Greetings, color aficionados worldwide!

I’d like to give a special shout out to my Greek friend Liana, an Airbnb owner who reached out to me a couple of weeks ago to specify wall color for one of her properties.

Did I mention that this year my corporate hashtag is #ColoringMyWayAcrossTheGlobe? What a great start to the year!

I’m participating next week in a panel discussion on 2020 Real Estate Trends and Projections. So far we have over 60 RSVPs, and the audience will be comprised of real estate agents, brokers, investors, flippers, contractors, architects, designers and builders.

RSVP to the event, Houstonians. We are serving complimentary lunch thanks to the main organizer and sponsors, STRIVE HVAC!

My part in the discussion is to highlight key 2020 color trends in the real estate and construction development world. After pouring over no less than 25 articles and pieces of literature on the topic, and factoring in the Benjamin Moore 2020 color palette, here is what I concluded:

Before we pick color, we must understand consumer mood and mindset. As Mary Cook was quoted in BD Magazine, “There are five fundamentals to consider before even considering aesthetics of design (color and materials): psychographics, sustainability, wellness, community, and authenticity.”

I agree with Mary on this one, so let’s explore the mood of home and property buyers in 2020.

1. The kitchen has become the family room. This absolutely addresses the cross-generational need for community and a sense of connectivity to family. People have become too isolated and lonely, as sadly scores of statistics tell us, so there is this re-emphasis on togetherness.

2. While open floor plans are still popular, one “zen den” is desired as a place apart from the rest of the home, and designed as a place of unplugging from all else.

3. Tapping into the desire for wellness and rest, master suites are larger and expanding, allowing room for homeowners to create a calming, spa-like atmosphere for themselves.

4. The yearning to connect with nature is drawing home buyers to bring elements of greenery and natural furniture pieces into the home. Gena Kirk of KB Home out of Los Angeles, California, stated in an article that, “this trend is essentially extending the great room into the backyard.”

5. The size of homes overall is decreasing, and homeowners are remaining in their homes for 13 years on average, 5 years longer than what we saw in 2010. This means that renovations are commonplace. Homes need to feel warm and comforting.

6. 2020 design trends such as mixed metals, minimalism, wallpaper, furniture and surfaces in natural materials, and lighting all factor into how and where color is used.

Let’s talk color now……or at least let me give you a sneak peek into what I will discuss next Thursday!

We have a NEW NEUTRAL, and it’s not GRAY. We are going to see it on exterior doors, kitchen appliances in a matte finish, or even on stained floors.

Recently, a competitor of Benjamin Moore (NOTE: I only represent Benjamin Moore paint in my color work, BUT do absolutely take note of what other paint authorities have to say) polled interior design professionals, and 66% agree that this mystery neutral is an on-trend pick.

GRAYS and OFF WHITES are still popular, but neutrals are beginning to take a different direction.

Come to my event to find out which neutral is now officially trending!

Where do you add pops of color when doing a build out, renovation or placing a home on the market?

Think EXTERIOR DOORS, POWDER ROOMS, KITCHEN CABINETS + ISLANDS.

Forget the ACCENT WALL concept for a minute. Go monochromatic in one room and PAINT ALL FOUR WALLS.

The two primary color categories I want to focus for the panel discussion are BLUES and GREENS, because there are many options.

Buyers are inspired by OCEANS and LANDSCAPE. You almost cannot go wrong using these colors.

What shades of blue and green would I specify, though? Come to my event, friends, and find out…………or wait patiently until I build out the rest of this post with beautiful imagery next week. :)

If you can make it to my event, then I will tell you in person about the top 6 colors I recommend. If not, then don’t worry………I’m going to finish this blog post next week the day of the event.

Coloring my way across the globe,

your color girl Lauren