COLOURFUTURES 2018 INTERNATIONAL COLOUR TRENDS
COLOUR TRENDS
FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SPACES
David Chipperfield Architects
TM
2
THE
GLOBAL
AESTHETIC
CENTRE
25 YEARS OF
COLOUR EXPERTISE
Based in the Netherlands, the AkzoNobel Global
Aesthetic Centre leads the company’s trend
analysis, colour research and design and art
direction. This creative team – led by Creative
Director Heleen van Gent – is now in its 25th year
and supports 80 markets around the world in
empowering professional clients as well as private
consumers to make paint colour choices with
confidence. Colour design and forecasting is the
primary role of the Global Aesthetic Centre. To
ensure the team remains one step ahead of
clients’ needs, it continuously monitors global
social, design and consumer trends as they
emerge. By rooting the insights in the everyday
world, the team provides credible and informed
direction for its markets, and designs colour
palettes that are perfectly suited to all clients
needs. ColourFutures™ is at the heart of the
team’s work, which involves identifying the annual
Colour of the Year and four trend palettes.
Naturally, these trends apply to both professional
and consumer markets and can be articulated in a
wide variety of industry-specific coatings and
paint products. That is why this ColourFutures™
2018 Colour trend guide presents you, as a
designer, architect, developer or project manager,
with a set of smart, interconnected colour
schemes that are perfect for residential as well as
commercial projects.
3
TRANSFORMING
TRENDS INTO
COLOUR FOR 2018
SOCIAL
TRENDS
ECONOMIC
TRENDS
DESIGN
TRENDS
GLOBAL
DESIGN
TRENDS
GLOBAL
COLOUR
TRENDS
As part of our industry-leading colour research,
each year we select independent experts to join us
in Amsterdam, where we forecast the emerging
global design trends for the next 12 months.
Bringing together designers and trendwatchers
from all over the world with AkzoNobel’s own
colour experts from the Glo
bal Aesthetic Centre
gives us a unique mix of perspectives from a broad
range of disciplines and cultures. This ensures
that when we nominate the key trends and an
overarching theme for each year, we are confident
that they will have universal relevance and truly
capture the mood of the moment. The next step of
the process is for the Global Aesthetic Centre to
identify a leading paint colour that will bring the
overarching theme to life, and a range of
complementary colour palettes that offer
versatility in how to use that paint colour.
Our internal colour experts, who are finely tuned in
to your sector-specific needs, then communicate
the trends to you as professional interior
designers, architects, painting professionals and
project developers, in the form of smart colour
schemes that can be applied in various ways.
AkzoNobel takes pride in providing highly durable
coatings and paint products that are cost-effective
to apply. Choosing AkzoNobel products to
implement 2018’s new tren
d colour palettes
therefore is the all-in-one guarantee for top
results.
4
GLOBAL
TRENDS
Navigating modern life, with all its options and choices,
today seems more demanding than ever before.
Moreover, we live in a world where people don’t know
what the news will bring from day to day, and their usual
sources of reassurance can’t be relied upon. This
means their daily environment needs to be a place
where they can turn down the noise, where they can
nurture their values and recharge. Colour is an essential
tool in creating an environment that people will enjoy.
HOW THIS GUIDE
WORKS
On the following pages you’ll find a description of the
Colour of the Year, Heart Wood, with its own palette and
a range of images that illustrate its many possibilities.
Next, three trend palettes are presented that are built
around the Colour of the Year: The Comforting Space,
The Inviting Space and The Playful Space. These too
come with inspirational images representing everything
from office
and healthcare to leisure applications. Every
palette has a no-fail mix-and-match set up – colours
can be combined as you and your clients see fit.
5
Getty Images
24/7
TECHNOLOGY/
BIG DATA
SOCIAL MEDIA /
ALGORITHMS/A.I.
/CCTV
FAKE NEWS/
INFORMATION
SATURATION
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COLOUR OF
THE YEAR 2018
HEARTWOOD
The Colour of the Year for 2018 is Heart Wood.
