The paint color forecasts are coming out from the paint manufacturers for next year and I thought today would be a great time to recap the 2019 paint color trends and forecasts. If you missed my 2018 forecast/trend recap, be sure and check that out to see where we are now and where we as mainstream (consumers) transition and move through colors.
Benjamin Moore Fieldstone
Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay
Sherwin Williams Stardew
It’s a very interesting time when it comes to paint colors and I’m really excited to talk through all of this with you guys and share with you some of the color trends I have been seeing in new construction this last year! Check out my post on tips for choosing paint colors if you need help narrowing down color choices for a space.
Color Forecast Background
Just to give you some background, more than any other color forecast that comes out, I mainly rely on the paint manufacturers forecast because it’s the most accurate since it’s based on current paint color color sales indicators. As consumers naturally move through color undertones, paint manufacturers have the most advanced tools/information to predict what colors we will gravitate to and be drawn to next.
Benjamin Moore Super White (Door) Benjamin Moore Stonington Wall
As I look back over the 10 years that I have been blogging about paint colors, color trends and yearly forecasts, I continue to be blown away by the precision that the paint manufacturers are able to predict when it comes to color forecasting. From my experience, paint manufacturers are about 12-18 months ahead of mainstream consumers in their color trend forecasting and if you look through my 2018 Paint Colors Trends and Forecasts, you can see that we are just now starting to trend into those forecasted colors.
Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
Each year, I go through all of the various paint manufacturers color forecasted paint colors (hundreds of colors) and pull out and share with you the colors that I feel are more realistic for our walls and what we are seeing in new construction today. While Benjamin Moore and BEHR have not come out with their forecasts for 2019 yet but Sherwin Williams, PPG and Dunn Edwards has. I will update this post when the others come out.
Here are my favorite colors that I pulled from the various forecasts that have come out.
Earth Tone Colors
So far, paint manufacturers 2019 color forecasts are pretty unanimous with where we are heading in color for the next year. If you’ve been following along with me the last couple of years, you know that we are continuing on a slow path moving into warmer paint colors. If there was a word for 2019 when it comes to paint colors, that word would be “earthy”. I have been seeing this move into deep rich earthy colors this last year with consumers, designers and home builders.
Sherwin Williams Keystone Gray
Sherwin Williams Worldy Gray
I do need to add a disclaimer to this post this year. What we are seeing in these color forecast predictions does not mean we will see these colors covered on all the walls in a home. In fact, while I am seeing consumers/home builders trend into these forecasted colors, as I tour parade homes across the country, we are seeing these rich deep earthy colors used mainly only on accent walls, cabinetry, small powder rooms, etc.. We are still seeing white or light neutral walls in spaces but were seeing this colors used to accent and in small doses. I’m seeing this trend accent wall trend everywhere I go and I think it’s a gorgeous compromise and way to incorporate rich colors in a space.
Here are some examples:
Sherwin Williams Keystone Gray
Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal
Benjamin Moore Trout Gray
Sherwin Williams Keystone Gray
So you see, we ARE seeing a lot of these deep, rich and earthy paint colors trending and being used in new construction but again, it’s in small doses on one accent wall with the rest of the walls being white or a very light neutral color to offset these strong colors.
Deep, Rich Cabinetry Colors
Just like we continue to see mainly white walls trending with rich accent walls, we are seeing these deep, rich and earthy colors being used to make a statement on cabinetry but again, surrounded by light or white colored walls. This is another beautiful way to incorporate some of these deep complex colors into a space without overwhelming a space. It’s a stunning look!
While these cabinets below are not necessarily painted in “earthy” dark tones, they are dark, rich complex deep colors identical to those forecasted to trend in 2019 and what I am seeing in new construction.
Sherwin Williams Porpoise
Benjamin Moore Trout Gray
Benjamin Moore Trout Gray
On a side note, I’m really seeing black cabinetry making a huge comeback! I’m also seeing small spaces (like powder rooms and small offices) painted in black or almost black/navy colors. I mentioned that we would be seeing a lot more of this trend in last year’s color forecast post as we really are!
Benjamin Moore Black
I also want to note that one of the biggest trends I have been seeing this last year is black garages.
