As the global workforce evolves, workplace designers are prioritizing innovation, wellness, and collaboration. Gone are the days of dull, uninspiring offices with cubicles stifling creativity. Instead, companies are investing in dynamic spaces tailored to diverse employee needs and workstyles. Workplace expectations for 2024 and beyond center on promoting flexibility, connection, wellbeing, and sustainability. Recognizing how the pandemic significantly altered how and where we work, employers are focusing on meeting the needs of an ever-changing workforce. With that in mind, let’s explore the trends shaping today’s workplaces and office paint color pairings.     1. Hybrid is Here to Stay The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our work landscape significantly. In 2023, some companies mandated a return to the office, highlighting a contrast between workers adjusting to the “new normal” and businesses eager to restore the “old normal.” Yet, according to Gallup, 53 percent of U.S. workers prefer a hybrid model, while 21 percent opt for full remote work.   To create an atmosphere that provides employees a welcoming transition between home and the office, consider choosing elevated neutrals for an office space. Pairing subtle, yet nuanced, shades — such as Tranquil Gray DC-007, a delicate taupe gray, or Taupe Tease N210-1, a light neutral gray —with a cool beige like Cotton Knit PPU7-11 creates a sense of warmth while maintaining a professional feel.   Windows & Ceiling: Cotton Knit PPU7-11 | Panels: Tranquil Gray DC-007     2. Attracting Millennials, Gen Z Back to the Office Millennials and Gen Z are not just the future of the workforce; they’re redefining where and how we work. These generations value flexibility, aesthetics, and a culture that fosters creativity. Offices need to offer more than just workstations and amenities; they should be vibrant environments that inspire.   A pivotal strategy for fostering a connection with these generations is creating a vibrant atmosphere environment that beckons them into the heart of the workplace. Consider playing with the light, dark and neutral hues. For example, cultivate a productive yet calming environment by combining Mountain Olive N350-7A, a deep olive green, and Even Better Beige DC-010, a warm neutral, with a bold pop of color like Tart Orange HDC-MD-27. To cultivate a sleek, sophisticated impression, combine these bright hues with BEHR’s 2024 Color of the Year Cracked Pepper PPU18-01.   Ceiling & Right Wall: Even Better Beige DC-010 | Back Wall: Mountain Olive N350-7A | Ceiling Accent: Tart Orange HDC-MD-27 | Ceiling Behind Panels: Cracked Pepper PPU18-01     3. Energizing Hues Foster Collaboration The emphasis on collaboration and innovation has led to the rise of modifiable workspaces. To truly energize these spaces, go bold with colors that ignite creativity and encourage interaction. Consider an optimistic, gold-tinged hue like Dandelion Wish MQ4-12 or an energetic retro orange like Flaming Torch PPU3-03 and confident New Age Blue PPU15-05 to infuse life into collaborative zones, breakout areas, and communal spaces.   Walls: Blank Canvas DC-003 | Nook Wall: New Age Blue PPU15-05 | Cove Wall: Dandelion Wish MQ4-12     4. Biophilic Design Biophilia: The business world continues to recognize the vital benefits of bringing nature into the workplace, as elements such as natural light, indoor plants, and organic materials can improve air quality, reduce stress, and increase productivity.   When it comes to color, opt for a palette-cleansing white like Winter White DC-004 with an ocean-inspired cool hue like Yacht Blue S490-4 — creating a sense of tranquility and relaxation.   Walls: Winter White DC-004 | Ceiling & Accent: Yacht Blue S490-4   For more biophilic color inspiration, visit our BEHR® BioNature Collection — 50 colors to infuse harmony and wellbeing into built environments to elevate the human experience.     5. Restore, Recharge, Revitalize “Resimercial” Design: Blurring the lines between home and work, this uber-cozy trend integrates elements to inspire comfort and creativity. Envision plush sofas, soft lighting, and personal touches that make employees feel relaxed and inspired — a home away from home.   To create an authentic and peaceful environment, embrace forest-inspired greens like Meteorological N430-6 to accent a comforting neutral like Dove HDC-MD-21.   Ceiling & Right Wall: Meteorological N430-6 | Back Wall: Dove HDC-MD-21   By incorporating residential-inspired elements, such as relaxing furnishings and personalized decor, offices can be a space where employees feel at ease, fostering satisfaction and wellbeing.     