With the dusk of 2017 on the horizon, let’s look ahead to colour trends for 2018, where palettes will shift from the powdery blues and pastel earth tones of 2017 to bold, more intense colours. 

There are some anticipated notable hues for the year, including amethyst and berry-infused purples (try Resene Couture), emerald, sapphire and turquoise (Resene Atlas, Resene Into The Blue and Resene Discover), satin gold (Resene Good As Gold), frosted almond and light beige green (Resene Thistle) and cheerful ‘Barbie pink’ (Resene Drop Dead Gorgeous).

‘Millennial pink’ made a strong impression at this year’s Milan Design Week (think Resene New York Pink) as did hot pink, orange and violet. Other colours mirrored the current tech-centred culture. Silicon Valley-inspired tones like digital blues (dark watery blues), purples and warm yellows will add punches of colour to walls, and a collective yearn for natural tones will inspire earth browns as a favoured neutral. 

Smoky tones will continue, but with a softer, weathered edge, as seen in Resene Soothe and Resene Inside Back.

“Blue is the new black,” says Interior Designer and Colour Consultant, Debbie Abercrombie, “from strong and clear through to blue black.” Think Resene Paua, an electric violet blue, to Resene Dark Side, an inky midnight blue. 

Yellows feature strongly on their own too, with appearances of egg yolk yellows (Resene Celebrate), orange yellows (Resene Buttercup) and energetic bright yellows (Resene Turbo).

Whereas bronze was strongly featured in recent years, the most prevalent metal in 2018 will be gold. Expect to see it in paint colours (Resene Gold Dust, Resene Pirate Gold and Resene Good As Gold), house fittings like doorknobs, light fixtures and plumbing hardware, furniture, and especially accessories, like cushions, throws and lampshades. Gold will commonly be paired with glass for coffee tables, nightstands and shelving. Another favoured companion is darker woods. 

“From brushed metallics to luxurious deep purples and reds, homes are reaching new levels of glamour, with gem-like shades,” says Resene Colour Constultant, Rebecca Long, who welcomes colours like Resene Atlas and Resene Sumptuous. “Depths are also being pushed deeper with dark charcoals, moody blues and dense greens, creating intimate, cave-like environments. Try Resene Dark Side and Resene Nero, both inky blues,” she says.

Paint effects will continue to thrive in new and exciting ways, predicts Rebecca. “From half painted walls, tonal colour changes and dramatic geometrics, masking tape will be your new best friend.” Or go for more relaxed freehand styles; it’s a softer take on traditional paint effects.

So go ahead and reinvent that colour-deprived space — as 2018 is set to be another colourful year. Take advantage of the newly expanded customs for bold projects.