Trending colour palettes for website design in 2024

The big paint manufacturers annually release a ‘colour of the year,’ and 2024 is no different. Pantone has crowned Peach Fuzz, but that’s far from the only shade making headlines. Soft blues, muted greens, and earthy neutrals also have a firm foothold. Below, we’ll highlight a few standouts that could add visual appeal to your next upcoming digital design project.

Dutch Boy’s Ironside

Dutch Boy Paint has identified Ironside as one of its top picks for 2024. This rich, grounding shade alludes to calmness, comfort, and a gentle tie to the natural world. According to the brand, Ironside is part of multiple curated palettes that highlight wellness and an organic aesthetic. Below are three recommended groupings that feature Ironside in very distinct ways.

• Embrace palette: This combination sets Ironside alongside Antique White, Heritage Brown, and Whale’s Tail. It creates a balanced look that feels cosy yet refined. Designers pair it with lighter text or icons to maintain good readability and a welcoming vibe.

• Retreat palette: This grouping brings Ironside together with Sanded Grout, Antiquated Olive, and Wild Orange. The result is a warm vibe that feels sophisticated. It’s also a handy choice for emphasising calls to action, thanks to that splash of orange.

• Inspire palette: This set aims for creativity and zest. Ironside works alongside peppier accents, perfect if your site thrives on energetic visuals. It’s a popular route for brands seeking a bold tone, tying the comfort of Ironside to more vivid complements.

Sherwin-Williams’ Upward

Sherwin-Williams is highlighting Upward as part of a broader theme built around soothing blues and greens. It resonates with brands that centre on wellness, sustainable living, or lifestyle products. By pairing these soft hues with crisp neutrals, designers can achieve a balanced appearance. Below, we have two palettes that emphasise calm, clarity, and a tranquil sense of natural harmony.

• Coastal chic palette: Light blues, subtle greys, and white join forces to give your design a relaxed, breezy appeal. The understated backdrop allows text and visuals to pop. Many brand sites use this approach to convey calmness without feeling plain.

• Botanical mood palette: These variant mixes muted seafoam, sage, and white linen. It encourages a feeling of serenity often associated with nature-focused brands. Some designers add gentle metallic accents for contrast, though the main goal remains a soft, approachable presence.

Benjamin Moore colour palette

Benjamin Moore has highlighted several hues this year, including Blue Nova 825. This shade sits in a sweet spot between pastel and bold, offering a mid-tone that blends easily with softer neutrals or brighter accent colours. It can unify diverse elements on a page, making it a favourite among designers looking for flexibility, timeless appeal, and a truly polished finish.

• Blue Nova 825: This tone offers enough depth to function as a bold main colour, yet it also adapts well as a supportive accent. Some websites incorporate it in headers or icons, balancing its richness with creamy whites or beiges.

• Mount Saint Anne: This cooler shade works well for buttons, headings, or icons that need emphasis without clashing. It delivers a subtle contrast against warmer backgrounds. Many designers use it sparingly, ensuring key elements stand out in a harmonious way.

Peach Fuzz

Peach Fuzz, selected by Pantone as the 2024 frontrunner, exudes a soft, approachable charm. Its gentle glow sets it apart from the more neon-forward picks of recent seasons, and Pantone team believes it channels a blend of youthful energy and refined elegance. This shade can work as either a primary background or a subtle accent, depending on the brand’s aim. Some sites use Peach Fuzz for large hero images, layering it with crisp whites or moody greys to maintain contrast. Others prefer it for buttons or icons, adding a welcoming touch that nudges visitors toward key actions.

Lavender Haze colour palette 

Lavender Haze puts a spotlight on calming greens and mild purples, creating an environment that feels tranquil and truly inclusive. It has gained traction among brands associated with childcare, wellness, or anything that benefits from a soothing touch. Some designers choose a lavender-based background paired with white icons or text, allowing the gentle hue to convey a sense of comfort. Meanwhile, subtle green accents can highlight important sections, guiding user attention without overwhelming the layout. This palette’s combination of softness and clarity suits anyone aiming for a welcoming, down-to-earth look that resonates across age groups.

Millennial Pink colour palette

Millennial Pink continues to hold its own in 2024, building on years of popularity. This approach typically blends multiple pink hues, sometimes introducing a mellow yellow or lavender for balance. The result can feel playful, especially for lifestyle or fashion brands aiming for a youthful spark. Designers often apply lighter pink shades as the primary background, accentuating them with richer fuchsia or pastel purple. The goal is to create visual interest without descending into harsh contrasts. By layering pink with complementary tones, a site can achieve an upbeat vibe that still looks modern and approachable.

Fairy Tale Kaleidoscope 

Fairy Tale Kaleidoscope is all about blending bright and subdued tones to spark varied emotions. Pink diamond, golden leaves, red grape, orange festival, lavender mesh, and green oasis each bring a unique layer to the design. While this might sound like a loud combination, careful distribution can make the overall result feel imaginative. Some brands use these colours in rotation for section dividers or highlighted call-outs, ensuring each hue gets its moment without dominating the entire page. By experimenting with placement and proportions, designers can invoke curiosity and keep visitors engaged from start to finish.

Spring Forward colour palette 

Spring Forward draws upon multiple green shades, weaving in emerald and hints of gold to create a layered visual effect. The lighter green sets a modern tone, while the deeper emerald provides contrast that prevents the palette from feeling flat. Many designers include gentle cream or off-white elements for balance, ensuring that the greens remain the hero. This approach can suit eco-focused brands, contemporary retailers, or anyone craving a lively aesthetic without going overboard. By mixing lighter and darker greens, the design gains depth, helping guide the user’s eye toward essential content and interactive elements.

Country Club Chic colour palette

Country Club Chic borrows from the aesthetic often associated with English countryside style. Neutral browns anchor this palette, accompanied by a deep forest green and a cool navy blue. The overall mood feels calm and grounded, making it an appealing option for companies that want to appear polished but not stiff. Some designers add subtle metallic fixtures like gold icons or silver divider lines to add the sense of luxury. Meanwhile, lighter neutrals can be used in headers or footers for better readability. This balance of earth tones and cooler shades supports a poised, welcoming brand identity.

Italian Countryside colour palette 

Italian Countryside draws its inspiration from rustic vineyards and old-world architecture. Burgundy leads the charge here, supported by a blue and gentler neutrals. This combination often appeals to brands looking for a classic yet inviting vibe. Burgundy can dominate main headings or banner images, allowing the secondary blue to act as a cooling accent. Neutrals such as cream or light taupe keep things grounded and ensure readability. For added flair, some designers incorporate subtle patterns reminiscent of tiled floors or vineyard motifs. The result is a cohesive look that resonates with tradition while feeling current.