This is the time of the year when paint manufacturing companies roll out their predictions for next year’s favorite colors and select their own “Color of the Year”.  Why?  Because color matters and it means big business, says Editor in Chief Gina R. Johnson in the November 2013 issue of Durability + Design.  By 2017, the U.S. paint and coatings market will top $30.6 billion and 1.5 billion gallons, according to the Cleveland-based Freedonia Group.  Ms. Johnson summarizes paint color trends for 2014:  “Charcoal is the new chocolate, soothing blues and spicy bolds prevail, and it all pairs beautifully with gray.”

Sherwin-Williams selected “Exclusive Plum” as its 2014 Color of the Year.  Its website describes this hue as “a balance of cool blue and feisty red with a splash of gray, and it pairs well with a variety of styles to create color schemes suitable for any room.”  Sherwin-Williams Director of Color Marketing Jackie Jordan adds, “This dusky, filtered violet is refined without being stuffy, elegant yet easy, and layered with romantic potential.”

BehrPro, PPG Architectural Coatings, and Dunn-Edwards have introduced beach-inspired palettes dominated by blues, teals, pinks, and beiges.  BehrPro is showcasing “Seaside Harmony”, a color family with blue-greens, warm peach and crisp white.

PPG’s selection for its Color of the Year is “May Yellow”, which is described by Senior Color Consultant Krim Danzinger and Barbara Richardson, Director of Color Marketing, as a “subtle warmth and delicate creme tone that welcomes renewal and conveys the spirit of pause and refresh.”

For Dunn-Edwards, the seaside theme includes sun-washed pinks, yellows, purples, and browns.  Dunn-Edwards also focuses on warm neutrals such as rose, plums and clay tones in its 2014 color palettes.

Benjamin Moore selected “Breath of Fresh Air” as its color of 2014.  The airy light blue “reflects today’s human need to take a moment away from the noise and clutter and get back to what matters,” said Andrea Magno, color and design expert at Benjamin Moore.

“Blues across the board will be in,” says Kristin Summer, California Paints’ color and design strategist, citing the color’s “cleansing and purifying” powers.  California Paints’ color of the year is also blue, specifically a teal blue.

So, if you’re looking for new paint colors to freshen up your home or commercial space after the holidays, take a look at these paint companies’ websites – you’ll find an abundance of color ideas!