By Erin McFeeters
Each year paint and design companies announce their 2020 Color of the Year. Going into the roaring ’20s, a new decade, this year’s colors are a mix of classic and natural colors.
Pantone: Classic Blue
The most anticipated Color of the Year announcement each year is Pantone. Their color of the year impacts decisions from industries such as fashion, home furnishings, industrial design, as well as graphic design and product packaging. Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year is Classic Blue, which relates closely to the National Association of Realtors® Realtor® blue shade Pantone 293 C.
Classic Blue is “a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on,” said Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman. “Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open flow of communication.”
Unlike years previous, the color of the year was all but a one-dimensional sensory experience. Going into the new era, however, Classic Blue can be experienced by all of the senses. In collaboration with companies across the globe, Classic Blue can be heard, smelled, tasted, and touched. Classic Blue candles, jelly, tea leaves, sound bits, pinot noir, home furnishings, gin, and more are all available for purchase to fully experience the 2020 Color of the Year.
Sherwin-Williams: Naval
Like Pantone, Sherwin-Williams chose a blue hue for 2020. Their 2020 color, Naval, is “a color of calmness and deepest inspiration,” according to Sherwin-Williams. An ode to the ocean and evening sky, you can navigate “this brave blue world and find a place to hang your stars.”
If Naval is the color for you, Sherwin-Williams recommends coupling the color with polished marble, gleaming metals, soft leather, or sophisticated patterns. As for color pairings, Sherwin-Williams recommends pairing it with Tarnished Trumpet, Midday, or Kale Green.
Behr: Back to Nature
Behr took a different approach to 2020 than Pantone and Sherwin-Williams with its sage green color, Back to Nature. Rather than taking inspiration from the sky and ocean, Behr obtained their inspiration from mossy rocks and trees.
“As we enter the next decade, we strive for vibrancy in life and shape it how we choose,” said Behr in the 2020 Color of the Year announcement. “As nature’s favorite color, Back to Nature is a restorative and revitalizing green hue that engages the senses and pairs well with other colors both inside and outside your home.”
Explore Behr’s 2020 Color of the Year palettes on their website for a full taste of what the color would look like in your space. Choose how nature inspires you and discover the Behr palettes that reflect that.
Valspar’s 2020 Colors of the Year
That’s right, colors. Rather than choosing a single color for the new decade, Valspar opted to choose 12 colors to ring in 2020. Winter Calm, a sophisticated lavender-hued neutral; Mint Whisper, a clean and airy soft mint; Canyon Earth, inspired by the beauty of the desert; Grey Brook, a pale blue with gray undertones; Tempered Sage, a fresh take on lime green; Desert Fortress, a light sandy tone; Secluded Garden, an ocean-inspired jewel tone; Bombay Pink, a grown-up blush pink; Pale Powder, an earthy mineral shade; Utterly Blue, a calming cornflower blue; Crushed Out, a hushed blush; and Secret Moss, a dusky moss green.
Their website, askval.com, features all of their 2020 Colors of the Year with full color descriptions, why the color is trending, and how to style the color—the perfect resource to share with clients who plan to do a 2020 refresh.