It happens every year: One day, we wake up to find that summer is but a memory. The nip of fall is in the air. Crisp days are filled with leaves that are falling faster than the temperature. Before you know it, it’s time to move indoors once again.
As we retreat inside our homes, indoor projects become front and centre. While it’s true that there may still be some warm days ahead for outdoor projects, it’s also a certainty that a coat of fresh colour is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to update the look of any space.
As 2024 winds down and we prepare to welcome 2025, Contractor Advantage takes the temperature of Castle Building Centres’ paint and coatings vendors to discover the hottest trends for this cooling season.
Complex colours
Cloverdale Paint Inc. is a family-owned Canadian coatings manufacturer and distributer with 73 stores across the country. Kevin Skelly, Marketing Manager, says colours are cyclical.
“Typically, (there is) a 10-year ‘wholesale’ change in directions for colours, based on wider societal fashions, trends and interests,” he said.
Whether it is for outdoor decking or indoor walls, shades with undertones have been trending for 2024, according to Skelly. Colours continue to be “complex,” while inviting the outdoors to come inside. “Complex colours refer to the undertone nature of the colours – depending upon the light source throughout the day, the colour could appear slightly different.”
The undertones of interior paint are not as noticeable as those on an automobile, for example, but the same hue can react differently depending on the environment. Light sources bring out undertones, offered Skelly.
“A warm orange sun will provide an orange-red cast to colours; similarly, more grey/cooler environments may provide a cooler look to the same hue.”
Skelly feels individual preferences, culture and experiences drive colour popularity. Paint covers the walls of the places where we spend much of our time, in our homes and offices.
“Influence from the internet, social media, TV shows, and even large global events such as the Olympics certainly push colours into the limelight,” he said.
While consumers are concerned about a product’s environmental impact, Skelly said they are also searching for high-quality products with built in features, like ease of application and durability, so they don’t have to paint as often. With this in mind, Cloverdale launched Guardian Plus Interior Paint in 2024 to complement its Guardian Exterior Finishes line. “It is the latest, high-end product that has exceptional scrub resistance for residential and commercial applications,” said Skelly.
Heading into 2025, he believes the economy will have an impact on the paint and coatings market, as it did in 2024. Inflation and interest rates have a big influence on how consumers spend, he remarked.
Skelly sees paint as part of two very general movements: new construction and maintenance. “When times are strong, we see lots of building, renovations and maintenance happening. When the economy is tighter and money is not going as far, it’s more about maintenance,” he explained.
Photo courtesy of Cloverdale Paint Inc.
Expressions with colour
Martin Fuchs, PPG Senior Marketing Manager – Architectural Coatings Canada, told Contractor Advantage that Sico has revamped its lineup over the past couple of years and now offers their “best-ever Sico paints and colourants.” A global supplier of paints, coatings and specialty materials, PPG was founded over 140 years ago.
PPG has designed several of its paints to contain both paint and primer. Fuchs said this was prompted by customers who are working on several projects with tight turnarounds. Sico’s Prestige paint plus primer covers existing paint colours with only one coat, said Fuchs. “This makes life easier and increases efficiency, all while maintaining a high-quality finish.”
Quick drying times also keep projects moving, added Fuchs. Fast-drying formulations can decrease project times while still creating a smooth, durable finish. He said Sico 360 interior and exterior enamel paint features an early block resistance that lets doors and cabinets close after only 30 minutes.
In the early days of 2024, calm and soothing tones balanced out by earthen and twilight shades were trending, observed Fuchs. Light colours had gained popularity. “We saw greens being paired with floral hues, and dynamic blues and dark neutrals taking shape with brighter colours.” This contrasts to the cooler colours that previously dominated the market, he added.
Photo courtesy of PPG
“Greys are on their way out, as brighter, warmer colours are taking centre stage.”
The environment plays a big part in deciding which colours consumers purchase. Fuchs sees people starting to embrace colours that express themselves, personalizing spaces rather than creating a style to meet resale value projections. Trends and styles can change rapidly, and people are now drawn to “colours they prefer,” he said.
Consumers are seeking sustainable products that perform at a high level, without compromising on quality. Fuchs said it’s very important to have numerous options with low to zero VOCs, in order to satisfy consumer concerns. “We’re offering our consumers sustainably advantaged options while still exceeding performance expectations.”
Heading into 2025, Fuchs feels there will be more creativity and colour diversity in the paint market. He expects consumers to be bolder and more expressive with colour selections.
With that in mind, Sico recently named its 2025 Colour of the Year, Starry Night (6044-83). Sico colour forecasters say this deep, bold violet will attract both DIY and professional painters because of its emphasis on self-expression and discovery.