6. Soothing Seclusion Responding to today’s emphasis on mental wellness, office designs are incorporating private pods or alcoves that provide employees space to focus and relax, while allowing them to escape the hustle and bustle of the office environment. Providing such sanctuaries can reduce stress levels and improve productivity.   Try adding a pop of color to a ceiling installation with a smoky turquoise like Sophisticated Teal HDC-CL-22 and create depth by using a tone-on-tone combination of warm and peaceful hues such as Toasty Gray N320-2 and Grant Gray HDC-AC-19.   Art Ceiling Accent: Sophisticated Teal HDC-CL-22 | Left Wall, Conference Room Back Wall & Lobby Desk: Toasty Gray N320-2 | Office Wall: Grant Gray HDC-AC-19   The future of work presents a compelling opportunity for businesses, designers, and architects to reimagine office spaces as dynamic and human-centric environments. By integrating flexibility, technology, nature, and inclusivity, we can create workplaces that not only meet the functional needs of teams, but also inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and enhance employee wellbeing.   To learn more about the many color services Behr offers and to contact an Architect & Design Rep, please visit behr.com/designer.

As the design world continues to evolve in 2024 and beyond, there’s a fluidity in how we live, play, and work. This post-COVID era is reshaping the way we occupy spaces, bringing more flexibility into the conversation. Multifunctional spaces are more prominent than ever as we break through traditional norms and create areas that offer both productivity and pause.   BEHR® 2025 Commercial Color Forecast In today’s commercial landscape, there are no clear boundaries. From home-inspired workspaces to luxe recreational facilities, the lines are blurred in how spaces are defined. This trend served as the inspiration behind our BEHR® 2025 Commercial Color Forecast, which reflects the rising design movement of blurring boundaries between past and future, timeless and modern, and technology and nature.   The five themes in this palette are a nod to the fluid world we live in, with colors ranging from neutral to bold, traditional to grandiose, and cool to warm tones. Each subpalette has versatility for a wide range of uses in both residential and commercial spaces.   Limitless Whites White paint colors are often the foundation for a project and a canvas for boundary blurring. These warm hues are versatile, approachable, and barely there. Use them to visually soften surfaces and textures to create effortless style.   Back Wall: Gallery White PPU12-12  |  Desk: Bakery Box BL-W09   Bleisure Blurring the boundaries between business and leisure, these colors are adventurous and travel inspired. The bright pops of color are indicative of the hues we find in nature with familiar mid-tones that inspire creativity and evoke joy.   Wall: Venus Teal PPU13-08  |  Accent: Dandelion Wish MQ4-12   Renew-trals These colors are neutral and nuanced with a sense of healing and connection. The earthen mid-tones blur the boundaries between today and tomorrow’s neutrals with a lived-in and memorable quality.   Wall: Boreal N420-5  |  Accent: Colorful Leaves M190-7   Grand-luxe Timeless meets luxury in these rich, deep hues. The bold colors are versatile and sophisticated, grounding spaces with premium, aged quality.   Back Wall & Trim: Limo-Scene N560-7  |  Accents: Leather Work S240-7, Amazon Jungle PPU9-24 & Very Navy M500-7   AI-sthetic Blur the lines of the physical and digital world with this AI-inspired palette. Powdery pastels are anchored by dark and light pops of colors to create surface dimension and soften contemporary, technologically forward spaces.   Left Wall: Autumn Blush S220-1  |  Right Wall: Dove HDC-MD-21  |  Accents: Breathe S360-2, Flowerpot S180-3, Pimento P180-6 & Violet Aura M550-5   Commercial Color Forecast Workshop The colors in this palette were largely inspired by our first-ever Commercial Color Forecast Workshop held at our Southern California headquarters. Six commercial designers from various commercial backgrounds came together to explore the driving influences behind color and trends alongside Behr color experts in this immersive in-person experience. The designers also curated palettes based on industry trends and their own insights and expertise. The emerging themes from the workshop were the basis for the 2025 Commercial Color Forecast palette direction.     Are you a commercial designer interested in design trends and color forecasting? Fill out the form on this page to receive updates on our next workshop.  

