Does the Color of the Year Really Matter?
Ben Moore: Cinnamon Slate
Behr: Rumors
Sherwin Williams came out with the first ever “Color Capsule”; 9 colors, not just one, which I really support because not everyone wants a Dark Blue Bathroom but within these colors may be the on trend White or Grey you’re looking for. I applaud the concept of meeting people where they are.
Dulux: True Joy
Twelve years ago I was designing a cabin in Woodstock Vermont, a warm and cozy place for my clients who lived in New York City to retreat from the hustle and bustle and grey of the city. It was no surprise then that they agreed to paint their Dining Room "Calamine" by Farrow and Ball. A barely pink hue that felt warm in the winter and refreshing in the summer. Much like a giant, welcoming hug. Who wouldn't want that in the Dining Room of their country vacation home!? It was exactly at this point that I knew my color theory classes in design school would pay off and just how important the color of our homes is to our collective psyche.
When you’re looking for a fresh coat of paint, is the Color of the Year always the best go-to for you? Of course not. Here are my thoughts on the matter…
- Often you'll see the boldest or brightest version of the color in media so know that you can always opt for a paler version of the color (25% to 50% lighter).
- The trends in color value tend to last multiple years and never change quickly to the opposite extreme so the fear of your home looking outdated if you select a color from within the trend is not warranted.
- Do you like the color?? You don’t have to! You will start to see the colors everywhere as the trend sets in; not only in our inspo feeds but also in furniture and clothing catalogs and that is a reassuring feeling when you're thinking about painting your home. But you may not be into mauve just as I was never into pegging my jeans as a middle schooler!
- Aways always always sample the actual paint on your walls if at all possible. Paint colors look different in every home because of the lighting in your space due to windows, directional facing, floor color and furnishings you may have. Colors never look the same in paint on your wall as they do on the computer and often there is variance from the Fan Deck too. (this may be the best “trick of trade” an Interior Designer will ever tell you which will save you time, money and frustration.) #gifted
Great news about the current and 2025 Colors of the Year, we are in the warm and inviting color stories which really never get old! People want a welcoming respite from the outside world and the warm rusts, browns and pinky/peaches deliver just this. We've had a few years of Scandi designs gaining popularity with warm woods and soft neutrals bringing in the hygge and I think that has been the precursor to the current color trends as people become more and more comfortable with the feeling. The cooler greys of 10 years ago are giving way to colors with more sophistication and depth which is where I believe the level of design will stay while people turn back toward more human connection and warmth.
So enjoy the restful and calming effects of the colors of 2025 - this feeling is here to stay for quite a while and I'm personally thrilled. Who doesn't want more restfulness in their busy life, right?!
Our Founder, Megan Hersch, chatted with The Family Handyman who gave some good insight on the topic. Read more about it here!