It’s that time of year again when I comb through all of the various paint manufacturer color forecasts and do a deep dive on all the hues predicted to trend in the year ahead. I really think this is the best year I have ever seen when it comes to colors, so let’s not waste any time and jump right into the 2024 paint color trends and forecasts.
I recently returned from the Las Vegas market and while I was there, I attended a global color forecasting discussion hosted by Sherwin Williams and the global color forecasters Colour Hive, highlighting the current and forecasted 2024 paint color trends. Every year, I compare the colors that I have been seeing trend in ‘real-time’ with what the the top global color forecasters predict for the year ahead to see where there is commonality.
Paint manufacturers like Sherwin Williams use their sales data of colors to precisely track where consumers are moving through color. They have real data in their forecasting to identify color trends and shifts in hues/undertones and this is a huge part of how they predict what colors will trend in the year ahead. This information is so helpful for my design business because I compare forecasted shades/undertones with colors that I am seeing trend in real-time and somewhere in the middle I find those more timeless hues that my clients want to see me recommend.
So with all that said, what are the paint colors expected to trend for 2024?
Blues
Benjamin Moore Knoxville Gray
I wasn’t surprised to hear from the color forecasters that blues will continue to resonated with consumers and be one of the most popular colors in the years ahead. Sue Wadden with Sherwin Williams mentioned that shades of blues (and greens) are expected to strongly resonate with consumers in the next decade, which I thought was VERY interesting. Daniel LaDuc from Colour Hive said if there was going to be a color of the next decade, it would be blue because of its calming influence in our busy lives. They are predicting blue to be dominant in the coming years.
Blue is expected to trend for the next 10 years?! Wow!
Sherwin Williams Knoxville Gray
I’m also seeing a lot more blues in new construction projects and an uptick in requests from my clients for certain neutral mid-tone shades of blues like Sherwin Williams Knoxville Gray above and Blustery Blue below.
Sherwin Williams Blustery Sky
While forecasters are predicting a cross section of shades of blue will trend in 2024, I’m seeing safer transitional blues (neutral undertones) being used the most currently in new construction. While consumers are embracing blue, I still see blue being used more for accent and contrast, which I love myself. Although, when I went through the Edgepoint Home last year during the UV Parade of Homes, I really loved this all moody blue office below.
Wall, Ceiling and Cabinetry Color is Benjamin Moore Midnight
On a side note, I can’t tell you how many rooms like this (all one color) I am starting to see. I think we’ll be seeing a lot more whole room colors in the next year moving away from blue just being an accent color.
Benjamin Moore Midnight
Expect mid-tone blues with a slight violet/indigo undertone to be popular in the year ahead as well. Benjamin Moore Philipsburg Blue is VERY popular with home builders because it has enough neutral in the undertone to work well with other colors.
Benjamin Moore Philipsburg Blue
I’m also seeing shades of blues used more on exteriors like this stunning shutter accent color against stone below.
Shutters Farrow & Ball Stone Blue
On a side note, wallpaper is making a huge comeback and this mid-toned blue is such a stunning grounding compliment to this beautiful paper below.
Cabinet color is a custom mix but it’s very close to Sherwin Williams Blustery Blue
Everyone agrees, you can bank on blue trending in the year(s) ahead for sure.
Greens
Sherwin Williams Billiard Green
Green continues to be one of the strongest color trends when it comes to paint colors right now and as I mentioned before, Sue Wadden with Sherwin Williams noted in Las Vegas that greens are also forecasted to continue to be very popular in the years ahead. I see it with my own clients and when I look at new construction. However, right now I’m still seeing more diffused organic transition greens with muddy undertones like Sherwin Williams Laurel Woods below on my client’s cabinetry.
Sherwin Williams Laurel Woods Diluted with 25% White
Of course, green is calming because it reminds us of the outdoors and nature. I’m seeing it with my own clients wanting more windows in new construction projects bringing the outdoors inside.
My favorite organic green right now is Sherwin Williams Rosemary and I saw this shade of green all over Las Vegas market. Again, it’s a calm transitional green with muddy undertones that will compliment other colors in a space.
Below is another custom paint color that I saw during the UV Parade of Homes that I really liked as well because it’s a very subtle transitional green that looks very close to Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog.
Custom Color very close to Sherwin Willams Evergreen Fog
Benjamin Moore just came out with their 2024 Color Forecast and one of my favorite colors in their forecast is Antique Pewter. It’s exactly the muddy shade of green that I’m really seeing trend in real-time. Fantastic shade of transitional green that would really compliment other colors in a space (side note- notice the whole room color again below).
Green blues are forecasted to trend as well and I really like this moody rich green/blue that also featured in the 2024 Benjamin More color trends collection called Regent Green (once again, another FULL painted room).
