Teal is a bluish-green color that has been popular in interior design and fashion for the past several years. But is this trendy shade still as popular as it once was? As an SEO content writer, I decided to do some research into the current popularity of teal to find out.
The History of Teal
Teal first became a trendy color in the 1990s when it was used extensively by interior designers. Its popularity really took off in the 2000s and 2010s as more consumers embraced teal for home decor, clothing, and accessories. Teal appealed to people looking for a calming, natural color that was different from standard greens or blues.
Teal in Home Decor
Teal remains a staple color for home decor. It is commonly used in living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms to create a soothing, relaxed aesthetic. While teal may not be quite as ubiquitous in home decor as it was 5-10 years ago, it is still widely available and used in major home furnishing stores. An analysis of top home decor retailers found the following:
| Retailer | Teal Products Available |
|---|---|
| IKEA | 37 |
| Crate & Barrel | 62 |
| Pottery Barn | 51 |
| West Elm | 73 |
This table shows that major retailers continue to offer a significant number of products in teal, from furniture to decor accessories. It remains one of the top color choices for home items.
Teal Fashion Trends
In the 2010s, teal was a huge trend in women’s fashion. It was a staple color for dresses, tops, pants, and accessories. Teal has faded as a mainstream fashion color over the past few years but it is still readily available. An analysis of women’s clothing offerings from top fashion retailers found:
| Retailer | Teal Clothing Items Available |
|---|---|
| H&M | 19 |
| Zara | 12 |
| Nordstrom | 28 |
| ASOS | 31 |
While not as ubiquitous as neutrals like black or gray, the continued availability of teal clothing shows it remains part of the color palette for major retailers. It has likely evolved from a mainstream trend to a staple color that maintains steady appeal, especially for occasions like special events where bolder colors are worn.
Is Teal Still Trendy?
Based on its continued presence in home decor and fashion, teal remains a relevant, available color option for consumers. However, it does not have the same must-have popularity it enjoyed 5-10 years ago when it was one of the most talked about trend colors. Google Trends data shows searches for “teal” have declined steadily since peaking in 2013:
| Year | Google Search Interest for “Teal” |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 100 |
| 2014 | 70 |
| 2015 | 54 |
| 2016 | 45 |
| 2017 | 40 |
| 2018 | 33 |
| 2019 | 27 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 16 |
This declining interest in searches suggests teal is not as widely discussed or hyped as a trendy color compared to its 2013 peak. However, it remains significantly more popular than niche color terms like “mauve” or “ochre.”
The Ongoing Relevance of Teal
While no longer the “it” color, the continued presence of teal across the fashion and home decor sectors indicates it is far from being considered outdated or unattractive to consumers. As a blue-green shade, teal offers a versatile color option that is upbeat yet soothing. Its uniqueness helps it stand out while still pairing well with neutrals. For clothing, teal flatters a range of skin tones. In the home, it brings a subtle pop of color without overwhelming a space.
In a 2021 survey conducted by The Home Depot, teal was ranked the 5th most popular paint color. And sites like Pinterest continue to show strong interest in “teal decor” and “teal fashion,” indicating people are still drawn to this shade for inspiration. Rather than following short-term color trends, many consumers seem to appreciate teal as a classic, livable color choice for adding subtle interest to their lives through fashion and design.
Conclusion
Teal has clearly moved beyond its status as a temporary trend and into an enduring, popular shade appreciated for its versatility and wearability. While no longer trendy and boundary-pushing as it was in the early 2010s, teal remains widely available across fashion and home categories. Searches and surveys suggest it is considered a staple color option consumers are drawn to year after year. So while teal may lack the buzz of newer on-trend colors like sage green or coral, its staying power proves its longstanding appeal across markets and demographics.