A gentle, warm and soothing colour, with
elements of grey and pink. The name was inspired
by the nourishing warmth of wood and tactile
comfort of leather.
To communicate the concept and the harmonious
mood intended, the Aesthetic Centre created an
interior, The Heart Wood Home, designed to
illustrate the concept. It depicts a place where
people can feel connected to nature, yet be
reassured by the certainty of safe surroundings.
Where delicately textured fabrics offer a subtle
contrast to smooth marble and copper, and wellworn furniture sits alongside newer pieces.
Within this concept, balance is key. The
supporting Heart Wood Home palet
te reflects this
balance and versatility, with soft cocoa flowing
into bolder shades ink blue and purple. All colours
from the palette below are chosen for mix-andmatch purposes, with examples of applied colour
schemes on the following pages.
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
C9.06.21
50YR 08 / 038
YN.02.45
30RR 22 / 031
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
D5.06.68
70YR 50 / 086
BN.02.82
10YR 73 / 038
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COLOUR OF THE YEAR
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
C2.06.68
30YR 49 / 097
D2.11.43
60YR 20 / 117
B1.08.37
90RR 16 / 095
B1.08.37
90RR 16 / 095
W9.10.13
46RB 06 / 074
T9.26.21
50BB 08 / 171
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COLOUR OF THE YEAR
B1.08.37
90RR 16 / 095
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
C2.06.68
30YR 49 / 097
YN.02.45
30RR 22 / 031
W9.10.13
46RB 06 / 074
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RESIDENTIAL
WELCOME HOME
Everyone enjoys coming home to a welcoming place
that makes them feel at ease. When we shut the door
on the outside world, we step into a space that is
uniquely ours. Here, we can be ourselves.
Due to its gentle character, the Heart Wood palette is
pe
rfectly suited to residential projects. It channels the
current commercial interest in the colour pink and
presents it as an accessible set of almost-neutrals.
These create a sense of reassurance and form a great
match with different kinds of architecture styles.
A recurring theme in residential projects is the daily
maintenance of communal spaces and whether occupants ‘read’ them as part of their living space. Wellmaintained communal spaces boost residents’ sense
of belonging and safety and have a positive effect on
how they value their surroundings. Equally important
are factors such as cost-effectiveness and durability.
To meet these requirements, AkzoNobel offers a variety
of paint products that are ultra-resistant to stains,
scuffs, UV-light and moisture.
Getty Images
10
LEISURE
STAY A WHILE
For the hospitality and leisure industry, a welcoming
atmosphere is what it’s all about – it’s the ultimate core
value. And with visitors and guests these days freely
sharing t
heir opinions online, great impressions matter.
Knowing how to tap into current decorating and design
trends helps, and the right paint colours make all the
difference.
AkzoNobel presents the Heart Wood palette. It works
marvellously as a subtle background décor, yet is full of
character. The palette plays well with popular modern
design details such as walnut, brushed brass, marble and
matt-black surfaces, and infuses large or high spaces
with an instant cosy mood.
Because minimising downtime is critical in businesses
that depend on occupancy rates, AkzoNobel has
developed a wide range of paint products that deliver on
that promise. Low odour, water-based, quick-drying
paints truly limit downtime. With easy maintenance in
mind, all products are durable and stain-resistant.
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“TEXTURES SUCH AS BRUSHED COPPER
AND BLACK LEATHER ENHANCE
THE TONAL WARMTH OF HEART WOOD”
Heleen Van Gent, Global Aesthetic Centre
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
C9.06.21
50YR 08 / 038
YN.02.45
30RR 22 / 031
B5.
05.52
10YR 28 / 072
D5.06.68
70YR 50 / 086
B1.08.37
90RR 16 / 095
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THE
COMFORTING
SPACE
Compared to the Heart Wood palette, which is
based on the Colour of the Year Heart Wood,
the Comforting palette is even more about
shutting out the noise and creating restorative
rooms that revolve around finding balance.
The palette you see below radiates warmth
and holds its own in the company of materials
with rich textures, such as warm woods,
leather, silk and velvet.
