your options confidently before making a final decision.

Colour as a Tool for Personalization and Value

Canadians are seeking personalized and confidence-boosting home improvement projects that make them want to spend more time at home and elevate their space. Within the next year, 81% say they want to focus on projects that make their homes feel more personalized, while 78% want to spend more time at home. Many are also prioritizing updates that will elevate their space (78%), create a livelier atmosphere (75%), boost their confidence (73%), and help them feel more grounded (73%).

Colour is one of the most cost-effective and impactful ways to achieve these goals, helping homeowners express their personalities while elevating their home’s value. For example:

• Bold front door: Adds instant curb appeal.
• Fresh wall colour: Creates warmth and makes guests feel welcome.
• Coordinated palette: Gives a polished, buyer-ready finish.

The 2026 Colour of the Year, Hidden Gem, along with the 2026 Colour Trends Palette, was designed to meet these needs, offering shades that can elevate a space, inject energy, and create a calming, grounded atmosphere in any room.

Ready to Get Started? BEHR Has You Covered

You don’t need to be a designer to create a beautiful home you love, all you need is the right tools and inspiration. With BEHR Colour Visualizer and Colour Smart you can experiment with confidence and see your vision come to life.

With the 2026 Colour of the Year, Hidden Gem, and the 2026 Colour Trends Palette, you have everything you need to transform your space. Whether your wanting to create a livelier atmosphere, or create a calm, grounded home, these timeless shades go beyond trends; they’re designed to inspire for years to come. So, whether you start small or dream big,  BEHR  you can create a home that’s not only beautiful, but also uniquely yours.

¹ Behr Paint commissioned an online survey among n=1,000 general population Canadians 18 years of age and older. Data is nationally representative by age, gender, race/ethnicity and region. The survey was fielded between June 13-18, 2025. The margin of error (MOE) for the total sample is +/- 3 p.pts.