Every year, the Pantone Color Institute‘s international representatives gather together to vote on the color of the year. The chosen hues and shades are typically those that encapsulate upcoming design trends, or specific emotions and feelings that they predict will be sought after by consumers. The institute’s declaration helps home designers, decorators, painters and other experts plan for the future. As a design-savvy homeowner, you can use Pantone’s color of the year to manifest a specific feeling, wow your house guests, and boost your home’s curb appeal.
Pantone Recently Announced the Color of the Year for 2021
For 2021, the institute actually chose two colors for the year:
- Ultimate Gray (PANTONE 17-5104)
- Illuminating Yellow (PANTONE 13-0647)
The institute’s choices reflect the turbulent year that we collectively experienced in 2020, with the organization noting that people are craving soothing optimism (i.e. calming gray hues) and energizing positivity (i.e. vibrant shades of yellow) going into 2021.
“The combination [of the two colors] is aspirational and gives us hope,” the institute notes. “As people look for ways to fortify themselves with energy, clarity, and hope to overcome the continuing uncertainty, spirited and emboldening shades satisfy our quest for vitality.”
Whether you live in a sprawling estate or a minimalistic tiny home, anyone can find creative ways to weave these soothing, yet energizing, colors into their living spaces.
How to Add Pantone’s 2021 Colors of the Year to Your Home
1. Energize Your Furniture
There’s no need to overhaul your sofa or buy new seating. Whether you have a mid-century modern Scandinavian vibe or more traditional furniture, try:
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- Tossing a gray throw over the back of your couch
- Adding new pillows to your bed (consider going with mostly gray, then adding one or two yellow pillows for a pop of energy)
2. Incorporate Artwork
Bring your walls to life with art work. From contemporary photography to reproductions of your favorite works of classical illustrations, look for art that prominently features the colors of the year. If you already have your favorite prints displayed and don’t want to switch them out, consider repainting your frames. For instance, a subdued black-and-white photo will really stand out when surrounded in Pantone’s Illuminating Yellow
3. Add Nature
Numerous studies show that incorporating natural, environmental pieces (e.g. wood tables, natural fibers, etc.) and touches of nature help boost our mental health, increase our sense of happiness, and reduce stress. After the chaos of 2020, what more could you want? Try adding houseplants to your home that reflect Pantone’s colors of the year, such as vibrant yellow marigolds or silver-grey dusty millers. Or, use your existing favorite houseplants and repot them in grey or yellow pots.
Pantone’s Color of the Year and Curb Appeal
If you’re thinking of selling your home, boost your real estate value by enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Pantone’s colors of the year can help:
- Repaint your home
- Use accent pieces (e.g. paint your front door yellow if the rest of your home is more subdued)
- Add statement pieces, such as a big yellow pot with succulents on your front steps
For more tips on enhancing your curb appeal and selling your home for maximum value, Gateway Realty can help! Contact us today for all your buying and selling needs.