These are the trending colours to embrace for any DIY and decorating projects for the year ahead. As well as the latest colours, our colour and paint experts explore the latest trends in how to use paint within our living spaces too. Decorating and paint trends for 2024 are looking like they are split into two camps – going bold and bright, or keeping things neutral.
Key Takeaways
- 2024 paint trends offer a mix of bold and bright hues as well as calming neutrals.
- Experimenting with paint is an easy and affordable way to update your home decor.
- Earthy neutrals and deep rich browns are becoming popular choices for creating cozy atmospheres.
- Innovative techniques like color drenching are gaining traction for their dramatic effects.
- Pairing unexpected colors can lead to unique and successful interior designs.
Embracing Bold and Bright Hues
Incorporating Vibrant Accents
Decorating with bold colours brings new energy to a room. Mood-lifting shades focus the mind for maximum impact, injecting personality into your living spaces. Motivated by values of inclusivity, personal expression, and identity, this collection revitalises any area by celebrating brave design decisions, including the use of striking colours, pronounced contrasts, and colour blocking techniques.
Creating Focal Points with Bold Colors
Painting using earthy colours like our warming Loving Orange can completely transform a structural detail into an eye-catching feature. It grounds the scheme which then becomes a more inclusive and inviting space. The same goes for the use of olive green in the skylight reveal, it turns the emptiness of that space, drawing your eye towards the subtle but cheerful detail.
Balancing Brights with Neutrals
While neutrals are nothing new, experts are noticing them being used in fresh ways. This spring, people are becoming much braver with color, and pairing beige with pops of bright primary colors like vibrant acid yellow, lovely lime green, bright oranges, and an accent red. Lick’s 2024 color palette is the perfect inspiration for this color combination.
The selection seems more disparate and varied than in previous years. On the one hand, we’re gravitating towards calming neutrals, and on the other, we’re immersing ourselves in vivid and optimistic colour. Thankfully our homes can cater to both, and quite a lot in between.
The Rise of Earthy Neutrals
Richer neutrals are overtaking whites in popularity, bringing with them a cozy and inviting atmosphere. These earthy yet refined shades make them the perfect backdrop to the natural materials currently being incorporated in contemporary interiors, including wicker, rattan, warm woods, and stone finishes.
Choosing the Right Neutral Shades
The neutral trend has subtly been moving away from cold grays and traditional creams towards warmer neutral stone tones. For an earth tone living room or bedroom, consider colors such as dark brown, rust, and sandy pink.
Layering Neutrals for Depth
There’s nothing more inviting and cocooning than wrapping your hands around a mug of hot chocolate, or a caramel latte. So it’s no surprise that these colours are being seen more and more within the popular neutral palette. You certainly can’t scroll through Instagram without seeing hundreds of living rooms in these rich neutrals and now these tones are moving into kitchens and bathrooms too.
Combining Neutrals with Natural Materials
In 2024 we are going to see people celebrating color in a more contemporary way. Grey-based neutrals are being swapped for warmer, yellow-based neutrals. Enduring and timeless, and subtle and soothing, they pair beautifully with the fresher, more vibrant colors, creating a sense of balance and harmony.
Exploring Deep Rich Browns
Using Browns for a Cozy Atmosphere
Shades of brown have seen sales increase by an astonishing 452.3% from 2022 to 2023. This resurgence is led by shades like the rich, chocolatey Coffee Date, the nutty Dirty Chai, and the latte-inspired Turbinado. These colors are not just popular; they are revolutionizing the way we think about interior spaces, bringing a sense of warmth and earthiness that has been long overlooked.
Pairing Browns with Metallics
Brown is back, and it’s looking better than ever. Often perceived as drab or boring, designers and stylists are helping us to view the color in a new light. Bringing an earthy yet sophisticated tone to any interior, brown living rooms are full of drama and they feel oh-so cozy. Pairing brown with metallics like gold, bronze, or copper can elevate the space, adding a touch of luxury and modernity.
Brown as a Statement Wall Color
This room designed by Heidi Caillier uses one of the best brown paints – Farrow & Ball’s Salon Drab. It’s rich and warm and pairs well with both warm and cool schemes. Brown as a statement wall color can create a focal point that draws the eye and adds depth to the room. When used thoughtfully, brown can be both a bold and comforting choice for any home improvement ideas and services in London.
