The stronger a colour in your environment, the more effective it can be in lifting your mood, changing your energies and those around you, and can play an impactful role in attracting buyers.
Did you know that predicting the colour trends of forthcoming years, is as old as the first World War? It is remarkable to think that this concept now influences every aspect of our lives: what we buy and buy into; how we respond emotionally to a product or a business; what we wear and how we respond to our moods; and how we attract or repel others.
This is equally true of the homes in which we live, where paint colours have a significant role to play in allowing us to express ourselves across broad canvas-like walls, and set the tone of how we relax in our home environments. And when it comes to renovation, repainting is considered one of the most cost-effective and dramatic ways to elevate your home’s value.
This is according to Patty Mulauzi, the Colour, Digital and Content Creations Manager at Plascon. The company is one of the most recognisable brands in the country, with a presence spanning some 125-years, which gives it much weight in driving paint colour trends, and innovations. Patty explains how painting trends are determined.
“It’s quite a science that brings together a combination of industry experts, designers, and market preferences,” Mulauzi explains. “They apply their minds to the use of the product, what its visual frame needs to do, and how particular demographics respond in different ways to colour. These trends can last anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on their popularity.”
Plascon responds to these trends and influences the development of new paint colours, creating those to respond to local consumer preferences, which have a role to play in shaping the market, and how our homes look and feel.
2024 palette
This year, Plascon colour trends are focused on tranquility. “We present modern cosy to peaceful serenity with our light and airy colour Light Reflection (Y6-A2-3). We have also considered how to bring the outdoors inside using bright greens and yellows presented in our Spanish Gold (Y1-C1-1). The addition of a calming palette of soft purples adds to the experience of shaking off tensions. These were not introduced without exploring societal shifts, fashion trends, even global events,” says Mulauzi.
Choose a feature
“The simplest way to make a house feel as though it has a new lease on life, is to repaint, and this doesn’t necessarily mean the entire interior or exterior either. It can be as simple as focusing on key elements like doors or window frames, updating trims, crown moulding, baseboards etc. Even just an accent wall painted in a single strong colour can make a bold statement,” explains Mulauzi.
To make these simple edits last for years, and to achieve the most beautiful finish, Mulauzi recommends using a high-quality paint, but only on properly prepared surfaces. This requires a little elbow grease in cleaning, sanding where necessary, and priming the surface. “You really should address any underlying issues before applying paint, and to ensure longevity apply two coats for better coverage.”
Examine the space
When deciding what areas of the home could be enhanced through paint, homeowners should be considering factors such as natural light, room size, and existing furnishings. “And this applies not only to the trending colours, but even the classic colours that never date. It is always a good idea to use test paint samples in the actual space to ensure the chosen colour will complement the overall design and your objective,” says Mulauzi.
Finishes and surfaces
She also highlights the importance of the finish, which means deciding on whether you want a matte, satin or gloss. “Plascon has ensured that our paint professionals are skilled at providing advice on colour choices and application techniques, as well as alternatives to suit anyone’s budget.”
