Predicted Paint Colors For 2020

Predicted Paint Colors For 2020 - roomfortuesday.comI know, I know… I promised you all a shiny, new living room reveal today, BUT if you follow along on Instagram– you already know I haven’t finished styling my shelves yet (womp womp). I ran out of books and I’m still feeling very under-the-weather, so I might need the weekend to go thrifting and properly wrap things up. Sorry, friends! We’ve spent so much time on this space, I just want to make sure I do it justice. All of that to say, I’m hoping you’ll enjoy this post instead… it’s always a fan favorite! This is my 4th annual “Predicted Paint Colors” post and this year I’m shaking up the format. Rather than doing a whole bunch of color families, I thought it might be less intimidating or daunting to share my top 10 color swatches, why I love them, and how you might apply these paint colors in your own home. Sound like a plan? Ok, let’s do it! Click through to check it out…

I’m just going to dive right in. I scoured ALL of my paint decks (around 15!) to find beautiful colors I think we’ll be seeing more of in the coming year. I also spent a lot of time researching color palettes on the rise, since I spent most of the week sick in bed. It was the perfect opportunity to do some color forecasting. Drumroll please….. these are the 10 I landed on (read more about why below the graphic).

Predicted Paint Colors For 2020 - roomfortuesday.com#1 : Benjamin Moore Gray Wisp 1570 // I’ve been attracted to this muted seafoam color for quite some time. In fact, we started a guest bedroom makeover upstairs that will hopefully get finished at some point this year. Remember this painted door DIY post? I used a strikingly similar color and I’m planning to paint the entire room in that same hue. All of that to say- I think we can expect to see more gray / green tones like this. It’s soft and neutral, but also gives us COLOR that has a bit more personality than gray or beige. I’m a fan of seeing this in a high gloss finish on millwork.

#2 : Clare Blackest // Black paint is always in style. It’s bold, daring, high contrast, and certainly not for everyone, BUT- I’m challenging you to use it somewhere this year. My favorite application for rich black paint? The ceiling! Elongate your ceiling height, hide ugly texture, or make a statement in a small room (see my laundry room and previous bathroom as proof). I prefer a true, deep black and this one is a new favorite!

#3 : Farrow & Ball Lulworth Blue No. 89 // Cornflower blue is going to strike… I can feel it. I said this last year and I feel like we barely got a taste for this stunning color. I’m hoping we continue to see more of it in the coming year! Remember this gorgeous kitchen? That actually inspired me to use a similar shade in my guest bathroom last year. It’s calming and sophisticated!

#4 : Benjamin Moore Backwoods 469 // You know I can’t resist a deep green. This cool hued color is bound to show up sooner rather than later in our home. In 2019, there were a LOT of mossy medium green hues, but this year I’d like to see everyone cool the color down and go a bit darker. I feel like this is the more timeless (2020) way to use green paint and I’m here for it.

#5 : Sherwin-Williams Aesthetic White 7035 // This paint color is my go-to light natural. I rarely do plain white walls, but if I’m going bright and neutral… this is always in my top choices. In fact, our formal living room (that I’ll FINALLY reveal on Monday) is painted this color. It’s a more interesting neutral than stark white, hides scuffs more easily, and adapts well to the furnishings in a space. It’s one of those chameleon colors that people are catching onto!

#6 : Benjamin Moore Sweet Rosy Brown 1302 // I’m serious when I say, I want to paint something red(ish) in our house this year. I’d love to see built-ins painted this hue in a glossy finish (like Gwen’s). Rather than skewing more toward fuschia or purple, I like the idea of this swatch leaning more toward brown for a classic look (I’m not big on pink). I really do think we’ll see more red hues in the coming year. Who is going to be brave enough to attempt painting something in this shade with me?

#7 : Sherwin-Williams North Star 6246 // This color caught my attention because it’s a nice neutral blue that feels comfortable, like gray… but has more depth. It’s super calming and would be perfect in so many spaces. If you’re strictly a neutral paint kind of person and are trying to branch out… start here. This color will surprise you in the best way. I’m loving this on walls, furniture, millwork, exterior settings, basically anywhere and everywhere.

#8 : Benjamin Moore Hazelwood 1005 // This is another chameleon color that made me look twice. At first glance, I thought it was gray, then I took my paint deck to a different room, only to realize it was almost lavender. It’s a nice warm neutral that would look really beautiful in a matte or gloss finish. I’d definitely like to use this somewhere soon! I think we’ll be seeing more of these warm gray / nearly purple tones in the coming year.

#9 : HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams at Lowe’s Anchors Aweigh // Dark navy blue isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. After Sherwin-Williams announced Naval as their Color of the Year (remember my basement makeover?), I think we can expect the deep blue paint colors to stick around throughout the entire year. After all, these shades never really go out of style… they’re very classic, in my opinion.

