Two Experts Weigh in on the Best Way to Use Behr’s Color of the Year in Your Kitchen or Bathroom

Selecting the right paint color for a bathroom is crucial for creating a desired atmosphere of relaxation and rejuvenation. While traditional options like neutrals (beige, eggshell) are often recommended, certain shades should be avoided to prevent undesirable effects. This article, featuring insights from color expert Lauren Hoferkamp of Dunn-Edwards Paints, and designers Carolyn Cerminara of Cerminara Design and Trina Rogers of Five Star Painting, highlights five specific paint colors that are generally not suitable for bathrooms and explains why. Bright orange is identified as a color to avoid because of its intensity. It can evoke an overly energized feeling, which contradicts the calming and serene environment typically desired in a bathroom setting. Dark purple is another color that designers caution against. Carolyn Cerminara explains that darker purples can feel intense and overwhelming, making a bathroom space appear closed-in and less relaxing. This effect is particularly pronounced in smaller bathrooms or those with limited natural light. Additionally, dark purple can be challenging to coordinate with existing tiles and fixtures, leading to a disjointed aesthetic. Mustard yellow also makes the list due to its tendency to make a bathroom feel smaller and dated. Cerminara notes that instead of creating a bright and airy vibe, mustard yellow can appear heavy and overwhelming. Unless a specific retro aesthetic is intentionally sought, this color can make the bathroom feel out of touch with modern design sensibilities. While pink bathrooms can be charming, the article advises against bright pinks, such as bubblegum shades, recommending more subtle hues like salmon if pink is desired. The concern here is the longevity of bright pinks, suggesting they might lead to a quicker desire for a repaint compared to more neutral or classic colors. Finally, stark white is presented as a color to avoid despite the popularity of white and neutral bathrooms. Rogers points out that stark white painted walls can create a cold and uninviting feeling. Moreover, if the bathroom lacks adequate lighting, stark white can appear flat and uninspiring. As an alternative, experts suggest warm off-whites or light modern beiges, such as Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa or Natural Linen, to achieve an open and airy feel without the icy sterility of stark white. Instead of these five problematic colors, the article offers three recommended color palettes for bathrooms. Soft whites and creams are endorsed for their timeless and classic appeal, with specific examples like Pointing by Farrow & Ball, Shoji White by Sherwin-Williams, and Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams. Charcoal or gray tones are suggested for those seeking a bold, dramatic, and elegant look, including options like Parma Gray by Farrow & Ball, Made of Steel by Dunn-Edwards, Mineral Deposit, and Bedrock by Sherwin-Williams. Lastly, deep forest green is recommended for its ability to create a natural and peaceful ambiance, with examples such as Moss Cottage by Dunn-Edwards, Leapfrog by Sherwin-Williams, and Moorstone by Sherwin-Williams. These recommendations provide actionable alternatives for homeowners looking to design a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing bathroom. #BathroomPaintColors #InteriorDesign #ColorExpertTips #HomeDecorating #PaintSelection #DesignTrends #RenovationTips

The home design landscape, particularly for kitchens and bathrooms, is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from traditional safe, neutral aesthetics towards a vibrant embrace of color and pattern. This shift was prominently displayed at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas, where luxury brands showcased appliances and fixtures in bold hues. For instance, True presented refrigeration and wine coolers in emerald green with brass or copper pulls, while Ann Sacks featured crackled glossy tile in similar shades, notably made from recycled materials. Kohler introduced sinks in plum, lavender, and indigo, reflecting prevailing home décor trends. BlueStar, known for its extensive color options, highlighted Living Coral, Pantone’s 2019 color of the year, and even teased a patterned prototype with blue-and-white stripes and floral overlays, designed by Madcap Cottage. The collaboration between Dolce and Gabbana and Smeg brought their vivid, ebullient patterns to ranges, stove hoods, refrigerators, and small appliances, marking a departure from the conventional white cabinets, Carrera marble, and stainless steel that have long dominated kitchen design. This burgeoning appetite for color and pattern extends beyond appliances to cabinetry and surface materials, invigorating