Neutral Paint Colors
Of course, neutrals will continue to dominate wall colors in 2019. This trend isn’t going away anytime soon and more people than ever are choosing to go light warm gray on the walls and using bolder colors more in fabrics, art and accents.
The color forecasts are showing that the neutrals like light warm gray will continue to warm up in 2019. Colors like Sherwin Williams Repose Gray and Benjamin Moore Gray Owl are probably the two most popular grays used with builders, designs and consumers right now. By the way, Repose Gray is at the top of my “Go-To” paint colors that I recommend to clients.
Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Another very popular warm gray this year with designers and builders is Benjamin Moore Collingwood.
Benjamin Moore Collingwood
Neutral cabinetry continues to still be the most popular painted cabinetry trend right now that I have been seeing the last year in new construction.
Benjamin Moore Shale
Benjamin Moore Shale
Benjamin Moore Fieldstone
Benjamin Moore Fieldstone
Pastels
Last year, I was surprised that we had a lot of pastel colors highlighted in the paint manufacturers color forecasts. While we still are seeing pastels in the 2019 forecasts this year (not as many), these colors are a tad deeper in color. I was surprised to actually SEE this pastel trend in new construction this last year and in fact, I just saw some slightly deeper pastel paint colors being used in the 2018 Salt Lake City Parade of Homes.
Sherwin Williams Stardew
Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay
Of course, we are really seeing deeper pastel colors being used a lot right now in fabrics, accents and art.
Whites
To my surprise, there are very few whites being forecasted so far in the 2019 color forecasts. Sherwin Williams only highlighted one white and the same thing this year with PPG and Dunn Edwars. That’s crazy to me because white is about 35%-40% of what I’m seeing right now on walls and cabinetry in new home construction.
I recently shared a tour of the Millhaven parade home and I feel in LOVE with the white used, which was Silent White by Clark+Kensington.
Clark+Kensington (ACE Hardware) Silent White
Clark+Kensington (ACE Hardware) Silent White
Clark+Kensington (ACE Hardware) Silent White
It’s clear from what I’m seeing, white walls are also very popular right now and will continue to trend into 2019. Especially with homes incorporating deep and dark accent walls and cabinetry as we’ve been seeing.
Check out my post on trends for cabinet paint colors if you are looking specifically for popular cabinet colors.
Beyond 2019
Consumers started moving from the cooler colors into warmer colors about 2-3 years ago and a year or two before that, the color forecasts started to include warmer color picks. This was our clue from the paint manufacturers that we were heading into more warmth. Now we are starting to see more cooler toned colors mixed in with these warmer/earthy colors in the 2019 forecasts as a sign that (as the pendulum swings), we will begin a move toward cooler colors beyond 2019. Remember, the forecasts are about 12-18 months ahead of mainstream consumers so before we start seeing mainstream consumers cooling down in color, we will actually get even warmer, which is what we are really starting to see now in new construction/design trends, etc..
I can’t remember where I read it but one of the paint manufacturers mentioned that 2019 is inspired by velvet and from what I’m seeing, that is the perfect analogy, especially since velvets are really trending in interior design. Think deep rich velvet colors like chestnut, deep deep blue (almost black) and rich and complex shades of merlot/wine. This particular time in color to me is very reminiscent of early Ralph Lauren Polo-if you’re old enough to remember Ralph Lauren’s fashion/home line in the late 80’s/early 90’s. This was a time of chestnut faux leather walls, emerald green velvet sofas and navy patterned rugs with an equestrian influence. Please tell me I’m not the only one old enough to remember this?!!
Before I close, I wanted to mention that I REALLY loved PPG’s 2019 Color Forecast so much this year because I think they absolutely nailed where we are heading in color and I just wanted to share some of their 2019 forecasted picks and shades of these colors to help you get a feel for where we are heading.
So what do you guys think? Are you loving where we are heading or not a fan? I am SO curious to hear your thoughts! What color speaks to you today in the forecast/maybe consider using on an accent wall or cabinetry? My favorite pick is Artifact from PPG! I want to paint some cabinetry or a kitchen island this color!
Thanks so much for stopping by today friends!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Rosanna says
Love these colors, especially the earthy deep beige/stones. We just purchased an investment property and I’ve been having so much fun selecting paint colors, flooring, etc. I’m playing it a bit more safe since it will be a rental… I have selected the tried and true Revere Pewter, but had considered Repose Gray… so it was cool to see it on the list of trends.
