Can't get enough of color trends and how-to tips? Ann McGuire, color consultant for Valspar Paints and Coatings and founder of Beehive Studios, shared her favorite picks as well as some great suggestions for bringing them into your home. Read on for her report. Color Trends for the New Year As we look to color as an inexpensive and easy way to create comfort and happiness in our homes during a dreary economy, it will become ever more prominent in our home décor this year.

Purple is hot. The Color Marketing Group claims that purple is the must-have color of 2009. We saw it come out of its hiding place during last spring's runway shows and fall's fashion trends, and it's been showing up everywhere since. There is a range of purple shades, from soft, sophisticated grayish-lilac to rich, delicious plums. When working with purples, try pairing them with silvers and warm off-whites that have a touch of gray in them—this will provide a sense of balance and freshness while letting the purple be the star.

Blue is the new "green." The environmental message that we have all embraced was traditionally represented with greens, but it now includes blues as well. We will see ocean blues and royal blues roll out this spring. Try letting these strong blues play against warm, creamy whites or sandy colors to mimic a day at the beach.

Neutrals will be more complex with cooler, grayer undertones. Colors like oat bran and taupe make the perfect backdrop for stronger, richer, more saturated colors.

Global influence becomes stronger. Clean, clear reds, oranges, yellows and teals once seemed exotic, but they are now becoming commonplace. When working with such strong colors, keep in mind the overall effect. Sometimes it's great to really go for it and saturate your room with these vibrant colors, while other times it's perfect to let them sparkle as accents, like jewels in a gorgeous piece of jewelry. These colors can really deliver the sense of joy we so badly need right now.

Mauve makes a comeback. Maybe enough time has elapsed since we last saw it in its '80s profusion. It's a warm, soft and gently sophisticated color, and when you combine it with other complex colors, it can be quite elegant. Try it with a warm, grayish-white and chocolate-brown for an updated arrangement.

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Although yellow is expected to reign supreme with its optimistic, cheery warmth, there are other hot wall color trends for 2009 that may appeal to your design style. If you're looking to liven up your home in a more subdued way, paint experts also predict simple, warm, natural and neutral shades as key themes for the year.

Similar to '08's earth-inspired collections, you'll see lots of beautiful neutrals taking their cues from organic materials like wood, stone and natural fibers. A raw, minimalistic feel will be big this year as we create a calm, peaceful atmosphere by going back to basics. Doty Horn, Director of Color at Benjamin Moore, suggests accomplishing this monochromatic look by using paint in whites and sands, then adding depth with texture from organic fabrics and found objects. That's good news for all of us who jumped on the gray bandwagon last year—that new favorite hue isn't going anywhere.

For those who need a little more drama, try adding personal touches to your otherwise subdued decor with accents in bold, high-gloss or metallic pigment.

Most color collections are slightly warmer than last year's, according to the experts at Sherwin Williams, who are offering their popular violets and plums in more red-based shades for the New Year. You'll see reds hot as ever, with rich warmth from hints of fiery orange. And last year's soft green trend gets lively with an infusion of yellow to brighten up this popular palette.

Or, take Horn's advice and introduce dramatic black to mossy greens and blues. If that scares you, start by painting the frame of a mirror with this chic shade.

With just a few cans of a new hue—whether it's one of these new trends or your tried-and-true favorites—and your living space can be transformed. Choose your color, review painting tips and tricks, and you'll be on your way to a fresh new look that's perfect for the year ahead.

Happy painting, Rachel