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Islet Reno / Blog / 2026 Colour of the Year on Vancouver Island

2026 Colour of the Year on Vancouver Island

Discover the 2026 Colours of the Year Transforming Vancouver Island Homes: Every year, major paint and design authorities release their “Color of the Year,” and in 2026, the trend is clear: natural, grounding, and emotionally calming colours are taking center stage. For homeowners on Vancouver Island, these palettes are especially meaningful. Our coastal light, lush forests, and warm wood-rich architecture pair beautifully with the rich greens, earthy neutrals, and soft off-whites that dominate the 2026 trend forecasts.

The Official 2026 Colours of the Year (Pantone, Sico, Benjamin Moore & More)

Below is a simplified summary of the top industry picks

Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year — The Soft Neutral Taking Over Interior Design

Pantone — “Cloud Dancer” : A soft, clean off-white chosen for its lightness and timeless simplicity. It’s versatile, bright, and perfect for homes that need more airiness or coastal freshness.

Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Paint Trend — Sophisticated, Warm, and Perfect for Feature Wall

Benjamin Moore — “Silhouette AF-655” :A deep espresso-charcoal blend that feels warm, elegant, and dramatic. Works especially well for accents and moody, intimate rooms.

Sherwin-Williams’ Neutral of the Year: Why It Works in Almost Every Room

A mid-tone khaki neutral that sits comfortably between warm and cool. A flexible, grounding backdrop for open-concept spaces.

BEHR 2026 Colour of the Year: Perfect for Island Light

BEHR — “Hidden Gem” :A smoky jade/blue-green tone with a luxurious, atmospheric feeling. Perfect for kitchens, dens, and anywhere you want style and depth.

Dulux Trend Family — Indigo-inspired Blues

Saturated blues and indigos with a comforting, calming presence — great for bedrooms, reading nooks, and statement walls.

Sico 2026 Colour of the Year: Boreal Forest + Full Supporting Palette

Sico — “Boreal Forest” (and its 2026 palette) :A rich, natural deep green inspired by Canadian woodlands. Accompanied by a supporting palette of soft neutrals, warm earth tones, and subtle pastels such as:

  • Soft-shell Clam (warm, sandy neutral)
  • Lighting Star (light grey-beige)
  • Arabica (earthy brown)
  • Etruscan Villa (terracotta red)
  • Precious Jade (soft green)
  • Quasar (deep blue-grey)

Sico’s collection is one of the most “Vancouver Island-friendly” palettes of the year because it echoes the region’s natural environment.
At Islet Reno, interior painting is just one part of our services. Based in Nanaimo and serving homes across Vancouver Island, we provide a full range of home renovation services designed to enhance your living space from the inside out. Whether it’s adding a fresh coat of paint or fully remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, our work blends aesthetics, comfort, and lasting quality. 

How These 2026 Colours Behave in Vancouver Island Light

Vancouver Island homes experience:
Soft, indirect daylight due to marine clouds

  • Warm afternoon light in west-facing rooms
  • Cooler, dimmer light in north-facing spaces
  • High humidity, impacting sheen and coverage
    Because of this :

Best choices for brightening dim rooms:

  • Pantone Cloud Dancer
  • Sico Soft-shell Clam
  • Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki
  • Benjamin Moore soft neutrals (from their 2026 palette)

Best choices for cozy / moody rooms:

  • Sico Boreal Forest
  • BEHR Hidden Gem
  • Dulux indigo family
  • Benjamin Moore Silhouette AF-655
  • Sico Quasar

Best colours for pairing with wood-heavy interiors:

  • Boreal Forest
  • Arabica
  • Hidden Gem
  • Silhouette
  • Universal Khaki

The Island’s natural light + wood tones create an extremely forgiving palette environment — meaning most 2026 colours adapt beautifully.

