Bold Colors Forecasted For 2009

Year after year, experts have been forecasting the colors which will be more appeasing to consumers. For this year, it was predicted by color experts that more emphasis will be given to natural colors especially green. The thinking behind it is that consumers are becoming more and more environmentally aware.

For 2009, Michelle Lamb, co-founder and chairman of Marketing Directions said that consumers will be looking towards lilac mauve to cool olive for 2009. The prediction was made by Lamb during the Trendwatch Live seminar in Las Vegas. During the said event, Lamb said that metallics and neutral colors will be popular among consumers.

"Our palette in 2009 represents a turning point for color," said Lamb during the seminar. "It makes a bold statement and says, ‘Look at me!"

During her talks at the event, Lamb pointed out that there would be six color palettes which will be popular with consumers next year. Lamb mentioned purple as one of these six colors. "Even though these are the palest of the 2009 forecast, they are still much more saturated than any pastels we’ve seen in five years," Lamb said.

Lamb also named lemon mist to be popular in 2009 citing that its complexity and edginess will make it popular. "Lemon mist is influenced deeply by grey and green, so it’s a little bit edgy and a little bit complex at the same time. That’s an unusual combination that’s going to make this color one of the most popular in the 2009 forecast," Lamb said.

The trend expert also hinted that country style will become more prevalent next year. "Lilac mauve is opening the door for us to country themes. If you and I are together and talk six months from now, 12 months from now, I can assure you that the word ‘country’ will come up more than once," said Lamb.

Cool olive tones are also set to become popular with homeowners next year. "Cool olive leans towards country green," said Lamb. "This is a tone that allows it to partner with navy and crimson red in a nod to retro-80’s combinations that does not necessarily mean that we will repeat 1980s patterns."

Lamb emphasized that of the colors she has forecasted; purple will be the most popular. "We’ve seen purple before: in 1999 anything purple was hot," said Lamb. "A decade later, purple is coming back again. This time on the red side rather than on the blue side, and with much more appeal." This does not mean though that the upcoming Valentines Day has any effect on this forecast as well as Valentines Day gift ideas.