Home improvement is a New Year’s resolution ideal for social distancing—after all, this year has taught us how important it is to have a beautiful space to call your own. For those early birds looking to get a head start, these paint recommendations are sure to get your creative juices flowing.Â
This year, paint experts landed on a clear consensus—soothing shades of blue paired with earthy neutral tones are a winning combination. After all, most of us have had a stressful year, and we all could use something cool and comforting. Here are the expertly-curated 2021 color trends:
Benjamin Moore: Aegean Teal
Equally at home in a coastal beach house exterior or a colorful home office, Aegean Teal is a blue-green shade versatile enough to anchor a space or pop as an accent color.
In this kitchen, Aegean Teal is a calming complement to organic wooden elements and classic pastels.
Benjamin Moore recommends pairing this paint with a palette of similarly earthy shades, including Foggy Morning, Amazon Soil and Potters Clay. “The twelve hues in the palette radiate warmth and wellbeing,” the company said. The color’s cozy, homey vibe turns any room into a warm welcome.
Sherwin-Williams: Urbane Bronze
“As we’re looking to create the ultimate retreat for reflection and renewal, we’re turning to a hue whose natural simplicity and nature-inspired energy cultivate a sense of calm from the ground up.” Sherwin-Williams announced their 2021 Color of the Year, Urbane Bronze, by emphasizing the hue’s balance and rejuvenating warmth.
Urbane Bronze is an elegant, minimalist shade that continues the trend of calming yet striking neutral tones. In a moody dining room, the color makes a statement while still letting other elements, like a red patterned rug, shine.
Rodda: Simple Serenity
Take a deep breath. Rodda Paint continued the theme of relaxing palettes with Simple Serenity. “Reassurance and calm are what we are all in need of right now, and with this in mind, we’ve come to view our homes and workspaces in a whole new light,” the company said.
Simple Serenity, which is sure to inspire pleasant memories of summer skies, charms in a storybook kitchen with similarly lively shades like Fire Dance and Nilla Vanilla.
Behr: Restorative Blues and Greens
Rather than selecting a single color, Behr curated palettes that will enliven spaces of any mood. The different themes—light, warm neutrals; restorative blues and greens; soft, gentle hues; rich, evocative colors; bold and saturated and curbside appeal—are designed to “elevate your comfort zone” according to the company.
Casual Comfort pairs similar but distinctive neutral tones to create an inviting entry. The earthy colors complement tranquil outdoor views.
Deep, rich shades bring the drama while maintaining the quiet, serene mood paint experts crave.
PPG: Transcend, Misty Aqua, Big Cypress
Wellness and balance reign in PPG’s colors of the year. As a neutral base, PPG picked Transcend, a comforting oatmeal hue. “The antidote to an era of cool greys, this cozy neutral emulates the feeling of a warm latte on a cool morning, or warm sand on a sunny summer day,” the company said. Transcend is paired with Misty Aqua, a sunny light blue, and Big Cypress, a ginger orange, creating a palette that is light and never overwhelming.
Farrow & Ball: Deep Reddish Brown, Tanner’s Brown, Preference Red
Farrow & Ball continued the theme of refreshing hues that turn homes into a safe haven. The artisanal, eco-friendly paint company chose three deep, rich shades of red and brown.
“Luxurious colours like Preference Red can be added to the most neutral of palettes by using them in rooms we use at the end of the day, when we most want to relax and be comforted,” explained Farrow & Ball Color Curator Joa Studholme. “In 2021 we have moved away from dark charcoals and towards the warmer tones of nature, like Deep Reddish Brown and Tanner’s Brown, which are both luxurious and soothing.”
Get more color inspiration here.
