It’s time to warm things up.
Mary Catherine Scott is a journalist, copywriter, and blogger based in Asheville, North Carolina. Outside Wall Paint
After years of neutral walls, people are starting to get bold. Don’t worry—the tranquil, calming colors you’ve grown accustomed to are still around, but in the coming year, you’ll see them warmed up. As our collective aesthetic tastes go from muted to vivid. Maggie Dillon, an interior designer out of Raleigh, has noticed that her clients are more interested in stepping out for a little walk on the wild side: “While moving away from an all-white comfort zone can be daunting, I’m having an easier time convincing clients to go for color from floor to ceiling.”
We agree. ‘Tis the season to shake things up! Ready to see what your home could look like in the 2023?
The oft-used and much-loved “new neutral” is still a gorgeous shade of green, especially in spaces that were once painted in whites and creams. Whether it’s a soft sage or a deep emerald, greens are dominating interiors in all styles: modern, traditional, and bohemian aesthetics. Kitchens, mud rooms, and entryways are particularly ideal to coat in a calming, resonant shade like Sherwin Williams’ 2022 Color of the Year, Evergreen Fog (SW 9310).
Though the last few years have featured primarily subtle earth-tones in a nod to the indoor/outdoor living we’ve all been doing in the pandemic, deeper, more romantic reds have begun to make their mark. Both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams chose a red-based hue as their 2023 Color of the Year: Raspberry Blush (BM 2008-30) and Redend Point (SW 9081), respectively. From dusty cedar to cranberry to subtle magentas, reds will be everywhere this coming year.
The cool color palettes of yore are being traded out in favor of rich, yummy colors like soft saffrons, mustards, and marigolds. In interior design, the pendulum has swung from minimalism to maximalism, which seems to be inspiring deliciously decadent wall colors to match. Farrow and Ball’s India Yellow (No. 66), Behr’s Luscious Lemon (HDC-MD-24), and Benjamin Moore’s Buttercup (2154-30) all fit the bill for these delectable warm tones, ripe with visual interest and encouraging the maximalist in all of us.
Sure, we love a calming primary bathroom space, but even those traditionally white (or blue!) areas are getting an infusion of coziness. Behr’s 2023 Color of the Year is Blank Canvas (DC-003). It’s subtle, but unmissable once your eye is trained: By bringing in colors that have more of a yellow undertone, the cool, blue-based whites we’ve gotten used to are becoming a thing of the past. “Homeowners,” Behr’s research reveals, “want their home to be a place where they can unwind,” and warm white walls go a long way in providing that very peace of mind.
Do you feel the need to refresh? Maggie’s advice: “Go for all-over color! Paint the walls, trim, and ceiling in the same shade. My go-to advice is to take a color up the walls, onto the trim, and even the ceiling if it allows. Doing so creates a cohesive mood in the space, keeps the room from feeling too choppy, and establishes balance.” As far as taking the plunge from neutral to vibrant, she says, “Go for the color! It’s an inexpensive and necessary thing to touch up or change down the road.” Happy painting!
Water-based paints are the most popular options for interior paint, including latex and acrylic paints. Latex paint is more environmentally-friendly, easy to clean, and suitable for interior walls and ceilings.
Before painting your walls or ceilings, clean the area with a damp towel and allow it to dry completely. Next, remove old paint with a scraper or sandpaper and work to create a smooth surface. Finally, add a primer before adding your new coat of paint.
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