Welcome, design enthusiasts and homeowners alike, to an insightful journey into the captivating world of paint colors! As we embark on a new season of home transformation, we’re thrilled to share the highly anticipated paint color trends that promise to redefine our living spaces. Today, we’re joined by Cyndy, our esteemed paint color expert, who consistently delivers unparalleled advice and helps us navigate the vast spectrum of hues. Her eye for selecting colors that are both current and enduring makes her an invaluable guide for anyone looking to refresh their home.
Before we dive into the stunning palette Cyndy has curated, we want to highlight her incredible expertise. For those seeking personalized guidance, Cyndy has previously hosted interactive live sessions on our Facebook page, offering direct answers to pressing questions about choosing the perfect paint colors for various rooms and lighting conditions. Her ability to pinpoint beautiful, updated, yet classic colors that truly work in real-world settings is unmatched. Whether you’re contemplating a subtle shift or a bold new statement, understanding the nuances of paint colors can dramatically enhance your home’s appeal. Keep an eye out for future opportunities to connect with Cyndy, or explore her extensive archives for expert tips!
Hello Remodelaholics and a very Happy New Year! It’s Cyndy here again from The Creativity Exchange, eager to discuss the most exciting developments in paint colors. Each year, we establish a delightful tradition here at Remodelaholic: kickstarting the year by exploring the latest color forecasts and trend reports from leading paint companies. This tradition allows us to peer into the future of interior design, helping you make informed decisions for your home. You might recall our exploration of the 2015 trends here, and as we look ahead to the current year, the predictions unveil some truly exquisite colors that I simply can’t wait to share with you.
Today, our primary focus will be on the compelling 2016 color forecast released by Benjamin Moore. Their selection offers a comprehensive and insightful summary of the direction paint colors are heading, not just for this year but also extending into 2017. Examining these forecasts is incredibly beneficial when making paint color decisions for our homes. It’s not about blindly following trends, but rather about choosing colors that possess longevity and timeless appeal. Furthermore, if you anticipate selling your home in the near future, selecting an updated color palette can significantly enhance its marketability and appeal to potential buyers.
Embracing the 2016 Paint Color Trends: A Shift Towards Warmth and Versatility
Let’s delve into Benjamin Moore’s remarkable collection of trending colors for 2016. This year’s palette marks a significant evolution in interior design, moving us into a more comfortable and inviting aesthetic. For several years now, prominent color experts have unanimously confirmed a gradual transition towards warmer undertones in paint colors, with a subtle yet undeniable lean towards yellow. This shift will undoubtedly delight many homeowners who are eager to move away from the cooler grays that have dominated recent years, embracing instead a comforting array of warm grays, inviting blues, and soothing greens. While yellow itself is on the horizon and likely to see its full trending moment in 2017, we are certainly seeing the foundational elements of this warmer direction now.
Upon closer inspection of Benjamin Moore’s 2016 Color Trends, it becomes evident that almost every shade in the collection features a noticeable degree of warmth or a yellow base, a distinct departure from last year’s slightly cooler undertones. Many of these selections are exceptional transitional colors, striking a perfect balance between warm and cool elements. This inherent versatility makes them the safest and most reliable choices for any home, as they seamlessly integrate with virtually any existing decor, flooring, or trim colors. These chameleon-like shades adapt beautifully to diverse environments, offering a sophisticated backdrop that complements rather than competes with your furnishings. To delve deeper into the power and appeal of transitional colors, you can find more insights here.
Spotlight on Key Colors from the 2016 Benjamin Moore Collection
Gray Owl (OC-52): The Epitome of Versatile Gray
One of the most remarkable and versatile transitional paint colors available, and a personal favorite, is Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl. I was particularly excited to see this enduring classic included in the 2016 collection. Gray Owl is not just a gray; it’s a sophisticated “greige” that masterfully balances cool and warm undertones, often revealing subtle hints of green or blue depending on the lighting and surrounding elements. This nuanced complexity is precisely what makes it so incredibly adaptable. It effortlessly bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary styles, making it an ideal choice for almost any room in your home.
source Benjamin Moore
Imagine Gray Owl gracing the walls of a cozy living room, providing a calming backdrop that allows colorful artwork and textiles to truly shine. In a bedroom, it promotes tranquility and restfulness, while in a kitchen, it offers a clean, crisp, and updated look that pairs beautifully with both white and wood cabinetry. Its ability to shift subtly with natural light throughout the day ensures that your space always feels fresh and inviting. This makes Gray Owl a cornerstone color for those seeking a sophisticated, understated elegance that stands the test of time, proving why it remains one of the most popular and recommended paint colors for discerning homeowners and designers alike.
