Behr Paint Company is excited to announce the winners of its first-ever Student Design Competition. The competition was created in partnership with MattoBoard, a 3D virtual sampling platform, to champion emerging designers by providing opportunities to showcase and celebrate their talents.   About the Design Competition Behr invited design students to submit an original design plan for any commercial space such as hospitality, workplace, healthcare, multifamily and more. The design theme, “No Clear Boundaries,” drew inspiration from the BEHR® 2025 Commercial Color Forecast, which celebrates the fluidity between designed environments that reflect the intersection of the past and future, digital and physical, and timeless and modern.   Entrants were required to incorporate colors from the BEHR 2025 Commercial Color Forecast in their design along with Behr’s 2025 Color of the Year, Rumors, a deep and timeless shade of ruby red.     Judging criteria included: Originality, Creativity and Style of Overall Design Plan (40%) Creative Expression in Use of Behr Paint Colors (40%) Creativity of MattoBoard in Entry (20%)   The judging panel included Erika Woelfel, VP of Color & Creative at Behr; Adam Ailion, Architect and CEO / Co-Founder of MattoBoard; Kayla Kratz, Director of Color & Designer Segment at Behr; and Amber Jones, Director of Architect & Designer Strategic Initiatives at Behr.   Grand Prize Winner: Leanne Hlavka BOUNDLESS Women’s Work and Play Center​ BOUNDLESS is a women’s work and play center that blends work, childcare, and social settings into a seamless, multi-functional environment. Inspired by Behr’s design theme, “No Clear Boundaries,” the space removes traditional divisions between work, motherhood, and social life, creating a space where working women and mothers can be productive, supported, and fulfilled.     The center incorporates timeless mid-century modern design elements—open floor plans, clerestory windows, and materials like wood and raw finishes—while fluidly connecting indoor and outdoor areas. This style uses color to define the spaces where there are otherwise “no clear boundaries”, reinforcing the concept’s openness to blur the boundaries of the spaces women work, play, live, and learn in.     With color paramount to the design, a palette was curated in timeless earth tones and bold saturation for a modern touch. Rumors MQ1-15 was prioritized in the workspace for its sophistication to create a feeling of intimacy for focused work, with Wild Berry P110-6 adding a pop of femininity and playfulness to this non-traditional center. Colorful Leaves M190-7, Flaming Torch PPU3-03 and Wild Ginger M270-7 create an ascending transition, while Boreal N420-5 and Fresh Artichoke M340-5 work in synergy in the outdoor courtyard. Audition MQ5-36 brings a calming presence to the nursing room, and Baronial Brown N170-7 and Leather Work S240-7 add depth to the beam ceiling, altogether bringing BOUNDLESS to life.   3D Materials Board Using MattoBoard   About LeAnne LeAnne Hlavka is a Bachelor of Arts student at the Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach, CA. She is passionate about commercial design, biophilic design, and historic preservation. Balancing studies with motherhood, she is excited to pursue interior design as her second career. For her Grand Prize entry, LeAnne was awarded a $3,000 cash prize and a one-year MattoBoard Pro subscription. Her design school also received $1,000.     First Prize Winner: Mary Dilanchian “Aeternum” Echoes in Mauve- The Eternal Glow of Rumors​ Featuring colors from the BEHR 2025 Commercial Color Forecast, the Schiaparelli-inspired fashion pavilion in Rotterdam comes alive as the sun begins to set, transforming with the fading light. At its heart, Behr’s 2025 Color of the Year: Rumors MQ1-15, glows as dusk falls, reflecting the muted hues of a Rotterdam sunset. It becomes a beacon, interacting with reflective surfaces to create a dynamic play of color and shadow while paying homage to the natural beauty of the site and enhancing the pavilion’s presence.     Supporting this central glow, Behr’s Wild Ginger M270-7 adds depth and richness with warm, earthy undertones. Baronial Brown N170-7 serves as an anchor, grounding the design in a sense of stability and connection to the earth. Even Better Beige DC-010, used on the pavilion’s supportive skin structure, provides a soft, neutral backdrop, enhancing the pavilion’s skeletal design, and Limo-scene N560-7 acts as an accent, adding a subtle coolness to the pavilion.     