How to Decorate with the 2019 Colors of the Year
No paint required.
Published Jul 23, 2019 3:25 PM
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The 2019 Color of the Year reports are trickling in from leading paint companies—but for those of us unable to use paint to refresh our spaces, these trend predictions can often seem like unhelpful suggestions. Fortunately, there are more temporary ways to incorporate these soon-to-be trending colors. Even those with the strictest landlords can participate by swapping out a few home essentials or adding a decorative accent in the forecasted colors.
Luckily, every pick for the 2019 Color of the Year has thus far is versatile and easy to decorate with. Benjamin Moore’ Metropolitan AF – 690, a soft gray, can easily take the place of white as the reigning neutral in any space. Cavern Clay is Sherwin Williams’ pick: it’s a warm terracotta hue that’s basically a neutral in its own right. The more pigmented colors (Behr’s teal Blueprint, PPG Paint’s emerald green Night Watch, and HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams’ turquoise Reflecting Pool) are equally adaptable to a number of design aesthetics.
We scoured the market for stylish finds that best mimic the trending shades. Here, easy ways to decorate with next year’s most popular colors; no paint required.
Metropolitan AF – 690
This particular color trend is sure to be a welcome one for minimalists. Swapping whites or warmer neutrals for this crisp dove gray hue will instantly make your space more sophisticated.
Start in the bedroom, giving your standard white sheets an overhaul with gray linen ones. Next, replace wooden seating options in your kitchen’s breakfast bar with sleek gray metal options. They’re a touch of the contemporary that still feel timeless. Finally, gray doesn’t have to mean boring. An accent piece that incorporates a playful twist—for example, a gray stoneware pitcher with a bright yellow handle—is an unexpected way to showcase the trendy color.
Cavern Clay
Warm and earthy, terracotta is one of those colors you just can’t go wrong with. Better yet, the fact that it’s usually found in warmer, sunnier climates means that using it is a great way to keep a bit of summer alive year round. This cool beach glass bowl is the most literal manifestation of that goal. Other accents, like a sculptural wave-shaped vase or warm coral-colored concrete lamp, are similarly low-lift ways to infuse the hue.
You can even make your most utilitarian tools double as decor by choosing them in this trendy color. Enter: Farmhouse Pottery’s leather fly swatter. Taking care of pests has never been chicer.
Blueprint S470 – 5
This rich shade of blue sits somewhere between gray-blue and teal. Any fans of beachy, California-inspired style will particularly love this color; contrasted against a crisp white backdrop, it’s stereotypically nautical in the best way possible. Get started with a blue glass vase that looks like it was poached from some seaside restaurant.
Giving your boring old lighting a quick overhaul is as simple as purchasing a new pendant shade. We’re big fans of Ferm Living’s blue metal cone, which you can style with their lighter blue socket pendant for a cool tonal look. Next, turn your attention to the living room. Go bold by swapping out your current armchair or sofa for a teal option, or implement the color in a smaller way via a new throw pillow.
Reflecting Pool
Of all of next year’s trending colors, HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams’ pick probably feels the most daunting. It can be hard to make bright turquoise feel elegant. Which is why the best way to incorporate it doesn’t involve paint at all; rather, look to your textiles. Splurge on a vintage handwoven rug that’ll instantly bring warmth and charm to any room. Aqua bedding can easily feel juvenile, so opt for it in sophisticated materials like linen to avoid veering into cliché.
Elsewhere, try your hand at the vibrant shade by mixing it with similarly punchy colors. A mod acrylic vase that also features the primary colors is the only statement-making accent piece your mantel needs.
Night Watch
It’s likely you’ve already been loving this trendy color for a while. Emerald green isn’t a particularly groundbreaking new choice; so instead, look to incorporate it in more original ways. A vintage-looking crochet table runner is a great alternative to tablecloths, and picking one in a dark green is particularly perfect for holiday entertaining. In lieu of a vase as your centerpiece, try a green marble bowl filled with seasonal odds and ends. For another quick dining room update, a sculptural light fixture in emerald makes a luxe finishing touch.
Looking to make an investment purchase? You can’t go wrong with a plush velvet sofa. Choose a classic silhouette in this bold color for a piece that’ll ground your living room and stand the test of time.
See more about the colors of the year: Sherwin-Williams’ 2019 Color of the Year Is a Desert DreamBenjamin Moore’s 2019 Color of the Year Was Not What We ExpectedBehr’s 2019 Color of the Year Is Exactly What We Needed