How to Incorporate Pantone’s Annual Colors of the Year into your Décor

After a tumultuous 2020 we are all looking for a way to brighten up our outlook and keep a positive eye toward the future. Pantone’s annual color of the year helps us to define the next year with a timely hue or shade and do a refresh or reset on our home décor.

Pantone announced in late December the colors for 2021 are Ultimate Gray and vibrant, yellow aka Illuminating. Pantone Color Institute said Ultimate Gray and Illuminating “expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude.” This is definitely something we can all use a little more of this year. How can you incorporate these colors into your décor?

Utilize them as accents

Some home designers feel that due to the fact that trends change quickly, and because these colors can be a little much they should be used as accents. The tones of these colors would be too much to do the whole room and using them as accents avoids committing to a whole wall or furniture piece. The gray is sophisticated and calming and could be used a bit more than the yellow. The yellow could be used sparsely to add layers to the design. Throw pillows, blankets and other pops of color throughout your décor are easy ways to incorporate them into the design through a careful use of layering with different textures and materials.

Textured wall with Ultimate Gray

If you’re brave and would like to add a visual addition to a room, you can use Ultimate Gray to create a textured wall. If you use this with a playful mix of materials, you can create a balanced and warm feel to the space. You should be careful to select materials and textures that balance out to avoid the space reading too melancholy.

Brighten up the kitchen

Illuminating is a great color to add to the kitchen. The bright yellow adds pops of color that make your kitchen Instagram-worthy. Yellow serving pieces, jars with greenery or clippings from your yard on shelving accenting a kitchen wall are a great way to incorporate this year’s color.

Create dynamic spaces with pottery

Pottery is a great way to include Ultimate Gray into your space. Pottery and table toppers in the right places can make for some great photos! Ironstone is an older, antique style of pottery that often are the Ultimate Gray color.

Home design and interior décor is totally a matter of personal preference. In whichever way you choose to incorporate these colors into your design you can find a style and personalization that is all your own. No matter which décor you choose this year, we hope that it makes your space feel cozy, safe and positive as we move forward with fortitude.