Colour Trends

Each year PPG’s Global Colour Team meet to discuss and develop future colour and design trends.

Our colour stylists from around the world each specialise in different markets and collaborate to determine styles and colour trends.

Take inspiration from the colour trend palettes in the following four trend collections and choose a scheme that works for you. Discover the 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 collections and find out what will be trending in 2021/22.
Take a look at our 2021 Global Trends Book.

2021/22 Colour Trends

Be True

Be Well

Be Wild

The 'Be True' Trend Palette honors authenticity and looks for that connection to an artisan’s touch. Wall paint is used to bridge together old and new, vintage or recycled objects with new furniture.

Nature colours can be found in this colour combination. Boulder Lichen (PPG1127-4), a glass bottle green with viney undertone, gives the room a light feel. Combined with the elevated neutral Transcend (PPG1079-4) on the kitchen cabinets and Enchanting Eggplant (PPG13-07) in the chairs. Find all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

The 'Be Well' colour collection consists of soft, light colours and breathes comfort. The soothing and sophisticated palette embraces a mindful approach to design and focusses on comforting interiors.

Warm neutrals and rich shades of terracotta are rapidly becoming designers’ favorites thanks to their ability to create a warm interior with an earthy quality. In this room Transcend (PPG1079-4), Big Cypress (PPG1062-5) and Misty Aqua (PPG1147-3) are used in line with the interior 60/30/10 rule. Find all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

Bright, optimistic hues are used in this mood-boosting trend palette. As the name ‘Be Wild’ suggests, an explosion of colours can be expected and daring combinations are made. This palette exhibits confidence and a positive attitude by mixing energetic colours and grounding neutrals.

A bold statement in the dining room with the vibrant Fresh Lemonade (PPG1216-5) on the wall. The creative scheme is finished off with Diving Trip (PPG1236-7) chairs and Pacific Pearl (PPG1011-1) on the skirting. Find all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

2020/21 Colour Trends

In The Know

At The Core

On The Move

Colour of the Year 2020

The In The Know tribe honours art, design, science and tradition. They use culture to build bridges. They are knowledgeable, curious and eager to change society to make the future better.

The colours featured are; Black Leopard (PPG1011-7), Cinnamon Spice (PPG1069-7) and Fresh Dough (PPG1055-1). Find all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

The At The Core tribe looks for a state of balance and spends less, focusing instead on what feels good. They will prioritise responsibility of conscious consumption. They will choose products and services with purpose and will demand quality and longevity.

The colours featured are; Cranapple (PPG1190-5), Warm Blanket (PPG1078-3) and Kangaroo Paw (PPG1060-3). Find all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

The On The Move tribe believes in joyful creativity and are not afraid to break the codes. They are self-confident, mix and match and don’t care what others think. They love colours and often use them in unexpected combinations

The colours featured are; Sesame Crunch (PPG1198-7), Man In The Moon (PPG1209-3) and Clear Yellow (PPG1215-1). Find all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

In a world where sleep is viewed as a luxury and the anxiety of a fast-paced life is all too real, it is only fitting that PPG paint brand's 2020 Colour of the Year, Chinese Porcelain (PPG1160-6), offers escapism in today's technologically driven society. Hand-selected by PPG's global colour experts, the shade is a blend of cobalt and moody ink blue that imparts calmness and restful sleep while also offering the spirit of hopefulness – a precious commodity in a restless world.

2019/20 Colour Trends

With It

With Out

With Class

With Spirit

Colour of the Year 2019

With It is a bright theme, full of energy, optimism and artisty. With expressiveness in mind, the more social areas of the home can feature punches of various colours - found on the walls as well as furniture and decorative items. This provides and very lively and conversational aspect to spaces. For more private areas, a single vibrant hue provides a sense of energy and optimism, while the remainder of the space is more neutral.

The colours featured are; Rose Heart, Pacific Pearl and Pine Thicket. Find all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

The Without colour trend is both quiet and powerful, depending on the hues in focus. The wealth of soft whiles, gentles pastels and even mixed black each signify a calming mood. In contrast, strong reds, blues and greens are vibrant, impactful and powerful.

The colours featured are; Cocoa Delight, Candle Smoke and Black Lepoard. Find all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

The elegance darks of the With Class palette take the primary focus on the interior of a home, with bedrooms, sitting areas and kitchens the core rooms for these hues. Rooms look far more sophisticated and grown-up when such colours are applied to cabinetry and paired with bronze or brass accents.

