With fall in full swing, 2014 is not far-off and it’s going to be a colourful year.
Here’s where the contract colour palette is headed over the next 12 months.
Green
Vibrant greens will take on a bolder, fresher approach, especially in carpet, glass and signage where it is definitely an eye-catcher.
Citrusy yellow-greens will still be popular, as will olive tones that started to gain momentum last year.
Variegated greens will continue to be used in much the same way as neutral colours. Just as in nature, green works well with all colour families.
Purple
Purples have shown they work well with greens, especially yellow-greens and deeper teal greens.
Fuchsia and lavender will gain ground as the warmer grapey purples.
Gaining importance will be periwinkles, which are the connectors between the purples and blues.
Blue
The blue family will remain a steady favourite, with the more restful, light powder blues and sophisticated mid-tones reigning supreme.
Red
Regardless of the undertone, nothing says drama and excitement more than red.
One of the most exciting uses of red will be pairing it with purple, or using complementary reds with turquoise or teals.
Pink
The hotter pinks might raise eyebrows in the contract market, yet there will continue to be movement in this direction, especially in glamour applications.
Orange
Varying shades of orange will continue to add energy in a number of applications.
The russet tones that are classics in the contract market will remain popular as well.
Yellow
Cheery, bright yellows will continue to be used as will chamois-like tones that impart a cozy, comfortable feel.
Neutrals
Greys and taupes will continue to hold their own in the contract market. However, it will be important to add a touch of colour to alleviate the boredom of these neutrals.
Browns will be part of the colour picture in 2014, especially the more elegantly defined hues that are reminiscent of dark warm woods. Natural leather and suede brown will also be part of the brown story but the use of mauve with mocha brown tones will be the most notable.
Leatrice Eiseman is the executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute and founder of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training.
