What colours are in store for us in 2009?  According to Color Marketing Group, the top choices have been influenced by both our concern for the economy and our optimism about the future. 

Color Marketing Group, the leading international non-profit association of colour design professionals, has been accurately predicting colour trends for more than 45 years. CMG predicts more evolution than revolution in colour trends for the coming new season.

"We're finding comfort in colours that are familiar, and yet, at the same time, we're embracing colours that make us happy -- especially as accents," said executive director, Jaime Stephens. "Everyone’s concerned about the economy, yet the spirit of the country coming together after the election is powerfully reflected in these choices.  Also, the demand for colours and products that reflect an environmentally 'greener' world goes way beyond a trend. It's now 'a given.' "

According to CMG, look for these colour trends in 2009:

Purple, Purple, Purple! - Emerging as a hot fashion colour last fall, purple is not just a fad -- it's an entrenched trend, strongly influenced by the election. (After all, red plus blue equals purple.)  Look for a greyed-out violet that works equally well as an accent or a neutral, as well as redder, plummier purples and bluer-influenced fuchsias in a huge range of products.  Purple is 2009’s “must have” colour.

Blue is the New Green - Various greens have symbolized "green living” over the last few years, but in 2009 the "green" environmental message is delivered by the colour blue. There are watery blues, sky blues and a whole range of blues that now represent our commitment to living on a greener planet. 

Cooled-down, Greyed-out Browns and Greys - Complex neutrals satisfy our urge toward classic colours in an economically challenged time. They also bridge the area between black, which seems harsh, and brown, which doesn't seem strong enough. 

Yellow for Energy – The neutrals may have greyed, but look for lots and lots of bright vivid yellow to give us energy as we re-build the economy.  It's the stand-out accent colour for 2009.

Bright Accents from India, China, and Turkey – The exotic has become the familiar. Oranges, turquoises and teals, reds, and yellows will abound in hues from far-away countries that now seem very near. They are the optimistic touches we crave.

White is now a Business Color – Technology has produced amazing new (and very practical) finishes, which helps explain why white is showing up everywhere, even in corporate board rooms. The contrasts are all in the finishes: matte versus gloss; shine and shimmer on reflective surfaces; textured whites versus smooth -- all washable and cleanable. White also represents purity of thought, motive and result – exactly what we want from businesses now.

The Return of the "M" Word - It's mauve. Remember mauve?  An old colour that looks new again, in dusty violet shades, mauve works as an accent but also serves now as a neutral, punched up by those bright Asian accents (orange, turquoise, teal, red, and yellow.)