Color Trends for 2020

Classic Blue is Pantone’s Color of the Year

Pantone©, an industry leader in color forecasting, chose Classic Blue #19-4052 as the Color of the Year for 2020. It is a recognizable blue, so much so that you probably don’t go a day without seeing it in the sky at dusk, a nicely tailored suit, a pool of natural water or a bowl of ripe blueberries.

Blue is on the cool spectrum, so it has a calming feeling. This particular shade of blue represents dependability, trustworthiness, credibility and constancy. Classic Blue is a color you can relate to in this crazy, fast-paced and high-stress world in which we live. “This enduring blue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”

Pantone wasn’t the only company who tagged blue as a trending color. Look at Naval #6244 by Sherwin-Williams. According to Sherwin-Williams, “We’re predicting that the next decade in color is going to be bold. Naval merges the desire for rich, inspiring color with our yearning for relaxation and retreat.”

Chinese Porcelain #PPG1160-6 by PPG is a lovely blend of cobalt and ink blue. “The shade of blue instills calmness, reduces anxiety, and encourages sleep. This soothing blue imparts slowness, encouraging consumers to practice mindfulness and be more present in their lives while also offering the spirit of hopefulness.”

The New Neutrals

When you think of neutral colors, what comes to mind? White? Ivory? Tan? Not anymore. In 2020, the ‘new neutrals’ are pale shades of pink and grays. Interior designers are predicting that in the next 10 years, we’ll move away from non-descript neutrals and gravitate toward a more personal feel with colors.

First Light #2102-70 by Benjamin Moore reflects a shift in the mindset to a stronger sense for community, comfort, security and optimism.

Look for new colorful neutrals like Bombay Pink #1006-8B by Valspar to add personality and elegance while remaining comfortable.

Romance #6323 for HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams will welcome you in with open arms. It pairs beautifully with bold shades to energize a room.

Put It All Together

What does color mean to you? And how do you use these color trends in your framing & decor? While the blues are the right color for right now, you probably won’t paint an entire room in that shade. Try soft pink-grey backgrounds with a bold blue accent. Accent pieces can be a partial wall, a piece of furniture, your throw pillows, or – for a splash of curb appeal – the front door. On a smaller scale, you could hang a piece of classic blue art on a soft pink wall or frame a neutral art piece in a deep blue frame. Classic Blue has a lot of flexibility in the color palette combinations you can use!