Choices Driven by Concern for Economy and Optimism for the Future
What colors are in store for us in 2009? According to Color Marketing Group, the top choices have been influenced by both our concern for the economy and our optimism about the future.
Color Marketing Group, the leading international non-profit association of color design professionals, has been accurately predicting color trends for more than 45 years. CMG predicts more evolution than revolution in color trends for the coming new season.
“We’re finding comfort in colors that are familiar, and yet, at the same time, we’re embracing colors that make us happy — especially as accents,” said executive director, Jaime Stephens. “Everyone’s concerned about the economy, yet the spirit of the country coming together after the election is powerfully reflected in these choices. Also, the demand for colors and products that reflect an environmentally ‘greener’ world goes way beyond a trend. It’s now ‘a given.’ “
According to CMG, look for these color trends in 2009:
Purple, Purple, Purple! – Emerging as a hot fashion color last fall, purple is not just a fad — it’s an entrenched trend, strongly influenced by the election. (After all, red plus blue equals purple.) Look for a greyed-out violet that works equally well as an accent or a neutral, as well as redder, plummier purples and bluer-influenced fuchsias in a huge range of products. Purple is 2009’s “must have” color.
Blue is the New Green – Various greens have symbolized “green living” over the last few years, but in 2009 the “green” environmental message is delivered by the color blue. There are watery blues, sky blues and a whole range of blues that now represent our commitment to living on a greener planet.
Cooled-down, Greyed-out Browns and Greys – Complex neutrals satisfy our urge toward classic colors in an economically challenged time. They also bridge the area between black, which seems harsh, and brown, which doesn’t seem strong enough.
Yellow for Energy – The neutrals may have greyed, but look for lots and lots of bright vivid yellow to give us energy as we re-build the economy. It’s the stand-out accent color for 2009.
Bright Accents from India, China, and Turkey – The exotic has become the familiar. Oranges, turquoises and teals, reds, and yellows will abound in hues from far-away countries that now seem very near. They are the optimistic touches we crave.
White is now a Business Color – Technology has produced amazing new (and very practical) finishes, which helps explain why white is showing up everywhere, even in corporate board rooms. The contrasts are all in the finishes: matte versus gloss; shine and shimmer on reflective surfaces; textured whites versus smooth — all washable and cleanable. White also represents purity of thought, motive and result – exactly what we want from businesses now.
The Return of the “M” Word – It’s mauve. Remember mauve? An old color that looks new again, in dusty violet shades, mauve works as an accent but also serves now as a neutral, punched up by those bright Asian accents (orange, turquoise, teal, red, and yellow.)
About Color Marketing Group
Color Marketing Group forecasts color trends up to three years into the future for its members, many of whom must plan ahead for product, space and materials introductions. For more information: www.colormarketing.org.
No Responses to “Color Marketing Group Predits Hot Color Trends For 2009”
December 17th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Thanks for the post.
Color marketing is a pretty new area for me, having only really come into contact with it a few years ago. It seems that some associations with stay the same, while others seem to shift every year. For instance, red is always kind of sexy, at least here in the West.
But I always associated blue with a more conservative effect, rather than as one which represents “an environmental message”. I suppose like a color spectrum, there is spectrum of associations which go along with it. But, I never would have called that one. Who knows what will be the new ‘green’ next year?
Thanks again for the post!
Cheers!
Rob.
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Laminate & Hardwood Flooring…
Hardwood floors are one of the best options if you are considering installing a new floor……
January 7th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Color is so important. Thanks for the post.
I remember a stat referring to color’s being 75% of the reason for a carpet purchase. Do you have any concrete info on that?
You know, there’s a saying that 42.5% of statistics are made up on-the-spot. 
December 16th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onFloor Talk! A Guide to Fabulous Flooring and Design » Color …Here’s a quick excerptColor Marketing Group, the leading international non-profit association of color design professionals, has been accurately predicting color trends for more than 45 years. CMG predicts more evolution than revolution in color trends for … [...]