Blues are back, and it’s a good thing | Sheila Long O’Mara


Welcome to the winter Las Vegas Market, where new products in the sleep category seem to be getting a little brighter. At least color wise.

In digging through 2025 product launches that companies have shared going the market, I’m expecting to see a color shift. For several years now, mattress showrooms have been filled with a color palette dominated by charcoal, black and gray hues. Some of that gravitational pull came from popularity of Sherwin Williams’ Agreeable Gray, an easy-to-live-with neutral that isn’t taupe or beige. Some came from the surging popularity of Simmons’ Beautyrest Black line when it hit the market.

Whatever the reason, the pendulum shifted, and the industry and consumers found themselves in a blend of modern neutrality.

Fast forward, and the switch appears to be flipping. Maybe not completely — after all, there’s a lot of gray in the pipeline — but there are brighter glimmers of color edging into the category.

I’m seeing a resurgence of blues and even a subtle return to traditional, elegant white damasks. It’s a welcome change in the midst of winter and uncertainty.

The shift — I hesitate to say evolution because our industry tends to swing back and forth between trends — could reflect deeper consumer sentiments and changing preferences. Or, it could be that those in product development have grown weary of gray tones.

Enter blue.

Sealy’s Posturepedic Pro Hybrid is one of 35 new models being launched for the line.
Sealy’s Posturepedic Pro Hybrid

Often associated with tranquility, trust and calm, blue hues are popping up in mattress designs: across Serta’s line of beds from its top-of-the-line iComfort Pro to its opening Classic line; from Paramount Sleep’s signature Paramount collection, to Sealy’s new Posturepedic collection that follows a Stearns & Foster redo that reimagined the brand in lively blues.

Before you come at me with the blue never went away, I see that; however, gray permeated the marketplace in a significant way. These shades will always have a place in the market.

From lighter blue hues that evoke airy serenity to deep navy tones that radiate richness and depth, all align with the broader movement toward incorporating wellness into every facet of life, including promoting the role sleep plays in overall health. Blue is known for its calming effects, a no brainer for sleep environments. It also offers a soothing alternative to the neutral grays of yesteryear, injecting personality without overwhelming the space.

No matter the reason, I welcome the change from the simple gray canvas to one that mimics a favorite pair of Saturday jeans. The ones that blend with everything from a cozy cashmere sweater in tangerine to an old college sweatshirt in Carolina blue to a worn, faded T-shirt from a Hootie concert.

Could the industry’s pivot toward brighter, more emotive hues suggest that the days of monochromatic dominance may be behind us? Likely not; again, the pendulum always swings back.

In a winter world where gray is the norm for most parts of the country right now, walking into a bright showroom or retail store with lively shades of blue offers a mood boost. It’s like a sunny, blue-sky day. In the cold days of winter, blue is a welcome, energizing sight.

Happy market and happy blue skies (and beds) ahead.

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