design shows in global hubs like Paris, Frankfurt, and Milan. Trend-watchers have observed an increasing exuberance, with some designs verging on full-blown maximalism. This movement aligns with the growing emphasis on customization and bespoke solutions in home décor, a theme central to events like EuroCucina. While modular forms popular in Europe have yet to fully permeate the U.S. market, personalization is gaining significant traction. Beyond bold colors, there's also a warming trend in metal finishes, with burnished brass, rose gold, and copper replacing stainless steel pulls. Black matte, often paired with gold, is also gaining popularity. Exhibitions at KBIS demonstrated innovative material mixing, including natural and stained wood, matte or lacquered finishes, and various stones, porcelain, and metals. Manufacturers are actively responding to this demand for individuality. Kohler has expanded its palette to cater to the desire for more color in the home. Dacor offers a DacorMatch Color Match service, allowing consumers to personalize appliances with custom colors. Victoria and Albert provides 194 RAL colors through its color-match system, supplementing its standard offerings. Industry insights suggest a growing interest in deep blues and greens, alongside predictions for warm palettes of apricots, tawny browns, and parchment. The rise of personalization is attributed to social media and technological advancements, as consumers seek to replicate admired aesthetics in their own homes. Digital printing technology, for example, enables the application of virtually any image, text, or pattern to appliances with durable, easy-to-clean finishes. This technological progress means consumers now have unprecedented tools to express their unique styles and avoid a "cookie-cutter" aesthetic. Designers are leveraging these new possibilities. Caitlin Wilson, for instance, made a BlueStar Pigeon Blue range and matching hood the centerpiece of her kitchen, contrasting it with white cabinets, natural oak, and antique brass accents. Angela Wellborn O'Neill of Wellborn Cabinets suggests that vibrant colors in kitchen design can enhance sensory experiences during cooking and serve as a focal point for the entire home. This trend also extends outdoors, with colorful grills inspiring patio décor. Hestan, an appliance manufacturer, actively gathers color insights from designers. John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon, authors of "Prints Charming," advocate for layering colors and patterns. Studio DB's Kips Bay Decorator Show House bathroom exemplifies this approach, featuring a plum clawfoot tub against a panther-patterned silver wallpaper and Viridian Green walls, creating a "sexy boudoir" ambiance. The role of pattern is also expanding through elegant hand-painted murals and a wider range of porcelain tiles, quartz, stones, and laminates, which now feature more exotic materials and complex veining. Backlighting and translucent surfaces like quartz and onyx further add dimension. Despite the growing acceptance of color and pattern, remodeling these spaces remains a significant investment, often leading to careful consideration of product choices and budget. However, there are accessible ways to introduce color, such as making a statement with a colorful range or tub, adding a vibrant backsplash, utilizing the floor as a canvas for geometric patterns, making the island a focal point, incorporating texture through strong wood grains or 3D tiles, or simply updating taps and cabinetry hardware for a quick refresh. #KitchenDesign #BathroomDesign #InteriorDesignTrends #ColorInDesign #HomeRenovation #ApplianceColors #Customization #PatternInDesign #MaterialMixing

This article discusses common bathroom paint color regrets, drawing insights from Melanie Grabarkiewicz, lead designer at Meadowlark Design + Build. Many people tend to choose paint colors that, while appealing in theory, often fall short in practice, impacting both the room's ambiance and personal appearance. The article highlights that cool-toned blues are frequently regretted, as they can make a bathroom feel dull and unflattering to one's complexion, especially under varying light conditions. Grabarkiewicz suggests opting for warmer, softer tones to create a more inviting and restorative atmosphere, which also better complements natural skin tones. Another significant regret is the use of stark grays or whites. While initially perceived as clean and modern, these colors can result in a clinical and sterile bathroom environment, particularly when paired with cool LED lighting. The article advises homeowners to move away from the all-gray bathroom trend and instead consider warmer neutrals or whites with subtle undertones of cream, taupe, or blush. These alternative hues are described as more inviting