How Is the Color of the Year Selected?

Choosing the Color of the Year (COTY) is no simple task. According to the experts, it’s a highly detailed process that kicks off a full one to two years before the announcement is made public. Thorough research and in-depth analysis are at the heart of every selection. “Naming the Color of the Year is far from an impulsive decision,” says Kim.

Trend Exploration

One of the core elements driving the decision is the study of major trends across a wide range of industries. “As director of color marketing, I oversee a team of specialists in color, design, and style. Each of us is consistently tracking emerging global lifestyle movements across sectors like pop culture, media, fashion, technology, and even food,” Kim explains.

Understanding local preferences is equally important. Insights into how people design and decorate their homes play a key role. “Our team collaborates closely to uncover consumer lifestyle patterns and anticipate where design trends are heading, helping us identify the colors people will be drawn to,” shares Banbury.

The Role of Brand Insights and Market Data

Beyond lifestyle trends, forecasters lean heavily on brand data, tracking everything from product sample orders to detailed tint metrics. “We study the movement of current and upcoming color trends to predict what’s ahead,” says Miller, explaining York's methodology. “Our approach merges trend forecasting with sales figures, consumer surveys, and influences from runway fashion to spotlight shades that consistently resurface.”

Market dynamics also steer decisions. “Depending on the target audience, the typical size of living spaces, and how products integrate with other design elements, market insights can heavily influence which color rises to the top,” Miller adds. For products like wallcoverings, which visually dominate a space, color versatility is crucial to ensure broad appeal across diverse design aesthetics.

Forecasting the Future

The selection process is forward-looking, aimed at capturing the spirit of the year ahead. “We strive to predict what will resonate culturally at the time of the color's release and how that might shape the atmosphere people seek at home,” Banbury notes. As an example, she highlights research for the 2025 Color Collection of the Year, Naturally Refined, which recognized an emerging desire for serenity and refuge within home spaces.

How Far Ahead Are Colors of the Year Planned?

The cycle of research and refinement continues up until a final decision is made. “We are constantly monitoring how evolving design trends impact color,” says Banbury. “You’ll notice subtle shifts over time — in both style and color pairings — that reflect broader lifestyle changes.”

“At Valspar, our team begins work one to two years early, gathering in the fall to sift through all the insights we've collected,” Kim explains. “This enables us to anticipate consumer desires and offer a vision of color that aligns with the future.”

While the COTY mirrors what’s current, it’s designed to be more than a fleeting trend. Often, by the time the color is revealed, it’s already gaining traction — but its full influence continues to unfold. Multiple brands often announce their own COTYs, and while shades may resemble each other, slight variations highlight evolving cultural moods and industry nuances. As Kim sums it up, “It’s the perfect blend of art and science.”