Predicted Paint Colors for 2019
This is my 3rd annual “paint predictions” post and it’s always a hit! I’m excited to share my color predictions and favorite swatches for 2019. I hope it helps you feel confident and comfortable in making paint selections this year. I really enjoy color theory, sourcing palettes, and finding swatches that play well together. Although neutrals will always be classic and timeless- in the coming year, I’m really looking forward to using bold hues and more COLOR. Click through to see what paint colors I’m predicting will be a hit in the year ahead!
This post is not sponsored by Sherwin-Williams, but they have become our paint preference over the past few years and have been a great partner. I have all of the updated swatch books, and Emmett & I prefer their quality to other brands…. so the following swatches throughout this post are all SW paints, if you’re wondering about sources.
Before we get started, I’m going to brag a little… I have to say- my paint predictions posts are usually spot on, if not a little ahead of their time. I’m hoping this year is no exception! To make things easier to navigate (and pin), I’m setting up the format a little different this year. Below, I’m breaking down seven of my favorite palettes: blues, greens, black & gray, warm & moody hues, warm neutrals, whites, and the wild cards (aka, the crazy colors).
Blues never really go out of style, and I’m going to spill the beans… our first renovation in the new house is going to be very blue (if all goes as planned)! If you like to play it safe, opt for a bold navy. Otherwise, hop on the cornflower blue train with me! I’m loving those medium hues.
If you’ve been following me for awhile, you probably already know my favorite color is green. I basically use it everywhere (examples: my fireplace, the dining room, my tallboy dresser, etc). You better believe there will be a healthy dose of green coming to our home in the year ahead- although I haven’t quite decided where it will show up just yet.
I’m honestly over gray, but sometimes it’s necessary if you’re using bold colors within furniture, textiles, or fixtures. It is a nice neutral backdrop. I will say, dark moody blacks are still a favorite of mine. Try using it in an unexpected way… like on a ceiling- I painted our bathroom ceiling SW 6258 Tricorn Black and it looks amazing!
You shouldn’t be surprised that warm moody neutrals are here to stay. After all- Cavern Clay was the Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year. I’m still digging those earthy tones, as well as burnt sienna, burgundy, rustic reds, and wine hues.
If you’re going to play it safe with neutrals, I’d recommend sticking to a warmer palette. They feel more updated than gray and aren’t as basic as white.
However, there will always be a time and place for white. It’s super crisp and pairs nicely alongside many of the bold and dark colors throughout this post. It’s also my go-to swatch for painting millwork and interior doors.
I figured I’d give you a little palette cleanser before jumping into the BOLD, wild card swatches. Above, you’ll find my favorite bright whites. I’ve used all of these and you really can’t go wrong. I do get one frequent question I wanted to address, “what white paint should you use on a ceiling?”… if I’m going to go with a classic, bright, white ceiling- I always use Sherwin-Williams SW 7007 Ceiling Bright White. It is on the cooler side and looks great with everything. For classic white trim, I typically use SW 7006 Extra White, shown in the first section above.
Now… the wild card colors below might look like a mess in a collage together, but on their own- I think I’m most excited to use some of these swatches!
As far as trends go, this year I’m expecting we’ll see much more color. Gone are the days of white and gray. In 2019, I’m all about bold hues that make a real statement. You’ll notice deeper and darker hues coming into play. I think it’s going to be another big year for blues, burnt sienna, burgundy, and deep moody green.
Here’s a tip if you’re afraid of going too bold… try a darker color, but with less saturation. Basically, that means the color isn’t as intense or bright. I actually prefer muddy, desaturated colors because I think they’re less trendy and withstand the test of time. It’s also a great way to embrace color without taking a big risk. Lastly, choose colors from the historic collection. Sherwin-Williams has a tab in their swatch book that curates colors that have been used for centuries. They’re less likely to go out of style since they’ve been around forever.
I also wanted to bring back my tried and true painting tips… here they are:
- Stop using painters tape. I HATE painters tape… it never works and leaves a squiggly, uneven line. I’m always much happier when I free-hand with a quality brush. If you’re not sure how to do this… watch this video.
- Stop painting first. People always ask how I compile a color palette for each room. It seems that everyone has trouble selecting paint colors because it feels sort of permanent and daunting. It’s actually really easy! Painting is always the last thing I do to a space (besides styling). I pull swatches from the textiles, furniture, or art. It’s always a great jumping off point when it comes to inspiration. Just because you’re moving in or a room is empty, doesn’t mean that painting should happen immediately. Live in the space for awhile, see how the light interacts, find a couple objects that work well in the space and go from there. Also remember, painting isn’t permanent and it’s a relatively inexpensive way to update or change a room. It shouldn’t be scary.
- Buy quality paint and supplies. This seems obvious, but until I started using nice paint, it used to take forever. I value my time and the way a project turns out. You can get by with only 1-2 coats if you buy the appropriate paint. There’s literally a paint for everything. Technology has come a long way… from self-leveling paints to organic and green paints, they’re safer and easier to use. Ask a professional which one is best for your project. I also swear by a nice paint brush.
- Always order a sample. Don’t be the person who spends a ton of money on paint by looking at the tiniest swatch, only to paint your wall and hate the color. Taking the extra time to order a larger swatch or tiny jar of paint is well worth it and makes it SO much easier to decide if the color is what you expected. Live with the swatch on your wall for at least a week- notice how it changes throughout the day.
- Know your finishes. It’s a given that different finishes should be used in different areas of your home. Do a little research to see which finish is appropriate. Typically (most of the time) trim should be semi-gloss and walls should be flat, eggshell, or matte. The same goes for doors… semi or high-gloss is best and easiest to clean.
- Throw the rules out the window. Just because trim is typically lighter than your wall color, doesn’t mean you can’t switch it up. Take our bedroom for example, contrast trim wasn’t super popular at the time I painted, but I knew it would look amazing- so I went for it. Don’t be scared to go bold or trade things up… it’s just paint. Paint has magical transforming properties- take our bold, color blocked hallway for example!
Who is with me on the color front?! Let’s all be brave, bold, and add a splash of color to our homes this year! I’m honestly pretty tired of seeing neutral everything in my Pinterest and Instagram feed. In our new house, I’m vowing to take more risks as a designer- and that includes use of color and paint application. Designing with neutrals is easy… I’m ready for a challenge. I want to make a statement and show my personality and aesthetic in a new way. Here’s to pushing the limits and creating beautiful spaces that are anything but ordinary!
As always, feel free to share questions or comments below. Are there any colors you’d like to see more or less of this year?