This is America’s Favorite Paint Color (and It’s Not a Neutral!)
As we’re known to say around here, painting is an easy and inexpensive way to totally change the look of your space. And while colors come in and out of vogue (neutral whites and grays have reigned supreme for quite some time now), it looks like people might now to be more willing to add a little more hue to their homes.
Paint brand Sherwin-Williams conducted a color survey to celebrate National Painting Week (May 19 through May 29), asking 2,000 Americans and analyzing social media data to determine which hues top the charts.
When asked, 62% of respondents chose blue as their favorite color, with 45% of them saying the hue was calming. That’s actually not all that surprising, considering that humans have had an affinity for the color of sky and sea since people started asking about favorite colors (the earliest recorded survey was in 1893 at the Chicago World’s Fair).
“In the case of blue, it’s often subconsciously linked to trust, dependability, and competence and can also be associated with rest and provide a cooling sensation – making it a great choice for a bedroom or office,” said Dr. Sally Augustin, principal at Design with Science, a cognitive science-based design consultation firm.
What might be surprising is the second most named hue: black. 32% choose the color of night, while 31% chose red.
No matter your favorite, it looks like homes are about to get a bit more colorful: 58% of respondents said that more vibrant colors should be used throughout the home rather than just neutral tones. If you agree, here’s a sampling of posts to get you started:
- Say Goodbye to Color Uncertainty With These 6 Paint Color Apps
- 8 Bold Paint Colors You Have to Try in Your Small Bedroom
- Trend-Proof Decorating: Classic Paint Colors That’ll Stand the Test of Time
- 3 Rooms Where You Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Get Colorful
- The 2017 Colors of the Year, According to Paint Companies
- Unusual Exterior Paint Color Combos That Actually Look Really Great