The world of colour forecasting has delved deep into cultural shifts and design trends, unveiling a vibrant future for 2024. Brace yourselves for a bolder, more adventurous year, as experts anticipate an explosion of lively hues. Bright pinks, playful aquas, and rich browns are set to dominate, encouraging a daring approach to colour choices. While the timeless appeal of neutrals persists, they’re getting a warm makeover, with buttery and blush tones gaining traction. Amidst these exciting changes, one thing is certain: personal expression will play a key role, making colour choices more individualized and meaningful than ever before.
The colours we choose to envelop ourselves in hold a profound power, shaping our moods and reflecting our unique personalities. Whether it’s the hue gracing our walls or the shade adorning our attire, the choice is inherently personal. For those prepared to embrace a world awash in vibrant hues, let’s delve into the seven colour trends set to redefine 2024, as foreseen by industry-leading colour experts.
1. Embracing Tranquility: The Revival of Blues
The timeless allure of blue, rooted in its connection to nature, is making a triumphant return in 2024. According to expert predictions, verdant tones will give way to lighter, airier, and more aquatic shades towards late 2024 and early 2025. This shift has inspired leading paint companies like Sherwin-Williams, who crowned ‘Upward’ a serene light denim blue with subtle gray undertones, as their official Colour of the Year.
Wadden, a prominent colour expert, emphasizes the appeal of Upward, describing it as a “feel-good colour” that resonates with people. The focus for the upcoming year revolves around crafting tranquil and rejuvenating spaces, enveloped in this beautiful, soft, and breezy hue.
Echoing this sentiment, Pressman, another influential voice in the industry, predicts a surge in blues, highlighting the emergence of livelier shades such as teals and aquas. She explains, “Our yearning for nature and our emphasis on health and well-being are reflected in refreshing aqua blues and serene, meditative shades of blue. Vivid teals and turquoise tones, reminiscent of nature’s vibrant hues, will also be in vogue.”
Notably, major paint brands are aligning with this trend. Valspar, for instance, has designated ‘Renew Blue’ a captivating midtone blue-green, as their Colour of the Year. This choice further underscores the shift towards playful variations of blue. Additionally, C2 Paint has opted for ‘Thermal’ an aqua shade celebrated for its fresh and versatile qualities, as their Colour of the Year, solidifying the trend towards embracing these revitalizing shades of blue in 2024.
2. Nature’s Embrace: The Timeless Allure of Earthy Greens
In 2024, the enduring charm of approachable and muted greens continues to captivate hearts. These nature-inspired hues, with their inherent calming quality, are set to remain a beloved choice. Their ability to evoke a sense of tranquility and comfort makes them a staple in interior design trends.
British brand Graham & Brown has taken a cue from this natural serenity, naming ‘Viridis’ a soothing midtone green, as their Colour of the Year. Viridis embodies freshness and nurtures a feeling of renewal, capturing the essence of nature’s embrace within interiors.
But the green story doesn’t end here. Deep greens are poised to make a bold statement in the coming year. Dutch Boy, a renowned paint company, has chosen ‘Ironside’ a deep and comforting green, as their Colour of the Year. This rich hue not only signifies a shift towards deeper tones but also embodies elegance, showcasing a trend where darker colours take center stage in 2024’s interior design landscape.
3. Radiant Sunshine: The Reign of Lustrous Yellows and Oranges
In the vibrant spectrum of 2024’s colour trends, radiant yellows and oranges take center stage, illuminating spaces with their sheer brilliance. VERANDA, a trusted source in design, boldly predicts that these hues will be the epitome of style in 2024. Their chosen shade, Electric Amber, exemplifies the luminous allure of blending radiant yellows and oranges. This hue comes to life, inviting and captivating, particularly when woven into textiles, adorning jewelry, or gracing gardens with its vivid charm.
VERANDA’s keen observation resonates across the industry landscape. HGTV Home, recognizing the rising interest in sunny shades, has declared ‘Persimmon’ as their Colour of the Year, further affirming the trend’s prevalence in interior design. The influence of these sunny hues extends even to the fashion realm. Trend forecasters WGSN and Colouro, authorities in predicting style trajectories, have jointly chosen ‘Apricot Crush’ as the fashion Colour of the Year for 2024, underscoring the widespread appeal of these lustrous shades in both home decor and fashion design.
