Today’s Paint Color Trends – Are You Bold?

Today’s Paint Color Trends – Are You Bold?

Many people love to follow trends – which is one thing if you’re buying a fashion accessory to add a little color to your wardrobe, but something else again when choosing exterior or interior paint colors for your home. After all, paint, supplies and labor (assuming you’re not taking the DIY route) are expensive – and it’s not like you can repaint every few months!

However, it is possible to follow paint color trends if they make sense for the style of your home and the style of your life. After the events of 2020, adding some color into your personal environment can provide an emotional lift that gives you a more positive overall outlook. If you’re ready for change and are open to new possibilities, paint manufacturers are likewise ready with fresh palettes that make a statement!

Why Interior and Exterior Paint Colors are Making a Statement

Colors affect our moods, emotions and behavior in a subtle yet definite manner. The colors you choose for your interior and exterior spaces, in a way, represent your personality. Such color choices evolve and change with time, and they reflect your state of mind. As the world opens up again, people want to express themselves in a way that celebrates both their individuality and their (perhaps) newfound sense of community.

The year 2021 may become known as the year that paint colors became more greatly attuned to larger events and inner lives. According to Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, “We started telling a story last year about using color to help us feel grounded as we were headed into a new decade. Now we are continuing that inward journey by exploring the past, examining the present, and looking at what this all means for our future.” The company has selected hues that deal with rhythm and “the balance between fast and slow, quiet and expressive, and virtual and physical.”

Sherwin-Williams has chosen four color palettes that deal with rhythm and balance for its ColorMix Forecast 2021. Bold blues, muddy greens, muted reds, bright pinks and warm whites are among the shades representing the company’s vision. The palettes consist of the following collections:

Sanctuary – This palette is rooted in nature, focusing on the connection that the natural world has to nurture wellness and calm. The soothing Sanctuary palette reconnects you to nature as more people are seeking refuge in gardening, hiking and camping.

Encounter – Inspired by artisan crafts, the Encounter palette reflects modern bohemian, earthy tones that “…convey heritage quality and the value of simple, meaningful experiences.”

Continuum – Based on mid-century modernism, the Continuum palette looks to the future with optimism and imagination.

Tapestry – Exuberance and the joy of color define the Tapestry palette, featuring vibrant shades that celebrate creative expression.

Expressing Yourself with Daring Interior Paint Color Choices

You spend a lot of time inside your home. That is why you need to select interior paint colors carefully. When you think about a new wall color, be sure to think about the complete area – including the ceiling – which is an integral part of your room that can add a great deal of design value. Our blog post – “Painting Your Home’s Interiors? Don’t Forget the Ceiling!” – covers the importance of your ceiling in setting the tone.

If you’re ready to explore this year’s more daring interior paint colors, here are some of the trends topping the charts:

Sherwin-Williams Urbane Bronze – In 2020, the flavor of the season was Navy (SW 6244). However, this year the Navy has given way to something that is more grounded in the form of Urbane Bronze (SW 7048).  It is a serene choice that makes you feel at home. Sue Wadden explains, “Urbane Bronze encourages you to create a sanctuary space for mindful reflection and renewal. There’s also reassurance in its sentimentality, with nostalgic ties to the design of the ‘70s and ‘90s, but with gray undertones that give it a distinctly modern twist.”

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Passionate – Most of us in the past year have developed a new relationship with our homes. A shade that combines comfort and tradition is Passionate (HGSW 2032). It is the anchoring shade of HGTV by Sherwin-Williams 2021 Delightfully Daring color collection. It is a simple yet bold shade that invigorates your surroundings.

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Pale Apricot – Another bold shade in the Delightfully Daring color collection is Pale Apricot (HGSW 1126). It makes the pinkish shade extra appealing and offers a toasty orange undertone.

Jojoba and Broadway by Behr – The Behr Color Trends 2021 Palette is a spectrum of 21 versatile shades spanning from essential neutrals to lavish bolds that enable people to create energizing, yet comforting, new focal points in the home. It has six color themes – Casual Comfort, Optimistic View, Subtle Focus, Calm Zone, Quiet Haven and Outdoor Escape. Jojoba (N390-3) is a serene hue that takes you closer to nature. You can make this hue stand out with darker and bolder tones like Broadway (PPU 18-20). Broadway has a deep and dusty hint of aubergine, and it complements shades of green and maximalist design choices. 

