Individual style, mixed with budget-conscious decorating, will drive 2011 paint color trends, according to Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert at the Paint Quality Institute.
“There’s no escaping the state of the economy, even for homeowners who want to beautify their homes,” says Zimmer. “Rather than diving into large-scale renovation projects, in the coming year, consumers will search for inexpensive ways to freshen and update their homes. Many will conclude that painting is the perfect solution.”
By incorporating a few new paint colors, either as accent walls or throughout a room, consumers will be able to enhance their living spaces economically with paint, she says.
Zimmer shares three likely color directions for 2011:
Back to Basics
According to Zimmer, “Neutrals provide versatility and allow homeowners to quickly change the look of a room just by adding a few new accessories, without spending time and money to remodel or repaint again. This is the ultimate in practical remodeling, and the time is ripe for it."
Warm whites, tawny tans, “barely-there” coral, and green are some of the colors that will find their way into countless kitchens, bedrooms, and baths, she predicts.
“Well Worn” Hues
Like a pair of favorite jeans, blue will grow in popularity as not just a wall color but also as a ceiling choice. “Well Worn Hues” are represented by blues across the spectrum, from denim dark to blue-grey.
“Since most blues tend to be calming colors, this hue helps to create a perfect retreat from many of life's stresses,” says Zimmer. “As a secondary or complementary hue, yellow or yellow-green adds a bit of ‘spunk’ when used in family spaces,” she says.
Shimmer and Shine
For thrifty consumers looking for a bit of sparkle, higher paint sheens and metallic finishes are on the radar for 2011. Don’t be surprised to see spaces such as hallways and living areas painted in a very glossy hue, from top to bottom. Zimmer adds, “More gloss means more reflectivity which means more light. Gloss can subtly create a brighter, more upbeat mood in a home, but at the same time, it adds style and pizzazz.”
Dining rooms and master bed and bath spaces are the perfect areas for this sophisticated choice.
Coupled with the “high shine” trend, gold will return as both an in-demand paint hue and as a key metallic choice.
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