Cyndy says
You can’t go wrong/play it safe with either Revere or Repose. I would suggest testing both colors on poster board to see what looks best in the light. If you’re rental does not have a lot of natural light, I would point you to Repose as it’s about a half shade lighter than Revere and will lighten up the space better than Revere. However, they are very close colors! Revere has a little more green in the undertone and is about a half shade darker than Repose. I hope that helps! 🙂
Jennifer Gottschalk says
I have a ton of honey oak in my home and I am thinking about Revere Pewter. Would this be a good color to match?
Cheryl Ireland says
I had the same problem, Jennifer. I used SW Agreeable Gray, and it’s perfect. The oak cabinets and trim no longer scream of those orange tones. In fact, some people think we got new cabinets!
Gaye Lehenbauer says
I have terracotta floors and Chicago brick on the fire place. Can I use repose gray on the walls?
Nancy says
Cindy -Thanks love your color post .
I also really like the PPG colors .
Really like the green blues.
So interesting to see how color evolves from Year to year .
I think gray has had a lot more holding power then I ever thought it would .
I keep reading beige is back .
But …. I’m not feeling it ….
I do think we will see a move in to more wood . I think especially in Kitchen areas .
I think white cabinets will remain popular but will have wood mixed in …
Nothing warms a area of white like wood .
Natural wood not Heavy stained .
Those r just my thoughts .
Thank you Nancy
Cyndy says
Thanks Nancy! I agree with everything you have said completely! The big surprise for me the last 6 months is the movement into light natural woods in the kitchen. I did not see that coming and saw so much of that in SLC! I have seen a few warm beiges and cream walls that I didn’t mention in in the parade homes. I don’t photograph those homes because I’m not feeling it either and know that this movement the next year into much warmer colors will NOT last w/consumers at all! They never do because people get tired of too much warmth in colors so quickly. We’re already seeing the glimpses of cooler colors on the horizon in the forecasts so, the safest bet is to choose colors with 50/50 warm/cool tones. That’s the timeless colors! Thanks so much Nancy for your thoughts and following along! 🙂
Liz says
Can you share those 50/50 colors you mentioned? I need to repaint my entire home and want to get it right! My colors are from the late 90’s. Sage green, deep taupe and beige. Oh and I have a mustard colored bathroom that has glaze over it? Thank you!!
Tanya says
I agree with both of you that things aren’t warming up entirely. My friend JUST changed from dark taupe/brownish walls in a house they had built 12 or so years ago to Light French Gray (SW) and my mother, who is the quintessential traditional person, JUST went from SW Anjour Pear (very warm gold) to Ashen Tan (Behr). She will never go cool gray and won’t even choose gray, I don’t think, but Ashen Tan has a gray undertone and it works well with the warm wood tones on the moulding. Another friend just went from SW Blonde (light yellowish gold) to Behr Burnished Clay.
The move right now is definitely slightly warmer grays and colors that have some beige or tan in them, but people freak if you mention beige! Edgecomb Gray is as close as I’ve seen anyone go towards beige in the past year, personally.
Sabby says
Where is the gray bed from? I’m in love with it. Would look amazing with our revere pewter walls
Barbara says
IMO, these “colors” are sterile, cold and boring.
Gina Rowan says
Is Artifact similar to SW Moody Blue?
Cyndy says
They are very close but Moody Blue has a tad more green in the color than Artifact. In spaces with a lot of natural lighting, both colors will lean cooler and more blue. However, in artificial light, both colors will warm up and the green in Moody Blue would jump out more. Hope that helps! 🙂
Tanya says
Hi Cyndi,
As always, I love love your paint reviews and forecasts. I think you are pretty much spot on, especially about dark rich colors. When I have friends who aren’t remotely into paint colors and trends mention Iron Ore for a feature wall, it’s coming from somewhere in the ethos! 🙂 I agree with you that colors are warming up a bit and I can tell you about new builds and friends in Northeast Ohio. (THis person chose Light French Gray in her main rooms…fyi.)
