Individual style mixed with budget-conscious decorating will drive 2011 paint hue trends. Consumers won’t be diving into large scale renovation projects, but instead will search for inexpensive ways to freshen and update their home.

By incorporating a few new paint colors, whether as an accent area or an entire room painting project, a fresh coat of paint remains one of the most economical ways to enhance and modernize the appearance.

Remember, paint color is a homeowner’s best decorating tool. You can change the appearance, the perception of size and even the perception of temperature, through the simple use of paint color.

Back to Basics
Homeowners, seeking comfortable and serene spaces, will reach for a variety of casual neutral and pastel hues to create warm and inviting spaces. Neutrals provide versatility and allows homeowners to quickly change the look of a room just by changing a few accessories. Moreover, it’s a prudent, practical, cost-saving approach to interior painting.

Warm whites, tawny tans, barely-there coral and green will find use in kitchens, bedrooms and baths.

Well Worn Hues:
Like a pair of favorite jeans, blue will grow in popularity as not just a wall color but also asa ceiling choice.“Well Worn Hues”are represented by blues across the spectrum, from denim dark to blue-grey.

Since most blues tend to be calming colors, this hue helps to create a perfect retreat from many of life’s stresses.

As a secondary or complementary hue, yellow or yellow-green adds a bit of “spunk” when used in family spaces.

Shimmer and Shine:
For thrifty consumerslooking for a bit of sparkle, higher paint sheens and metallic finishes are on the radar for 2011. Don’t besurprised to see spaces such as hallways and living areas painted inavery glossy hue,from top to bottom. More gloss means more reflectivity,which means more light. Gloss can subtly create a brighter, more upbeat mood in ahome, but at the same time, it adds style and pizzazz.

Dining rooms and master bed and bath spaces are the perfect areas for this sophisticated choice.

Coupled with the “high shine” trend, gold will return as both an in-demand paint hue and as a key metallic choice.