We’re continuing to see consumers opting for shades with an inherent warmth. The embracing of decorating with brown is a continuation of the trend we have seen in recent years, shifting away from cooler grey interiors to a warmer palette of natural hues that deliver comforting, soothing schemes.
Analogous Color Schemes
Understanding Analogous Colors
Analogous color schemes employ adjacent tones on the color wheel, offering a more adventurous take compared to subtle monochromatic schemes. These schemes create a harmonious and cohesive look by using colors that naturally blend well together. This approach is perfect for those looking to add a bit of flair without overwhelming the senses.
Creating Harmony with Analogous Palettes
To achieve harmony with analogous palettes, it’s essential to balance the main colors with complementary accent colors. This collection can also be viewed as a helpful guide for achieving harmony when it comes to colour application. The main colours of each scheme are represented by larger swatches, indicating their role as the focal shades, while the smaller swatches serve as complementary accent colours, enhancing the overall design aesthetic.
Examples of Analogous Schemes in Interiors
- Blue, Blue-Green, and Green: This combination creates a serene and calming atmosphere, perfect for bedrooms or bathrooms.
- Red, Red-Orange, and Orange: Ideal for living rooms or dining areas, this scheme adds warmth and energy.
- Yellow, Yellow-Green, and Green: A fresh and vibrant palette that works well in kitchens or home offices.
Learn about color theory—specifically, what analogous colors are and how to use them in home decorating. Plus, get tips on contrast and color balance.
Innovative Color Drenching Techniques
What is Color Drenching?
Color drenching has been steadily gaining popularity for a while now, but we expect to see it make its way into the mainstream in 2024. It involves painting walls, ceiling, architraves, doors, and even cabinetry all in the same shade, which creates an enveloping effect. This contemporary, cohesive approach delivers high impact by painting woodwork, radiators, ceilings, and doors in the same color as the walls. It’s always fantastic to see trends that banish the habitual white skirting and doors and embrace color and pattern!
Applying Color Drenching in Small Spaces
Color drenching can feel like a commitment if you’re not very color confident, but it’s certainly replaced feature walls as a way to make a statement. You could start small with a color-drenched cloakroom or create a cozy living room coated in a deep, inviting shade. For 2024, designers are predicting that paint will take the backseat slightly and instead be used as a pop of color combined with walls and ceilings filled with pattern.
Color Drenching for a Dramatic Effect
Rather than a single color trend, 2024 will see a reinterpretation of the color drenching trend. This approach can be adopted in wallpapers too, with tonal designs being paired with coordinating woodwork and skirting. The key to achieving a dramatic effect is to ensure that all elements in the room, from the walls to the smallest details, are drenched in the same color, creating a bold and cohesive look.
Color drenching is not just about painting; it’s about creating an immersive experience that transforms your space into a cohesive and inviting environment.
Warm and Inviting Caramel Tones
Caramel in Living Spaces
Caramel tones are making a strong comeback in interior design. These captivating caramel tones blend well with natural materials and patterned fabrics, creating a calm and relaxing space. They belong to the neutral color family but pack a strong punch, making any room feel cozy and comforting.
Pairing Caramel with Complementary Colors
To make the most of caramel hues, pair them with richer browns, warm white paints, soft pinks, and blues. This combination not only adds depth but also makes the space feel more grounded and inviting. Moving away from colder neutrals like gray, caramel tones offer a modern and uncluttered aesthetic.
Caramel as an Accent Color
Using caramel as an accent color can immediately make a space feel inviting and energetic. Whether it’s through furniture, decor, or even a feature wall, caramel tones add a warm and sexy vibe to any room.
"Warm tones add more interest and uniqueness to a space while maintaining a contemporary yet warm and inviting atmosphere."
Soft and Serene Pale Blues
Pale Blues in Bedrooms
Pale blues are a popular choice for bedrooms due to their calming and serene qualities. This color can conjure an outdoorsy environment, reminiscent of clear skies or calm blue waters. When used in bedrooms, pale blues create a tranquil atmosphere that promotes relaxation and restful sleep.