Wood stains have the power to transform ordinary surfaces into timeless expressions of personal style. To elevate the aesthetic of your clients’ outdoor spaces this spring, BEHR® has announced its 2024 Exterior Stain Color of the Year, Tugboat – a brownish grey wood stain reminiscent of weathered materials from boats at sea.   Deck: Tugboat SC-141   The sophisticated blend of muted tones brings subtle color to exterior surfaces while enhancing the natural wood grain for a timeless finish. The versatility of Tugboat adds organic beauty and effortless character with a nautical twist to enrich your clients’ residential or commercial outdoor environments. Tugboat Featured in Solid Color (SC-141) & Semi-Transparent (ST-141) Stain   Both solid and semi-transparent finishes offer a polished look on decks, fences, porches, patio ceilings, railings and more.   Deck: Tugboat ST-141   Apply Tugboat in a solid finish to a wooden fence for a striking visual boundary that blends seamlessly with natural surroundings.   Fence: Tugboat SC-141   Or choose Tugboat in a semi-transparent finish for a front door and port ceiling to add charm and depth to an entry space.   Front Door & Port Ceiling: Tugboat ST-141   The versatility of Tugboat allows for the ease of application on various architectural styles and building materials to create a cohesive and inviting façade.   Exterior Accent: Tugboat SC-141   Give your clients a visually appealing outdoor living space with a wood-stained ceiling featuring Tugboat for a warm and comforting atmosphere.   Ceiling: Tugboat ST-141   Embrace the nautical allure of Tugboat for a refined and captivating outdoor ambiance.   To learn more about Tugboat, exterior wood stain project inspiration, and application tips, visit behrpro.com/2024staincoty.   Note: The 2024 Exterior Stain Color of the Year Tugboat is available exclusively at The Home Depot® in a variety of BEHR® Products, including the #1 rated exterior solid stain, BEHR PREMIUM® Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer, as well as BEHR PREMIUM® Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer, BEHR PREMIUM® Advanced DeckOver®, BEHR® Solid Color House & Fence Wood Stain, and BEHR DECKplus® Solid Color Waterproofing Wood Stain.  

The U.S. property management industry stands at a pivotal moment with both challenges and opportunities ahead in 2024. From shifting financial conditions, to expanding prospects, to community maintenance and eco-leadership, property managers face an array of issues that can be resolved with ingenuity, resilience and adaptability.     Financial Trends & Forecasts The rental housing sector has long been intertwined with broader economic trends, and 2024 is no exception. Recent years witnessed a surge in demand for apartment living, driven by factors including a lack of inventory (NerdWallet) and post-COVID resurgence of multigenerational households (Generations United). As pandemic-era safety nets disappear and credit availability tightens, property managers continue to deal with moderate inflation and rates.     Acquisition Activity These moderate rates have made value-add acquisition deals less lucrative to potential investors. As a result, planned interior renovations have been scaled back significantly. Exterior paint is a cost-efficient way to freshen up the appearance of your property and make it more attractive to potential buyers without the expense and time needed for a full interior upgrade. In short, consider a new paint job as it has the ability to improve the image and value of your property, enhancing curb appeal and enticing residents.     Supply & Demand One of the biggest challenges facing property managers in recent years is the imbalance between housing supply and demand. The industry faces an uphill battle in tackling the long-standing inventory crisis, which, according to We Are Apartments, requires building 4.3 million new apartments by 2035 in order to meet rental needs.   In the last few years, the effort to expand apartment inventory has been front and center. From 2020 to 2022, a total of 1.2 million apartments were built (RentCafe), and 2023 added about 573,000 additional units — a 40-year record. While building is beginning to slow down, approximately 443,000 new units are expected to be in place by the end of 2024. (Matthews Real Estate Investment Services).   Chart: RentCafe; Source: Yardi Matrix   That’s good news, right? But here’s where it gets complicated. The influx of new housing has dampened rental prices, as we’ve seen in the last few months. Case in point: the vacancy rate in February 2024 was 6.6% (the highest since September 2020). This means that it’s possible — if not probable — that vacancies will continue through the end of the year (Apartment List), providing renters a wider array of housing options.   In response, properties are beginning to extend accommodations. For example, in January 2024, Zillow reported that nearly 32% of its listings offer concessions – or financial incentives for the renter – a trend that is expected to continue through 2024.   On the other hand, a recent slowdown in new construction permits is expected to reduce 2024 apartment build starts by 20% to 50% (Multi Pro+), which points to a return to lower inventory, renewed demand, and higher rents in 2025.     