Color Trends 2005
What The Best Dressed Walls Will Be Wearing

Incorporating new hues into a living space can help to keep your home fresh and updated. Whether you are contemplating a whole house re-do or simply updating one wall, these exciting 2005 color directions might provide you with a new take on paint colors.

We’d like to hear from you about where you plan to paint this year—either inside or out. If you would like to share your painting ideas or where you might incorporate color, please e-mail info@paintquality.com. We’ll feature some of your comments in upcoming newsletters.

Happy Painting,


Debbie Zimmer, Editor

Inspirational Trends
Color 2005

Caribbean Brights
Color rich with a tropical flair will increase in use. Perhaps because of costal second home popularity, vibrant and exciting colors such as ocean blue, mango, twilight purple and sunny yellow make for a fun and beach-like palette. Useful in bedrooms, sunrooms, kitchens and any area where warmth is required, this palette is sure to provide a bit of Caribbean punch!

Incorporate this palette into your backyard or garden setting. Wooden chairs, trellises and other garden focal points can benefit from this exciting splash of color.


The New Whites
As consumers look for soulful spots within their living space, soft whites will allow for restful and serene contemplation. Not stark but warmed, the new whites can provide the peaceful backdrop that allows for end of the day de-stressing. Perfect for living rooms, bedrooms and even quiet baths, this palette can refresh even the most tired space. Use white in a high sheen finish and add additional light reflectance and ambiance.



Deeptone Hues
This hearty palette began to develop a following in 2004 with interest in warming and inviting family spaces. Continuing in 2005, rich reds, chocolate and sable browns, deep greens and blues can be used either sparingly on one wall surface or in combination above or below a chair rail and to visually lower a high ceiling, often seen in new home construction. A dynamic palette, these colors create excitement and provide drama to powder rooms, family rooms and foyers. For a cabin-like atmosphere to a sophisticated living space, this group will make a statement.


Shine On
Brushed metallic surfaces are replacing those shiny brass finishes used in the past. Soft pewter, mellow copper and brushed nickel are the perfect complement to today’s kitchen appliances and bath accessories. Whether used to highlight a niche, alcove or single wall, today’s softer metallics will be a showcase selection.

Instructional Ideas
Color Blocking Techniques

Not quite ready to completely repaint your living space? Then why not incorporate new hues by using a color block technique. It’s easy to do and can redefine a single wall surface or an entire room. Color blocking is simply using a variety of painted squares to highlight an area. You can use one color or several for added punch.

Using painter’s tape, mark off a square or rectangular area and paint with a deeper color than is already on the wall surface. This technique can be used to highlight artwork or a mirror by painting a block slightly larger than the space they take up. Or, color blocking can become your only art by integrating several colors into an interesting pattern.