2019
BEHR 2020 COLOR OF THE YEAR
There is a huge movement towards preserving and restoring the environment going on all around the world. Organisations are getting aware of the consequences and the need for a change. Orange County-based Behr Paint certainly didn’t fall behind the movement when they announced the 2020 Color of the year: Back to nature S340-4, a restorative and meadow-inspired green.
The shade is a reflection of Biophilic shades found in nature. It is meant to bring the soothing feeling of the outdoors into interior spaces. The brand shared in a news release that, "This fresh and slightly yellow-based green serves as an ideal backdrop to satisfy the desire for a soft landing at home and reflects societal trends toward embracing the outdoors as a collective and personal self-care activity. Back To Nature’s universal appeal and willingness to coexist with other hues make it a great option for adding peace and tranquility to any space." To select a hue that will summarise the next year is never an easy task, but selecting the Behr 2020 color of the year had more pressure to it. Not only this color would have to embody the next year, but it would also be the one to commence the next decade. Back to nature is meant to be a solace for the senses, the grounded green derives from society’s growing interest in self-care, wellness, and reconnecting with the outdoors—trends that have been reflected across the interiors world. “We look at green as being nature’s favorite color,” says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr. “It takes us to a place that feels effortless, like a hike in the woods or a walk on the beach, and it’s a color that signifies life and mortality. We think that at the rise of a new decade—it’s a really important color to consider.” The Behr 2020 Color Trends palette was inspired by natural elements such as sky, earth, water and plant life. Seasonal changes and world exploration also play a role in how they relate to color. The 3 collections of 15 colors offer enough variety to work with all design styles from modern to traditional. Unlike other paint color companies, the palettes were created for use in both home and work spaces. “Back to Nature serves as the cornerstone to this collection,” says Woelfel. “It can work hand in hand with simple or maximal styling, whether your goal is to transform kitchen cabinetry with a new neutral look or simply make a small space feel more open and airy.” Behr's process of arriving at the green hue for its Color of the Year program was, according to Woelfel, exhaustive. “We lay it all out there,” she says of the selection process. She means that quite literally: Souvenirs from travels, swatches picked up at industry trade shows, and runway snapshots from recent fashion shows create a color-happy spread across a conference-style table.
The Worldhood palette features rich hues for a modern, warm space. The colors were designed for the hospitality industry: “Customers of restaurants, hotels and other businesses will feel drawn to the rustic tones inspired by exotic travels that reflect natural rugged landscapes,” said Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr.
Cool and serene colors that provide restorative qualities to a home. “Blues and greens create a soothing sanctuary, which is why we recommend them for healthcare and hospitality environments,” said Woelfel.
Urban and modern with layered soft pastels and neutrals. “The Atmospheric palette resounds with both modern and traditional environments, making it a great choice for multifamily housing or other commercial spaces,” said Woelfel.