Gray Owl Benjamin Moore source: Niche Interiors
Simply White (OC-117): Benjamin Moore’s 2016 Color of the Year
Another brilliantly versatile color in the 2016 collection, and notably chosen as the 2016 Benjamin Moore Color of the Year, is Simply White. While some might consider white a predictable choice, Simply White is far from it. This particular shade of white is celebrated for its exceptional luminosity and warm, yet crisp, character. It’s a clean, inviting white that manages to feel both fresh and soft, avoiding the harshness that some cooler whites can convey. Benjamin Moore describes it as a “warm white” that is “complex and compelling,” and I couldn’t agree more. Its subtle yellow undertone is key to its welcoming feel, making it an excellent backdrop that brightens spaces without feeling stark.
source Benjamin Moore
Simply White is a powerhouse for creating spacious, airy interiors. It works beautifully as a primary wall color, allowing furniture, art, and natural textures to become the focal points of a room. It’s also an impeccable choice for trim, ceilings, and doors, providing a sophisticated contrast or harmonious blend with other wall colors. When used on kitchen cabinets, it instantly brightens the space, offering a timeless and clean aesthetic. This versatile white adapts effortlessly to various design styles, from modern minimalist to classic farmhouse, proving that white is never simply “just” white. Simply White truly empowers homeowners to create a serene and elegant canvas for their personal style, making it a stellar selection for any home desiring an updated yet enduring foundation.
Simply White Benjamin Moore source Studio McGee
Blue Echo (AF-505): A Serene Blue-Green Revelation
Blue Echo is a captivating new addition to the 2016 collection that instantly caught my eye. This shade is an absolutely stunning blue-green, distinguished by a very slight, yet crucial, gray undertone. It’s this subtle gray that elevates Blue Echo from a simple aquatic hue to a sophisticated and serene color, preventing it from appearing overly bright or childish. The complexity of Blue Echo allows it to adapt beautifully, leaning more towards blue in certain lights and more towards green in others, offering a dynamic visual experience.
I am confident that Blue Echo is destined to become a bestseller by the end of this year. Its calming and refreshing qualities make it an exceptional choice for bedrooms, creating a tranquil sanctuary for rest. In bathrooms, it evokes a spa-like ambiance, perfectly complementing white fixtures and natural materials. It also shines in living rooms or studies, where its serene depth can inspire both relaxation and contemplation. For those looking to infuse their home with a touch of nature-inspired elegance, Blue Echo provides a sophisticated nod to coastal serenity or verdant landscapes, making it a highly desirable option for contemporary and classic interiors alike. This color truly exemplifies the evolving trend towards more nuanced and complex shades that offer both beauty and versatility.
Black Ink (2127-20): The Soft, Sophisticated Black
Another new favorite from the 2016 collection is Black Ink. This isn’t just any black; what makes it truly exceptional is that subtle hint of warmth infused into its depth. It’s a “diffused” black, meaning it’s not stark or harsh, but rather softened and sophisticated. The genius lies in the gray undertone, which takes the edge off the traditional intensity of black, creating a more inviting and less imposing presence. This nuanced approach to black makes it incredibly adaptable and less intimidating for homeowners who might otherwise shy away from using such a bold color.
Black Ink Benjamin Moore source Benjamin Moore
I am very confident that Black Ink will quickly rise in popularity this year. Imagine this gorgeous shade on interior doors, providing a striking architectural detail that adds instant depth and character to a hallway or room. For kitchen cabinets, it offers a dramatic, modern, and incredibly chic alternative to traditional whites or woods, pairing beautifully with brass hardware or light countertops for a stunning contrast. As an accent wall color, it creates an impactful focal point without overwhelming the space, bringing an element of daring elegance. The soft warmth of Black Ink also makes it an excellent choice for exterior trim or even a front door, offering curb appeal that is both timeless and contemporary. This innovative take on black proves that even the darkest shades can be welcoming and versatile, adding a layer of sophistication that is truly unique.
Beyond the Forecast: Curating Your Home’s Palette
While I genuinely appreciate all the colors in Benjamin Moore’s 2016 collection, including the vibrant shades of purple and the bolder yellows, I do believe it will be another year or two before consumers widely embrace these more saturated hues. Paint color trends, much like fashion, often present “runway” looks that take time to trickle down into everyday applications. What we see on the runways of Paris Fashion Week may not immediately translate into our daily wardrobes. Similarly, some of the more avant-garde colors in these forecasts might not yet be widely “worn” in our homes today. My curated palette for you today focuses on the colors that consumers are actively using now—shades that offer immediate impact and enduring appeal.
My selection emphasizes colors that homeowners are embracing for their versatility, warmth, and ability to create inviting, sophisticated spaces. These are the shades I believe you are most likely to “wear” in your homes, offering a practical yet stylish approach to the broader trend collection. This palette blends the leading trends with timeless aesthetics, ensuring your home feels both current and comfortable.
For those eager to explore further, I’ve also featured my favorite 2016 forecasts from Sherwin Williams and other esteemed paint companies on my blog. You can discover more insights and inspiring palettes here. And if you find yourself needing a little extra help in narrowing down the perfect shade for your unique space, my proven tricks and tips for choosing the ideal paint color are available here. These resources are designed to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to make color choices that you’ll love for years to come.
Thank you for joining me today on this exploration of exciting paint color trends. I hope these insights inspire your next home project and help you create spaces that are both beautiful and deeply personal. Have a wonderful and colorful year ahead!
Warmly,
Cyndy