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Color Trends for 2008
As mother earth takes center stage with an eco-friendly surge across all industries, it is not hard to understand why blue, green, and yellow are among the top color choices for 2008. A few other notable colors include gray and lavender.
Just as the spring fashion colors for the year consist of neutrals accentuated with splashes of invigorating color, you can expect to see the same trends throughout the home and design industries. Think of it as pairing that classic outfit with a new and trendy accessory to give it a whole new look and feel. In the home, this can be accomplished by simply adding an accent wall to a neutral room, adding some texture with a faux finish, or if you are feeling a bit more adventurous, painting an entire room with a bold new color.
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• Color of the Year
The votes are in, and the color of the year is “Blue Iris”. Consider it the new navy - strong, sophisticated, and radiant, with a hint of purple to give it a soulful feel. You can also expect to see more vibrant shades of blue and soft lavender hues as well. When choosing from this palate, keep in mind that these colors are from the “cool” side of the color wheel and tend to have a calming effect.
• The New Neutral
The new neutral is green. With increased awareness on protecting the environment, expect to see colors derived from nature such as bamboo, sage, and palm. The more subtle greens can be paired with Caribbean inspired blues to set a cool airy mood, or earth tones to create a warm inviting feel. Bolder shades of green such as daiquiri can stand on their own and bring a refreshing feel to any space.
• Let The Sunshine In
If you love that feeling of the sun on your face and the warmth it creates, then yellows are the perfect color choice. The yellows seen in this year’s palette are a direct reflection of the moods they generate – happiness. Choose wisely though, for while all yellows are from the “warm” side of the color wheel, they range from cheerful and uplifting to extremely intense. Soft yellows can transform an entire space while a stronger yellow as an accent may add just enough punch to a neutral room to liven it up. Other warm colors that have carried over from last year include rich reds and burnt oranges, which can add a comforting and nurturing feel to any space.
• Quiet Sophistication
If you like the feeling of luxury, then you will love the sophisticated grays. A quieter version of the high contrast black and white trend seen over the past few years, these colors are perfect for adding a glamorous feel to any space. Silvery grays in particular provide an elegant backdrop to showcase accessories, and have a very dramatic effect when accent colors such as red or orange are introduced to space. For a more subtle affect, muted purples and pinks are very complimentary as well.
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The Color Wheel
The color wheel is made up of the six basic colors, and goes from a warm side (red, orange, yellow) to a cool side (blue, green, violet). In between it gradates within each color.
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• Monochromatic
One color in a variety of different shades and hues. Different textures and patterns will help to add interest in a monochromatic room.
• Complimentary
Two colors on opposite sides. Complementary
colors help to enhance each other. This color scheme works well when
using less of the warm color, or when both colors are used as accents against a neutral backdrop.
• Neighboring
Colors in close proximity to each other. When using neighboring colors it is best to choose either warm or cool, using one color as the dominant color and the other two as accents.
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Understanding the Influence of Color
Do you have a room in your house that you would love to redesign and redecorate, but aren’t quite sure where to start? Choosing colors is always a good place to begin, but it can be a daunting task if you are uncertain about how to properly navigate the process. We hope you will find these tips helpful in understanding the impact of color and how to use color in creating your own unique space.
When deciding on a color style for a particular room, keep in mind what the space will be used for and the tone you would like to set. While you may want your kitchen or family room to be warm and inviting, the same color scheme may not be what you have in mind for a cool and relaxing bedroom or bathroom.
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Following are a few additional tips to help you finalize your color scheme:
• Begin with the elements you plan to leave in the room (a sofa, a rug, a painting) and choose three colors from them to build your foundation.
• Use the 60-30-10 rule: use 60% of the dominant color, usually on the walls (also good to use in other rooms as accent colors to make the whole house flow), 30% of the secondary color, usually the furniture, and 10% of the accent color for accessories.
• Start from the bottom and work your way up. Use darker colors for the floor, medium tones on the walls, and lighter shades on the ceiling.
• Keep your personality and personal style in mind. Look in your closet to get a true sense of the colors you love and then incorporate them into your design plan. Don’t just go with the current trend, it’s better to choose colors that suit you.
• One of the most important yet often overlooked factor in any room, is light. It is wise to “test” colors where you intend to use them thereby providing a true sense of how they will look on your walls at different times of day or night.
• To ensure the color scheme flows throughout the house, mix the dominant and accent colors from room to room.
• Don’t forget about the ceiling! To bring the ceiling down, paint it one shade deeper than the walls, to bring it up, one shade lighter.
• Remember to bring samples home before committing to a color palette, (paint chips, fabric, etc), then create a portfolio and keep them together for easy shopping in the future.
Many people often resort to ivory and beige because using color can be intimidating. With more knowledge and understanding about the effects of color, we hope you will discover your own personal style. Use your imagination, take a chance, and don’t be afraid to change the colors in your home as your style preferences continue to change
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