2020 Color Trends in Interior Design

Color plays an important role in interior design. 

Each color can completely transform a room; it can set the tone of the room, the mood, the general ambiance. It also has the power to give the illusion of space or to make a space seem smaller than it actually is. 

Color trends in interior design have evolved over time. Each year, major paint companies such as Sherwin-Williams and Pantone announce their color of the year and interior designers adopt these colors to build beautiful kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces. 

But where do these trends come from? Who decides what the newest color trends are? 

Interior design color trends are heavily influenced by fashion trends. In fact, most interior design trends including color, material and finish also rely on fashion trends that have trickled down from the fashion capital of the world – Milan. 

Here are some of the upcoming 2020 color trends to look out for in the world of interior design. 

Champagne is going to be one of the biggest 2020 color trends. And if you’re thinking champagne is boring, think again.  

Champagne is replacing the cool greys which have been dominating the world of interior design for years. This beige, natural tone will make a room feel warmer than its grey counterpart. Champagne adds an earthy touch to interiors and creates a calming environment. 

You can pair champagne with bold textures and materials if you want to add interest to a room. You can also play around with metallic accessories such as gold and silver.

Image by Sherwin-Williams

Navy blue is a timeless (and regal) color that is growing in popularity. Naval SW 6244 is Sherwin-Williams’ color of the year for 2020, and it is a dark, rich navy blue that is reminiscent of the night sky. 

Dark hues of blue pair beautifully with champagne, giving any home a cozy and welcoming feel. You can use it to paint an entire room – works wonders in a living room– or use it to create a stunning accent wall.

Yellow is the color of optimism and happiness. It will instantly liven up any room, although too much of it might create the opposite effect. Designers tend to use yellow sparingly, generally as an accent wall color. 

Gen-Z yellow was a popular color in 2019, but a more subdued, golden yellow will be replacing it in the coming year. This new 2020 color trend adds a refreshing hint of color to a room; it works well in nurseries, workspaces, bedrooms, and living rooms. 

Green was a popular color trend in Milan Design Week 2019, and we will see a lot more of it in 2020. Olive green in particular will be in the limelight, mimicking the look of nature. 

Light olive green can be used on interior walls as well as exterior walls (think backyard façade). It’s a color trend that takes us back to nature and creates a serene environment. 

Image by Benjamin Moore

Pink can be used in so many different rooms; it’s not (or shouldn’t be) restricted to nurseries. Light pink will be very popular in 2020. Benjamin Moore announced their color of the year: First Light 2102-70, a refreshing and airy hue of pink.  

Light pink is a refreshing alternative to white or beige. It can be used in living rooms, bedrooms and even kitchens. It compliments any space and flows well with other colors.

Dark, rich reds and caramels aren’t only reserved for the fall season. They were very popular in the interior design scene in 2019, with Sherwin-Williams announcing Cavern Clay as its color of the year, and different shades of it will continue to remain popular throughout 2020. 

Dark reds add sophistication and warmth to any room. You can use it as an accent color or as a predominant color. It can easily be combined with other tints or shades of red to create a beautiful atmosphere. 

Dark colors have been trending for quite some time now, and they will continue to trend in 2020. Charcoal is a very chic and intimate color that can be used in almost any room – bedroom, kitchen, bathroom. 

Charcoal can be used on an accent wall or can be the main color in a room. It pairs perfectly with other shades of grey, adding visual interest and depth to the space.

Mango screams fun, energetic (and delicious)! It’s a 2020 color trend that’s sweeping the interior design scene, and for good reason. 

Like most bold colors, mango can be used as an accent color in living rooms or dining rooms. It can also be used to accessorize a room – cushions, throws, armchairs – anything goes. It brightens up a room, and a little goes a long way.