In a nearby area, the company uses all Sherwin Williams and you can pick from the neutrals on the fan deck up to 3 down without extra charge. Anew Gray is very popular (partly b/c the designer likes it, I think). We personally are moving to this development, and upgraded to the level 4 cabinets. The 2 I picked from were a cooler gray or a warmer gray close to Fieldstone. I had seen the choices earlier and was set to pick the cooler Gray, but when we were there, I went with the Fieldstone-like color. (Technically — Aristokraft Glacier Gray.) I was going to pick Repose Gray for the all over paint, but since the main living area is open, the color had to go with the cabinets. I ended up going with Anew Gray b/c it complimented the cabinets well and we did a morning room in MegaGreige. Now I’m worried I’m going too warm. (In my defense, mega greige was on a wall in the design house where we chose and I couldn’t take my eyes off the wall. I think I am craving a bit more warmth myself and surprised myself by how much it appealed to me.) The floors are actually Rockport Gray with some warm tones sprinkled in b/c these were our favorites by miles over the level we could afford. I partly went in this direction b/c our plan is to live here 8 to 10 years and given what I know about paint trends, in 8 years, I believe that too much cool gray will be like cherry oak and tuscan looks right now! (Maybe not AS dated, but…) I hope I am right. I think with the cabinet color we chose, we can neutralize the cabinets and floor with an appropriate white-ish color.
To be honest, I wanted to go with a whiter color this time (I have Revere Pewter in my main rooms currently) and was going to pick SW Pediment or something similar that would go witht he cabinets, but my husband and the designer, as well, looked at me like I was about to jump off a bridge. Our area is fairly traditional, and she admitted her taste is traditional. It costs a lot to change colors at this point, and I’m curious what you think. After all my interest and analytical work in paint colors (haha), the decision to build and all the choices came so darn quickly that I just went with my gut in the appointment, then stuck with it when we finalized.
Our bedroom is going to be Unusual Gray, by the way. I don’t see a lot of gray-greens in your forecast or green grays, but greens seem to be making a comeback from the popular teal and turquoise blues we’ve seen, and I’ve always been a green person (hence Revere Pewter with its undertone). Everyone is blue blue, but I’ve always liked greens. Olive-ish colors and colors like Farrow and Ball’s Green Smoke really appeal to me. Once we are in, I think I am going to paint a guest room Repose Gray. I’ve realized I’m really going to miss it. I just LOVE it in our bedroom!!
Tina says
I think the reason you see so much white in new construction is that many builders only allow one color. It’s usually sprayed on so you get the same color for the walls and ceiling often times. If you don’t want to end up with some other color on your ceilings when you change the wall color down the line you go white.
Sarah says
Love the 2019 color trends! I do need some advice on which colors are more suitable for a “formal” bit much used living room/ dining room that only has one large east facing window that opens up to our large kitchen and family room with a lot of light from the multiple large south windows.. Of course the dark hallway is right off and open to the family room. While I love the open concept, I’ve made several errors paint choices and cohesion. Any helpful suggestions?
donna wagner says
Just picking colors that jump out at me, and wondering if grey owl, fieldstone and artifact would work together. We are building a small cottage by a lake facing east. On the back wall are the kitchen with wood burning cookstove and a built in king size bed. The rest of the area is open with a rock hearth in the center, and a pop out booth facing the lake on the south side. We will be using painted wood to enclose the bed, with possibly shutters or drapes. the booth will also be painted wood. Thinking of artifact for the bed enclosure. Open ceiling with natural wood beams, but painted wood cathederal ceiling. Any pointers you could give me would be appreciated.
Cyndy says
Sounds like a beautiful spot for a cottage! A couple things… 1) Gray Owl and Fieldstone are fairly close in color and shade. Fieldstone is a tad darker but they are close enough to just be mindful having them next to each other as they have different undertones. 2) Artifact sounds perfect and cozy in that space but it will be key for you to paint a sample of the color on poster board and hang in the space to make sure the color is perfect in the space. 3) Water reflections on gray (and white) can cause it to lean blue so be sure and sample on a poster board to make sure that the water isn’t reflection too much.. Ironically, I had this issue with my pool and the gray on my pool house. I had to go significantly warmer to offset the gray from leaning too blue! Hope that helps! 🙂
donna wagner says
Any other colors that you think would work better?
donna wagner says
Yes, would one of them, gray owl or fieldstone work better with the artifact?
