Color Trends

I am taking an interior design class to learn the basics of furniture placement, use of color, texture, lighting, etc. Last week our instructor told us about the Color Marketing Group.

Ever wonder why every other car you saw in the '90s was silver? Or why your parents had an avocado green refrigerator in the '60s? Or why hotel rooms were mauve in the '80s? Well, you can thank--or blame--the Color Marketing Group, a 1,700-member international, Virginia-based, association that has dictated color trends since 1962.

The organization has semi-annual conferences where they forecast color trends up to 3 years in advance for all color-related consumer products and services. Factors that influence the direction of color range from social issues to politics, the environment, or the economy:

• In the late '90s/early '00s, colors and design were very bright, modern, and contemporary.
• After 9/11, there was a turn back to warmer and more traditional looks and colors of browns and beige.
• In 2003-2005, blues and turquoises became popular because they were calming and relaxing.
• In 2005-2007, reds, oranges, and yellows were big because the upcoming 2008 Olympics in Beijing and growing economy in India drew people to “ethnic brights.”
• In 2007-2009, greens were popular as people became more environmentally conscious and eco-friendly. The colors ranged from earthy green to lime to dark forest green.

Now grays are the hot color for 2010. Due to the volatile economy, the general consensus is that the safe color is neutral. However, slate and charcoal grays are the new neutrals. Browns and beige are out. Colors are heading back to modern and contemporary, but mixing with colors and styles that recall simpler times. Pops of color are being added as a pick-me-up. From pewter to ash, grays are getting put together with splashes of pinks, blues, and violets. Grayish purples are really popular this year.

Isn’t it crazy how much power one organization has over all industries, including fashion, textiles, home furnishings, interior design, graphic design, and even car manufacturers?!