We may feel cheery around the holidays, but as January, February and (ugh) March get here, it can be more of a challenge to keep from feeling a bit dreary. Luckily, wintertime is a great time to brighten up your home with color. And as it just so happens, the major paint companies have each announced their Color of the Year to give you inspiration. For 2018, the top picks are deep, bold and beautiful.
Sherwin Williams has selected Oceanside (how Cape Cod perfect is that?), a rich blue with hints of jewel-toned greens. This is a color that can bring together the old and the new – capable of creating different moods, depending on how and where it’s applied. And did you know that blue is the most beloved color worldwide? It’s universal appeal makes it a natural choice, and the rich marine blue of Oceanside is a perfect fit for Cape Cod homes.
Another major paint company, Benjamin Moore, has gone in a different direction. Their 2018 Color of the Year is Caliente, a vibrant, charismatic shade of red. According to Ellen O’Neill, Benjamin Moore’s Director of Strategic Design Intelligence, “Strong, radiant and full of energy, Caliente AF-290 is total confidence. It is pleasing, passionate and makes people feel special, like ‘red carpet treatment. Whether used as one note or on four walls, the spirited personality of red turns heads signaling surprise and adventure.”
What if you’re in the mood for a lift, but don’t have the budget to paint every surface?
Here are a few “big bang for your buck” painting ideas from Sheldon Stewart:
- If your walls have seen better days, definitely do those first. They are the first thing people see, so it has the biggest impact
- If you have to skip something, skip the ceilings. Most people don’t look up.
- Paint outdated kitchen cabinets and/or vanities for a quicker and more affordable solution to refacing or replacing
- Paint an accent wall to bring new dimension to a room
- Paint your front door for a dramatic entrance
- If your wall paint is in decent shape, just paint the trim for a bright, clean look
