What Is the Behr Color of the Year Hidden Gem
Behr named its 2025 color of the year as Hidden Gem, a muted blue-green with gray undertones designed for interior walls and trim. The shade is part of Behr's annual color forecast released through its professional color tools and retailer partnerships, with the company providing specific tint codes for mixing in stores and online. Hidden Gem is positioned as a versatile neutral that works in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where buyers and renters look for calm, modern palettes. The selection reflects Behr's focus on colors that photograph well for online listings and complement common interior materials such as white cabinetry, light wood floors, and metal fixtures. For investors and homeowners considering a refresh, Hidden Gem is intended to appeal to a broad audience without relying on bold trends that date quickly. Forbes real estate council analysis of 2025 color trends
How Hidden Gem Affects Home Value and Buyer Perception
Interior paint color is one of the highest-ROI cosmetic upgrades for resale, with neutral tones typically recouping a larger share of cost than saturated or trendy shades. Hidden Gem falls into the blue-green family that appraisers and agents associate with cleanliness, freshness, and updated interiors, which can support a faster sale in competitive markets. Real estate data platforms track how specific paint colors correlate with days on market and sale price, and muted blue-greens have trended upward in buyer preference since 2023. Staging professionals recommend Hidden Gem for main living areas and front-facing rooms because it photographs neutrally on listing photos and screens well on mobile devices. Homeowners using Behr's color tools can match Hidden Gem to specific sheens, with matte and eggshell finishes commonly chosen for walls and semi-gloss for trim and doors. Zillow research on home value and interior updates
Where to Use Hidden Gem and How to Apply It
Behr recommends Hidden Gem for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms where a sophisticated but restful backdrop is desired. The color performs well in rooms with natural light and also in spaces with warm artificial lighting, though testers advise checking a large swatch in the actual room before committing. For exterior accents such as front doors or shutters, Hidden Gem can pair with white, gray, or black trim to create a curated curb appeal look that stands out without clashing. Professional painters and DIY guides suggest priming bare surfaces, using a high-quality roller for even coverage, and applying two coats for the most accurate color match. Behr's online color visualizer and mobile app let users upload room photos and apply Hidden Gem digitally to see how it interacts with existing furniture and flooring before purchase. Behr official color of the year page