4. Bold Statements: The Rise of Unapologetic Pinks and Reds
Get ready for a vibrant resurgence as vivacious shades of pink assert their dominance in 2024, invoking a potent blend of nostalgia and optimism. Industry giants such as Sherwin-Williams, Dunn-Edwards, and Pantone are unanimous in their prediction: pink is reclaiming its throne in the world of interior design. This resurgence isn’t confined to just any shade; bold pinks reminiscent of Barbie’s iconic palette will be at the forefront, capturing hearts and attention.
Blush and baby pink, representing softness and elegance, are here to stay. Little Greene, the esteemed British paint & wallpaper company, has named ‘Masquerade’ a gentle pink neutral, as their Colour of the Year. According to Ruth Mottershead, the creative director of Little Greene, Masquerade embodies a timeless tranquility, ushering natural calmness into homes as it harmonizes effortlessly with warmer stone tones, reflecting a shift away from cold greys.
But the colour revolution doesn’t stop there. Sue Wadden, Sherwin-Williams’ director of colour marketing, predicts a resurgence in shades belonging to the red and terracottafamilies. According to Wadden, “Red is really emerging, and we haven’t talked about red probably since the 1990s.” Brace yourselves for the comeback of fiery reds and earthy terracottas, heralding a bold and unapologetic era in interior colour choices.
5. The Drama Unfolds: Embracing the Dark (And Chic) Side
In a striking departure from the vibrant spectrum, the allure of rich and profound hues takes center stage, adding depth and sophistication to 2024’s colour palette. These dark tones, ranging from deep chocolate browns to intriguing blacks and from profound navies to forest greens, serve as essential elements in counterbalancing the vivid and light shades expected in the upcoming year.
Sue Wadden, Sherwin-Williams’ insightful director of colour marketing, emphasizes the significance of high-contrast colours. She explains, “High-contrast colours are going to be important to counterbalance all the brightness of the pinks. It’s sort of the yin and yang factor. You need that contrast to assert itself and calm things down a little bit.” This interplay of light and shadow, brightness and depth, creates a harmonious equilibrium, elevating spaces to a new level of sophistication.
Behr, a trailblazer in the industry, pays homage to the timeless appeal of these rich shades with their Colour of the Year, ‘Cracked Pepper’ showcasing the deep, dramatic allure of these hues. As we step into 2024, embracing the dark and chic side becomes more than a trend—it becomes a statement, infusing spaces with a touch of mystery and a dash of elegance.
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6. Enchanting Purples: Embracing Versatility and Empowerment
In the realm of colour, purples often exude an aura of mystery and sophistication, making them both alluring and intimidating to work with. However, experts unanimously agree that purples are remarkably versatile, offering a wide canvas for creative expression.
According to Pressman, “Intriguing purples and lilacs” are not just colours; they are tools of empowerment, encouraging individuals to stand out and venture into the realms of vibrant self-expression. These captivating shades signify a departure from the ordinary, inspiring individuals to embrace the bold and explore the uncharted territories of colour.
Sue Wadden adds another dimension to the purple spectrum, highlighting the rise of muted, softer purple shades in the coming year. Their popularity stems from their ability to seamlessly complement other colours such as pinks, blues, and greens. These subtle purples act as chameleons, adding depth or vibrance to a palette depending on the specific shade chosen. In essence, purples in all their intriguing variations promise not only versatility but also the power to transform spaces, infusing them with a touch of enchantment and empowerment.
7. Embracing Cozy Elegance: The Allure of Warming Neutrals
As the world of interior design evolves, one trend remains steadfast—the irresistible charm of warming neutrals. In 2024, warm off-whites and buttery tones take the spotlight, capturing the hearts of colour experts and designers alike. Paint industry giants like Sherwin-Williams and Glidden have recognized the timeless appeal of these hues, with Glidden even bestowing the title of ‘Limitless’ upon a honey-forward shade, marking it as their Colour of the Year.
The rise of warm neutrals isn’t merely a coincidence but a thoughtful response to the changing dynamics of lighting. Sue Wadden sheds light on this phenomenon, emphasizing the impact of LED lighting on colour perception. “When we talk to designers, a lot of them mention that LED lighting really impacts colour, and it makes things much cooler,” explains Wadden. In this context, warm neutrals serve as a balancing act, counteracting the coolness of LED-lit spaces. Their cozy elegance not only provides a harmonious base to diverse colour palettes but also infuses spaces with a sense of inviting sophistication. In 2024, these warming neutrals stand as a testament to the enduring allure of timeless elegance and effortless style.