Drawing & Keeping Quality Residents Understanding target demographics and each of their evolving preferences is key to thriving in the property management landscape. From Gen Z poised to become the largest percentage of renters, to millennials starting families, to the growing number of older renters, these groups are the core of the rental market. This creates opportunities for property managers to draw high-quality prospective residents and retain current ones by meeting their wants and needs, such as:   Personalization — Every resident wants to feel a sense of home. Helping them to personalize their space will not only make them feel more comfortable, but they will also be more likely to rent your property long-term. Try offering new renters the option to choose a new paint color from a range of pre-approved hues for a room or an accent wall. For current residents, provide the same offer when they renew or after one year of tenancy.     Sustainability —With growing environmental consciousness, opting for low VOC (volatile organic compound) and eco-friendly paint options for your property is becoming increasingly important. More than 100 BEHR® and KILZ® products are GREENGUARD Gold Certified for low VOC, which contributes to cleaner indoor air. Behr Paint continues to invest in the innovation of sustainable products and resources for paint formulations of the future in order to bring products to market that address consumer needs while keeping the environment in mind.   Home Office —The advent of the remote/hybrid work model has profound implications for property managers, reshaping resident expectations and demand patterns. With many homes doubling as workplaces, renters seek flexible living spaces equipped with spare bedrooms and shared workspaces. The hybrid work model is not going away but rather a permanent reality driving demand for multifamily communities that seamlessly blend work and home life. Perhaps offer to paint a room or area that creates a space that fosters focus and productivity. Consider a calming ambiance with BEHR® Paint Colors Watery HDC-CT-26 and White 52, a modern motif using Morning Zen S380-2 and Cracked Pepper PPU18-01, or a more professional look with Lunar Surface N460-3 and Iron Mountain N520-5.   Featuring Watery HDC-CT-26 & White 52   Featuring Morning Zen S380-2 & Cracked Pepper PPU18-01   Featuring Iron Mountain N520-5 & Lunar Surface N460-3     Behr Paint offers a comprehensive Property Owners & Managers Program, providing on-site job walks, specification services, project submittal packages, job-site delivery, and color services such as digital color rendering, color boards, and full-size drawdown samples to help you and your residents better visualize paint colors.       The Road Ahead As we navigate through 2024, the property management industry must embrace change, from leveraging financial forecasts to catering to evolving resident needs. While uncertainties abound, the rental housing sector remains a strong pillar for continued growth in the commercial real estate landscape.  

As we begin a new year and look ahead to what it holds for the paint industry, it’s important to take a moment to reflect upon where we are, where we’re going, and what challenges and opportunities await us in 2024.   When COVID-19 emerged in the U.S. in early 2020, industries across the country were deeply affected by abrupt shutdowns followed by a wavering economy (Coatings Tech Magazine). While great strides have been made on the road to a full economic recovery, we’re still feeling its effects. That’s not to say the paint industry has been spared! Rather, it continues to grapple with pandemic by-products such as supply-chain issues, heading back to the office (or not), high raw material pricing, and a slew of rate hikes in 2023.   Despite these challenges, the U.S. paint and coatings industry continues to persevere, with 2024 production expected to total 798 million gallons, a 2.9% increase from 2023 (ACA Industry Pulse | Architectural Coatings). As we begin 2024, the industry is expected to forge ahead, overcoming challenges and adapting to the evolving landscape, offering the opportunity for expansion and innovation within the sector.   Source: ACA Industry Pulse | Architectural Coatings   Logistical Challenges Like many global manufacturers, the paint market depends on its partners to deliver the materials and products they need to serve customer demands. While the COVID-19 effect dwindles year after year, the following issues remain:   Price of Crude Oil — Many raw materials used in both oil and acrylic paints are petroleum-derived, for which crude oil is a key source; rising prices pose a significant problem. For perspective: a $10 increase in crude oil equals a 3% rise in paint manufacturing cost (Coatings Tech Magazine). In addition, fluctuating oil prices disrupt supply-chain consistency, forcing paint manufacturers to shoulder the burden of higher transportation, production, and inventory costs.   Raw Materials — As of mid-2023, most raw material providers were, once again, meeting demand, though typically with longer lead times than before the pandemic. Some suppliers are already out of stock through the end of 2024; therefore, paint manufacturers should have a strategy for maintaining supply. Both suppliers and paint manufacturers should be working with their Research & Development staff to prepare for any future shortages (Coatings Tech Magazine).   