I’m loving all the forecasted greens right now but if you’re looking for a foolproof green that plays extremely well with a myriad of other colors in a space, I would point you to Sherwin Williams Rosemary. It’s the perfect transitional green
Neutrals
Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray
custom paint color but close to Farrow & Ball Treron
I think most of you here have probably noticed that neutrals are continuing to warm up moving from traditional grays to beiges. However, what I am seeing in real-time and with my own clients is that transitional grays are still an extremely popular trend with consumers, especially when it comes to whole home colors.
Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist
While some say that gray is out, I completely disagree because I’m just not seeing that shift at all with my clients, new construction trends or when I travel through Parade Homes. I also don’t believe this transitional or greige trend is going anywhere anytime soon. While I do agree that grays are warming up, what I’m seeing is that people do not want a warm beige in a whole home but they don’t want cool gray either. That’s why a transitional gray is usually the most popular 50/50 cool and warm with my clients and me.
Cabinet Brand Custom Color but Close to Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray
My favorite example of a transitional gray is Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray and use this color very frequently with my clients because it’s extremely versatile and plays well with almost every other color. I specify this color as much as I can because it such a perfect example of greige and it always looks so good in any light.
Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray
Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray
I also love Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray for cabinetry as well. It’s a little lighter than Mindful but Agreeable is a little finicky. I really have to test the color good in a space because Agreeable can be a bit of a chameleon color in different lighting.
Cabinet Paint Color is Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
Another versatile neutral that leans slightly warm that I have been seeing a lot of right now is Farrow and Ball Stoney Ground.
Farrow and Ball Stoney Ground
And just to throw another great neutral out there, Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil is another fantastic neutral. Below Gossamer is painted on the door and the walls are Sherwin Williams Pure White.
Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil
Dark neutrals are very popular right now and Sue Wadden with Sherwin Williams emphasized that they expect this dark and moody trend to continue and I agree 100%.
I am having a love affair with Sherwin Williams Black Fox right now. I love it on whole rooms, islands and interior doors. Just look at how beautiful this Black Fox looks in this office that I saw at the Arrive home during the UV Parade of Homes.
Sherwin Williams Black Fox
From everything that I am seeing and hearing from the color experts, neutrals will continue to warm up (although I personally think very subtly) and we will continue to see more muddy and green undertone neutrals in the year ahead.
Whites
Wall Color is Sherwin Williams Pure White (I am not 100% convinced this is Pure White. The builder told me it was pure white but I’m seeing warmth in this color and Pure White has no warmth).
Are white walls trending out? Well I can say that consumers are trending toward warmer whites on whole home colors and actual color. Sue Wadden with Sherwin Williams also confirmed this during her presentation in Las Vegas. I think we can safely say that we’re not seeing as much true bright whites as we have in the past few years although, I do have a couple clients who still want pure white walls but they using color on doors, cabinetry, etc.
I’m seeing this trend toward warmer whites on exteriors as well. Today, I very rarely see a bright pure white exterior on new construction. Everything I’m seeing is now off-whites like this below:
I don’t know actual paint color but it’s extremely close to Sherwin Williams Alabaster
I don’t know actual paint color but it’s extremely close to Sherwin Williams Alabaster
Interestingly, I am seeing a generational difference between white selections with my own clients. My older clients want an off white with a neutral base and stress to me that they do not want to see any hint of yellow. However, my younger clients want warmth with a slight yellow hint in their whites for a cozier feel.
We used Sherwin Williams Greek Villa below on my clients main great room/kitchen but all I have is an iphone picture on a dreary day. It’s appearing a lot more warmer than what it appears in person.
Sherwin Williams Greek Villa
My go-to cozier white for my younger clients is Sherwin Williams Alabaster.
I just looked at my word count and I’m already at 1800 words. Is anyone still here after reading after I wrote a novel?!! LOL!! Gosh, I am such a paint geek. I really wanted to focus today on as many transitional colors that I could along with what you can expect to trend in the year ahead and below is a recap palette of some of the best colors expected to trend next year.
I am so curious to hear what you guys think about these colors! Do you have a favorite? I would love too know your thoughts below.
One last thing… Thank you so much to you all who left such kind comments last week. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to see so many of you still here after my year hiatus. It means so much to me that you’re here.
Cheers!
Cyndy
Mona says
Great article. And, yes, I read every word! Love the softer whites, blues and greens. Also, very over so much grey but. I agree, a little grey I good, although I prefer when grey is not the wall color, but an accent in stone, or decor. Again, I very much enjoyed this article and your insight on 2024 colors.
Cyndy says
Thank you Mona! I got a little long winded lol! Yes, those transitional blues and greens are so beautiful and I’m so happy we’re trending it that direction as well. Thanks for your kind note!
Corrie says
This was super interesting! Thanks for sharing such detailed breakdowns of the colors.
PS: I agree about Agreeable Gray It’s the perfect neutral in our 1928 bungalow, EXCEPT for an interior hallway with no windows. Light (or lack of light) has a huge affect on that color.
