Why Choosing the Perfect Colour for Our Leather Photo Albums Is Harder Than You Think.
Written by Bobby Adams and the BeGolden Team
When you browse our collection at BeGolden, it might seem effortless — a beautifully curated range of photo albums in many varied colours. But behind every shade we introduce lies weeks (sometimes months) of careful consideration, debate, and refinement.
Each year, we add two or three new colours to our range and say goodbye to a couple of others. It sounds simple and quite a jolly task but in reality it's a nightmare and really tricky!
Why is choosing colours so hard?
Colour Is Deeply Personal
One of the biggest challenges in choosing a new colour is that colour is never universal — it’s deeply personal. What I love, Anna hates. What Claire thinks is a good colour, I think is really dull.
What feels warm and comforting to one person might feel bland to another. A soft blush pink might be romantic for some, but overly sweet for others. Even a classic navy can be interpreted as bold and confident or safe and predictable, depending on who you ask.
This subjectivity makes it incredibly difficult to choose colours that will resonate widely. When we select a new shade, we’re not designing for one person — we’re designing for thousands of customers, each with their own tastes, homes, and memories they want to preserve.
Do we all see colour in the same way?
The Infinite World of Shades and Nuances
It’s tempting to think of colours in simple terms: green, blue, red. But in reality, every colour exists on a vast spectrum of tones, hues, and undertones.
Take green, for example. Are we talking about a deep forest green, a muted sage, an olive with warm undertones, or a fresh botanical shade with hints of yellow? Each variation evokes a completely different feeling and suits a different aesthetic.
Even the smallest adjustment — a touch more yellow, a hint more grey — can transform a colour from contemporary to classic, or from luxurious to flat.
When working with leather (which we do for our recycled leather range), this complexity increases further. Leather absorbs dye in unique ways, giving each colour depth, richness, and subtle variation that can’t be replicated on paper or screen. What looks perfect in a swatch or on a screen may appear entirely different once coated it on to the recycled leather boards!
How long does a colour trend last ?
Trends: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Another layer of complexity comes from colour trends. Like fashion, interiors and product design are constantly evolving.
One year, earthy neutrals and warm terracottas dominate. The next, cooler tones and minimal palettes take centre stage. Ten years ago we couldn't make enough grey - we had Dove Grey which was a pale 'bluey' grey, Stone which was a warmer grey and then Charcoal a deep, moody grey - and now it feels like nobody wants grey at all anymore! Social media, interior design trends, and even global events can influence what colours people are drawn to.
As a brand, we need to strike a careful balance:
- Choosing colours that feel current and relevant
- Avoiding shades that will quickly feel dated
- Staying true to our timeless aesthetic
Following trend is really tempting but it's the quickest way to make mistakes. Colour trends generally last 3-4 years which is the world of product design isn't actually that long! Sticking to colours that we feel will stand the test of time is always best ( and to be honest so much easier).
Will this colour still feel right in five, ten, or twenty years? The Responsibility of Longevity
Unlike fast-moving fashion items, our leather photo albums are designed to last. They hold some of life’s most important moments — weddings, family milestones, travels, and celebrations.
A shade that feels too trend-led may not age well. On the other hand, a colour that’s too conservative may not inspire excitement or feel special enough for such meaningful keepsakes.
We’re always asking ourselves:
Will this colour still feel right in five, ten, or twenty years?
That means the colour needs to stand the test of time. No-one really wants a neon pink or pale peach album fifteen years from now!
That question alone can make the decision process incredibly challenging.
Balancing the Collection as a Whole
Choosing a new colour isn’t just about finding a beautiful shade — it’s about how that colour fits within the existing range.
Every addition needs to complement what’s already there. Too many similar tones can feel repetitive, while too much contrast can make the collection feel disjointed.
We carefully consider:
- How the new colour sits alongside existing favourites
- Whether it fills a gap in the range
- How it enhances the overall visual story of the collection
At the same time, we make the difficult decision to discontinue certain colours. This is never easy — especially when those shades have been loved by our customers. You can also guarantee that as soon as we make the decision to let a colour go it will have a surge in popularity. But evolving the collection is essential to keep it fresh, relevant, and inspiring.
How important is it to get the shade of a colour exactly right?
When it comes to colour, close enough isn’t good enough.
A shade that is slightly too bright, too dull, too cool, or too warm can completely change how a product is perceived. It can affect whether an album feels premium or naff, quality or cheap.
We go through multiple rounds of sampling, testing, and refinement to ensure each colour meets our standards. We view samples in different lighting conditions, pair them with different materials, and assess how they photograph — because we know many of our customers first encounter our products online.
Only when a colour feels exactly right to all of us do we consider adding it to the collection. And then comes the gargantuan issue of what to name it....
Why We Limit New Colours Each Year
Given how complex this process is, it’s no surprise that we only introduce a small number of new colours each year.
This allows us to:
- Maintain a carefully curated range.
- Ensure each new addition has been thoroughly considered.
- Avoid overwhelming our customers with too much choice. Nobody really wants to be faced with over 50 colours as then choosing would be impossible. We feel it's our task to offer the best selection we can.
By focusing on quality over quantity, we can give each colour the attention it deserves. Another honest answer is that making new colour charts and up loading all the photos to the different websites we're on is a Hurculean task.
A Thoughtful, Evolving Palette
At BeGolden, colour isn’t an afterthought — it’s at the heart of what we do. There are lots of websites and shops that sell albums and guest books; however, we really do feel that we offer one of the most exciting and varied ranges.
Every shade in our collection has been chosen with intention, care, and a deep understanding of how colour shapes the way we experience objects and memories.
So the next time you’re choosing a photo album, know that behind that perfect shade lies a long journey of exploration, refinement, and decision-making.
Because when it comes to preserving your most meaningful moments, we believe that getting the colour right truly matters.
Thanks for reading! Written by Bobby and the BeGolden Team