Color Trends To Consider - 2018

Last Updated: March 21, 2018

Room with red walls, white table, wooden chairs, open French doors, and a vase of white flowers.

Every year, most paint manufacturers will release a “color of the year” and a palette of complimentary colors. It’s usually a good predictor of what the most popular paint colors will be for the year, and it would seem that the industry is seeing red this year (along with black and blue).

The colors you live with everyday should be colors that you love, regardless of what the current fashion trends might be. One of the most common mistakes in selecting a paint color is to select the paint before considering furniture, rugs, accessories, and window treatments. Most interior designers recommend that you start with your furnishings and then choose a color that works with them.

Bright or highly saturated colors can sometimes overwhelm a room. Even if you love some of the current trend colors, they are sometimes best used in small doses and not necessarily for repainting your entire home. That’s the reason a color palette is usually featured with a paint manufacturer’s “color of the year.”

When choosing interior colors, be mindful of the impact sunlight and artificial light may have on a color. Sunlight tends to favor warmer colors in the morning and afternoon, and cooler colors in the middle of the day. Incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lighting can also enhance or detract from a color.

When choosing exterior paint colors, it’s important to consider durability and coverage. Some pigments are more prone to fading (reds and blues, for example). Neutral and gray paints typically cover in fewer coats than heavily tinted colors (yellows and oranges).

Sherwin Williams Color of the Year - Oceanside SW 6496

“A collision of rich blue with jewel-toned green, a color that is both accessible and elusive.”

A home office with teal walls and green built-in shelves. A wooden desk and chairs sit in front.

Key color combinations: Exuberant Pink SW6840, Honey Bees SW9018, In the Navy SW9178, and Adrift SW7608. It is also ideal with corals and copper metallic tones.

PPG Paints Color of the Year - Black Flame PPG1043-7

“This statement-making black, infused with an undertone of the deepest indigo, evokes the privacy, hope and classic modernism that many consumers crave today.”

Interior design with a turquoise sofa, lamp, and the color

Key color combinations: Moth Gray PPG14-29, Alpaca Wool PPG14-19, Oatmeal PPG1023-1, and Delicate White PPG1001-1.

Benjamin Moore Color of the Year - Caliente AF-290

“Caliente is the signature color of a modern architectural masterpiece; a lush carpet rolled out for a grand arrival; the assured backdrop for a book-lined library; a powerful first impression on a glossy front door.”

Red-walled room with white doors and a round table with flowers and wooden chairs.

Key color combinations: Stone 2112-40, Black Beauty 2128-10, Coastal Path AF-380, White Opulence OC-69

October 20, 2026
Curb Appeal Matters More Than You Think First Impressions Matter Whether you're welcoming vacation guests, preparing to sell, or simply enjoying your coastal home, appearances matter. A freshly painted exterior , clean siding, and well-maintained architectural features can transform the way people see your property. In a competitive rental or real estate market, that first impression may be more important than ever. Make Your Property Stand Out For vacation rental owners, the competition begins long before guests arrive. It starts with the photographs prospective renters see online. A beautifully maintained exterior can help your property stand out among dozens of competing listings, creating an inviting first impression that encourages guests to take a closer look. The same principle applies when selling a home. Prospective buyers often form their initial impressions before they ever walk through the front door. Faded paint, mildew-stained siding, and weathered trim can raise questions about maintenance, while a clean, freshly painted exterior conveys pride of ownership and attention to detail. In either scenario, curb appeal isn't just about looking good. It's about giving your property a competitive advantage. A Little Maintenance Goes a Long Way Living on the Outer Banks means dealing with salt air, intense sunlight, humidity, and wind-driven sand. These conditions can take a toll on even the best-maintained homes. Fortunately, restoring your home's appearance doesn't always require a major renovation. Professional exterior washing can remove accumulated dirt, mildew, and salt residue, revealing the beauty beneath. And when it's time for something more substantial, a quality paint job can dramatically refresh your home's appearance while helping protect its exterior surfaces from the elements. From a thorough washing to a complete exterior repaint, even relatively modest improvements can make a remarkable difference. Protecting Your Investment Exterior painting is about more than choosing an attractive color. Proper surface preparation, quality coatings, and professional application are essential to protecting your home in our demanding coastal environment. At Beach Painting & Construction Group , we've spent more than 30 years working on Outer Banks homes. We understand the materials, construction methods, and environmental challenges unique to our area. Whether it's cedar siding, fiber cement, LP Smart Siding, or other exterior surfaces, we know how to prepare and protect them for lasting results. Get Ahead of the Spring Rush If you're considering ex terior improvements before next year's rental season or planning to put your home on the market, now is an excellent time to get started. Spring brings increased demand for painting and maintenance services, tighter scheduling, and often higher labor costs as crews work overtime to meet seasonal deadlines. With approximately 20,000 vacation homes on the Outer Banks and a tourist season that seems to grow longer every year, the window for exterior maintenance continues to shrink. At the same time, the number of established, reputable contractors available to service these properties is declining. The result? Demand for quality painting and maintenance services increasingly exceeds available scheduling capacity. Scheduling your project during the fall and winter can offer greater flexibility, potential savings, and the peace of mind that comes with having your property ready well before the busy season b egins. Why wait until everyone else is trying to get their homes ready? Let's Make a Great First Impression Whether you're preparing your property for vacation guests, attracting potential buyers, or simply giving your home the attention it deserves, Beach Painting & Construction Group is ready to help. With more than three decades of local experience, professional crews, and a commitment to quality workmanship, we'll help your property look its best. Contact Beach Painting & Construction Group today for a free consultation and reserve your place on our spring and summer schedule before it fills.  Built on Quality. Driven by Trust. Focused on Family.
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