Hue Cues for 2014: 11 Color Trends to Follow

Vibrant Magenta

1/12

Experts at Pantone have chosen a bolder hue for their Color of the Year. Replacing 2013's Emerald is 2014's Radiant Orchid. "This color is uplifting and bold without being overpowering," says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Pantone

Modern Touch

2/12

"Magenta is a thoroughly modern accent," concurs Erika Woelfel, director of color marketing for Behr Paints. Orchid Kiss (670-B6) made Behr's list of top colors for 2014. "It pairs especially well with white, gray, and black," Woelfel says.

Apartment Therapy

Lighten Up

3/12

Sea-greens, lavenders, and misty blues are all on the radar of Mary Lawlor, Manager of Color Marketing for Kelly-Moore Paints. She predicts a refreshed palette of colors for 2014, including Kelly-Moore’s Soft Blue (KM5032).

Kelly-Moore

Seeing Green

4/12

Cooking Apple Green is just one of the top 2014 color contenders at Farrow & Ball. "It is an uplifting color—clean and comforting,” muses the company's creative director, Sarah Cole. “It creates an uncomplicated haven in which to live.”

Farrow & Ball

A Sense of Serenity

5/12

"Blues bring a sense of calm to our homes, which is a welcome antidote to the frenetic pace many of us keep," observes Sharon Grech, color expert for Benjamin Moore. Their Color of the Year for 2014 is the whisper-weight Breath of Fresh Air (806).

Benjamin Moore

A Plum Choice

6/12

Sherwin-Williams's Color of the Year is Exclusive Plum (SW6263). "This dusky, filtered violet is refined without being stuffy and is layered with romantic potential," says Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams.

Related: How to Paint EVERYTHING

Sherwin-Williams

Back to Basics

7/12

“This year, some interiors are going back to the basics with minimal color,” says YOLO Colorhouse’s Janie Lowe. Bisque .06, part of YOLO’s Marine Layer Palette, evokes the casual calm of living near water. “It’s as gentle to the senses as walking through fog.”

yolocolorhouse.com

Go for Gold

8/12

“With vibrant accent walls on trend for 2014, bright yellows and oranges are a must for the New Year,” says Behr’s Erika Woelfel. “Sunday Afternoon will illuminate any room.”

Behr Paints

Seaside Charm

9/12

Colors inspired by the seashore and the landscape are also ones to watch in the new year, reports Farrow & Ball's Cole. Another top color choice for 2014 is the atmospheric Stiffkey Blue (281), which she points out, "perfectly encapsulates the natural trend."

Farrow and Ball

A Strong Statement

10/12

"Inspired by European salons filled with vibrant discussions about poetry and art, bold colors like our Wood .01 help you push design boundaries," reports Janie Lowe, co-founder of YOLO Colorhouse.

Yolo

A New Neutral

11/12

“For a relaxed and versatile scheme, Purbeck Stone is a strong neutral,” says Farrow & Ball’s Sarah Cole. “It’s neither too gray to be edgy nor too creamy to feel out of date.”

Farrow & Ball

For More...

12/12

If you are interested in more painting inspiration, consider:

9 "Can't Miss" Color Schemes

The Do's and Don'ts of Choosing a New House Color

10 Welcoming Front Door Paint Colors

Kerry Fidler Design

Don't Miss!

If you have the money to hire a handyman for every household woe, go ahead. But if you want to hang on to your cash and exercise some self-sufficiency, check out these clever products that solve a million and one little problems around the house. Go now!