Sherwin-Willliams Just Revealed Its 2020 Color of the Year—and Nautical Fans Will Love It

Summer may be officially over, but the design and color specialists at Sherwin-Williams are taking inspiration from the most beautiful coastal locales in the world into the new year. Moving past this year's Cavern Clay, an earthy blend of warm terra-cotta tones, Sherwin-Williams has chosen a deep shade of navy, Naval, as it's new 2020 Color of the Year. Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, says that the company researched design trends in homes, hotels, and restaurants around the world before selecting this deep navy blue; she describes the color as tranquil in versatile spaces. "Naval is reminiscent of the night sky, which people have looked to for centuries for guidance, as a muse and as a reminder to live more mindfully," she says.

Indeed, the rich hues of blue in Sherwin-Williams' Color of the Year can enliven any space with its receding, cool color—Naval can transform even a hectic space, such as a bustling dining room, into feeling more grounded than ever before. Like other trendsetting colors before it, Sherwin-Williams' officials say Naval takes cues from the natural world around it—namely the night sky and deep waters in coastal areas—to seamlessly blend into design schemes that incorporate natural textiles and coastal-inspired décor. The company says the paint, which is inspired by shades that were in vogue during the 1920s, is also streamlined to play well with marble countertops in kitchen spaces and with mixed metallic finishes in bathrooms.

"We're predicting that the next decade in color is going to be bold. This year we saw the return of the '70s, and next year we think the vibrant energy and luxurious design of speakeasies will make a comeback," Wadden says. "Naval merges the desire for rich, inspiring color with our yearning for relaxation and retreat. In the next 10 years, we'll continue to move away from omnipresent neutrals, and design will feel more personal again."

If you're planning on remodeling or refurbishing one of your rooms (or your entire home!) this year, you should consider jewel color tones as a way to anchor your space, Wadden says. "In this past 10 years, we've seen color evolve from beiges to cool grays and now back to warmer neutrals… In the coming decade, key combinations will include black, white and navy for a timeless look," she says. You can see how Sherwin-Williams' 2020 Color of the Year plays out in different spaces by heading to their website, or by dropping in a nearby retailer, as Naval is in stores now.