Color And Contrast Shape Behr’s Commercial Color 2026 Forecast

Grounded and expressive, nostalgic and new—Behr’s 2026 Commercial Color Forecast embraces these dualities through 50 curated shades shaped by elemental references and cultural shifts. Soft-toned neutrals sit beside saturated brights, while familiar shades reemerge with new clarity, pulling the past into the present.

Organized into five subpalettes—EVOLVEDNeutrals, SOULScape, MYSTICWave, METROChic, and FUSIONDream—the 2026 forecast builds on the blurred boundaries introduced in last year’s palette, when Behr first explored the space between heritage and futurism, natural and synthetic. “We’re seeing a cultural pull toward duality, with people craving both grounding and escapism, familiarity and innovation,” says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color & creative services. “The 2026 Commercial Color Forecast channels that tension in a way that feels optimistic and intentional.”

This year’s collection takes those hybrid influences and translates them into a more structured format. Each subpalette carries a distinct emotional tone while remaining flexible across sectors and spatial types. EVOLVEDNeutrals anchors the forecast with pure and toned shades that lend balance and clarity. SOULScape, inspired by Mediterranean landscapes, leans warm and immersive, while MYSTICWave draws from aquatic hues to create a sense of calm. METROChic is tailored and refined, drawing on the energy of urban environments, and FUSIONDream introduces a more expressive, generational energy through its mix of pastels and brights. “We leaned into versatile neutrals, calming aquatic hues, and expressive accents to give designers the tools to create spaces that feel both contemporary and comforting,” Woelfel adds. “The goal was to offer balance without limiting creativity.”

A Window Into Behr’s 2026 Commercial Color Forecast 

The 2026 forecast also marks the first to be developed in collaboration with Behr’s Designer Council: eight professionals working across commercial interiors, residential, product development, and global trend research. “The Designer Council brought a real-world lens to our creative process,” Woelfel explains. “Their input helped ensure the colors would resonate across different project types and client needs.”

The council included Alena Capra, a certified master kitchen and bath designer and television host; global trend specialist Patti Carpenter; Stephanie Lindsey of Etch Design Group; John McClain, a designer and author focused on creative entrepreneurship; Mia Johnson, known for luxury residential interiors; Manuella Moreira, host of Design Unscripted; California modernist Christopher Kennedy; and Jennifer Sun of Ware Malcomb. Their combined expertise informed a palette shaped by practical insight, broad experience, and evolving design priorities.

“From texture pairings to cultural references, their feedback helped refine the palette in ways that made it feel more dimensional and more human,” she says. “It was a truly collaborative process, and their influence made the forecast stronger, more grounded, and more adaptable to what’s next in commercial design.”

For Commercial Spaces, Color Adds Dimension And Depth

Cool Tones Nod To Elements In Nature

A Refined Palette To Shape The Future Of Commercial Design