Color predictions

Gray tops the list of colors that will be fashionable to decorate interior spaces in residences. However, other trends will also be known.

by Paint Quality Institute*

Gray, the color that connotes intellect, is one of the colors that homeowners will incorporate into their interior design next year. So says Debbie Zimmer, an expert in paint and color at the Paint Quality Institute, one of the most reputable sources of information on color and interior design.

In his annual color predictions for 2014, Zimmer strongly supports gray: "It's the fashionable neutral, an elegant and sophisticated color option that gives refinement to almost any room."

"The grey painted walls are a wonderful backdrop for almost any style of décor. It is such a solemn color that it can give height to the appearance of any furniture, even the most modest, "says the expert.

In addition to being ideal for the color of the walls, gray will beautify the interiors of homes in other ways next year. It will be used for faded finishes of wooden furniture, for example, and in fabrics that are used in all kinds of applications, from seats to floor coverings.

"We'll even see the ostentatious cousin of gray, silver, used as an important enhancement color," Zimmer says.

However, gray won't be the only popular neutral in 2014.  According to Zimmer, those who are looking to shift away from the more saturated color will be glad to know that white and whitish tones are all the rage again. Manufacturers of interior paint will offer extensive palettes of very subtle inks composed of 30, 40 and up to 50 "whites" containing only a pinch of color.

White is preparing for a big comeback and this for several reasons, Zimmer explains. "As with gray, the ease of combining furniture with a neutral tone such as white is very attractive to almost all people," he says.

However, the expert adds that "some will be attracted to white due to more personal reasons, which have more to do with the change of address: those who will have less space will prefer white walls or very light colors so that their new and reduced interior space looks more spacious; and for those who will soon install the "For Sale" notice, white is the best option to paint your home before putting it up for sale."

As for design professionals, and those people who prefer to take care of the design themselves, who want more colorful options will also have good options during the year that is just beginning. Blues and greys, with more inks and shades than ever before, will remain popular, as they have been for some time.

"Another trendy color for 2014 will be mustard yellow," zimmer says. "Their influence is growing, both in the fashion industry and in furniture fabrics. We also expect to see more of this color on the walls, but in entire rooms, at least on enhancement walls."

If you're thinking about changing your home's color palette, Zimmer's analysis of the inks and shades expected to set the trend for next year can offer you valuable guidance.

However, the color expert has one final recommendation: "At the end of the day, choosing color is a very personal decision, so whether you're thinking about painting or changing your decor, or doing both, decide on colors you love.  When it comes to your home, your opinion matters most."

* If you want to know more about color, decoration and painting for houses you can visit the blog of the Paint Quality Institute: www.blog.paintquality.com.