Paint Color Trends for 2010

by Mike Morris, Editor

The easiest and cheapest way to change the look of your home is to give it a fresh coat of paint. If you're like most people, however, the hardest part is choosing a paint color you'll love for years.

We turned to the experts at Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and the Pantone Color Institute to get their picks for the hottest paint color trends for 2010.

What's Hot

Yellow, one of the most popular paint colors of the past two decades, will be hotter and brighter than ever. For years, interior designers and color experts have sung the praises of yellow's uplifting impact on our moods. Next year, they'll take it to a whole new level, recommending much brighter shades than the toned-down hues that had been favored in the past.

“The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Yellow also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation.”

Benjamin Moore’s color experts expect this fresh take on yellow to have a subtle green influence, while gold tones will also rise in popularity.

Here are some of the other hot paint colors expected to emerge on the scene in 2010:

Green will blend with yellow to finally move away from the sage greens that have dominated home décor for years.
Lavender will be the hands-down winner in the bedroom. It portrays luxury and elegance and evokes warmth and comfort
Slate and charcoal gray will be the hot new neutrals, taking over from the browns and beiges that had been so popular. Cool gray can be paired with almost any color for a winning combination.
Aqua has been a recommended color by cutting-edge decorators for a couple of years and will continue to be strong next year.
Blue will make a comeback after falling out of favor for a few years.
Shades of red will be darkened with purple and blue tones. Red and white pairings will also be popular.

Choosing Your Color

While it’s tempting to be trendy, always rely on personal taste when choosing a paint color. Pick a color you like rather than a trendy color and you'll be happier in the long run. If you want to pay homage to the latest color trends, mix them in with throw pillows, vases, curtains, framed artwork and other accent items.

Here are a few tips for choosing a paint color you’ll love.

Develop the room’s overall decorating scheme first. It’s easier to choose the right paint color when you already have the fabric, flooring and furniture you like in the room.
Narrow your options using an online color-selection tool, like the one in the Manage My Home Paint Center.
When you go to buy the paint, bring swatches of fabric or wallpaper you’d like to match.
Buy a sample jar of the paint you’re considering and apply it in the room to see how it looks in both daylight and artificial light. Some colors, like many shades of yellow, can change drastically depending on the light reflecting in the room.
Don’t be too afraid to experiment. After all, it’s only paint. If you hate it in a couple of years, you can always paint over it!

Mike Morris is the former editor in chief of Professional Remodeler and executive editor of Country Sampler Decorating Ideas.