The Comforting palette pairs Colour of the
Year Heart Wood with heritage hues, such as
terracotta and antique gold, thereby creating
an elegant overall effect. Yet select a few of
the lighter tones, and something new emerges
out of this palette – an energizing, unifying
colour scheme that is ideal for public spaces.
As before, the full palette below allows for a
variety of combinations, with examples on the
following pages.
D8.24.44
80YR 21 / 226
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
C0.23.18
13YR 07 / 157
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
D0.31.
44
50YR 21 / 318
D8.24.44
80YR 21 / 226
E5.37.44
00YY 21 / 321
13
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
F1.11.72
20YY 55 / 151
E2.17.58
90YR 36 / 203
B7.10.59
10YR 37 / 143
E5.37.44
00YY 21 / 321
B7.25.50
10YR 27 / 323
E0.03.72
90YR 55 / 051
Getty Images
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“THE COMFORTING HOME SHOWS AN EYE FOR DETAIL
WHERE THE DEDICATED USE OF COLOUR ENHANCES
THE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES OF THE HOME”
Heleen Van Gent, Global Aesthetic Centre
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
C0.23.18
13YR 07 / 157
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
E0.03.72
90YR 55 / 051
D8.24.44
80YR 21 / 226
E5.37.44
00YY 21 / 321
15
RESIDENTIAL
LIVING THE
GOOD LIFE
Paint colours are a wonderful tool to bring out the best
in the architectural details of a building. Such attention
to details greatly enhances the perceived value of a
space. Above and to the right, subtle trim lines along
the crown mouldings emphasize the architectural
details, while adding a punchy colour accent that
residents can incorporate in their interior desi
gn.
The colours in the palette on the left all have a muted
quality. Not only does that make them easy to combine
into a colour scheme of your choice, it also provides an
instant impression of luxury, as well as a neutral base
for residents who want to personalise their
surroundings.
AkzoNobel ensures trimwork looks good for the long
haul, with wood and metal paints that last up to 8 years,
and woodstains lasting up to 10 years.
16
OFFICES
A GREAT PLACE
TO WORK
By nature, office buildings tend to be impersonal. Not a
bad thing, because it provides future tenants or owners
with a simple base on which to express their vision. A
well-chosen colour scheme is the most effective way to
add character instantly and take up residence.
With its warm character, the Comforting palette creates a
welcoming setting. As society’s bounderies between work
and home gradually fade, it presents employees with a
pleasant workspace, which plays an important part in job
satisfaction and productivity. The
Comforting palette can
easily be tweaked to express a unique business concept,
create accent walls, and earmark hallways and
designated areas.
AkzoNobel has developed technologies that improve the
reflectiveness of painted surfaces, reducing glare and making offices more visually comfortable. Sustainability and
healthy work environments are a key consideration as well.
Our local representatives will gladly give you all the details.
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“HERITAGE HINTS COMBINE WITH NATURAL
MATERIALS AND WARM-TONE WOODS
TO CREATE A RELAXED, GROWN-UP LUXURY”
Heleen Van Gent, Global Aesthetic Centre
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
C0.23.18
13YR 07 / 157
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
D0.31.44
50YR 21 / 318
E0.03.72
90YR 55 / 051
F1.11.72
20YY 55 / 151
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THE
INVITING
SPACE
The Inviting palette shows an easy use of colour. Cool
shades of blue encourage a clear-headed approach to
life, while easy-going neutrals and sea-green support
a need for connection. Heart Wood, the Colour of the
Year, functions as the subt
le contrast at the centre.
The palette is well-suited for use in healthcare
facilities, as well as work-related spaces and offices
- places where people gather.
As the pictures on the next pages show, proportions
of coloured surfaces can be used to indicate the
purpose of a room, or signal a transition to a different
area. For instance, softer pastel shades may be
framed by graphic borders of coal and dark blue to
create an airy mood, yet enhance spatial awareness.
Similarly, consecutive rooms painted in several
shades of green impart a sense of logic.