#10 : Behr Sophisticated Teal HDC-CL-22 // Last, but definitely not least, teal! You guys already know I’m a fan of dark teal (ahem, my kitchen cabinets) and I’m hoping we see lots of this in 2020. I’d like to explore both the medium and dark hues. Again, this is a color that works in so many settings in multiple finishes. I could see this ultra glossy or super matte.

Predicted Paint Colors For 2020 - roomfortuesday.comWhat do you think of my color picks for 2020? Are our visions and predictions aligned? I’m looking forward to many more painting projects (yes- I’m one of those crazy people who LOVES painting) this year. If you’re curious about specific colors seen throughout our current home or previous renovations, this post is a must-read. I break down each paint color by room and the colors I paired it with.

Predicted Paint Colors For 2020 - roomfortuesday.comI’d love to hear what colors you’re looking forward to using this year in the comment section below! Now that I’m finally feeling better after my bit with bronchitis, I’m starting to get excited about planning new projects. Don’t worry- I promise to finish and share the living room first. Ha!

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29 Comments

  1. Love this more in-depth format! I don’t quite understand predicting colors, but the idea of poring over paint decks makes me giddy. (My Martha Stewart color deck from HD years ago brought me lots of joy.) Your choices are right up my alley; blue and green are favorites in our home. You know I’m also on Team Red, but I definitely lean toward the pink. What about some beautiful “Sweet Rosy Brown” built-ins for your office? *insert peer pressure* Speaking of peer pressure, when I finally get my laundry room overhauled and it has a black ceiling, I think we’ll know who deserves the credit!😉
    Glad you’re feeling better! Happy almost Friday!

    1. I’m with you- combing through paint decks and swatches is the most fun! I think you might be onto something… red in my office?! That could be really fun. You know I’m team black ceiling in the laundry room :) Happy almost Friday!

  2. Love your paint color predictions Sarah! I used BM Gray Wisp in the living room of our last home and I totally adored that color. It would really be pretty in a guest bedroom too! I currently have SW Aesthetic white on the entry, main level and basement of our new/old home we moved into last year and let me say it’s the perfect neutral. Our last house had lots of wall color With neutral colored furniture and this time I went more neutral on the walls with jewel toned furniture, eg. navy blue sectional, hunter green velvet dining chairs 😍 I totally love it!
    Your paint picks have all the colors I love so I think they are all fabulous predictions 😉

    1. Thanks Colleen! I love Gray Wisp… such a pretty hue (you have great taste)! I’m also into jewel tones mixed with the neutrals. They feel so timeless! Have a great day. xo

  3. Beautiful lineup! The only one I’m not sure about is that Hazelwood. It kind of reminds me of that flesh tone that was popular in late 90’s. I have a buffet that I’m dying to repaint and that teal is calling my name. Hope you are feeling better! Remember to take it easy so you don’t relapse.

    1. Thank you, Melissa! Ohhh yeah… in person, Hazelwood doesn’t have any of the warm flesh tones that you’re talking about. No bad 90’s hues here. Whew! I’m 100% on board for your teal buffet- that would be stunning! Thanks for the reminder to listen to my body :) you guys always know just what I need to hear. xo

      1. Hi Sarah—I was planning to use FB Elephants Breath earlier this year, and discovered that Hazelwood is a close match so I chose Hazelwood instead. It was for an east facing bedroom with little natural light. I sampled it first and it looked lavender. I decided to go with it anyway, and I am so happy with it!!! Once the room was painted with 2 coats and dried, I don’t see any lavender at all. It’s a truly beautiful color and this is the first time I’ve ever seen it recommended. Thanks!

        1. So glad to hear that! It’s a beautiful color. I want to use it somewhere this year :)

  4. I enjoyed your paint predictions. Because of you, I am looking more into blues…navy, grey-blue, cornflower. I almost pulled the plug on a light blue-grey in our bedroom but chickened out! Your guest bathroom is still my favorite with all the finishes.
    Rachel Parcell has a grey-blue color on her front doors of her home and I love it! I have been thinking of doing the same. Also Alice Lane Home has a bedroom that is a deep burgundy-brown color that I love and thought it would look good in my husbands office. I have been saying for some time I am not a fan of dark colors but I am coming back around to some here and there. You are a great influencer Sarah!

    1. So glad to hear that, Danna! I love that you’re exploring blue and gray swatches now. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised :) My friends at Alice Lane designed Rachel’s home and I know exactly what you’re talking about. Have you been following their room reveals? They’re all so beautiful!

  5. Jessica Morgan says:

    Big thoughts and some feelings of validation with this post!! Our new house was painted Aesthetic White after the paint person at the store told me it didn’t sway too warm or cool. I initial reaction was to hate it because up against our pure white doors and nothing else in the space, all I saw was a yellow cast. But now that we have furniture in and are using the space it does add a nice warmth with our dark wood floors.