Supply Chain — During COVID-19, supply-chain disruptions prompted delayed imports, capacity shortages, and elevated shipping costs. In response, paint manufacturers began to raise prices. Despite efforts to streamline processes, global uncertainty and political priorities contribute to a fragile system. Recovery is expected but challenges will persist as long as the global landscape remains in flux.   Housing Market The sure sign of a solid coatings industry lies in the strength of the housing/construction market. The architectural paints sector accounts for 60% of the volume within the U.S. coatings industry and is expected to finish 2023 with a slight 1% increase. Looking forward to 2024, growth is anticipated to be 3% (ChemQuest).   Sources: The ChemQuest Group, Inc.; Coatings TraQr™   Higher mortgage rates and inflation have been pushing some potential home buyers out of the market, but that may change soon. According to CNN, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate fell to an average of 6.67% in the week ending December 21, down from 6.95% the previous week.   Lower rates are bringing potential homebuyers who were previously waiting on the sidelines back into the market,” Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist Sam Khater said in a statement.   As the homebuying market begins to start moving again, it’s expected that the demand for painting services — whether from owners looking to sell or buyers wanting to repaint — will start to recover.   Rental/Multifamily The rental/multifamily sector is headed for some challenges. For years, declining interest rates and low inventory made rental property ownership quite lucrative. However, inventory escalated in 2023, leading to a surge of 405,000 units built in the last four quarters — the highest in more than a decade (John Burns Research and Consulting).   Now, the landscape shifts. Owner costs have risen significantly, and construction starts are slowing. After the 2023 building surge, development will be substantially reduced in 2024, and apartment starts will be limited for the foreseeable future. Rising rates, insurance costs, and operating expenses further contribute to the sector’s difficulties (John Burns Research and Consulting).   The rental/multifamily construction boom has provided a revenue stream for the paint industry while the homebuying market has been tight. The construction slowdown doesn’t mean that work has dried up. Rather, opportunities may arise from pre-existing properties looking to repaint to remain competitive with newer communities.   Renovations/Remodeling While the renovation sector has been strong for a number of years, interest rates combined with low housing inventory is expected to weigh on remodeling activity, which is estimated to decline by 6.5% (from $481 billion in 2023 to $450 billion in 2024), according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA).   Source: Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard Unversity   The upside to this scenario is that, when major renovations aren’t in the budget, homeowners often look to a fresh coat of paint for an easy, budget-friendly way to update and revitalize their homes. Expect opportunities for repaints to expand this year.   Side note: PRO vs. DIY — When it comes to home painting projects, the balance between professionals and do-it-yourselfers has tilted back and forth for years. This changed significantly, thanks to COVID-19. Case in point: From 2010 to 2019, professional work was steadily growing, yet it dropped in 2020, as homebound DIYers used this time to freshen up their spaces. From 2021 to 2023 professional work rebounded strongly, with a 2023 ratio of 63% professional to 37% do it-yourselfer, which was driven by a resurgent commercial building sector balancing out a weaker residential sector (Coatings Tech Magazine).   Source: The ChemQuest Group, Inc.   Looking Forward So how does all of this affect the paint industry?   According to a 2023 BBB® Industry Report, here’s what we can expect over the next five years:   Industry revenue will grow from $36.5 billion to nearly $38 billion (1.6% increase) through 2027.   Profit margins for the industry should grow from 7.1% to over 8.4% by 2027, which translates into $3.38 million in extra profits for painters.   Expansion is on the horizon — not only in the number of new painting companies but the number of working painting professionals. By 2027, the industry can expect another 4,600 companies and approximately 8,000 new employees to join the paint industry. Wages will comprise more than 35% of company expenses, as many painting business owners/contractors will pay higher salaries to keep key crew members such as project managers, estimators, and supervisors.   As we enter 2024, paint industry projections indicate growth, with increased revenue, profit margins, and expansion. Overall, despite ongoing challenges, the U.S. paint industry appears poised for a robust future and Behr Paint Company is here to help give you the support and guidance you need for any project, big or small. As the #1 Most Trusted Paint Brand in America*, BEHR® Paint has a complete portfolio of high-performing interior and exterior products coupled with experienced BEHR® Pro Reps to enhance your productivity and help you succeed on the job. Contact a BEHR Pro Rep today for your next project.     All of us at Behr wish you a happy and prosperous 2024!   *Voted most trusted Paint Brand by American shoppers based on the 2024 BrandSpark® American Trust Study.

