Recently I was working on selecting paint colors for a home and I heard the question that I’ve heard over and over again: Should I be using grays?
The short answer: Do you love this neutral? Or is it just what you think you should be painting? If we are talking about color trends for the year then know upfront: light blue-greys on the wall are already out the door while warmer and deeper colors are coming back.
We can look all over the place for color inspiration, but one of the biggest predictors is the color of the year selections from paint companies. And I am loving the colors I see this year! Is anyone else ready to warm things up a bit, and move on from all the cool-greys?
Benjamin Moore
Image of First Light from Benjamin Moore.
Benjamin Moore selected a fresh and light color when they went with First Light, a soft rose. This makes sense, pale pink has been hot for a while and you can find it in everything from upholstery to vases year-round. It’s no longer just for Valentines Day decor. The palette that they selected to go with their color of the year is full of light earth tones, as well as deep green and blue.
Sherwin Williams
Image of Naval from Sherwin Williams
Sherwin Williams has gone with a deep navy color for their color of the year, Naval. Meant to be calming like the night sky, this color is all about what you see in nature, and bringing that same sense of peace and calm into your home. They have over 40 colors selected to go with Naval, and the majority are warmer neutrals, deep blues and greens, yellows, and pinks.
PPG
Image of Chinese Porcelain from PPG.
Similar to Sherwin Williams pick, but a slightly brighter tone, the PPG team selected Chinese Porcelain for their color. Their goal for the color is to create a sense of calm and rest inside your home, a place to escape from the busy rush of everyday life. They also select three groups of colors that work well with the color of the year. Can you guess what accent color is found in each one of these palettes? A shade of pink. (Here’s looking at you Benjamin Moore.)
Farrow & Ball
Image of Duck Green from Farrow & Ball.
F&B selected a range of colors for 2020, but they all have one thing in common: colors found in nature. I would classify their neutrals as a green beige and green-grey, but the rest of the colors are green or blue. All colors easily found in nature, creating an atmosphere in your home of rest and serenity.
Several months ago I listened to a podcast where they interviewed the person who leads the Color Of The Year team for a paint company. I was amazed to learn that they devote an entire year to picking the color of the year. They look at fashion shows, artwork, makeup trends, Pinterest trends, window displays in stores, data from what is selling in their stores, and more. It’s an impressive process!
Looking through these color selections we can get a pretty solid grasp on where colors are headed this year, and what I can expect to hear requested the most during paint color consultations: dark greens and blues, warmer neutrals, and pinks.
I can hear some of my designer friends say “Millenials” while rolling their eyes at this color palette. But I think these colors are a natural progression from all of the cools greys that have been everywhere. They have been popping up on my Pinterest feeds for a while and the paint companies see the same signs.
What are your thoughts on the colors selected by these companies? Do you have a favorite? Would you go dark green or blue on walls in your home?
Are you ready to pick the perfect paint color for your home?
If you are considering painting a room then let’s make sure you get the right color! I have been trained as a True Colour Expert™ and love to help others pick the perfect paint color, the first time around. The process is quick, easy, and inexpensive. Best of all it can all be done electronically. You can head here to submit an interest form or email me directly at hello@homestead128.com with any questions.
Happy painting friends!