Cyndy says
I personally think Fieldstone but I want you to sample both because of your light and east facing. It’s better to be safe just to make sure. I hope you’ll keep me posted Donna on your final decision and what they grays did in your space. 😉
Nancy Becker says
Love, love, love this color forecast. I recently did my first floor (living/dining, entranceway, kitchen and hallway) in Revere Pewter and need to pick colors for the rest of the house which we will be working on in October (we live in a split level 1970’s home so 3 different levels). We also added 5.5″ baseboard painted Dove White and repainted all the other oak trim this color. I have a lot of colorful art and the Revere Pewter is just an awesome backdrop and with the new white baseboards – it’s awesome! am sure I will find some new colors for the rest of the house from these great options. I am working up the courage to paint one of the walls on the first floor an accent color – maybe with darker grey, green or blue hues. I love the Trout Gray, Kendall Charcoal or Charcoal Blue. I also want to coordinate a warmer color for my family room, which is darker than the rest of the house. Maybe Keystone Gray. Do you still like tried and true, Silver Marlin – for a bedroom, for example? Oyster Bay (looks bluish in one of the pix above). Have to run out to get some samples right away. So excited. Thank you!
Julie Sonlin says
What about Agreeable Gray as opposed to Repose Gray? I’m going with Agreeable Gray and then High reflective white on trim and ceiling
Laurie Beth Hood says
HI Cyndy, Thank your for this forecast! I actually feel better now about my color choices because my husband and I have been painting our home to sell it and we have used some warmer colors as well as some cooler colors mixed in! We have done canvas Tan in the kitchen and living room because it goes with the warmer (but lightly stained) wood cabinets. We have Sea salt from Sherwyn Williams in the upstairs bath and I am trying to find a color that will work in the downstairs bathroom/laundry room. We have been looking at Cashmere Grey, Grey Owl, Horizon and a few other choices. The flooring is a beachy weathered wood look that has both warm wood tones and some greys in it. I would love your advice! We were wanting to brighten up the room a bit and give it a zen feeling as it has just one window in it that faces West. Do you have any thoughts?
Joanne says
I am really tired of grey and actually painted over grey walls a few years ago with a light yellow. Now I am tired of the yellow but do not in my lifetime every want to return to grey. I live on the coast in Washington State and it is very cloudy for about 6 months of the year. I have a dark wine leather couch and a couple of chairs with blue/taupe and grey :). My floors are light oak (popular in the 90’s). Would you be so kind as to recommend something maybe in the cool range which would work for 2020?? Thank you for reading and I love your blog.
Peg says
I have a light to medium, yep, beige leather couch, with an oriental rug that is a blue red in background with light blue, deep green, deep navy and a very pale pinkish color. Art has red, blue and, one piece, with a caramel color also in it (a woven tapestry from India).. My floor is wood, medium tone with some grey. I am struggling to find a paint color that will complement the couch, which is not going anywhere, and the chair which is also beige, with the colors in my living room. The room has a fair amount of light, with one wall almost all glass. I need some contrast with that couch. The dining room, kitchen and living room is more of an open plan, with white cabinetry in the kitchen. NVM about the counters; they are ugly and need to go!!! Right now the walls are a beige with a pink undertone and, no, I did not do that! The previous owners did.
Ideas??? Please…..
Carol Bronder says
Take a look at PPG Rollercoaster.
Pamela says
There are so many beautiful grays but I have learned to watch for those undertones. I have painted our new home Agreeable Gray and love it. The main area/open concept is a north exposure and I did use Dover White for the trim that carries the kitchen cabinet color. I can’t decide if I it’s too creamy, though I do like the bit of warmth it lends. Opinions on the Dover White?
Lisa says
My kitchen and family room are open to each other and all the walls are painted Keystone Gray. I really like Keystone Gray but want to make it more of an accent color and paint some of the walls a lighter gray. What lighter color of gray paint would you recommend to go with Keystone Gray?
