The new paint colors for 2011 are bright and cheerful. This might have something to do with a backlash against the tough economic times that people are facing. Instead of remodeling; decorating is going to rely quite a lot more on paint then it might have in the past. Sure, neutrals are still in fashion but we’re also seeing much more daring color palettes. Keep basic furniture pieces that you already own but add a new splash of color to your walls or even your fireplace brick for an inexpensive makeover.
According to Pantone the hottest color of the year was honeysuckle. However, this bright pink can be a little bit difficult to decorate with if you’re not going to use it in a nursery.
Try using this in really trendy ways, such as adding one of those popular petal or ruffle throw pillows to a neutral black or even brown leather couch that would otherwise feel really masculine.
You can also make this a lot more industrial just through the use of steel. Look for nailhead trim end tables in faux leathers. This will coordinate back to your more neutral colors of leather. Think of the different colors of sherbet when you think of the color of the year 2011. There are going to be lots of melons and corals as well. Of course turquoise also really is still popular from last year.
Ground these rooms with stone to keep it sophisticated. This could be a rustic rock fireplace or a black granite vanity top. Pairing black with almost any of these brighter tones has a rock and roll effect, but you want to make sure that it isn’t too much like a teenagers room. Upgrading your materials to slate flooring accomplishes this simply.
These aren’t really going to be pastel tones. They are very saturated versions of purple, red, and yellow. This can lead to lots of retro inspired palettes. However, you’re still going to need to blend this in with neutral tones as well.
New Paint Colors for 2011
Neutrals have also gotten a big makeover. Any kind of silver or gray is going to be popular either as a wall color or with the trend of mirrored or silver leaf furniture. We are seeing duller versions of blue as well that are used as neutrals. This is one of the few ways that you can bring in a microfiber couch that will still get noticed. This is a popular color for sectionals but the tone is still pale enough that it will last you for several years.
This might be inspired by the military/menswear look that has been popular in fashion but another popular color that is making its way into decor is going to be olive green. Instead of using it as a wall color try using it as a stain or antiquing glaze on vintage style furniture. This is going to be a bolder neutral but blends well with rattan furniture and bamboo flooring which are other really big design trends.
The other really big color that we’re seeing is ivory tones instead of shocking whites. This adds a slightly more sophisticated air to a typical beach inspired color palette. It also allows you to work with weathered or wood furniture and is a must for the very popular farmhouse design style. Then you can just bring in a few accessories in the brighter honeysuckle or rose tones for a sophisticated room that won’t be overly feminine. This is also one of the hottest colors for both kitchens and bathrooms.
Far and away the most popular tone for decor is going to be gray. We’re seeing it as an undertone in almost every other influence. In a kitchen it works well with mosaic glass backsplashes that can appear very colorful. We’re seeing a return to vintage style metal chairs for islands or tables as well. This won’t be as shiny as stainless steel.
The 2011 color palette is all about balance. There’s a mix of moody and cheerful tones together. Remember, that when items are in the same color family such as eggplant and cobalt, then they will match. As long as the undertones coordinate you can layer on different pillows or bedding sets to create really interesting palettes.
