2009 Color Trends

Ah, it’s that time of year again!? New paint color trends to unearth and?a portfolio to spruce up.? Since I do the research every year, how wrong would it be for me not to share?? I’ll have to look back at the post from last year?and see how accurate the color forecasting companies were.? (‘Cause let me tell ya — I think?we did a variation of gray every month in 2008.? That was?a HUGE color for us.)? Here’s how it usually gets started: Fashion starts the kick which influences home interiors.? All of a sudden you notice that the colors you’ve started seeing in the shelter magazines are the colors used in the visual merchandising of the home design stores and/or departments.? Last year, I did a color trend presentation for Robb & Stucky?and while providing the proof of this visually, they actually gasped.? I swear!? I think it’s really cool to be consciously aware of how color is promoted and sold.?

So, enough of the appetizer….let’s get to the entree!

1)? Pantone – Pantone has chosen Mimosa, a “warm engaging color”, as their color of the year.? It’s chosen because of the state of the economy:? “In a time of economic uncertainty and political change, optimism is paramount and no other color expresses hope and reassurance more than yellow.”? They say it also speaks to enlightenment and that it has appeal for both men and women.? I do think it is a beautiful, radiant color.? I like this one.? BTW, there’s a nice Pantone’s Home + Interiors 2009 video link?from Apartment Therapy as well.

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2)? Paint Quality Institute – The Institute’s goal is to educate consumers and professionals about using the highest quality paints and coatings.??For their color trend reports this year, they have a great podcast?and the?enclosed video.??This?year, they have narrowed down their choices down to three categories:? Menswear: Blues, Browns & Grays, Weather or Not: Purples and Rosy Reds and What’s in Bloom?: Lemon Yellows, Citrus Greens?and Pumpking Oranges among others.?If you’d like to read their full report,?click here.? My favorite part is how they add what decorative effects would be ideal within each category.

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3) Color Marketing Group?- This group predicts colors up to three years in advance.? Must be exciting to work there…taking a note of everything, doing the research…oh, sorry, got off track.? They have their full list here.? Their colors include the “must have” Purple, the “stand-out accent color” Yellow, cooled down Grays?and gray-inspired Browns.? They also list White as an option for commercial spaces since it reflects “purity of thought, motive and result — which is what we want from businesses now”.? It’s a very interesting read.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this – each forecast seems like a good variation of the other, no?? If you would like to keep abreast of color?tidbits all year, consider reading the Color Association blog.? If you’d like to read more about color in general, all the sites above are fantastic to cull information from.? I might not have a post tomorrow so if not, I hope you have a colorful weekend!? (…had to go there…)