Silhouette is Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year: Here's How to Use It

How to use Benjamin Moore's Silhouette AF-665 in your home

Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year is Silhouette, AF-665. It’s a rich, deep brown that has a super sophisticated feel. If you like it but you are on the fence and are unsure how to incorporate it, this post is for you. Just announced last week, many groaned that Silhouette was too gray and they were “over it”; however, I think you need to give this color a chance. It’s bold, there is no doubt about it, but it can be absolutely stunning when used thoughtfully.

Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2026 Silhouette

This brown has been everywhere, from the fashion runways to interior trend boards, and beyond. You know if Aerin Lauder is wearing it, it’s not only elegant, but current and timeless all at once. But how do you create a timeless brown room? How can you use this deep, cool brown without worrying about it going out of style? The answer is to keep it classic.

My first tip is always to decide how you want a room to feel and tie everything back to that feeling. Your design will be much more successful if you make decisions based on whether or not it adds to or detracts from how you want the room to feel.

Your design will be much more successful if you make decisions based on whether or not it adds to or detracts from how you want the room to feel.

using deep brown in interiors for different looks

Urban and Casual: Think brown trim and furniture

Glamorous: Low light, metallic and reflective surfaces

Natural and earthy: Combine with natural wood and marble

Crisp and clean: Use brown in rooms with a lot of natural light and contrast it with a bright trim color

Next, take a close look at the classics: Where has brown been used in a way that stands the test of time? How can you incorporate those ideas into your room? Don’t forget that the details you add, even if they are classics, need to enhance the feeling you are aiming for, not detract from it.

Classic products and ideas for using dark brown

As much as I love color and pattern (like I live for them), in this case, you should add both elements to a brown room very thoughtfully. One question I’m frequently asked is, “Should I pick my other colors from the suggested color palette?” The answer is no, not necessarily. Remember, a company that sells paint will always offer you more colors and suggestions to sell more paint. Instead, I would look to nature. In fact, deep cool browns like Silhouette look great on exteriors. Look at images of exteriors and how beautifully this color sits with natural colors and elements. These are the colors you want to pull into your new Silhouette or dark brown room.

Silhouette or Dark brown on home exteriors

Silhouette is definitely a bold color, but don’t shy away from it. It’s just paint, but it has the power to take your design to the next level. If you’re not a little bit nervous about the outcome, you’re playing it too safe!