PPG Reveals 2020 Color of the Year: Chinese Porcelain

Escapism. Who doesn’t crave it these days? That was the conclusion of the color experts at PPG paint brand, which today named Chinese Porcelain—a rich and traditional blend of cobalt and inky blue—its 2020 Color of the Year. Hand-selected by PPG’s global color team, the hue imparts calmness and a spirit of hopefulness, both in high demand in our technologically-driven and restless society.

“The need for simplicity and escapism from technology is, in part, the reason that consumers are craving blues like Chinese Porcelain that bring us closer to natural elements such as the sea and sky—creating serenity in any space,” said Dee Schlotter, PPG’s senior color manager.

In fact, recent data from Paintzen, a PPG-owned technology platform that allows consumers to pick colors and schedule painting services, showed that blue was the most explored color family by users, with a 34 percent higher engagement than the next most popular color family: neutrals. And Chinese Porcelain was the most engaged color on the platform over the past six months.

“As we look to 2020, we know that color is the trend,” said Schlotter. “Consumers are tiring of stark grays and are looking to infuse colors that delight the senses. Blue is the easiest possible entry point from the world of neutrals to the world of color, and PPG’s Chinese Porcelain delivers the energy and brightness of cobalt blue—a trending hue taking the automotive, consumer electronics and fashion industry by storm. It also incorporates a deep, muted navy tone that is popular in residential and hospitality design.”

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