Together, these colors transform the pavilion into a cohesive, living organism that shifts with the changing light, creating a vibrant and harmonious interplay that honors the themes of rebirth, transformation, and layered experiences. This palette elevates the pavilion from a mere structure to an evolving masterpiece that embodies the essence of fashion, architecture, and the Rotterdam landscape.   3D Materials Board Using MattoBoard   About Mary Mary is an Interior Architecture student at Woodbury University in Burbank, CA, driven by a passion for creating immersive designs that connect people to their spaces. She thrives on creating meaningful experiences and has a keen eye for detail and experiential design. Mary was awarded a $1,500 cash prize and a one-year MattoBoard Pro subscription for her First Place Prize entry.     Second Prize Winner: Brittany Marie Ott Urban Sipology From Grapes to Glass: Urban Sipology redefines wine tasting in Chicago, blending the city’s industrial history with a sleek, modern aesthetic for today’s youthful, vibrant audience. This innovative venue reimagines tradition while catering to diverse, modern tastes.     The venue offers a warm, sophisticated atmosphere with oxidized steel, earthy leather, and bronzed metals, complemented by ambient lighting that creates an inviting environment. Designed with fluidity in mind, the space echoes the winemaking process—filtration, flow, and bottling—to create a sense of graceful movement. Behr’s Rumors MQ1-15 provides a sultry and sophisticated energy—perfect for a wine venue.     Guests can enjoy a trendy, inclusive space featuring an extensive wine display, casual tasting bar, private nooks, seasonal patio, and soft background music, making it ideal for winding down with friends. The design begins with a narrow retail corridor, guiding visitors into an expansive tasting area that mirrors the richness and joy of each sip. This intentional layout reflects the progression of wine tasting—starting with anticipation, leading to discovery, and ending with delight.   3D Materials Board Using MattoBoard   About Brittany Brittany Ott, a senior at East Carolina University, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. She’s passionate about designing functional, impactful spaces that elevate human performance and leave lasting impressions. Brittany was awarded a $500 cash prize and a one-year MattoBoard Pro subscription for her Second Place Prize entry.     Learn more about the Student Design Competition here.  

Have you heard about the BEHR® 2025 Color of the Year? Rumor has it, it’s the perfect hue to make a statement in any commercial or residential space.     It’s true, our Color of the Year, Rumors, is a deep red that adds warmth and draws a rich allure to hospitality, retail and other dynamic spaces. Designers and paint professionals alike can offer Rumors with confidence on projects to make a powerful and fearless statement. This tone is the perfect shade that captivates and enhances the built environment.     Let this elevated color speak volumes, no matter the scale of your project. Rumors will create an energy that evokes beauty and vitality.         With its vibrant tone, Rumors is a great choice for creating a dramatic and charming environment. Whether the space is large or small, Rumors packs a punch with a touch of luxe.         Pair Rumors with light neutrals like greige, tan and gray to balance hospitality spaces and create depth.         Or create a sense of enclosure by drenching the color in a room for a rich and modern look. This can be particularly effective in larger rooms where your client wants a space that fuels productivity.         Now’s the time to give your clients a compelling look with BEHR Rumors.   Rumors is part of fifteen distinct hues in the BEHR 2025 Color Trends collection. Create an inviting atmosphere with these nostalgic and personal colors. Pair warm neutrals with jewel tones and nature-based hues for timeless charm in commercial and residential spaces.     WORKPLACE | Walls: Aerial View S530-3   MULTIFAMILY | Walls: Boreal N420-5   EDUCATION | Walls: Jackfruit PPU6-07   RESIDENTIAL | Walls: Even Better Beige DC-010     To explore the 2025 Color of the Year and Color Trends, visit behrpro.com/2025coty.  

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.