The Inviting palette is the perfect choice for any
interior with lots of natural materials, chosen for
convenience as well as beauty.
QN.02.82
72BG 75 / 023
T5.06.44
30BB 21 / 056
S2.07.58
90BG 35 / 068
CN.00.70
50YR 53 / 011
Q5.04.72
30BG 56 / 045
QN.02.82
72BG 75 / 023
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COLOUR OF THE YEAR
Q5.04.72
30BG 56 / 045
S2.13.39
90BG 17 / 090
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
S2.13.39
90BG 17 / 090
T3.04.12
30BB 05 / 022
COLOUR OF THE YEA
R
F6.06.69
40YY 51 / 084
N1.06.61
50GG 40 / 064
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
20
OFFICES
ROOM FOR
NEW IDEAS
While some office spaces simply need a colour
scheme that provides a larger group of employees with
a pleasant day-to-day work environment, other spaces
have their own purpose, such as meeting and
conference rooms, or private, even silent work areas.
A private work area or board room becomes more
grounded with a set of cool neutrals that add gravitas,
whereas a meeting room meant to spark creativity
benefits from sea-greens and lofty blues. These play
well with natural light and allow the mind to roam free.
However long the wishlist, the colours in the Inviting
palette support a wide variety of options. Plan to cover
large surfaces with some of the darker hues? No
problem: AkzoNobel manufactures paint with improved
opacity. This means less paint is required for the same
excellent results, leaving the renovation well within
budget.
@ Brigida González for Allmann Sattler Wappner
Architekten
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“IT’S ABOUT EASY USE OF COLOUR, WITH
LARGE BLOCKS OF SEA-GREEN USED TO CREATE
SUBTLE TONAL SHIFTS ACROSS EACH ROOM”
Heleen Van Gent, Global Aesthetic Centre
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
N1.06.61
50GG 40 / 064
Q5.04.72
30BG 56 / 045
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
S2.13.39
90BG 17 / 090
T5.06.44
30BB 21 / 056
22
“SOFTER PASTEL SHADES
ARE FRAMED BY GRAPHIC BORDERS
OF COAL AND DARK BLUE”
Heleen Van Gent, Global Aesthetic Centre
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
QN.02.82
72BG 75 / 023
T3.04.12
30BB 05 / 022
Q5.04.72
30BG 56 / 045
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
N1.06.61
50GG 40 / 064
Getty Images
23
HEALTH CARE
FEELING BETTER
A colour palette for healthcare facilities needs to meet
specific requirements. Safety is key. Both patients and
visitors benefit from distinctive colours in corridors, to
aide navigation. Shades and hues with sufficient
contrast are necessary to help the visually impaired
distinguish doors from walls.
Patient rooms should be restful and calming; waiting
areas upl
ifting and reassuring. The muted pastels in
the Inviting palette are particularly well-suited to
enliven spaces with little natural light and fewer
windows. The Inviting palette offers a variety of hues
that range from warm to cool, from light to dark and
from airy to soothing.
Healthcare facilities have to be operational all day,
every day. To minimise disruption during maintenance
and renovation, AkzoNobel offers low-odour paints
that dry quickly. Many have silver as a component, a
bactericide that actually becomes more effective each
time the surface is cleaned, thus helping maintain
health standards.
24
THE
PLAYFUL
SPACE
The Playful palette for 2018 draws the Colour of the
Year, Heart Wood, into sunny and warm territory.
Pops of fresh colour add a sense of fun and energy,
including shades of green inspired by nature. This
palette turns any space into a launchpad for
possibility, rendering it invigorating and full of life.
Yellow-toned green and gold help spark the
synapses and e
ncourage a creative approach to
whatever question might present itself, while a
buttery cream softens the edges of any hard
surface, be it concrete, wood or plaster.
But these yellows and greens do more: they bring
out new characteristics in the Colour of the Year,
revealing a happy, floral undercurrent. Overall
cheerful in tone, the palette is ideal for school
buildings as well as the leisure industry.
