Home Design Trend Alert - Sherwin Williams Names The 2018 Color of the Year

If you want to have the hippest house on the block this year, you’re in for a real treat. Say hello to “Oceanside”, the 2018 Color of the Year from paint authority Sherwin-Williams.

If you’re thinking, “Color of the year - is that a thing?”, the answer is absolutely yes. Every year, the home design industry takes cues from companies such as Sherwin-Williams, Pantone, and other big names in the color industry to set the home design trends for the year. In 2017, Sherwin-Williams tapped Poised Taupe as their big name in paint, which was described by the company’s director of color marketing as “... like gray and brown had a baby.” Sure enough, every living room on Pinterest became transformed into rich tones of smoky gray and requests for dark neutral vinyl siding shot through the roof. From bathroom tiles to exterior cladding, Poised Taupe was the color that we all became very familiar with in the home improvement industry.

So what about Oceanside? It looks like the color powers-that-be have decided to go bold this coming year with a vibrant, jewel-toned blue-green that compliments colors of years past with a boldness that we haven’t seen in some time. According to Sherwin-Williams, ‘“Green-blues in deep values, such as Oceanside, respond to changes in light, which is a quality that creates intense dimension. It is a tremendously versatile color, and harmonizes with other diverse color groups.”

Intense is the key word here, but Oceanside can be incorporated into any home for a bright, trendy pop of color without having to commit to a complete “house blue-tiful” makeover. Sherwin-Williams says that this year’s pick is “an opulent and mysterious green-blue color that evokes optimism” and heck, we can all use a bit of that in our lives. So let’s look at a few ways to bring the color of the year into our homes without making it look like a scene from “The Little Mermaid”.

Doors: A bright, vibrant front door is a great way to give your home a bit of personality without having to take on a massive change in style. If the exterior of your home is a neutral tone such as white, gray, or beige, injecting a jeweled blue color can give your house a bit of personality while still maintaining a classic, tranquil look.

Furniture: If you’re thinking about going with a navy couch, consider brightening up your palette instead. Dark blue is a safe and simple color choice, but going with a bolder Oceanside hue can actually be more calming and can give a room a “wow” factor without going overboard. Even an accent chair can make a statement in the company of an otherwise neutral color palette.

Pillows: Throw pillows and blankets are one of the easiest ways to update your home with the new color of the season. Oceanside pairs perfectly with sunny yellow tones and can create a fantastic beachy feel to your home, which is a great way to keep those winter blues at bay.

If you’re a lover of mid-century modern or Mediterranean-inspired style, Oceanside might just make 2018 your year to shine in the design department. What are your favorite ways to experiment with color at home? I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a line on Facebook at www.facebook.com/odonnellbros.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.