These Are The Color Trends Dominating in 2019
From powerful aquas to energizing corals, there’s a reason these palettes reign supreme this year.
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Last year was all about bringing an edgier palette into the home, with vibrant reds, modern metallics, and variations of the statement black accent wall. Unlike 2018's color trends, 2019 has taken a more mindful, lifestyle-based approach to the development of new shades. Some of our favorite paint brands—including Benjamin Moore, PPG Paints, Sherwin Williams, and of course, Pantone—have released their colors of the year, with exciting shades that are worth dipping your brush into.
From powerful aquas to soft terracottas, deep greens, and energizing corals, these companies are connecting the dots between consumers' lives and the spaces they’re surrounded by. Whether it’s counterbalancing our fast-paced lifestyles, embracing our modern digital engagement, or simply tapping into the shift toward bolder design, these color picks are inspired by what ultimately matters most: the people who inhabit each space.
If you're looking to dive into your home refresh by indulging in new hues, check out 2019's top color trends, along with how to use them in your own home now.
Olive Greens
While olive green is an undeniably timeless shade, 2019 has been the year of embracing this versatile color in interior design schemes. It's peaceful yet rich, serene yet statement-making, and can stand out or blend in with so many design styles. "We love olive green because it's so transformative," says designer Allison Petty. "Place it easily with neutrals or have some fun and pair it with a bright saturated color for a fun and energetic space."
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Dark Olive, Benjamin Moore
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Crate & Barrel Olive Throw Pillow, $55
Rich Bronzes
"We’re seeing a lot of this rich bronze, clay colors in 2019," says designer Wendy Hammerman. "While they’re a little reminiscent of the traditional Southwestern feel, the context is much more modern and industrial, which adds both drama and warmth to the space."
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Classic Bronze, Behr
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Crate & Barrel Bronze Taper Candle Holder, Starting at $19
Neutrals with Pops of Blue
For the slightly color-averse, many designers are bringing pops of blue into neutrals spaces for a perfect accent that never overwhelms. "A neutral color palette with pops of blue is a color trend we've been seeing as of late and we are totally loving it, says designers Caroline Grant & Dolores Suarez. Grays, taupes, and off-white's show off and highlight the furnishings and textures within a room and a cool blue is the perfect accent."
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Laguna Blue, Benjamin Moore
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Wayfair Teal Velvet Throw Pillow, $40
70s Mod Squad
"As each new decade loses its distinctiveness, the iconic palettes of the past are alluring and thriving, says designer Rayman Boozer.
"With its rich, sunset oranges and yellows, homey browns, and comfortable denim, the disco decade is roaring in 2019."
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Lemon Shine, Benjamin Moore
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Aelfie Flatweave Rug, Starting at $239
Jewel Toned Accents
In 2019, bring pops of color into your favorite spaces with jewel-toned furniture and accents. 2018 was the year of the neutral palette, and 2019 is all about finding balance with appropriate doses of color. "Built-in bookcases painted in blues or greens create a beautiful backdrop for antique book spines, says designer Janie Molster. "Treat a kitchen island with color such as a marine blue while leaving perimeter cabinets in neutral white. Accenting interior doors with paint or fabric is a dynamic color pop."
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Reflecting Pool, Sherwin Williams
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Anthropologie Ombre Pillow, $215
Woodland Shades
“While nature is a common inspiration for home decor, in 2019 we will see a shift from oversized botanicals to the woodlands, with mushroom grays and fern-inspired colors. Mushrooms will also continue to be a key shape in the home," says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin Williams. "Their earthy color–gray blended with warm brown–gives off an old world, naturalist feel."
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Shiitake, Sherwin Williams
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Crate & Barrel Mimi Vegan Lambskin Chair, $800
Energizing Coral
It only makes sense for Pantone's 2019 color of the year–Living Coral–to be on your radar when you begin your home revamp. According to interior designer Carolyn Pressly, "We’ll be seeing more hopeful and optimistic colors in the home, as evidenced by the recent selection of living coral, Pantone’s color of the year. Instead of using coral literally, you can separate it into its orange and pink counterparts. In this windowless office converted into a little girl’s room, the mood instantly becomes energizing and uplifting."
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Coral Reef, Sherwin Williams
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Coral Cotton Pouf, $64
Saturated Moody Hues
"Currently, I’m in love with the deep saturated colors," says interior designer Keita Turner. "Beau Green, Kendall Charcoal, Hale Navy, and Hunter Green. These darker moody colors are perfect for custom built-ins and kitchen cabinetry. I would ideally use them in a room with an abundance of natural light."