Combining Pale Blues with Whites
Combining pale blues with whites can create a fresh and clean look. The soft blue works nicely with light neutrals in the white family, such as Whipped Cream. This combination is perfect for creating a bright and airy space that feels both soothing and inviting.
Pale Blue Accents in Bathrooms
Pale blue accents can transform a bathroom into a spa-like retreat. Whether it’s through wall paint, tiles, or accessories, incorporating pale blue can make the space feel more open and serene. This color pairs wonderfully with on-trend sunset hues on the opposite side of the color wheel, adding a touch of warmth to the cool tones.
Several paint brands and trend forecasters are championing pale blues this year. Soothing, versatile, and fresh, they work well in myriad spaces and pair wonderfully with on-trend sunset hues on the opposite side of the color wheel, too.
Peachy Pinks for a Fresh Look
Peachy pinks are making a significant impact in modern interiors, offering a fresh and vibrant look to any space. Pantone’s Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz, is a delightful summery shade that brings a playful vibe to your home. This pale orangey pink is cheerful, full of energy, and an upbeat accent color to try.
Peachy Pinks in Modern Interiors
Using peach in interior design brings a playful vibe to your space. It’s cheerful, full of energy and is an upbeat accent color to try. Interested in incorporating Pantone’s Color of the Year into your home but afraid of it looking too 90s? Try grounding Peach Fuzz with a deep color – rich navy, deep green, and chocolate brown being our favorite pairings.
Pairing Peachy Pinks with Neutrals
Peachy pinks can be beautifully balanced with neutral shades to create a harmonious and sophisticated look. Consider pairing Peach Fuzz with soft grays, beiges, or whites to tone down its vibrancy while still enjoying its cheerful essence.
Using Peachy Pinks in Accent Walls
For those looking to make a bold statement, using peachy pinks on accent walls can transform a room. This approach allows you to enjoy the playful and energetic qualities of the color without overwhelming the space. Combine it with neutral furnishings and decor to keep the overall look balanced and stylish.
Matte Finishes for a Modern Touch
Matte finishes offer a unique aesthetic that is both modern and timeless. Unlike glossy finishes, they don’t reflect light, giving them a subdued and sophisticated look. Matte paints have always been a very stylish choice, however, they are rarely the most practical choice since they are prone to scuffs. However, in 2024 there are plenty of new paint technologies to mean matte just got more practical.
Benefits of Matte Paint
Matte paint finishes, once avoided in high-traffic areas due to concerns over durability, can now be confidently applied in almost any space. Innovative products like Scuff X by Benjamin Moore demonstrate this advancement. We’ve recently used this paint throughout our entire new office, including on kitchen cabinets and in bathrooms, finding it incredibly resilient against the wear and tear of daily use. This marks a significant shift in material application, allowing for more creative freedom in design.
Matte Finishes in Different Rooms
Matte finishes can be used in surprising ways; the same colour set side by side in contrasting finishes will create a contemporary moment in a traditional space. Consider juxtaposing the chalky matt Architects’ Matt with our high sheen Architects’ Gloss. This approach can be particularly effective in living rooms and bedrooms, where a calm and serene atmosphere is desired.
Combining Matte and Glossy Finishes
Juxtapose high gloss finishes to ultra-matte ones; mix contemporary furnishings with traditional architectural details. This blend of finishes can create a dynamic and visually interesting space. For example, using a matte finish on walls and a glossy finish on trim can highlight architectural features and add depth to a room.
Matte finishes offer a unique aesthetic that is both modern and timeless. Unlike glossy finishes, they don’t reflect light, giving them a subdued and sophisticated look.
Restful Greens for Tranquility
Green Shades for Relaxation
Green is synonymous with nature and is an incredibly soothing and versatile color. Working beautifully with other earthy colors and natural materials, it can also be paired with uplifting brights such as pink and purple. One of the joys of this new colour palette is its susceptibility to natural light – uplifting pink and green undertones can be revealed over the course of the day, only to modulate into warming peaches and yellows at night.