Photo courtesy of PPG
Inspired by nature
Barbara Collet, Sales Coordinator at Société Laurentide Inc., a national paints and coatings manufacturer and supplier, said warm shades like terra cotta, clay and browns are making a comeback this year. She believes consumers are moving towards comforting interior colours with a natural connection, including not just browns, but also rich greens, soft blues, warm whites and beiges.
While interior cool greys are fading in popularity, charcoals and dark greys remain popular for exterior paints and stains, according to Collet. “They offer a modern, sleek look, often paired with warm wooden accents or natural stone.”
Homeowners looking for a more organic feel on the exterior are leaning towards neutral browns and taupes. Dark greens and sage are popular for homes set in natural landscapes, she said, while modern homes searching for a dramatic-chic look are using soft blacks.
Collet feels colour popularity is influenced by many factors. Colour choices are impacted by broader cultural movements and social trends. Psychological and economic conditions also affect colour choices, as people are drawn to colours that evoke emotional responses.
“Blues and greens are often chosen for their calming effects; yet during uncertain times, people tend to prefer comforting colours that provide a sense of security,” she said, adding that fashion and design trends often trickle into interior design.
Photo courtesy of Société Laurentide Inc.
Collet also highlighted the increasing demand for low VOC and non-toxic paints. Environmental awareness will continue to shape the market and brands will likely expand their sustainable paint offerings to meet eco-conscious consumers’ expectations. It is important to focus on sustainable development, reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs), protect the environment and preserve our resources, she explained. “Our Boomerang 100 percent recycled paint has been manufactured for over 20 years.”
She revealed that Laurentide will be launching a new Boomerang product in spring 2025, a tintable white base 1 recycled paint.
Durability and weather resistance are always in demand for exterior paints and stains, especially with an increased frequency of extreme weather events. Products that focus on UV resistance, mould prevention, and water repellency will be on the rise, predicted Collet.
“Expect growth in the use of specialty coatings, (including) anti-corrosion and anti-graffiti, as demands are more focused towards functional paints for infrastructure projects.”
Moving into 2025, Collet believes the home improvement trend will continue since consumers still crave comfortable, personalized living spaces. DIY-friendly paints and easy-to-use products will remain popular.
A continued focus on mental wellness will affect colour trends, she concluded. “Paint companies will continue marketing colours that are linked to well-being and mental health, leveraging the psychology of colour to influence consumer choices.”
Photo courtesy of Société Laurentide Inc.
Timeless, but bold
Sherwin-Williams is a global supplier of paint and coating products. Matt Hedberg, the company’s Product Marketing Manager, said consumer preferences are constantly evolving, making it paramount to offer quality products that fit the needs and expectations of both DIY and professional customers.
With that in mind, Sherwin-Williams launched Valspar architectural paint products, which entered the Canadian marketplace earlier this year. “It prompted us to formulate a streamlined product offering that clearly articulates the features and benefits of our various product lines.”
Hedberg said durability continues to be a top priority for interior products. Busy households need painted surfaces that allow for easy clean-up of common household stains, all while maintaining colour and finish. When it comes to exterior products, consumers want durability and longevity. “They expect their finish to hold up to extreme weather conditions, resist cracking, peeling and colour fading, all while offering a smooth uniform finish.”
Sustainable products have continued to gain momentum over the last few years. Hedberg expects to see sustainable practices continuing to be top-of-mind with consumers, and said Sherwin-Williams will monitor consumer expectations closely. “Today, the vast majority of Valspar’s interior products are Greenguard Gold Certified,” he added, which means they meet prescribed health-based criteria with lower total VOC emissions.
Photo courtesy of Sherwin-Williams
Sue Kim, Colour Marketing Director at Sherwin-Williams, has seen a “braver” approach to colour this year. Cooler shades of blue and green are being used to emphasize colours with warm grey undertones. “Along with popular usage of darker shades, the moody colours in ‘colour drenched’ looks are bringing the heritage look to our homes,” she declared.
She also confirmed that consumers are phasing out cool greys as a top choice at Sherwin-Williams. Consumers are embracing colours with longevity and versatility to use in various spaces of their homes.
Kim said global lifestyle trends across culture, media, fashion, design, technology, and even food are researched by the colour, design and style experts at Valspar, to help them choose the shades that best represent what is to come. Consumers are hoping to cultivate a happier living space through colour, with hues like Valspar’s 2025 Colour of the Year, Epic Adventure V073-6, stated Kim.
“Consumers are starting to take a more adventurous approach by embracing timeless but bold colour choices in the home – an exciting shift!”
With 2024 coming to a close, all indications point to consumers leaning towards warmer tones that embody the peace and calm of nature, as homeowners begin to take a more dramatic approach to interior and exterior colour.
Just how ‘bold’ will they go? 2025 will tell the tale. —
Photo courtesy of Sherwin-Williams
Photo courtesy of Sherwin-Williams