“Color is the first and most important means of creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere in our interiors. It can completely change the appearance and feel of a room. Color can make a room look larger or smaller, warmer, or cooler, welcoming, or uncomfortable.
Color is a physiological and psychological response to the vibration of the wavelengths of light entering our eyes. Color affects us physically and emotionally. We are reacting to color while we are awake and while we are asleep.”
Mary Dennis, excerpt from: Change Your Space ~ Change Your Life.
While researching the 2024 color trends for the USA, I was inspired to see clients seeking a more welcoming experience of their homes. Coziness, security, and well-being are more on the rise at this moment than ever before. At a time of turmoil in many aspects of peoples current lives, there is a need for nurturing, empathy, and compassion. The 2024 design industry color trends are definitely leaning towards a more self-care consciousness.
As an example, the color of blues and greens are popular as they have a natural ability to soothe, heal, and bring organic energy into a space. Designers are incorporating more natural materials which support our much-needed self-care, and man’s desire to refresh himself. The warmth of neutral hued materials, that look like stone and wood with authentic veins, grooves and depressions are common for creating spa like environments.
As we emerge from decades of the cool, whites and grays, the warming of interiors, and the integration of biophilic hues of blue and green are natural responses to the fatigue of white on white, or white, and gray interiors. The ultimate goal for their color use is to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment, particularly in kitchen and bathrooms.
Blues and greens are also easily paired with light and dark woods and natural stones such as travertine and unlacquered copper, gold, and brass. Gold has become more popular and now appears elegantly, in our kitchen and bathrooms as gold accessories.
Trends ebb and flow with colors rising and falling in popularity. The flow of energy of the past few years, and the influence it has had on colors, has created a need for environments which foster calm and give room for the necessity for recalibration. The resurgence of more colorful interiors returns, especially any hue that leans warm and works well with wood.
As we look ahead to what homeowners love, there is a clear pull toward cozy vibes and warm wood tones. As an example, Pantone’s Color of the Year is Peach Fuzz. The color is soft, warm, and velvety. The hue is nestled between pink and orange. Peach Fuzz brings a sense of belonging, inspires recalibration, and an opportunity for nurturing calm, offering us a space to be, feel, flourish, and heal. Leatrice Eisemen, executive Director for the Pantone Color Institute, states, “Drawing comfort from Peach Fuzz, we can find peace within, impacting our well-being. Peach Fuzz awakens our senses to the comforting presence of tactility and cocooned warmth.”
In addition, the varying values of terracotta, as well as the blues and greens, add a strong visual connection to our planet and are the most recognized colors for land, water, and trees. They are the ongoing embrace for nature in our homes.
Let’s also appreciate the power of neutrals and their ability to mix effectively with color, that is not to say that neutral and bold cannot co-exist, because neutrals have become colorful. A good example is Glidden’s color of the year. Limitless is a warm, honey beige which offers an energizing take on neutral, and the company’s runner up Sweet Spiceberry, a bold, red warm brown. Neutral and Bold co-exist in harmony. Honey Beige also pairs well with the new trend of gold and brass hardware accessories.
Solid, flat gray has disappeared, but textured gray, like concrete and plaster are in!
And what of the beige and taupe of the 90’s? They have come into their own! There is a surge of the warmer, softer more neutral hues because there is a growing appreciation for tranquility, and the desire to create calming and Zen -like environments. The evolving landscape of interior design appears to embrace both ends of the spectrum…… allowing for vibrant designs, and soothing earthy neutrals to provide room for transition and that timeless touch.
Pink hues are on the rise, ranging from shell rose to bold magentas. Pink calms the nervous system and invites an illusion of a gentle romance, and intimacy. The bold magentas speak to transformation and transcendence. Bold red is not mentioned, nor appears in the current color curve.
Cultural or generational shifts also influence color-style trends. Younger generations are embracing a shift from minimalism to a more traditional style enhancement. Multi-cultural influence brings us pops of colors, textures, and patterns.
And yes, wallpaper is back! Check out the high quality of Phillipp Jeffries Wallcoverings. It fills the space with the feeling, and the touch essence of our senses. The texture of grass cloths and the smoothness and shine of their metallic patinas is simply delicious. Their selection is extraordinarily colorful and rich.
Regardless of what is considered a trend, in the end, consumers select what fits them BEST. Pantone View forecast features 7 palettes, each expressing different moods and variations of color which will appeal to the end user. Intuitively sensing the emotional characteristics, the client is drawn to what supports their comfort level.
At the end of the day the overall trends help drive the narratives. Consumers need their spaces to reflect their aspirations and their stories, so dark colors from Behr and light colors from Beauti-Tone speak to compelling stories and allow consumers breadth in where they fit.
In conclusion, the opportunity to take a deeper dive into supporting our clients through the Intentional Environmental Design of their space is imperative. Blending the trends, and understanding the psychology of color, is essential for the support of our health and wellbeing.
Knowing where to place the color in our homes, so as to achieve distinct intentions, is the key to attaining successful results. It’s all about synchronizing the correct color, with specific intention, to boost the overall “feel” of the place, and to add a positive emotional experience. It is an opportunity for mixing and building a more thought-provoking, supportive palette. The design elements become more sympathetic and meaningful to the people living in their space. It’s more than interior design, it’s soul satisfying!
Surround yourself with colors you love, colors that make you feel good and lift your spirits. It is scientifically proven that color can create an immediate change to your environment and your vitality.
Color your world to support your dreams, goals, and hearts desires.
I wish you all colorful blessings.
For information on the Intentional Environmental Design Certification Program, please contact marydennis@consciouslife.style
www.consciouslife.style