Pairing Greens with Earth Tones
To create an environment that promotes relaxation, well-being, and a sense of sanctuary, pair green with other complementary colors for an even more transformative experience. For a fresh bold look, I recommend pairing with a pop of zest like Chartreuse SW 0073, in a space like a powder room or a hallway.
Green as a Backdrop Color
Greens have taken over as the most popular shade since 2020 due to homeowners wanting their interiors to feel more like nature. This lush dark green shade is an earthy and nature-inspired shade that evokes calmness and sophistication into a space. Cool Matcha is a quiet, pacifying pale with a therapeutic quality and is the perfect combination of a vegetal green and mindful pastel.
The natural world will always be one of the most favored and enduring influences for interior trends and the world of design.
Mixing Unexpected Paint Colors
Combining Unusual Color Pairings
One of the most exciting trends in home decor is the use of unexpected paint color combinations. This approach can add a unique flair to any room, making it stand out. For instance, pairing a deep, rich brown with a vibrant teal can create a striking contrast that is both bold and sophisticated. Similarly, combining a soft peachy pink with a muted olive green can bring a fresh and modern look to your space.
Creating Unique Color Statements
When it comes to creating unique color statements, the key is to think outside the box. Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors that you wouldn’t normally consider. For example, a quality home office refurbishment might benefit from a mix of warm caramel tones and cool, serene pale blues. This combination can create a balanced and inviting atmosphere that is perfect for both work and relaxation.
Examples of Successful Color Mixes
Here are a few examples of successful color mixes that you can try in your own home:
- Navy Blue and Mustard Yellow: This combination is perfect for creating a bold and energetic space.
- Blush Pink and Charcoal Grey: A sophisticated pairing that adds a touch of elegance to any room.
- Forest Green and Burnt Orange: Ideal for a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Mixing unexpected paint colors can transform your home into a vibrant and dynamic space. Don’t be afraid to take risks and experiment with different combinations to find the perfect look for your home.
By incorporating these unique color pairings, you can create a space that is truly one-of-a-kind and reflects your personal style.
Conclusion
As we look ahead to 2024, the world of interior design is brimming with exciting paint trends that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Whether you are drawn to bold and bright hues or prefer the calming effect of earthy neutrals, there is something for everyone. The beauty of paint lies in its versatility and ease of application, making it an ideal medium for experimenting with new trends without a significant investment. From the innovative use of color drenching to the timeless appeal of warmer neutrals, these trends offer endless possibilities for transforming your living spaces. So, get your brushes ready and embrace the latest color palettes to refresh and rejuvenate your home in the year ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key paint trends for 2024?
The key paint trends for 2024 are split into two camps: bold and bright colors, and calming earthy neutrals. This includes vibrant accents, deep rich browns, unusual analogous color schemes, and innovative color drenching techniques.
How can I incorporate bold and bright hues in my home?
You can incorporate bold and bright hues by using them as vibrant accents, creating focal points, and balancing them with neutral colors. These techniques help in adding personality and energy to your space.
What are earthy neutrals and why are they popular?
Earthy neutrals are calming colors inspired by nature, such as beige, taupe, and soft browns. They are popular because they create a serene and grounding atmosphere and can be easily layered for depth and combined with natural materials.
How can I use deep rich browns in my interior design?
Deep rich browns can be used to create a cozy atmosphere, paired with metallics for a sophisticated look, or used as a statement wall color to add depth and warmth to a room.
What is color drenching and how can I apply it?
Color drenching involves painting walls, ceilings, and sometimes even furniture and decor in the same color to create a dramatic and immersive effect. It’s particularly effective in small spaces to make them feel more cohesive and expansive.
How can I use caramel tones in my living spaces?
Caramel tones can be used in living spaces to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. They pair well with complementary colors such as blues and greens and can be used as accent colors to add richness and depth.
Why are matte finishes popular in modern interiors?
Matte finishes are popular in modern interiors because they offer a sophisticated and contemporary look. They help to hide imperfections on walls and can be combined with glossy finishes for a balanced and textured appearance.
What are the benefits of using restful greens in home decor?
Restful greens are beneficial in home decor because they promote relaxation and tranquility. Green shades can be paired with earth tones to create a harmonious environment and used as a backdrop color to bring a touch of nature indoors.