In today’s world, it’s evident that our society is becoming increasingly more digital. From the ever-growing presence of social media to the ongoing movement of working remotely, we rely on digital technologies to communicate, collaborate, and connect. In the architectural and design industry, one company is spearheading this digital shift and revolutionizing the way designers work with materials, products, and now paint colors—completely virtually.     What is Mattoboard? Introducing Mattoboard – a 3D virtual sampling platform for designers to curate material boards online before ordering physical samples. The web is steadily shifting from 2D to 3D, and there is a significant opportunity for designers and brands to bring efficiency and flexibility to their design processes, creative visualizations, and decision making.   The platform incorporates realistic light and shadow to experience materials, products, and color with enhanced texture and details. These digital representations are called VSamples®, which are high-quality 3D models that accurately represent the physical samples designers use to curate material boards. Designers can play with light and shadow to simulate the materials’ real-life qualities, demonstrating how light hits various surfaces, textures, and even paint sheens. The result is a professional-looking design board that designers can share with their clients or colleagues in seconds through mobile or desktop for an efficient, collaborative experience.     Behr Paint Company Joins Mattoboard’s Platform As the first-ever paint brand on the platform, designers can now curate boards using 1,600+ BEHR® Paint colors organized by the BEHR Color System in six different sheens – flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and hi-gloss. Mattoboard’s advanced technology allows designers to experience sheen digitally like never before by controlling light intensity and positioning on various surfaces for a new way to experience color online. Whether you’re looking to create a timeless and modern appeal in a workplace setting with Behr’s 2024 Color of the Year Cracked Pepper PPU 18-01 or a soft and tranquil aesthetic with best-sellers Natural White DC-005 and Healing Aloe S400-3 for a healthcare environment, the possibilities are endless with no waste in the process. Behr is committed to making meaningful moves towards a sustainable approach to ultimately reduce sample excess and minimize waste.     Sustainable Sampling Physical sampling is often slow for designers who make ideation changes in a matter of seconds. These samples are also in excess and getting lost or piled high in design firms’ sample libraries. The waste is immense and often used for a single time, only to be thrown away or tucked into a material library never to be seen again.   Mattoboard seeks to challenge and change this wasteful practice, stating that: By adopting Virtual Samples, brands can consciously align themselves with positive change and assure consumers that they are actively addressing waste reduction and shaping a more sustainable future.”   The solution is to implement a digital process to accommodate iterative sampling and fast-paced ideation. With virtual mood boards, designers can endlessly experiment with VSamples and ultimately align with their clients before ordering physical samples and paint chips. When they eventually do order a sample, “it’s because they have conceptual approval, or more confidence and security from the client,” Mattoboard says.     Embracing a Digital Future The future is digital and Mattoboard is at the forefront of shifting the way the interior design industry operates. Now, designers can curate beautiful, realistic material boards with access to thousands of VSamples, including the most accurate 3D digital representation of paint and sheen ever seen before. And by curating and sending boards to clients virtually, designers can save time and money with less physical sample ordering, real-time collaboration, and faster decision-making. Plus, it’s more sustainable and can significantly reduce sample waste. What’s more to like? Start designing today.