Moody blues

Pantone has announced Classic Blue as its colour of the year for 2020.  The rich, dark blue is described by the company as “a timeless and enduring hue” that’s reminiscent of the night sky and evokes a tranquil feeling. Broody blues work best in well-lit rooms.  Designers recommend using the dark blue as an accent shade. For example, a coat of paint in the dark blue hue to spice up kitchen cabinets and islands. Deep blue vanity units can also add interest to an otherwise white bathroom. In bedrooms, where the feel is intimate, the deep blue can be used as an accent paint colour for a feature wall. Or you could add a touch of the rich colour to your living space with a velvet sofa, cushions, rug or vase.

Chinese Porcelain

Escaping today’s data-driven life was the inspiration for PPG’s colour of the year: Chinese Porcelain. Its blend of cobalt and inky blue imparts calmness in a world where sleep is viewed as a luxury and the anxiety of fast-paced life is all too real, says the paint company. “As we look to 2020, we know that colour is the trend. Consumers are tiring of stark greys and are looking to infuse colours that delight the senses. Blue is the easiest possible entry point from the world of neutrals to the world of colour,” said Dee Schlotter, senior colour manager, PPG paint brand. The rich, blue hue can provide a feature colour in a bedroom where it works well with crisp white bedding. In a living room, Schlotter recommends pairing Chinese Porcelain with décor such as velvet pillows in warm saffron and turmeric tones. The colour also works well on both indoor and exterior doors.

Chartreuse

If you’re looking to inject a zesty, fun colour into your home, check out Etsy’s pick for colour of the year: chartreuse.  A mix of bright green and yellow, it’s named after the French liqueur. The online marketplace said its colour choice reflects a comeback in the design world for 80s neon shades. Lime green is perfect for enlivening interior décor - whether it’s curtains, an armchair or front door. Nothing makes a statement more than a pop of colour where you least expect it. Don’t be scared to paint a feature wall the vibrant shade but if you use the colour on a large area make sure to balance it with something neutral, like creamy white, or it can be overpowering.

Nature-inspired

Behr has gone “Back to Nature” for its 2020 colour of the year.  This subtle, green hue is inspired by meadows and aims to bring a hint of the outdoors inside. The paint company describes it as a calm, restorative colour that is “perfect for any room and any season.” Combine the light green with other hues found in its nature-inspired colour trends palette, such as earthy brown, shell pink and graphite charcoal. Each hue was selected to work alone or in combination. Other brighter, bolder shades in the palette include Rumba Orange, a burnt orange and Red Pepper, a dark red-wine colour.

Interior designer Rachel Niddrie, who provides a bespoke, decorative service, said: “I’m not a massive follower of trends. However, I like the colours that are popular at the moment, especially deep blues and greens.” Niddrie recommends creating a mood board with your colour choices – fabrics and paints. Each room can have its own style the shades need to work in harmony. “I like to have several colours in different tones in a room. I’m not scared of mixing things up, but the key is to bring in different tones of the same colours,” said Niddrie.

Colour trends change every year. Pick a shade that you love and works for the space and the light in your room. If you aren’t keen on the paint companies’ pick of colours for 2020, look for inspiration elsewhere. Before beginning an interior design project, Niddrie likes to visit clients in their homes. She said: “If they have any art they love or a colourful rug, I might use that as a starting point.”  For top tips on painting a wall, see https://www.housemovepro.co.uk/top-tips-how-paint-wall

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