The colours featured are; Wave of Mystery, Night Watch and Magnolia Blossom. Find all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

With Spirit is linked to the spiritual word. Featuring a healthy dose of purple, sunny golden yellows and scorched red/orange hues. Soft whites and tinted blacks add purity and mystery to the colour trend.

The colours featured are; Perfectly Purple, Sandy Pail and Oswego Tea. Find all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

The 2019 colour of the year is Night Watch. A darkened green that has the ability to almost act like a neutral and yet enough intensity to stand as a feature colour. It is versatile enough to work in traditional as well as contemporary applications and can be considered as an alternative to a solid black.

2018/19 Colour Trends

The Retreater

The Dream Weaver

The Commoner

The Brave

Colour of the Year 2018

The core colours of The Retreater theme are a mix of calming neutrals and warmer hues, ranging from peachy neutrals and pale yellows to earthy browns and stone greys. Together they create a relaxed and neutral feeling palette that puts the mind at ease.

The colours featured are; Phantom Hue, Synchronicity and Discover. Find all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

Ideal for those who love bold colours and a daring fun ambiance. The core colours reflect a care-free spirit that is about living loud and revelling in all that life has to offer. Works well with plush textiles and rich colours.

The colours featured are; Brittany's Bow, Porridge Oat and Sunday Morning. Discover all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

Our core colours for The Commoner are a mix of almost-primary reds and blues, basic white, earthy browns and greens, and a balancing neutral. Together they create a feel that’s functional and minimalist.

The colours featured are; Steeple Gray, Pacific Pearl and Black Flame. Discover all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

For The Brave interiors take on a look of dark glamour. Rich browns, greys and blacks mix with accent tones for a warm sophisticated look.

The colours featured are; Black Elegance, Black Lily and Swansong. Discover all the colours in this trend in Johnstone's Trade ColourBox

The 2018 colour of the year is Black Flame. Blending two classic hues, black and indigo, the statement-making colour adds a modern vibe to spaces with a lot of whites, blush pinks and soft pastels. The blend of two colours makes it incredibly versatile – use it on a statement wall, with a matt finish on a ceiling, with high gloss on a naturally-lit staircase, on cabinets, interior and exterior doors, and in many more places.

Colour Palette

We are able to offer unprecedented levels of coverage,
opacity,colour retention and vibrancy.
View the range of colours you can tint within the
Johnstone’s range.

Voice of Colour

NCS

British Standard

RAL

Colour Matching

Voice of Colour

Each year PPG’s Global Colour Team meet to discuss and develop future colour and design trends. Our colour stylists from around the world each specialise in different markets and collaborate to determine styles and colour trends.

PPG’s unique position as a colour leader in multiple markets allows us to observe and translate emerging global colour trends for our customers’ projects - from consumer goods to automotive colour, from residential to commercial buildings to industrial design.

NCS Colours

Johnstone’s has worked closely with Natural Colour System (NCS) for many years to bring you an extensive collection of colours.

We appreciate that using NCS colour enables project managers to collaborate using a common and recognised colour language.

The NCS is a logical colour order system based on a person’s perception of colour and is described using a specific colour code.

British Standard

The British Standard 4800 specifies 122 colours of paint for building and construction works and is an essential reference for anyone who needs a particular paint colour to use in the refurbishment of buildings, particularly at local authority level or for major works, such as office blocks, airports, schools and hospitals. This standard includes 22 additional colours that are mostly brighter to reflect the latest trends for finishes on public buildings. These paint colours are widely recognised throughout the UK and are often used to meet safety, legal or contractual requirements.

RAL Colours

The RAL colour system is the most popular Central European Colour Standard in use today and you will see the colours used in architecture, construction, industry, recreation and road safety.

The basic collection consists of more than 200 colours and is available in both matt and gloss. Both collections contain colour samples that are used by institutions to cover a wide range of disciplines and are constantly adapted to the requirements of the industry.

Colour Matching

Johnstone’s Trade provides high performance paint in any colour. Whether it’s a lampshade or cushion, a sample of your favourite wallpaper or that favourite plant - show us the colour and we can scan and match it. Best of all, colours are available in the Johnstone’s Trade range, ensuring professional colour accuracy in high performance coatings.

Colour Trends

If you are an Architect, Designer or Specifier please email your request to ppgextra@ppg.com if you are a retail/domestic household customer please complete our online sample request form.

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