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Room-By-Room Guide: How to Use the 2026 Colour of the Year in Your Home

Benjamin Moore — Silhouette AF-655 (deep espresso-charcoal)

Benjamin Moore — Silhouette AF-655 (deep espresso-charcoal)

Best for:
✔ Accent walls
✔ Dining rooms
✔ Libraries / offices
✔ Fireplace walls

Creates instant sophistication and depth.

Matches well with:

Brass or antique gold

Creamy neutrals

Dark wood

Leather furniture

Sherwin-Williams — Universal Khaki

Best for:
✔ Open-concept living spaces
✔ Entryways
✔ Kitchen/living transitions
✔ Homes with lots of wood

Balanced, flexible, warm-neutral backdrop.

Matches well with:

Warm whites

Deep greens

Navy blues

Textured fabrics (linen, wool)

Pantone — Cloud Dancer (off-white)

Best for:
✔ Living rooms
✔ Hallways
✔ Ceilings & trims
✔ Small rooms

Makes interiors brighter and cleaner, ideal for north-facing rooms or compact condos.
Matches well with:

Light oak and pine

Coastal blues

Soft greens like Sico Precious Jade

Black or charcoal accent décor

BEHR — Hidden Gem (smoky jade / blue-green)

Best for:
✔ Kitchens
✔ Bedrooms
✔ Bathroom feature walls
✔ Built-ins and cabinets

A rich, velvety tone that feels both cozy and refined.

Matches well with:

Brushed brass hardware

Walnut or chestnut wood

Off-white walls

Natural stone countertops

Dulux Indigo-Inspired Palette

Best for:
✔ Bedrooms
✔ Home theatres
✔ Hallway niches
✔ Front doors

Provides drama without feeling heavy.

Matches well with:

Whites and creams

Light greys

Natural fibres (linen, sisal)

Gold picture frames

Sico — Boreal Forest (2026 COY)

Best for:
✔ Living room feature walls
✔ Dining rooms
✔ Studies
✔ Bedrooms
✔ Cabinetry

This is one of the best all-purpose deep greens of the year — soothing yet dramatic.

Matches well with:

Soft-shell Clam (neutral)

Lighting Star (light beige-grey)

Arabica (earthy brown)

Etruscan Villa (terracotta)

Black metal accents

Raw or warm wood

Plants and greenery

How to Combine 2026 Colours Into a Cohesive Home Palette

1. Nature-Inspired Vancouver Island Look

Use:

Sico Boreal Forest

Soft-shell Clam

Arabica

Wood, stone, natural fibres

Result: A grounded, tranquil forest-meets-coastal style.

2. Bright Coastal-Minimalist Look

Use:

Cloud Dancer

Universal Khaki

Precious Jade accents

Light wood + neutral textiles

Result: Fresh, clean, airy interiors ideal for smaller homes or condos.

3. Moody Modern Look

Use:

Silhouette AF-655

BEHR Hidden Gem

Dulux Indigo

Black accents + brass lighting

Result: Dramatic, intimate rooms with luxurious atmosphere.

4. Warm, Earth-Rich Style

Use:

Sico Etruscan Villa

Arabica

Off-whites

Terracotta, clay, linen

Result: Cozy, timeless, warm interiors perfect for Island winters.

Tips for Painting in Coastal Climates (Vancouver Island Specific)

Plan for humidity — paint takes longer to cure.

Use mildew-resistant finishes in bathrooms and entries.

Paint in late spring to early fall for best results.

Test swatches at three times of day — Island light shifts subtly.

Use low-VOC products for better indoor air quality.

Prime knots in wood-heavy interiors to prevent bleed-through.

Let's Talk About Your Project on Vancouver Island 

Whether residential or commercial, we’ll help you plan the right upgrade for your space, your budget, and your timeline.

Conclusion

Vancouver Island homes are uniquely suited to the earthy, natural, and calming color trends of 2026. Whether you choose the woodland richness of Sico’s Boreal Forest, the airy brightness of Cloud Dancer, or the moody elegance of Silhouette or Hidden Gem, these palettes can transform your home into a warm, inviting, coastal-natural retreat.

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