and harmonize well with contemporary trends in tile and stone, offering an easy way to introduce warmth without a complete overhaul. Crisp, bright white walls, despite their initial appeal for a clean aesthetic, are also identified as a source of regret. Designers find that in real-world application, bright white can appear harsh and unwelcoming. A recommended solution is to replace stark white with a warmer white that has hints of cream or beige. This adjustment allows for the maintenance of a bright space while achieving a more serene and spa-like feel. The article also suggests incorporating gentle patterns, subtle colors, or moody shades like inky blue or hunter green to add depth and personality to a white bathroom. Finally, the trend of deep color drenching, often inspired by dark academia aesthetics, is highlighted as a common regret. While visually stunning in photographs, achieving a functional and appealing dark bathroom in reality proves challenging due to lighting requirements. Homeowners often underestimate the amount and type of light needed to prevent the space from feeling heavy or cave-like. For those determined to experiment with darker hues, the powder room is suggested as a suitable space, provided that careful attention is paid to balancing rich tones with well-placed sconces, mirrors, and warm lighting. However, for primary bathrooms where daily preparation occurs, dark walls are generally not recommended due to their impracticality in such settings. #BathroomDesign #PaintColors #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #ColorPsychology #DesignTips #RenovationRegrets

Every autumn, prominent paint companies unveil their selections for the upcoming year's most anticipated paint colors, influencing design trends. These choices are meticulously curated by analyzing macro and micro design trends, alongside social media analytics, to identify colors that resonate with contemporary aesthetics and consumer preferences. For 2026, Behr, Sherwin Williams, and Benjamin Moore have each introduced distinctive hues expected to shape interior design. This article provides an overview of these forecasted paint color trends, offering insights into their characteristics and potential applications within various living spaces. Benjamin Moore has declared "Silhouette" as its 2026 Color of the Year. This shade is described as a rich, chocolatey brown, modernized by an espresso undertone. It embodies a deep, dark, and dramatic aesthetic, reminiscent of Sherwin Williams' 2021 Color of the Year, Urbane Bronze. The article highlights that jewel tones have been a significant trend in recent years, and Silhouette contributes to this with a subtle purple undertone, imparting a warm richness when applied to walls. This color offers a sophisticated and enveloping feel, suitable for creating a striking presence in a room. Sherwin Williams has chosen "Universal Khaki" for 2026, a selection that responds to a growing desire among homeowners for warmer tones in their living environments, moving away from cooler blue-grays and stark whites. This mid-depth beige is characterized by a neutral green undertone, which allows it to seamlessly integrate with a diverse range of decor styles. With a Light Reflective Value (LRV) of 40, Universal Khaki is considered somewhat dark for expansive open-concept areas. However, it is presented as an ideal choice for fostering cozy atmospheres in more contained spaces such as offices or bedrooms. For individuals who appreciate the warmth of Universal Khaki but prefer a lighter option for primary living areas, Sherwin Williams suggests "Wool Skein." Behr's Color of the Year for 2026 is "Hidden Gem," an emerald green hue that is both gorgeous and dramatic. This shade particularly appeals to those who favor greens with a subtle slate undertone, as Hidden Gem offers a beautiful blend of blue-green. Design experts anticipate that this jade tone will gain popularity for various applications, including kitchen cabinetry, bedrooms, studies, and home offices. Its rich and vibrant quality allows it to serve as a focal point or an accent in different rooms, contributing to a sense of luxury and nature-inspired elegance. In summary, the 2026 paint color predictions from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Behr reflect a shift towards deeper, warmer, and more dramatic tones. Silhouette offers a sophisticated dark brown, Universal Khaki provides a versatile warm beige, and Hidden Gem introduces an elegant emerald green. These colors are selected to inspire creativity and provide homeowners with new avenues for personalizing their living spaces, moving beyond previous trends to embrace a richer palette. #PaintColors #ColorOfTheYear #InteriorDesignTrends #HomeDecoration #BenjaminMoore #SherwinWilliams #Behr #ColorTrends #HomeInteriors