What colors will hold center stage in 2012? From fabrics to furnishings, from pillows to paint, next year’s key colors reflect new consumer attitudes that “take no prisoners”.
According to Color Marketing Group (CMG), the leading international association of color design professionals, the most powerful color trends for 2012 are driven by concern for survival.
The consumer is “so over” with just surviving and wants the feeling of thriving.
But retailers need to give consumers a reason to spend. Price has been the driver. Lowest price wins unless VALUE perception overrides.
Security is the new luxury. It’s about lasting value and thoughtful investment. Vintage colors, traditional, weather worn and repurposed have significance. Consumers are adopting an “I can take care of myself” attitude and bracing for an extended period of economic uncertainty.
Specifically, CMG predicts these trends:
- Boomers are a huge growing market but they are refusing to age! They are looking for products that support their youthful ambitions, but also comfort and compliment the mature body. That translates to comfortable furnishings in fabrics and finishes that are understated for elegance in colors that are young at heart.
- Purple rules! It is mature, yet edgy, youthful and THE color of opulence. Once considered too extreme, now it’s luxe, hip and holding strong in palettes that combine it with gray, gold and coral. It represents the “take back control of my life” of the global consciousness. It sells well during economic downturns.
- Floral and vegetal hues are strong. They foster comfort and confidence about the future.
- Texture, finish and surface interest are key especially with whites and ivories.
- Sophisticated layering of grays is chic coast to coast and across the generations.
- Sustainability is on the forefront and now means people, planet, profit and re-purposing.
- Technological expansion enhances the need for nature and products that are natural and authentic.
Showroom Tips:
- Use the strongest most cutting-edge hues on any back wall visible from the entrance to pull customers into the space.
- Anything that makes a consumer feel more secure is a plus. Warm wood tones, plushy textures, and gentle natural light goes a long way. Avoid concrete flooring, harsh fluorescent lighting, hard edges, steel, cold metal and cold colors.
- In display windows, use moderate amounts of high trend color to pique interest. Not many will buy the electric purple sofa with the gold and copper accents, but everyone wants to see it.
- Purple is the complement to yellow which is the underlying color of the new lighter wood tones. Use it to create showroom vignettes that offer updated color selection and comfort with a nod to traditional values.
- Craft an experience that takes your customer into the unexpected. Use multi-dimensional, translucent and clear colors.
- Updating color doesn’t need to break your budget—it can be as simple as accent walls, art and rugs, renewed color in signage, point of purchase brochures or strategically placed color in display walls.
Adding the right color can soothe and inspire your client into a more positive retail experience that will enhance their life and your bottom line.
Zara Stender, IDS, CMG, NEWH is an international color expert, award winning designer and the author of several books on design and color. She is a Chairholder with the Color Marketing Group and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of STIR Magazine, the Sherwin Williams publication for architects and designers. She often lectures on trends in color and interior design. She consults on hospitality, retail and residential projects. Contact her at zaradesigns@yahoo.com, Zaracolordesign.blogspot.com
