Behr Hidden Gem: Complete Color Review

Thinking about a jade paint color for your home? Behr Hidden Gem might be the one. It’s bold, earthy, and was named Behr’s 2026 Color of the Year.

I’m a big fan of deep greens. They feel calm and natural, but they also bring a little drama to a space.

Hidden Gem is a smoky jade that shifts between green and green-blue depending on the light, so it always looks a bit different throughout the day.

You can go all in and drench a whole room in it for that moody, cozy vibe. Or you can just use it in smaller doses like on a fireplace or front door. Either way, it brings the outdoors in and makes the space feel more grounded.

If you’re ready to go a little darker but still want that earthy, timeless feel, Hidden Gem is worth a closer look. Let’s check out the details.

Hidden Gem, Behr, N430-6A

Hidden Gem is a smoky jade that feels rich and natural. It’s deep and timeless, but still has a modern edge.

Color Family

Hidden Gem is in the blue family.

Light Reflectance Value

14

With an LRV of 14, Hidden Gem is considered a dark paint color. On the 0 to 100 scale, 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.

In bright rooms it will look a little lighter, while in darker rooms it can feel very deep and moody.

RGB Colors

R: 89 G: 109 B: 105

RGB shows the mix of red, green, and blue that makes up the color.

Hex Code

#596D69

Undertones

Hidden Gem is a blue paint color with strong green undertones and a hint of smoky gray. That mix is what gives it its deep, jade-like look.

In sunny, south-facing rooms, it looks a little warmer and lighter, often reading more green.

In north-facing rooms with less natural light, it leans cooler and darker, sometimes showing up as green-blue or even teal.

Best Uses

I like to use darker paint colors like Hidden Gem for:

• On the walls of a bedroom, living room, or den (try painting the trim too for a more polished look)
• Creating a focal point, such as a fireplace
• Built-ins
• Kitchen cabinets
• Interior or exterior doors
• Home exterior
• Shutters
• Accent wall
• Furniture

Similar Colors

• Behr Aspen Valley
• Sherwin Williams Studio Blue Green
• Benjamin Moore Caribbean Teal
• Behr Forest Edge
• Sherwin Williams Rocky River
• Benjamin Moore Wetherburn's Blue
• Behr Cameroon Green

Coordinating Colors

Hidden Gem is surprisingly versatile for such a dark shade. It looks beautiful with warm neutrals like soft whites, beiges, tans, greiges, browns, and even black.

If you’d rather bring in more color, it also pairs nicely with blues, greens, sunny yellows, dusty pinks, terra cottas, and even deep reds.

Here are some good pairings to try:

Soft blue-grays:

• Watery
• Greenwich Village
• Dew
• Water Surface
• Half Sea Fog

Golden-yellows:

• Beehive
• Arizona Tan
• Royal Gold
• High Plateau
• Terra Sol

Warm neutrals:

• Dainty Lace
• Wheat Bread
• Smoked Tan
• Rodeo Tan
• Baronial Brown

Trim Colors

Hidden Gem works with both bright whites and softer, warmer whites. The choice really depends on the look you’re going for.

For a crisp, clean contrast, go with a bright white:

• Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Behr Ultra Pure White

For a softer, more natural feel, choose a warm white:

• Sherwin Williams Alabaster
• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Behr Cameo White

FAQs

Here are some common frequently asked questions about Hidden Gem.

What is the Behr Color of the Year 2026?

Behr's Color of the Year 2026 is Hidden Gem. This dark smoky jade feels both relaxed and refined.

What are the undertones of Hidden Gem?

Behr Hidden Gem is a blue paint color with strong green undertones and just a touch of smoky gray.

Hidden Gem will appear warmer and more green in well-lit spaces and cooler / more green-blue in darker rooms.

What colors go with Hidden Gem?

As a deep, dark green, Hidden Gem pairs beautifully with both neutrals and colors. Warm whites, beiges, tans, and browns make it feel grounded and classic.

If you want more color, try pairing it with something softer like Behr Watery (a pale blue-gray) or go bold with Beehive (a golden yellow).

For a calmer look, you can let Hidden Gem be the star and surround it with warm neutrals like Dainty Lace, Wheat Bread, Smoked Tan, Rodeo Tan, or Baronial Brown.

Does Hidden Gem look blue?

Behr lists Hidden Gem in its blue family, but most of the time it reads as green. In warm, bright rooms it looks more green, while in cooler or darker rooms it shifts toward green-blue.

It balances the two shades well, but it never looks like a true blue. Swatching it in your space will show you exactly how it behaves in your light.

Where should you use Behr Hidden Gem, Color of the Year?

As a dark, green paint color, Behr Hidden Gem can be used as a bold pop of color or as a timeless, subtle hue.

You can color drench a space by painting the walls, ceiling, and even trim for a dramatic, cozy look. This works beautifully in a bedroom, living room, or den.

Or if you want to use Hidden Gem as more of an accent color, try it on a fireplace, built-ins, kitchen cabinets, doors, shutters, or even furniture. It also makes a stunning exterior paint color.

Where can I buy Behr Hidden Gem?

Hidden Gem, as the Color of the Year, is sold exclusively at Home Depot.

Can you pair Behr Hidden Gem with other greens?

Yes, Hidden Gem can look great with other greens as long as there is some contrast. Lighter or darker greens keep the combination from blending too much.

A couple of nice pairings are Urban Nature or Ecological. Testing them together in your space will help you see if the mix works for you.

What's the difference: Behr Hidden Gem vs Aspen Valley?

With an LRV of 20, Behr Aspen Valley is lighter than Hidden Gem, which has an LRV of 14.

Both are green-blue shades with a similar natural vibe, but Aspen Valley feels a little softer while Hidden Gem is richer and deeper. Putting both on the wall will quickly show you which one fits your style best.

Thanks for reading!