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Hale Navy, Benjamin Moore
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Staytonville 24" Table Lamp, $43
Pale Pink Colorways
Pale pinks are prevailing in 2019 due to their neutral properties and compatibility with other shades. Interior designer Barbara Schmidt explains that "Monochromatic colors–like this pink desert sand shade–will be popular in 2019. It can be mixed with an abundance of white or a lemon yellow for the ideal look."
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Pale Pink Satin, Benjamin Moore
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Janiya Table Vase, $55
Digitally Inspired
According to the Senior Color Designer Sue Kim of Valspar, "Smart technology in the home is driving the color experience differently." Because of this, we will see higher intensity shades that mimic the edge of artificial light in a way that is "strangely familiar" (and obviously gorgeous).
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Twilight Mist, Valspar
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Room & Board Planter with Walnut Stand, $160
Hunter Greens
According to interior designer Becky Shea, hunter greens are a great choice for 2019. "Hunter green holds a sultry and worldly value to it, it's intrinsic in nature and all of life. It's timeless in every respect, and works beautifully with natural elements and neutral tones. What we also love about this color is how seamlessly it transitions between millwork, walls, furniture and accessories. Its gender neutrality also holds a special place in my heart, there's no definition of a home feeling more masculine or feminine; it's the perfect balance of each," she says.
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Hunter Green, Benjamin Moore
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Schumacher Amazon Tortoise Wallpaper, Price Upon Request
A Contemporary Twist on Forest Greens
Deep greens that are inspired by (but not directly reflective of) nature will bring the healing properties of the outdoors into the home, without feeling overly arboreal. Here, PPG's color of the year "Night Watch" fills a room with a welcoming richness.
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Night Watch, PPG Paints
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Velvet Elowen Chair in Emerald, $398
Misty Blues
In 2019, we're going to see blues with a softened mistiness and haze. This moody blue has a calming grey undertone that promotes a more serene energy in the home. According to Kim, blues can be given "a touch of purple to free our thinking, with hints of gray to ground us." They selected Seattle Haze as one of their colors of the year.
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Seattle Haze, Valspar
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Rove Concepts Norman Counter Stool, $245
Optimistic Yellows
In 2019 we'll see a rise in colors that are associated with optimism, like bold yellows and oranges. Sherwin Williams' Afternoon, a rich and inviting yellow, pairs beautifully with cool blues, beiges, and pinks.
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Afternoon, Sherwin Williams
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Anthropologie Fan Pleat Sofa in Gold, $2,398
Off-Cream
The minimalist movement has encouraged many modern homemakers to live a more clutter free, thoughtful life. With this, shades associated with minimalism–creams, beiges, and whites–are being incorporated into many home palettes. Cream shades with bolder, more colorful undertones are desired for their inherent simplicity that can be manipulated with different types of lighting. Here, see Benjamin Moore's Balboa Mist, a timeless cream that shifts richer or deeper with shadow and brightness.
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Balboa Mist, Benjamin Moore
Soft Terracottas
Sherwin Williams' 2019 color of the year is Cavern Clay, which is a Southwest-inspired tone. For those who want a more elemental, nature-inspired hue with a contemporary twist in their home, this creamy rust will truly shine.
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Cavern Clay, Sherwin Williams
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West Elm Slope Leather Lounge Chair in Saddle, $400
Electric Citrus
According to Valspar experts, playful, more extreme colors will be popular in 2019. The “I can do this, let’s make a change” attitude is reflected in electric tones like lime green, citrus orange, and bright yellow.
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Lime Mousse, Valspar
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Wayfair Lemon Lime Green Area Rug, $31
Dusty Blush
Millennial pink is a color of the (very recent) past. Now, softer shades like rosy neutrals and muted blushes, which reflect a spirituality, are being favored. Unlike millennial pink, these hues are less trendy and more timeless.
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Blushing Bride, Valspar
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Wayfair Mongolian Shaggy Fur Throw, $50
Raw Wood
Light, wood-inspired shades are a great alternative to traditional beiges or tans. Neutrals that take on ash, maple, or pine tones are perfect for the minimalists and color-phobics alike.
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Homey Cream, Valspar
Almost White
There’s nothing more classic than an all-white palette. And while pure white is a go-to for many homemakers, 2019 will be the year of “almost-whites.” These shades offer subtle nuances that adapt to different lighting, furniture, and surrounding colors. For those who crave a minimalist palette that still feels dynamic, an almost-white shade is the fool-proof choice.
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Decorator's White, Benjamin Moore
Lucia Tonelli is an Assistant Editor at Town & Country, where she writes about the royal family, culture, real estate, design, and more.
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