As fall arrives with cooler weather and shorter days, it’s also time for color forecasting. In the design world, this season is all about predicting next year’s trends, and paint brands take this job seriously.
While design trends like materials and textures evolve slowly, our color preferences shift much quicker. Every September, leading paint companies pick a “color of the year” that reflects the current mood. But why do they do it, and how do they choose?
Beyond just marketing, there’s a lot more to color forecasting. It influences more than you might think, so we asked some top paint brands to share how they make their picks. Here’s what we found.
What is color forecasting?
Color experts at top paint brands are great at predicting trends. They look at cultural events, social changes, and consumer preferences to figure out what colors will be popular. These experts don’t just follow trends—they help create them, almost like they can see the future of our color choices. This process, called color forecasting, influences the colors we’ll like in the coming year and affects everything from home décor to fashion. Their insights reflect not just style, but the mood and values of the moment.
Color experts are always busy forecasting trends, but as fall arrives, paint brands start picking a “color of the year” for the coming year. This color has a big impact on how we decorate, even though each brand chooses its own shade. While there are often common themes—like neutrals, warm tones, or a focus on certain colors (2024, for example, is all about blue)—there are also unique picks. Even if these specific colors don’t end up dominating our homes, they still shape our design choices and influence future color trends.
The link between certain colors and design trends is pretty fascinating. Each year, a “Color of the Year” is picked based on trends and this color really influences what people choose later on. Some might say these choices create trends on purpose, but they definitely affect how we decorate.
As Erika Woelfel, Behr’s VP of Color and Creative Services, puts it, “Choosing a Color of the Year helps people feel confident in their color decisions and inspires them. It allows us to highlight a color that’s going to be important for painting projects inside and outside in the coming year.”
Erika says the Color of the Year can make a surprising color a favorite for any room by showing how special that color can be. For example, Behr’s 2025 Color of the Year, “Rumors,” was picked to inspire people to add bright and bold colors to their homes.
She notes that choosing colors is not just a science; it’s also about inspiring homeowners with new ideas. Sue Kim from Valspar adds that the Color of the Year helps people choose colors, spark creative projects, and share fun decorating ideas. This choice can shape future trends and create happy, imaginative spaces.
How do paint brands choose a color of the year?
The Color of the Year affects many things, from home decor to fashion. But how do brands choose these colors and keep them in style?
While companies like Pantone are famous, many paint brands announce their colors before Pantone does. Sue explains that these choices are based on cultural changes beyond just home design.
Every year, Valspar’s team looks at lifestyle trends, including popular pop culture moments and new design ideas, to choose the Color of the Year. Sue says this helps Valspar find a color that homeowners love—one that feels classic and brings excitement and fun to their spaces.
Erika and the Behr team noticed a similar trend in their research that influenced their Color of the Year choice. She explains that more people want to add personality and depth to their homes, whether by painting entire walls or using subtle accents.
New research by Behr shows that 76% of Americans would think about painting a room red, and 73% believe that red can add depth and character to their spaces. With this in mind, they chose a deep red shade that can serve as a strong focal point in a room while still matching well with neutral colors.
Color forecasting is a fun way to pick colors for decorating each year. It combines research, trends, and marketing to find colors people will love. The idea of a Color of the Year is pretty new, only starting in the last 15 years, but it’s become really important in design. These color announcements excite homeowners and designers alike. As we wait for the next reveal, people get eager and start thinking about how to use the new color in their homes. Many are also preparing to paint, showing their creativity. These colors can really change a room and make it feel fresh. In short, color forecasting helps us create nicer and more enjoyable spaces each year.