Cyndy says
Thank you Corrie! Agreeable Gray is a fantastic color BUT, as you mention it is a little finicky and lighting plays such a big role with Agreeable. I have used Agreeable in whole homes before and I always lighten the color for spaces with no natural light to offset. It’s a pain to have to do it but it’s so worth it! Thanks for your note!
Susan Aimes says
Yes, I read every word! Most of my house was painted Alabaster by the previous owner. It is not my choice due to the yellow undertone (I am in that 55+age bracket). I also would like a hint more color. We painted an accent wall Stardew and it’s a very nice blue. Now I’m looking for a neutral color to paint the rest of the open floor plan, but I don’t want pink undertones from my oak furniture. We have been in color paralysis for almost 3 years! Thanks for the article!
Cyndy says
Thank you Susan. Yes, Alabaster on interiors has that slight hint of yellow that us in that older bracket don’t love. Stardew is a gorgeous color. Agreeable Gray is a beautiful color but it’s finicky and so is Drift of Mist. But, I would sample them on poster board because they are both beautiful in right lighting situations (some natural). Thanks for your note!
Susan says
Thanks for the recommendations! I’ll look at Drift of Mist again. For some reason i was thinking it had a peachy undertone but maybe I’m thinking of something else. We’ve been leaning towards Gossamer Veil but I don’t want it to be too dark.
Cyndy says
Drift of Mist has a neutral undertone (no peach) but, it is a true transitional gray 50/50 warm and cool. In spaces with full of natural light (and shadowing) it can lean more on the cool side. In spaces with little natural light, it will lean warmer. I love it both ways but some of my clients do not want the cooler side but I personally like it both warm and cool. You could ask for Gossamer Veil diluted with 25% white to lighten. I suggest testing both Drift of Mist and Gossamer (diluted with 25% white) and paint colors on large poster board to see what you like best in your lighting. I hope that helps!
Megan Rodriguez says
My Daughter (14) picked Alabaster for her room so that interesting that there is an age factor. Also interesting alabaster is on the exterior home…. We are currently getting ready paint the exterior.. have “pearly white” SW and I think tricorn black for trim but I may need to take a look at alabaster as well! Thank you!
Cyndy says
In all my years of doing this, this is the first time I have seen a generational color difference. It’s so interesting. Alabaster on exteriors is really pretty but it does have that slight warmth but on exteriors, it’s not as strong of an undertone. Thanks for your note!
Colleen says
Hello!
So very happy to see all the colors. Love the SW Alabaster. It’s beautiful! (Waaaay over 55 here lol) thank you for such in-depth analysis.
Peace and joy to all
Cyndy says
Thank you Colleen! I’m so glad you stopped by the blog today!
Alaina says
I love this color palette! It reminds me of a photo I have of the Aconcagua Mountains in Argentina. I’ve tried to mimic colors from that photo since 2012!!! I’m so enjoying seeing the blog active again!! The Laurel woods butler pantry is still a favorite of mine.
Terry Lynn says
Thank you for this delightful blog post! It was so inspirational and worth the wait!
God bless you and yours!
Marcia Van Alstine says
Loved this and read every word! Seven years ago we painted our 1910 foursquare Greek Villa with Black Fox and Collonade Gray accents. Love it!! And all the beautiful blues and greens make me happy! Great article! I pinned it to refer to later!
Tanya says
Thank you so much, I read every single word to the end, yes, we are reading!! 🙂 We recently switched our foyer from SW Repose Gray to Ben Moore Soft Chamois. I definitely was looking for a warm up and wanted to try an off white in the foyer (Repose Gray is beautiful but was too cool in this large foyer) and I am really happy with it. The painters had just painted Greek Villa in their house and she thought Soft Chamois looked a lot like Greek Villa but with just a bit more color. So I guess I am in the pool of what people are doing 🙂 (and my painters too haha).
Looking for a “perfect” blue/gray with blue color now for my dining room, I am going to check out SW Stardew. Looks stunning!
Thanks for your time and effort with this post, I bet I’ll come back to it 100 times b/f year’s end!
Nancy says
Some how I didn’t receive this blog on color .‘but found it today !
Oh how I’ve missed your blogs on color trends .
Love the Greens and the transitional colors .
I’m glad that color is warming but not beige on beige .
Your out door space you created is still my all time favorite!
Loved all the exterior pictures and the European farmhouses .
The outside spaces were awesome too .
Thanks for sharing
Nancy
patty chan says
I love your post and read every word! I am redoing my kitchen and i love BM revere pewter, it is in between grey and beige. However, i have a East facing kitchen window and a sky light, so revere pewter looks lighter during certain time of the day. My cabinet painter says he can’t make revere pewter darker by 25%. BM Northern Cliffs looks like the closest darker version of revere pewter, but it seems to look too grey. I really like the green undertone in revere pewter. Can you recommend a color?