2020 Interior Color Trends According to Designers

Every year, Sherwin-Williams lets us in on the hottest paint color of the year. This year, Sherwin-Williams picked “the world’s most relaxing hue,” Naval, as the 2020 Color of the Year. However, they aren’t done calling the paint trends just yet. The paint company enlisted the help of 250 professional interior designers in order to identify the hottest interior paint color trends in 2020—and you might be surprised by what they predicted.

“The survey results show that design is moving in a new direction. It’s not just about how colors look in a space, but how they make you feel," explains Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing for Sherwin-Williams. "That’s why I think gray is trending out and moodier hues are trending in—these dark, rich colors envelop us and make us feel cozy, turning our homes into the retreats I think we’re all craving.”

Dark Will Be Considered a New Neutral

You already know that white, gray, and beige fall into neutral territory. However, in 2020, they will be joined by darker forces. Sixty-six percent of the designers polled agreed that black is now a neutral tone, while 44 percent named sage green, and 42 percent navy blue. Though not dark, even blush pink was considered a neutral by over a third of designers, indicating that neutral is being redefined as something much more pigmented and bold.

Color Choice Will Vary by Generation

Generation Z is growing up, so expect to see brighter paint colors trending. Twenty-six percent of designers surveyed claimed that younger folk were more likely to go bright, requesting vibrant yellow and orange hues in their designs. Older generations still like to keep things traditionally neutral, with white and beiges being the most requested colors by every generation above Gen Z. Millennials, however, are just as likely to opt for bolder colors like blue or purple.

Beige Will Be the Comeback Queen

Over the last few years, various shades of gray have been slathered on walls around the world. However, according to the interior design world, beige is ready for a comeback. This dining room, with a beige almost bordering on blush, makes the classic neutral look chic, sophisticated, and updated.

In addition to beige making a comeback, another trend designers predict we'll see much more of in 2020 is more natural wood in furniture, décor, and cabinetry. Soft, soothing, and natural is the name of the game.

Trending Colors Will Find Their Place

According to interior designers, people are going to be more likely to try out a trend in the bathroom. A third of all surveyed picked the smallest room in the house, while 17 percent picked the living rooms, 15 percent, the bedroom, and just 10 percent the dining room.