Colour trends 2018

Across all creative industries, colour trends 2018 are extremely diverse, from bold and bright saturated colours, through new shades of pastels to metallics.

Gradients, patterns, textures, unconventional colour combinations, the colour trends find their niches in home décor, digital media, visual merchandising, and fashion.

3 top colour trends 2018

1. Saturated colours of the season
2. Metallic hues
3. Pastels

Colour trends 2018. The new approach to colour

Important to note is the new approach to colour. Freedom, courage, and changing conventions towards color use is noticeable and vital. There is no seasonal ‘must’ or typical hues. Gender limitations are not relevant anymore.

Debenhams window display, Dublin, Ireland

The Pantone Institute Fashion Colour Trend Report for Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter 2018 presents color palettes that look equally bold. Since the pace of fashion rapidly dethrones the old era of just two seasons ago, these trends simply flow throughout the year. The Pantone Reports of their colors manifests the need for self-expression, optimism, and confidence.

Pantone Institute Autumn/Winter 2018 Colour Forecast

Pantone Institute Spring 2018 Colour Forecast

Here you can see the major visual design examples that encapsulates the mood and look of first half of 2018.

1. Saturated colours of the season

Brown Thomas window design, Dublin, Ireland, 2018

Vibrant red

One of the paint manufacturers Benjamin Moore selected bold and vibrant red Caliente AF-290 as their Colour of the Year 2018. Saturated red make an impact statement not only in home decor but also in fashion. In particular, red and pink vibrant and pastel colour combination create energetic and dynamic pair.

Debenhams window display, Dublin, Ireland. Saturated red and pink works in tandem in 2018.

Brown Thomas window displayDublin, Ireland, February 2018

Arnotts window design, Social Fusion. A Celebration of Colour and Style. Dublin, Ireland

Yellow

Gen Z (stands for generation born between mid 90s and early 00’s) Yellow is the new name for a trendy shades of yellow from sorbet to mustard hues. Yellow became extremely popular and, as you can see in the above Pantone colour swatches, it remains central for Spring and Autumn season.  Practically, yellow revitalised the current colour palette and is generously used in visual merchandising, fashion and even social media (Instagram).

More great creative concepts showing Gen Z yellow and Millennial Pink colour 2018 trend is covered in a separate post dedicated to these two hot colours of 2018.

River Island window design, Dublin, Ireland

Caprisa window display, Warsaw, Poland. Yellow and orange is the new colour trend but the exotic theme is also important to mention.

Violets and Lavenders

Pantone Colour Institute announced its Colour of the Year 2018 as Ultra Violet. Shades os violet and lavender comes in technicolour and pastel shades.

Brown Thomas window display, Dublin, Ireland. June 2018

Brown Thomas window display, Dublin, Ireland. June 2018

Marella window display, Warsaw, Poland. Floral trend represented by flower garland composition in popular violet shades.

3. Metallic hues

Metallic shine is a dominating accent this year, but also continues as a background element or considered as neutral.

Here I only flag this trend but I covered it in detail in a separate post Metallic trend 2018 where you find fashion window displays using metallic shines.

Louis Vuitton window display, Dublin, Ireland. This window design represents the LV collaboration with Jeff Koons in late 2017. The metallic trend is still popular and strong in 2018.

Tommy Hilfiger window display, Dublin, Ireland. May 2018.

3. Pastels

Modern pastels are great choice in home decor in the recent season. Millennial Pink, hues of mint greens, taupes to mention a few, exist equally with saturated tones and are innovative alternative to the loud colour palette.

As mentioned above, more great creative concepts showing Gen Z yellow and Millennial Pink colour 2018 trend is covered in a separate post dedicated to these two hot colours of 2018.

Dunnes Stores window display, Dublin, Ireland

Arnotts Department Store window display, Revive, Renew, Refresh. Dublin, Ireland

Arnotts Department Store window display, Revive, Renew, Refresh. Dublin, Ireland