Paint Colors to Look for in 2012

While home designers agree that particular paint colors will be trendy in 2012, they don't always agree about what those colors are. One thing is for certain, though, neutral colors remain popular because they're so versatile. On the other hand, paint is easy to change so if you crave color, you can reserve neutrals for sofas and other expensive items.

Blue: Many designers agree that the colors of nature are very popular. Blue, the color of the sky and sea, was big in 2011 and is predicted to remain trendy in 2012. Many people consider it to be a calming and soothing color, but it can also be bright and vibrant. A more grayish blue can feel evoke a feeling of nostalgia. Patriotic colors are popular, so look for dark blue paired with red and white.

Green: Another natural color, basic green reminds homeowners of plants, forests, and the outdoors. Bringing the outdoors inside is a common theme and green can help you create that feeling. Green is also the "eco-friendly" color and is in keeping with greater popular awareness of the environment. Bright green used to be used as an accent color, but increasingly it is showing up as a wall color in dining rooms, family rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. Turquoise, which combines blue and green and suggests the ocean, was also a very popular color last year.

Gray: Another nature color, gray suggests rocks and minerals; it also offers the benefit of being neutral. Against gray walls, you can add splashes of color from paintings or vibrantly colored furniture. Many homeowners are pairing gray with blue and green for a particularly soothing effect. Some designers have speculated that the unsettled state of the economy leads people to choose more calming color combinations.

Pink: Some experts are predicting that a medium pink hue like raspberry will be popular in 2012. It is a vibrant, energetic color that stimulates the senses and cheers people up. This shade of pink is found in many flowers, so it fits in with an overall "nature" trend and pairs nicely with other nature-related colors.

Black and White: This combination of colors can give a house a retro feeling. Think about big black and white checkerboard tiles in a kitchen, to give it a retro 50s look. Many older bathrooms already have black and white tile, so that can be the basis of an overall decorating scheme. However, the combination does not have to feel old fashioned; it can look great in a contemporary condo. Today the stark simplicity of black and white can seem stylish, fresh, and sophisticated.