2026 Colour of the Year on Vancouver Island

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.

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

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.

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

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. 

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

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

• 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.

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

Creates instant sophistication and depth.

Brass or antique gold

Creamy neutrals

Dark wood

Leather furniture

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

Balanced, flexible, warm-neutral backdrop.

Warm whites

Deep greens

Navy blues

Textured fabrics (linen, wool)

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

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

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

Brushed brass hardware

Walnut or chestnut wood

Off-white walls

Natural stone countertops

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

Provides drama without feeling heavy.

Whites and creams

Light greys

Natural fibres (linen, sisal)

Gold picture frames

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.

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

Use:

Sico Boreal Forest

Soft-shell Clam

Arabica

Wood, stone, natural fibres

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

Use:

Cloud Dancer

Universal Khaki

Precious Jade accents

Light wood + neutral textiles

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

Use:

Silhouette AF-655

BEHR Hidden Gem

Dulux Indigo

Black accents + brass lighting

Result: Dramatic, intimate rooms with luxurious atmosphere.

Use:

Sico Etruscan Villa

Arabica

Off-whites

Terracotta, clay, linen

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

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.

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.