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
E7.15.62
10YY 41 / 175
F8.07.83
45YY 75 / 110
F3.20.67
30YY 47 / 236
F6.35.68
40YY 49 / 408
Getty Images
25
F6.35.68
40YY 49 / 408
F1.34.58
20YY 36 / 370
H1.16.58
90YY 35 / 169
F8.07.83
45YY 75 / 110
H1.11.70
90YY 52 / 138
G5.19.40
70YY 18 / 152
M4.28.19
07GG 07 / 143
Getty Images
26
EDUCATION
A PLACE TO GROW
Schools and other learning environments are places to
grow. From the earliest years in a child’s education,
when colours are about fun, play, and offering a
reassuring enviro
nment away from home; to later in life,
when the emphasis lies on teaching and encouraging
original thought.
In every situation, clean and fresh hues combined with
uplifting accent colours are essential to create a
stimulating atmosphere, while muted tones can ease
tension and improve concentration.
The Playful palette is designed to facilitate the creation
of unusual and unexpected contrasts, suitable for
various age groups. No need to stop there – freehand
shapes and organic circles do wonders to jazz up a
long stretch of wall, inside or outside. AkzoNobel
provides specialty products that use reflectivityenhancing technology. This increases the amount of
light a surface reflects, thereby brightening interiors
and optimising the available amount of light.
Getty Images
27
“CLEVER USE OF COLOUR CREATES DIFFERENT
ZONES IN SMALLER SPACES, WHILE CLUSTERS
OF HAND-DRAWN SHAPES ADD INTEREST”
Heleen Van Gent, Global Aesthetic Centre
COLOUR OF THE YEAR
F8.07.83
45YY 75 / 110
F1.34
.58
20YY 36 / 370
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
H1.11.70
90YY 52 / 138
G5.19.40
70YY 18 / 152
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COLOUR OF THE YEAR
G5.19.40
70YY 18 / 152
E7.15.62
10YY 41 / 175
F6.35.68
40YY 49 / 408
F1.34.58
20YY 36 / 370
B5.05.52
10YR 28 / 072
29
HOSPITALITY
ENTER THE
HAPPY ZONE
It’s hard to overestimate the mood-enhancing qualities
of cheerful colours. The genius of the Playful palette,
as devised by the AkzoNobel Aesthetic Centre, is that
these particular colours have a natural, almost
botanical component to them. Herbal greens and
warming yellows bring out the best in each other.
What’s more, when contrasted with yellow or green,
subtle hints of mauve and lilac emerge from Heart
Wood, the Colour of the Year. Yet creamy pastels and
shadowy grey-greens bring out its neutral origins. It’s
exactly this versatility that allows you to create myriad
styles and effects with the Playful palette, while
maintaining unity throughout the facility.
To reduce maintenance costs and disruption,
Akzo
Nobel manufactures masonry paints that last up
to 15 years, ensuring that a great first impression really
goes the distance.
30
PRODUCT
INFORMATION
PAGES
31
Sikkens, Dulux Professional, Dulux Trade, the AkzoNobel logo and all distinctive colour names are trademarks of the AkzoNobel
Group of Companies © and Database Right 2015.
This ColourFutures reference manual is and remains the property of AkzoNobel N.V. and is loaned on condition that it is used
solely to specify products manufactured/or supplied by AkzoNobel N.V. (and other companies in the AkzoNobel Group) and on
condition that it shall be returned to AkzoNobel N.V. on demand. The contents of this reference manual are for information only.
No representation or warranty is given, nor liability accepted, regarding the information given. We have reproduced paint colours
as faithfully as printing will allow. However, the shape, size and lighting of a surface can influence the appearance of the final colour.
www.akzonobel.com
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planetpossible
Design – Redwood London +44 (0)20 3787 7000
Content – AkzoNobel Global Aesthetic Centre +31(0)71 308 2100
AkzoNobel Decorative Paints
Global Aesthetic Centre
Rijksstraatweg 31, 2171 AJ
Sassenheim, The Netherlands
Tel + 31 (0)71 308 2100