Photo: James Bombales
#SwatchWatch2019 is underway — yes, that’s a hashtag we made up, but our excitement for paint companies’ picks for color of the year can’t be contained. The 2019 lineup is a bit more sanguine than the moody hues that dominated 2018, when one-third of the colors were variants of black. The standout shades for the new year include warm terracotta and earthy green, while ever-popular deep blue tones rounded out the list. Keep scrolling for our roundup of the top paint color trends for 2019.
1. Benjamin Moore: Metropolitan
Photo: Benjamin Moore
Just when we thought gray interiors were on their way out, Benjamin Moore chimes in with this sophisticated, layered gray with cool undertones. It’s a modern, easygoing neutral that could be used in any room of the house.
2. Behr: Blueprint
Photo: Behr
Blueprint is one of those colors that’s hard to put a finger on. Is it blue, is it gray, is it teal? Whatever it is, it’s honest and approachable. Blueprint also plays well with others — pair it with earth tones, pastels, jewel tones or go for a monochromatic look.
3. Sherwin-Williams: Cavern Clay
Photo: Sherwin-Williams
The desert modern aesthetic is taking over, and this warm terracotta color is leading the charge. According to the color experts at Sherwin-Williams, “Cavern Clay is a nod to mid-century modern style, but with the soul of the American Southwest.”
4. PPG Paints: Night Watch
Photo: PPG Paints
Not a fan of black-painted rooms, but still crave the drama and intensity of a darker hue? This “rich, luxurious, and classic shade of green” is a great alternative. Use it to emulate the feeling of being surrounded nature, even if you live on the 20th story of a downtown high-rise.
5. Dutch Boy Paints: Garden Patch
A “botanical hue that stands out for its warm and calming effect,” Garden Patch reflects a shift towards optimism. Brush it onto an exterior door or use it in the living room complemented by neutral furnishings — it’s far more versatile than it seems.
6. Dunn-Edwards: Spice of Life
Photo: Dunn-Edwards
They say variety is the spice of life, and there’s sure a lot of it when it comes to the shades of terracotta on this list. The Dunn-Edwards’ version is more saturated with orange undertones. “It makes a bold statement and reflects exotic tastes in design and life, with a melding of diverse and global cultural influences,” reads the company’s blog post regarding the pick.
7. Pratt & Lambert Paints: Earthen Trail
Photo: Pratt & Lambert
Earth tones, earth tones galore! Pratt & Lambert’s color of the year is described as a “calming, elegant soft terracotta,” but we like to think of it as a grown-up version of Millennial Pink. The hue can either be energizing or tranquilizing, depending on your mood.
8. Kelly-Moore Paints: Peacock Blue
Photo: Kelly-Moore Paints
Looking for a new paint color for your bedroom or home office? You may want to opt for Peacock Blue. “From a psychological perspective, Peacock Blue is a color that can optimize concentration, encourage deep meditation and even improve sleep.” says Mary Lawlor, manager of color marketing at Kelly-Moore Paints.
9. AkzoNobel: Spiced Honey
Photo: AkzoNobel
Once again citing a renewed sense of optimism, Dutch multinational company AkzoNobel chose Spiced Honey as their color of the year. This warm amber tone is versatile and contemporary, and encourages homeowners to “let the light in.”
10. Diamond Vogel: Day Spa
Photo: Diamond Vogel
Blue never goes out of style. It’s like the white button-down shirt of paint colors. Day Spa is a “deep introspective blue” that works inside and out. Pair it with warm and cool neutrals, or use it as an impactful standalone accent.
11. Valspar: 12 Trending Colors
Photo: Valspar
Why choose just one color when you could pick a hue for each month of the year? To celebrate 10 years of unveiling a color — or colors — of the year, Valspar opted for a whole dozen. The tones are diverse, but work well together. We’re particularly fond of Sea Green and Rosy Mauve.