Stella says
I loved the post! We are updating most of our home before we sell it. My bedroom is painted Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue and my kitchen is Camouflage. This house doesn’t have enough natural light and I want to brighten it up. I was thinking about carrying the Palladian Blue throughout the house either full or half strength. I’m also considering painting the walls a bright white and painting the trim in the blue. What is your opinion on these options?
Cyndy says
Thank you Stella! Honestly, I think you will regret painting your trim blue. As beautiful as it sounds, over time, you may tire of blue trim quickly and re-painting trim is time consuming. Why not paint your walls a bright white like Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White and do an accent wall in Palladian Blue for that pop of color you’re looking for. Or, you could do bright white and paint media cabinets, interior doors, kitchen island in Palladian. Unfortunately, I just think that blue trim is all you will see walking into that space and everything else will get lost. I hope you don’t mind my honesty. Let me know if you have any other questions. 🙂
Sarah says
I love the colors! I have been stuck for so long on what color to paint my interior. I have the 1990’s reddish burgundy Brazilian wood floors. I cannot change the floors. Any recommendations are hugely appreciated!!! Love your blog!!!
Karen says
I love the suggestion’s on this page. I am looking to paint my dining room. It has windows on all 3 sides open to the rest of the house. I have a dark dining room set. White modern light fixtures. The walls r turquoise now. I’d like a warm natural turquoise not as bright as I have now. The rest of the house is in light brown cream in my coffee., gray and sea glass. Any help is appreciated!
Jeanne Feenick says
What are your views of the following as whole house colors for a shore home with white oak light floors — Benjamin Moore Barren Plain, Collingswood, Gray Owl, Moonstruck, Balboa Mist, Pale Oak. Your input would really help me.
Dee says
Can you tell me the color of the ceiling and trim in the coffered ceiling in the picture displaying the living room with the Collingwood Grey? Thanks!
Cyndy says
I’m sorry, I wasn’t given the ceiling color. If it helps, I always recommend Sherwin Williams Ceiling Bright White. Thanks for your note!
Shelly says
Would you also recommend doing the trim in the same color and maybe cabinets too?
Lynn Franchise says
I have a large kitchen with baltic brown granite. I have had white cabinets, antiqued ivory, and weathered coffee. I need a change. Thinking of kilim beige walls. What would be current and a change for the cabinets?
Michael says
Hi Cyndy, if you had to pick a two color combination for a whole house (new construction) what would that be? I’m struggling that my builder will only allow 2 colors as standard. I’m sure I’ll change down the line on my own just looking for a great base pallet. Thank you! Mike
Cyndy says
If I were in that situation, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose SW Repose Gray and BM Decorator’s White for trim/cabinetry (or BM Simply White if the home has an abundance of flooded natural light). If meaning you can only choose two colors and the white trim/cabinetry doesn’t count, I would choose Repose and probably BM Kendall Charcoal (it’s a dark brown/charcoal that’s gorgeous) for an accent wall,kitchen island/cabinetry color, small moody powder room, etc… Repose is the #1 color I recommend to my clients because it’s a perfect whole home color. You can read why I like it so much here: https://www.thecreativityexchange.com/2016/04/repose-gray-sherwin-williams-color-spotlight.html Good luck and keep me posted Michael! 🙂
Nancy Kurstin says
Hi Cyndy, I am very much enjoying your blog. I have honey oak floor and trim in a guest bedroom. Was I wrong about the keeping all warm tones as the walls are currently yellow. I really want to do a gray in there now, so is the Repose a cool gray? I would opt for one of the lightest shades. as you suggest; I plan to use a white and black geometric rug in the room as well as white bedding and black iron headboard. The only thing I will keep is a pale green hutch. Do you think the cool, pale gray would work? Thank you.
Kim says
Hi Cindy, I am in desperate need of paint colour help. I have a kitchen and family room, all open. My kitchen cupboards and family room built in’s are a creamy latte ( in low light the yellowish comes through and in bright daylight they look lighter) my walls are currently a yellow and boy do we need a change. I need a colour that will downplay the yellow undertone in my cupboards. I have An oatmeal colour sofa and 2 side chairs with beige and yellow and a darker beige stripe., and a cognac colour leather recliner. We have medium brown oak floors. Lots of windows and This room and yard is west facing. House is traditional decor. Also we have just off white trim. I appreciate any guidance you can give.