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.   [caption id="attachment_1689" align="alignnone" width="5120"] Windows & Ceiling: Cotton Knit PPU7-11 | Panels: Tranquil Gray DC-007[/caption]     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.   [caption id="attachment_1690" align="alignnone" width="3819"] 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[/caption]     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.   [caption id="attachment_1691" align="alignnone" width="5120"] Walls: Blank Canvas DC-003 | Nook Wall: New Age Blue PPU15-05 | Cove Wall: Dandelion Wish MQ4-12[/caption]     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.   [caption id="attachment_1692" align="alignnone" width="6000"] Walls: Winter White DC-004 | Ceiling & Accent: Yacht Blue S490-4[/caption]   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.   [caption id="attachment_1693" align="alignnone" width="7050"] Ceiling & Right Wall: Meteorological N430-6 | Back Wall: Dove HDC-MD-21[/caption]   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.   [caption id="attachment_1694" align="alignnone" width="8192"] 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[/caption]   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.   [caption id="attachment_1679" align="alignnone" width="4500"] Back Wall: Gallery White PPU12-12  |  Desk: Bakery Box BL-W09[/caption]   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.   [caption id="attachment_1667" align="alignnone" width="4500"] Wall: Venus Teal PPU13-08  |  Accent: Dandelion Wish MQ4-12[/caption]   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.   [caption id="attachment_1668" align="alignnone" width="7360"] Wall: Boreal N420-5  |  Accent: Colorful Leaves M190-7[/caption]   Grand-luxe Timeless meets luxury in these rich, deep hues. The bold colors are versatile and sophisticated, grounding spaces with premium, aged quality.   [caption id="attachment_1669" align="alignnone" width="6000"] Back Wall & Trim: Limo-Scene N560-7  |  Accents: Leather Work S240-7, Amazon Jungle PPU9-24 & Very Navy M500-7[/caption]   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.   [caption id="attachment_1670" align="alignnone" width="7259"] 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[/caption]   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.