Just as with cars and clothing, consumers follow trends when choosing paint color. The paint industry watches these trends carefully and every year manufacturers forecast popular colors.
Of course, they do this in order to design color brochures, which often sway customer choice when it comes to picking a brand of paint. The paint trends for 2008 allow for a very varied palette.
Rich Colors Remain Popular.
From what I read and observe, “fashionable” paint colors have not changed much in the last five years or so. Homeowners have become very confident in using vibrant, rich colors these days and continue to do so. While taupes and neutrals are still perennial safe choices for 2008, red kitchens, jewel green living rooms and coffee-brown living rooms abound.
For those who like the versatility of neutrals, painting the main areas of the house a “safe” color remains popular, but with splashes of fun accent colors in smaller rooms. I have painted lavender laundry rooms, charcoal gray and deep blue half baths and sun yellow pantries.
Seasonal Choices.
The time of year people choose paint colors can influence choice. In spring and winter, bright pastels are more popular. Think celery green, apricot, buttery yellow. Summertime is when people are open to all sorts of ideas and often concentrate on painting the home's exterior. For ideas on picking the perfect colors for the outside of your house, read this. In fall homeowners lean towards warm, autumn colors like warm gold and spicy tones. I have read that the upcoming Beijing Olympics will bring focus on Asian themed decorating with black, white and lacquer red.
Urban Style.
According to some there is a sophisticated elegance trend that I must have missed. Maybe it's because I'm as far from a fashionista as one can get! “Complex pastels” are apparently in vogue in some circles, from muted plum, earthen grays and, well, beige and off white.
Environmental Impact.
The current awareness of environmental concerns and “thinking green” have literally encouraged many people to literally think green. Greens and earth tones, once maligned as dated colors from the 1970s (remember harvest gold appliances, natural wood paneling and green shag carpet) are also influencing consumer color choices, according to some trend analysts.
Since many paint manufacturers like to put together themed brochures, expect to see brochures featuring natural themed colors in brown and green hues.
The Bottom Line.
Happily, the bottom line is this: if you are the type of person who likes to follow trends, your palette is wide open! My personal recommendation – forget trends anyhow, they are temporary. Pick colors you feel comfortable with and that make you feel good when you walk in the room. Pick colors you LOVE!
-Carina MacDonald
Carina MacDonald has been a
painting contractor since
1979 and has tackled everything from large commercial buildings and
Victorian homes to faux painting a child s room and wallpapering a bathroom.
If it stands still long enough, she can figure out a way to paint it
correctly!
Just as with cars and clothing, consumers follow trends when choosing paint color. The paint industry watches these trends carefully and every year manufacturers forecast popular colors.
Of course, they do this in order to design color brochures, which often sway customer choice when it comes to picking a brand of paint. The paint trends for 2008 allow for a very varied palette.
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