Kalahari Sunset and Almond Wisp by Behr Almond Wisp (PPU5-12) is a warm-toned and unpretentious neutral shade that blends well with textured surfaces like exposed brick and brings out the best in pale, contemporary farmhouse-inspired settings. Kalahari Sunset (MQ1-25) from the Optimistic View theme is a ferrous orange shade that accentuates primary tones.

Granite Dust by Valspar – With our homes doubling up as our offices and schools, colors have a more significant role to play. Valspar has come out with its dozen 2021 Colors of the year to accommodate these sentiments. According to Sue Kim, Valspar Color Marketing Manager, “Our homes have become offices, entertainment centers, and classrooms — which means the colors, sights, and sounds in our rooms have an even bigger impact on our daily lives. These lifestyle changes coupled with a surge in DIY home activity helped guide our selection of a range of colors for Valspar’s 2021 Colors of the Year that can not only transform your space but also elevate your mood.” Granite Dust (5006-1C) is a mix of cool and warm that supports creativity.

Maple Leaf by Valspar Maple Leaf (2008-8B) is a serene and cool shade that reconnects you to nature. Maple Leaf is one shade that you can use seamlessly indoors as well as outdoors. You can create an accent wall with this shade and spruce up your interiors.

Transcend by PPG – PPG is launching its first-ever Palette of the Year, which is a trio of colors that emphasizes self-care. This organic and hopeful palette represents simplicity and restfulness after a challenging year. Transcend (PPG1079-4) is a mid-range sugary brown shade that has a gingerbread undertone. The collection’s second hue – Big Cypress (PPG1062-5) can add spice to that base, and can be a perfect fit for your accent wall or trim. Misty Aqua (PPG1147-3) is the third in the trio. If you pair it up with cooler whites and grays, it is a perfect fit for spaces like living and family rooms.

Exterior Paint Trends – Tasteful, but with a Pop of Color

Understandably, homeowners may be more reluctant to go bold on their home’s exterior. HOAs typically restrict exterior color choices to a few approved selections, and even for those who are free to select the colors they prefer, being on the more conservative side is better for curb appeal and sale potential.

Yet that doesn’t mean you need to be boring and predictable! Here is a look at exterior paint trends that are tasteful, but with a pop of color.

Let us start with the neutrals because, without a doubt, they are an ideal choice for any exterior. Gray has been the undisputed neutral for the past several years. Industry experts agree that this shade is not going to fade away, but it surely will warm up in the times to come. Some of the shades that will enjoy popularity along with true gray include greige, taupe and gray with colorful undertones. Also look for beige and other earthy neutrals. Behr suggests pairing neutrals with blues, greens, and other natural shades that bring you closer to nature and keeps you grounded.

Sherwin-Williams named Urbane Bronze SW 7048 Color of the Year 2021. It is a deep neutral that is somewhere between brown and charcoal. According to the company, “Natural simplicity and nature-inspired energy cultivate a sense of calm from the ground up.” Two of the other trending colors that are close to true gray from Sherwin-Williams include Crushed Ice SW 7647 and Cyberspace SW 7076.

You can also choose from Sherwin Williams’s brilliant modern shades – such as Commodore SW 6524, Swimming SW 6764, and Limon Fresco SW 9030. These colors are great for the front door, adding that visual “pop” without being overbearing.

Feeling Inspired? Start Planning Your Home’s New Look!

Whether you’re taking the DIY route or hiring a pro – like The Paint Manager – we hope we’ve given you plenty of color inspiration! We also invite you to visit our Color Picker page, which links to the websites of Behr, PPG Paints and Sherwin-Williams so that you can view their entire collections.

The Paint Manager has served Central Florida since 2000 with quality professional residential and commercial painting services. Visit our website to learn about many other services we provide – including pressure washing, roof cleaning and stump removal. Become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer. We look forward to helping you make your home look its best!

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