The Pantone colors of the year 2021
The Pantone colors of the year 2021
For over 20 years, Pantone color of the year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including interior design. The selection process requires thoughtful considerations and trend analysis looking at history and current events to make an informed choice. Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures, and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention. This year, a lot has impacted the decision. So much so, that Pantone have chosen two colors to feature as the color of the year. These two colors also partner perfectly as interior design color trend combinations.
Illuminating / Yellow
Pantone color 13-0647 TCX or ‘Illuminating’ has been chosen due to its warmth and dependability, which relates to what people need this year due to the current situation. Pantone describes Illuminating as ‘a bright cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power.’ This color is optimistic draws upon the expression of hope and joy.
Yellow in interior design
Yellow can be a statement in any room, so start small. Pops of color and accessories are a good place to start and will breathe life into a room. Think of this color as an accent and don’t overdo the yellow decor. Soft furnishings are an easy way to incorporate this color into any neutral room, try incorporating some cushions onto neutral seating to bring this trend into your home. Try to avoid bright yellow on walls. Yellow in large doses needs to be used with caution as it can affect lighting. For purposes such as filming or photography, yellow reflections can be unsightly especially on neutral colors and skin tone.
Ultimate Gray
Gray has long been a color of trend, acting as the perfect neutral for homes and replacing beige from the early 2000s. Ultimate gray or Pantone color 17-5104 TCX is the perfect mid tone gray shade that can be paired with any other color to transform interior designs. The color depicts ‘solid and dependable elements which are everlasting’ and can be paired with almost any other color. This color is practical and can be embraced by almost any home due to its feeling of calm.
Ultimate Gray in interior design
Ultimate gray can be used anywhere in any home and can be dressed up or down depending on the interior design style. Whilst this color can be used in larger spaces, it can also be an accent color when choosing accessories. Natural pottery is a great option to incorporate the color into a room, and it can also add a rustic country feel (which is one of this year’s interior design trends). As ultimate gray is a neutral tone, anything can be featured in this color including walls, soft furnishings and fixtures. We have seen this shade used in a lot of minimalistic designs such as bathrooms which incorporate the color using concrete effect tiles.
Bring the trends together
Although both colors work perfectly alone, they were chosen to be together and it is not to see why. Pantones selection of two independent colors highlights how different elements can come together to express a message of strength and hopefulness, and with more people spending time at home, incorporating these colors into interior design allows people to be surrounded by these color expressions to make us feel encouraged and uplifted. These perfect depict what most people are feeling this year.
Here are some examples of how the colors can be used in each room:
Gray and Yellow Bathroom
Just because there are two colors of the year does not mean you have to use them both. Figure one shows how ultimate gray can be used alone to create a beautiful, peaceful bathroom that is minimalistic but effective. If you want to incorporate both colors into a design, figure two is a great example of how you can. This retro style bathroom is joyful and chic.
Gray and yellow living room
This design is a perfect example of how Illuminating yellow can be used in effectively in a living space. The soft furnishing and small decorative pieces being brightness and joy to the neutral room, without being over powering or offensive. When looking for living room color ideas try out some different shades to suit the size of your space and create mood boards to try out living room color combinations.
Grey and yellow kitchen
Illuminating yellow is not an easy color to incorporate however by introducing it to a room in the form of removable items, allows you to mix and switch items to easy change the dynamic of the room. This design is the perfect example. By have a neutral room with grey tones it allows you to dress the room as you like. The bright yellow can easily be exchanged for another color when tastes or seasons change.
Gray and Yellow bedroom
Ultimate gray is the shining star in this design, however the small pop of yellow brings a new lease of life to the design. Try adding the smallest touch of color to your designs to change the dynamic. Yellow ornaments or wall art are a great place to start.
What do you think of this year’s colors of the year?
