Paint and Coatings Industry News

Main News Page

Reassuring Paint Colors Seen for 2009

Monday, December 22, 2008

Colors that promote feelings of comfort and security will drive interior and exterior residential paint preferences in 2009, reports Color Guild, an international association of independent paint manufacturers. The group foresees five trends, which it calls Ease, Earthwatch, Exploration, Evolution and Expression.

The Color Canvas 2009 Collection features these five trends and 35 colors available exclusively at Color Guild member locations.

"One of the overriding paint trends in 2009 will be the return to elemental colors," said Lynn Ludlow, Color Guild color consultant.  "A focus on the state of the global economy as well as the environment will bring consumers back to neutral colors, such as muted yellows, soft grays, café browns and khakis, in the home." 

Color Guild 2009 paint trends are derived by researching and observing color trends and social issues around the globe, including ecological issues, technology discoveries, political issues, and even sporting events. 

Here are Color Guild’s trends and colors for 2009:

Ease:  Life is fast-paced and complex. The Ease color collection focuses on the trend to simplify and slow down. This palette of soft grays, muted greens and soothing lilac allows consumers to bring peace and serenity back into their home.

Ease colors include Leisure, Simplistic, Recoup, Natural, Purity, Chill and Response. 

Earthwatch: Sustainability is now a global initiative for every citizen.  From fresh water to clean air, the Earthwatch color collection re-introduces natural colors as a simple reminder of how to make our planet a better home. 

The Earthwatch palette features organic colors in earth tones blended with ocean blue. Colors include Ozone, Element, Flora, Continental, Tidal, Mineral Dust and Magical Moon.

Exploration: Our world continues to shrink, while our social conscience expands.  More than ever, consumers are traveling beyond their home borders to learn and do more, resulting in a blend of cultural influences. Exploration offers an assortment of colors that are hopeful and optimistic, including café browns, khakis and deep reds. 

The palette includes Discover, Journey, Navigate, Darwin, Sahara Fire, Columbus and Trek.    

Evolution: The global focus on reducing waste by recycling and repurposing products is changing the behavior of consumers and businesses alike. Evolution reflects this lifecycle focus with muted yellows and taupes.  

The palette includes Metaphor, Progress, Advancement, Perfection, Maturation, Betterment and Influence. 

Expression: While we all reach out to protect and serve our planet, we must also maintain our individual identities. The vibrant Expression palette that ranges from organic greens and colorful peaches to dramatic purples. 

Colors include Personality Plus, Organic, Drama, Symbol, Henna, Thumbprint and Unique.  

Color Guild is comprised of more than 55 independent paint manufacturers from 14 countries. For more information, visit www.colorguild.com.