Dutch Boy Paints’ 2024 Color of the Year Exudes Comfortable Sophistication

Dutch Boy Paints has officially announced their 2024 color of the year, and those looking to add a touch of elegance and charm to their space are sure to love it.

Ironside is a deep olive shade with bold undertones of black—not exactly a neutral, but a color that nonetheless adds a sense of calm to a space.

“It’s very approachable, it’s very usable, and it’s very comforting,” Ashley Banbury, Dutch Boy Paints’ color marketing manager and interior designer, tells The Spruce.

According to Dutch Boy Paints' press release, as consumers continue to place an emphasis on daily habits that enrich their lives, “the concept of home has evolved into a sanctuary for well-being.” The 2024 color of the year supports this longing for consistency and comfort in the home by creating a level of comfortable sophistication.

Inspired by Comfort, Wellness, and Nature

The brand’s 2023 color of the year, Rustic Greige, was all about comfort, reliability, and versatility, and the 2024 shade is an evolution of that narrative. This year, the brand is taking inspiration from nature along with people’s desire to prioritize wellness and comfort in their daily lives.

“Our main driving influence for our color of the year is creating a space for wellness," Banbury says. "A sanctuary in your home that can not only help you physically but mentally as well.

The color green has a strong association with nature (keeping it in line with biophilic design trends that remain ever-popular) and is known for evoking feelings of peace, calm, and security. This particular shade brings a sense of sophistication and comfort thanks to its dark hue.

“There’s a new appreciation for dark colors in the home. People are finding them very comforting,” Banbury says.

3 Distinct Inspirational Color Palettes

To accompany the Color of the Year announcement, Dutch Boy Paints has curated three distinct color palettes that showcase how Ironside can be utilized in different ways throughout the home, regardless of your style.

"I think what makes this color come alive is pairing other colors with it—that is really where it can create its own personality and whatever aesthetic you want to have," Banbury says. These designed color palettes include Embrace, Retreat, and Inspire.

The Embrace color palette combines Ironside with other calming shades including Antique White (011W), Whale’s Tail (430-6DB), and Heritage Brown (411-7DB). When used together, these colors create an immersive space where you can relax and unwind, Banbury says. A figurative embrace, if you will.

“People just want to have a sanctuary, a place that feels secure, and these colors do a great job creating that,” she says.

The Retreat color palette is all about creating a personal oasis in your home—a place of peace and comfort. Ironside is paired with Sanded Grout (412-4DB), Wild Orange (310-4DB), and Antiquated Olive (424-6DB), for a fun yet clean and warm, nature-inspired palette.

Lastly, the Inspire color palette uses complementary colors to create a fun and bold color scheme that will inspire you to express your artistic side in your home. Playful shades like Strawberry Shade (302-6DB) and Pineapple Flan (214-3DB) add levity while Ironside and Ultra White (002W) keep the palette grounded and balanced with a modern flair.

Tips for Decorating with Dark Shades

For many homeowners, painting with dark colors can feel intimidating. If you are looking to try out Ironside in your home but you are unsure of where to start, Banbury has a few recommendations.

First, she recommends testing it out in a smaller room or nook in the home before bringing it into your main living areas. This will give you a taste of what the shade looks like on your walls so you can decide if you are ready for a larger commitment.

You can also use it as an accent color as demonstrated in the three designed color palettes. Ironside is perfect for trim, ceilings, accent walls, highlighting architectural features like fireplaces or built-in bookshelves, or even painting furniture like side tables.

If you are looking for more tips and advice on how to utilize Dutch Boy Paints' 2024 Color of the Year in your home, their website is a great place to start. There you can find how-to videos, photo inspiration, color visualizers, painting advice, and more.

Dutch Boy Paints is available exclusively at Menard's.