    North Star looks very similar to Martha Stewart’s Winter’s Day which I loved in my old master bedroom. Our new vanity is painted a deep teal color with matte black fixtures, and I’m still planning to paint our main bathroom ceiling black!

    1. I love hearing that Jessica!

  6. Laurie Ramirez says:

    Sad story: when we purchased our first home five years ago I told our painter to use SW North Star on our vaulted living room walls. We have millwork and lovely trim on the lower third of the walls, which I opted to keep white. I was so excited about the prospect of that gorgeous gray-blue and how it would bring some depth and subtle color to an otherwise neutral space.
    Soooo…fast forward to the day before we moved in, the painters were wrapping up their work and I asked them to text me a photo of the living room. They had painted everything white. Just a plain, boring white. In a huge living room with LOTS of wall space. Somehow they got confused about the paint number and ordered the wrong thing. We didn’t have the time to re-do the job since the movers were arriving the next day. So I’ve lived with a huge white living room ever since, and still dream about North Star and what it could have looked like!

    1. I vote paint something North Star :) Sorry to hear about the painting confusion. Such a bummer!

  7. You’re right, I was hoping to see your living room, but this post is amazing! I REALLY wish I had seen it before painting my house last year, I would definitely have considered using Aesthetic White. These colors are gorgeous, I’m especially struck by Sweet Rosy Brown, and I’m eyeing my furniture to decide which piece is getting painted. Thank you!

    1. So glad you liked it! The living room post just went live today, in case you missed it :)

  8. Vanessa Rising says:

    I love SW Aesthetic White. Two years ago, I painted my exterior this color with SW Tricorn black for the front door, shutters, and outdoor lights. The gutters are black as well. Trim work is in SW extra white. I’m so happy with this combination and have gotten so many compliments!

    1. That combination is DREAMY! Our front doors are also Tricorn Black.. great color choices :)

  9. Take your time healing, mamlet (yes, I just made that one up). I unknowingly had bronchitis when I was in junior high and when my mom finally took me to the doctor (after an intense coughing fit at school), he told her I was “this close” to having walking pneumonia. You probably don’t want to go there. The living room reveal can wait a tiny bit longer. XO Ardith

    1. Hey, I like that word!! I’m going to start using it. Haha :) I took your advice and have been listening to my body. I had to go in for a couple breathing treatments, but I’m hoping that will keep this from moving toward the pneumonia stage. Thanks Ardith! Have an amazing week :)

  10. P.S. These colors you chose are absolutely scrumptious (wow, haven’t seen/used that word in eons). Thank you for all the research and creative brain power behind this luscious collection. Cheers, Ardith

    1. Thanks Ardith! I’m excited to play around with more color in the coming year :) xo

  11. Sorry you’re feeling bad but you created a great list even while ill! I painted the entire main level of my home North Star. I absolutely love it.. looks so different depending on light, a very calming color. It is similar to Benjamin Moore Grey Owl. I had already painted the lower level of my home with it. I would love to paint my kitchen cabinets. Could you suggest a color to compliment North Star? The kitchen has a black mottled granite. Thanks. I have learned so much by reading your blog. I appreciate your willingness to assist those of us without your creative gene!😀

    1. Thank you, Jennifer! North Star is so beautiful- I love hearing that you’re enjoying it on your main level. I’d suggest going dark for a high contrast look! Perhaps a dark charcoal, navy, or deep hunter green for your cabinets? xox

  12. Kristin Richardson says:

    I used to be a “white is boring” kind of gal. Fast forward 20 years and 4 houses and now I love whites that have depth. I used Aesthetic White for the living area &hall of a our rental house and fell in love with it. It reads gray in the morning in low light, and a warm white bordering on greige in the afternoon sun. Love it so hard, I had a friend who asked for my help with her new home use it in North facing kitchen…it’s still grand. Between it and a modified Snowbound I use, I have come to adore the right whites.

    1. I love all of those colors, Kristin! I also love light neutrals and enjoy adding color through upholstery, art, and accessories :)

  13. Robbie Terry says:

    What neutral wall color would you suggest pairing with Alabaster which my trim/doors are painted? I see you use Extra White a lot for trim, but I’ve already committed too many spaces with Alabaster. I feel like I’m going backward (story of my decorating life!), but I need to be practical at the same time and not redo what’s been recently done! THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ADVICE!

  14. What color was used on the paint brush in the last photo? I LOVE that!

  15. We have added a small powder room while renovating main floor bath (now powder room and master bath). I am having such a time with paint colors. Everything I see on the computer looks totally different on paint cards. I love blues and greens, but am so scared to go big. (I do have a blue coffee bar and a blue wall at base of stairs.) What is the color on the paint brush in your last picture. Its just beautiful.