Lianna Albrizio, Assistant Editor 12.18.23
As consumers put 2023 in the rearview, a new year calls for a facelift around the home.
Consumers who resolve to make over their soul are turning to a fresh coat of paint over which they live. While hesitant in committing to a complete overhaul, a little bit goes a long way. Vibrant accent walls, coastal chic cabinetry, room-changing wall trims and inviting, rich-toned front doors can enliven homes (and attitudes) with reasonable time, energy and money. Coatings World spoke with Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, who breaks down some of the biggest home improvement trends of 2024 and the colors making a splash.
Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin-Williams
Coatings World: How popular are accent walls at the moment in home improvement projects?
Sue Wadden: Accent walls have always been popular! Not only are they a great budget friendly way to transform a space without having to invest in as much time and money as you normally would to repaint an entire room – they’re also a good choice for homeowners who might be intimidated by adding color into their home. While painting an entire room in a bold color might seem overwhelming, an accent wall can bring life to an otherwise subdued room for less of a risk.
CW: Some of the suggested colors for accent walls are bright orange and deep red. Why do these particular colors make the best accent walls, in which rooms of a home would they look best, and which colors by Sherwin-Williams create them?
SW: While these colors are an excellent choice for accent walls, the sky is the limit! Homeowners could also go for a more subtle choice like a neutral that’s a few shades darker than the rest of the room. Reds and oranges in particular are perfect for spaces where you want to be energized and spark conversations – like dining rooms. Positive Red SW 6971 and Cavern Clay SW 7701 are both beautiful options!
CW: Terracotta and a “dreamy green” are also recommended. What is meant by a dreamy green and which rooms in the home do these colors look best?
SW: Dreamy greens are characterized by being lighter and subtler than the typical dark or moody greens we’ve been used to seeing in the home. These greens give off a more relaxed and refreshing feel into the space they’re applied to. I recommend using these shades in a bathroom or a kitchen, where homeowners want a subtle touch of color while keeping the room feeling clean and crisp.
CW: There’s much hype around the up-and-coming coastal chic trend. Why do you think it’s popular in these times, and which Sherwin-Williams colors best represent them on cabinets and vanities?
SW: We believe coastal-chic is going to take over for two main reasons – homeowners are shifting their interest from neutrals and earthy tones into whiter and brighter tones, and blue is predicted to be equally as big as well for the upcoming year. When you combine these two, you get a coastal-chic vibe! The best color to represent this would be our 2024 Color of the Year Upward SW 6239 – it’s the perfect shade to create this trend in your home and one of my favorite ways to use it is on kitchen cabinets and vanities!
CW: Let’s shift gears for a moment to the outside of the home. When it comes to front doors, why are they such an important part of a home, and which shades by SW can help create the best curb appeal?
SW: Front doors play an important role in the home because they welcome guests in. Homeowners can add a touch of their own personality before people even enter their space. They’re also great conversation starters since it’s the perfect way to give a fun first impression! I love using dark colors on front doors because it adds a dramatic touch to any exterior, I recommend using Iron Ore SW 7069. My own front door is painted in Antiquarian Brown SW 0045 because I love how the warm rich tone welcomes people inside!
CW: In regards to painting trims, tell me about the effect in bedrooms that a white trim can have against a dark-colored wall? How does it help give the illusion of a larger space and create more of an elegant space?
SW: Dark-colored walls and crisp white trim are a classic combination. Light trim can help to illuminate architectural elements like woodwork, doors and crown-molding to increase the illusion of space and help to picture frame the view out the window, particularly as adjacent to a dark color. The high contrast effect is atmospheric and creates as sense of sanctuary, particularly in a bedroom.
CW: Furniture can also be repainted to create a newer feel. Which items do you recommend painting, and in what Sherwin-Williams shades are the most flattering and eye-catching?
SW: The options are endless when coming to painting furniture. It’s a great way to freshen up vintage pieces or add some drama a luxury to simple designs. Because minimalist trends today are having a moment, using bolder colors or deep, dark and moody hues on furniture is a great way to add complexity to a room and make a key piece of furniture really appealing. And then, add some new hardware for additional sparkle! Furniture like dressers, vanities, side chairs are great options - really any accent pieces that have a hard surface!
CW: When these paint jobs are complete, how would you describe the end result?
