The Trend Colour. What Does It Have that Others Don't?

A variety of factors influence the development phases of a colour trend

From its emergence to its replacement, a trend colour has an average lifespan of approx. 7 years. However, this varies from colour to colour. How long a trend lasts and why it is exactly this or another colour spectrum depends, on the one hand, on the presence and sympathy of the colours, and on the other hand, on a number of other factors. We summarise the most important aspects:

The Desire for Something New

How long a trend colour is in fashion is determined by our satiation behaviour. At some point we get tired of one colour, even though we thought it was great at first. We're satiated and getting a taste for something new. At this point, new tendencies are already seething and waiting to be discovered. This can be a new colour or a new kind of combination. These have to be felt out!

The Countermovement

Trends alter smoothly, gradually ebb away or change with a clear break. If certain shades are in trend over an extended period of time, a countermovement often occurs. A current example: the trend colours cognac, terracotta and nude replace the fresh shades of green that are now disappearing after a long period. We have seen enough of this freshness, warm, earthy shades now follow. Countermovement can be observed with a certain regularity: cool is followed by warm and vice versa - intensive colours are followed by subtle, uncoloured or pastel shades.

Social Trends and the Zeitgeist

The earthy shades of the 1970s and 1980s reflected people's need for security at the time. Dark, warm brown appears cosy, it protects, envelops, gives support. We are currently observing the increasing acceptance and significance of blue shades. Up to now, the cool nuances were rarely seen on the wall. Why is that? This, too, is rooted in current political and social events. Topics such as ecology, environment, sustainability, climate change are of social relevance. The colour blue stands for pure air, water, lakes, and the oceans - especially for the "blue planet".

The colour blue is on everybody's lips, now it is also very popular as a wall colour. That's why blue in various shades is one of our trend colours - inspired equally with depth and lightness: from clear night blue to fresh water shades.

Also Part of Trends: Acceptance and Mass Suitability

You like what you know. This also applies to trend colours. If we have already seen a new shade somewhere, then we will perhaps discover it again and again - e.g. in fashion or in furnishings... we get used to it. We like colours if we find them pleasant. A trend colour is suitable for the masses - i.e. "mainstream" - in terms of wall design if it has a high general validity, appeals to everyone, is likeable and is suitable as a wall colour. Then a trend colour has the potential to persist for a long time and to be seen everywhere. Like our trend colour terracotta. It is ideal for interior design in particular because it is the shade of well-being par excellence.

The same applies to our nude or pastel shades. They are light and airy and stand for sympathetic lightheartedness. These colours can be combined attractively and generate an appealingly positive room atmosphere.