March 9, 2018

We love hue!

Pantone Color Institute, as well as 10 popular paint manufacturers, recently rolled out their 2018 colors of the year. Peruse through this diverse mix of lights, brights, darks and neutrals to find a hue worthy of redecorating with, courtesy of Jennifer Ott of Houzz.com.

Pantone Color Institute recently declared Ultra Violet its 2018 Color of the Year, but many of you were dubious about the choice, at least when it comes to decorating your home. Those not crazy about Ultra Violet will be glad to know that paint manufacturers have also been rolling out their selections for 2018’s paint color of the year, and these hues tend to be more decorating-friendly. This year’s crop offers a diverse mix of lights, brights, darks and neutrals, so perhaps you’ll find a hue you would be happy to take home.

In general, we seem to be moving away from the everything-in-white trend and toward moodier, more introspective hues. Shades of black are in, as are watery blue-greens. I was expecting to see hotter hues dominating the field this year, but the only warm contenders are a bold red from Benjamin Moore and a soft tan from Dutch Boy.

We’ve gathered together examples of each color to help you envision how they might look in a room, should you see something you like.

1. Among my favorite picks for 2018 paint color of the year is Oceanside from Sherwin-Williams. It’s a rich blue-green hybrid that works well in any style of room, from traditional to contemporary. And, for lovers of white, because it’s a rather deep, dark hue, I think it needs a good bit of white or other light contrast to help keep it from feeling too somber.
2. Heron from Pratt & Lambert is another deep, saturated hue, this one with more blue than green.
  I think this is a terrific color in a bedroom, where a cool, calm, soothing vibe is usually desirable. Because it’s a rather dark shade it’s also a good candidate for painting on just one or two walls.
3. PPG Paints’ choice, Black Flame, is one of those colors that’s difficult to describe. It’s a navy-purple-black hybrid that will seem to transform during different times of the day in the changing light.
  This is a dramatic choice, one that’s best reserved for areas of the home where you want a strong visual impact, such as a background wall for artwork or as a headboard accent wall in a bedroom.
4. Behr goes light and breezy this year with their selection of In the Moment. This is a terrific option for those who favor softer hues. I think it would look fantastic in a kitchen or living room. And, because it’s a relatively light color, it works well in spaces that don’t receive adequate natural light.