Colors of the Year from Benjamin Moore (Blue Nova), Sherwin Williams (Upward), C2 (Thermal), Valspar (Renew Blue), Dunn Edwards (Skipping Stones), Minwax (Bay Blue) and Krylon (Bluebird) represent the far-reaching range of blue, drawing inspiration from coastal vibes to outer space.<\/p>\n
While these shades vary, the color expression and the paint color names capture underlying themes, namely optimism, creativity and moving beyond boundaries, all of which are innately energizing.<\/p>\n
What does this gravitation towards blue say about color trends in general, and how does it support what homeowners currently prioritize in their homes?<\/p>\n
What\u2019s driving the blue trend?<\/strong><\/p>\n Blue is a natural progression of the popular biophilic trend that has dominated d\u00e9cor for the last few years, where calming elements of nature are incorporated indoors.<\/p>\n For their choice for 2024 Color of the Year, \u201cWe knew we wanted to pick a blue,\u201d says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin Williams.<\/p>\n \u201cNature-inspired colors took over at beginning of this decade, with greens and earthy tones in the first half of the decade, and now blues and ethereal tones are having their moment in the second half,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Paint companies are also tapping into blue\u2019s broad-based appeal, versatility and depth, giving homeowners a unique canvas for self-expression.<\/p>\n \u201cBlue is a favorite hue for the home for its flexibility and versatility. From soft blue hues as neutral backdrops to brilliant blues taking the center stage to everything in-between, there\u2019s a perfect blue for every home,\u201d says Hannah Yeo, senior manager, Color Marketing at Benjamin Moore.<\/p>\n For example, whereas Sherwin Williams\u2019 Upward is playful and well-suited for coastal chic, (which is the \u201cemerging trend in the coming year,\u201d according to Wadden), Benjamin Moore\u2019s contemplative Blue Nova is more dramatic and \u201coffers an opportunity to be creative whether it is used to drench a room in color, or to define a portion of a room with a captivating hue,\u201d says Yeo.<\/p>\n In addition to the colors themselves, paint companies have selected color names that encourage consumers to take a breather, whether replicating vacation vibes or promoting mindfulness, such as with Upward.<\/p>\n \u201cUpward means to go in a direction from lower to higher, and this color feels like ascending into a place of peace and tranquility when applied to a space,\u201d says Wadden.<\/p>\n Blue emphasizes wellness<\/strong><\/p>\n Post-pandemic, homeowners have focused on health at home, and blue is a natural color expression of that priority.<\/p>\n Blue is \u201ca great shade to use all around the home because people have positive connections to the color and it brings forward the best energy in a space,\u201d says Wadden.<\/p>\n \u201cWith blue there is an unspoken emphasis on health,\u201d says color expert and consultant Amy Wax, supporting the trend towards at-home wellness. And homeowners have become educated around how their d\u00e9cor choices can play a role.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have realized that we can create spaces that affect our wellbeing and our state of mind,\u201d she says, and blue \u201cis calming and puts us in a state of tranquility. It just feels good to be in that space.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue triggers an emotional response, depending on the shade<\/strong><\/p>\n Perhaps more than any other color, blue is strongly associated with emotions: Blue skies ahead suggests optimism; feeling blue suggests sadness or depression; true blue suggests love and loyalty. \u201cBlue is one of the four psychological primary colors, which means that it creates a very strong, measurable reaction,\u201d which varies depending on the shade, says color psychology expert Michelle Lewis of the Color Cure.<\/p>\n Scientists study and measure the physiological and emotional responses that occur when people are exposed to blue. Blue is known to lower blood pressure and slow breathing, so it is associated with calm. It also helps with mental clarity and intellectual stimulation.<\/p>\n That means that homeowners wishing to incorporate blue in their d\u00e9cor palette and reap its psychological benefits should start by thinking about the environment they hope to create and then choose the appropriate shade.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a homeowner, what reactions am I trying to build in this space? What feelings do I want people to feel?\u201d says Lewis.<\/p>\n For example, it might be better to have a shade of blue that is energizing and inspiring in a home office, whereas a soft and subtle shade is more serene in a primary bedroom. The feeling starts with choosing blue and is reinforced by nuanced undertones.<\/p>\n Lewis encourages homeowners to look to undertones to make their paint choices perfectly fit the room and their preference.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is important to think about because you can either do a true hue, really strong, bright, vibrant color like a cobalt blue,\u201d she says. Tips for using blue<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s relatively easy to integrate blue into the color scheme, either as the primary or accent color, because as Wax points out, blue goes with everything.<\/p>\n \u201cGo around the color wheel in your mind. Blue goes with yellows, oranges, reds, purples, blues, darker blues, lighter blues, greens, and you are back at yellow again. It even goes with taupe, greys and browns,\u201d says Wax.<\/p>\n \u201cA simple blue, white and cream color scheme creates a breezy beach getaway feel or a complementary shade of tangerine or orange can bring out the best of both blue and orange for a fun, creative space,\u201d says Yeo.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to consider the orientation of the room in question, and its access to natural light, which will make a blue feel warmer or cooler. A room with northern or eastern exposure will have less natural warmth from the light, so it would be better to opt for warmer blue tones in such a room, if that is the desired hue.<\/p>\n Blue is timeless and reliable when integrating into a color palette, assuring cautious homeowners of longevity with their color choices.<\/p>\n The versatility of blue gives homeowners the \u201cability to add a little bit of drama or to be calm. Both ends of scale are classic. I feel like blue is a color that really is going to stand the test of time,\u201d says Wax.<\/p>\n
\nIn color psychology, blue is known as \u201cthe color of the mind\u201d.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIf you add white to the color, it\u2019s going feel much more youthful, versus if you add the gray undertone, it is going to be more calming and serene. If you add a black undertone, then it\u2019s going to be much more grounded and serious,\u201d says Lewis.<\/p>\n