SW: I believe homeowners will be pleasantly surprised once they see how easily they can transform their home with minimal effort and investment!
Consumers who resolve to make over their soul are turning to a fresh coat of paint over which they live. While hesitant in committing to a complete overhaul, a little bit goes a long way. Vibrant accent walls, coastal chic cabinetry, room-changing wall trims and inviting, rich-toned front doors can enliven homes (and attitudes) with reasonable time, energy and money. Coatings World spoke with Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, who breaks down some of the biggest home improvement trends of 2024 and the colors making a splash.
Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin-Williams
Coatings World: How popular are accent walls at the moment in home improvement projects?
Sue Wadden: Accent walls have always been popular! Not only are they a great budget friendly way to transform a space without having to invest in as much time and money as you normally would to repaint an entire room – they’re also a good choice for homeowners who might be intimidated by adding color into their home. While painting an entire room in a bold color might seem overwhelming, an accent wall can bring life to an otherwise subdued room for less of a risk.
CW: Some of the suggested colors for accent walls are bright orange and deep red. Why do these particular colors make the best accent walls, in which rooms of a home would they look best, and which colors by Sherwin-Williams create them?
SW: While these colors are an excellent choice for accent walls, the sky is the limit! Homeowners could also go for a more subtle choice like a neutral that’s a few shades darker than the rest of the room. Reds and oranges in particular are perfect for spaces where you want to be energized and spark conversations – like dining rooms. Positive Red SW 6971 and Cavern Clay SW 7701 are both beautiful options!
CW: Terracotta and a “dreamy green” are also recommended. What is meant by a dreamy green and which rooms in the home do these colors look best?
SW: Dreamy greens are characterized by being lighter and subtler than the typical dark or moody greens we’ve been used to seeing in the home. These greens give off a more relaxed and refreshing feel into the space they’re applied to. I recommend using these shades in a bathroom or a kitchen, where homeowners want a subtle touch of color while keeping the room feeling clean and crisp.
CW: There’s much hype around the up-and-coming coastal chic trend. Why do you think it’s popular in these times, and which Sherwin-Williams colors best represent them on cabinets and vanities?
SW: We believe coastal-chic is going to take over for two main reasons – homeowners are shifting their interest from neutrals and earthy tones into whiter and brighter tones, and blue is predicted to be equally as big as well for the upcoming year. When you combine these two, you get a coastal-chic vibe! The best color to represent this would be our 2024 Color of the Year Upward SW 6239 – it’s the perfect shade to create this trend in your home and one of my favorite ways to use it is on kitchen cabinets and vanities!
CW: Let’s shift gears for a moment to the outside of the home. When it comes to front doors, why are they such an important part of a home, and which shades by SW can help create the best curb appeal?
SW: Front doors play an important role in the home because they welcome guests in. Homeowners can add a touch of their own personality before people even enter their space. They’re also great conversation starters since it’s the perfect way to give a fun first impression! I love using dark colors on front doors because it adds a dramatic touch to any exterior, I recommend using Iron Ore SW 7069. My own front door is painted in Antiquarian Brown SW 0045 because I love how the warm rich tone welcomes people inside!
CW: In regards to painting trims, tell me about the effect in bedrooms that a white trim can have against a dark-colored wall? How does it help give the illusion of a larger space and create more of an elegant space?
SW: Dark-colored walls and crisp white trim are a classic combination. Light trim can help to illuminate architectural elements like woodwork, doors and crown-molding to increase the illusion of space and help to picture frame the view out the window, particularly as adjacent to a dark color. The high contrast effect is atmospheric and creates as sense of sanctuary, particularly in a bedroom.
CW: Furniture can also be repainted to create a newer feel. Which items do you recommend painting, and in what Sherwin-Williams shades are the most flattering and eye-catching?
SW: The options are endless when coming to painting furniture. It’s a great way to freshen up vintage pieces or add some drama a luxury to simple designs. Because minimalist trends today are having a moment, using bolder colors or deep, dark and moody hues on furniture is a great way to add complexity to a room and make a key piece of furniture really appealing. And then, add some new hardware for additional sparkle! Furniture like dressers, vanities, side chairs are great options - really any accent pieces that have a hard surface!
CW: When these paint jobs are complete, how would you describe the end result?
SW: I believe homeowners will be pleasantly surprised once they see how easily they can transform their home with minimal effort and investment!
