Design Team: Colour trend predictions for 2018

Grounded Tones

Core natural tones continue to develop with an earthy grounding making us feel secure and connected to the world around us – from deep soil browns to bark and muted murky shades of green and grey. The traditional greys sit alongside organic shades with a worn, industrial feel enhancing the warm and dusty mid tones. Natural pigments and browns in rich chocolate are on the rise, but as the year progresses will lighten mixed with toffees, honey hues and tans.

Diluted Pigments

Pigmented hues of timeworn yet optimistic colours, evocative of water with transparent qualities create a degraded and corroded palette, which encourages self-expression. Core neutrals and tans help underpin the braver tones with a slightly retro feel. Muted and vibrant, this colour group opens up a sense of freedom and experimentation – a playful embracing of vibrancy with the retention of a highly sophisticated quality.

Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen varying colour trends, from bold statement hues to more neutral, understated tones.

To help inform your upcoming creative projects, our Design Team shares its colour trend predictions for 2018…

Chalky Slates

Chalky tones reminiscent of those found in nature evoke feelings of uncovering hidden wonders. Moody hues and mists of dusty pink, sage greens, slates and ashes update the pastel palette for a new era.

A new approach to ‘pretty’ also features on the agenda, free from girlish stereotypes and emerging after the introduction of ‘Millennial Pink’ at Milan Design Week in 2017.

A spectrum of pastel tonalities with greyed out and murky green undertones will lead pastels into darker territories – minimalist yet maximalist with a masculine elegance of the raw and man-made.