Pantone Color of the Year and Color Trends 2023

Pantone announced their Color Trends 2023 color of the year this week. Much to the applause of many – it’s a bright, beautiful color called Viva Magenta. Per their announcement video, they said: We’re living in “unconventional times” with all the changes that Covid brought. People are no longer satisfied with the “status quo” of the past and are looking to write a new narrative. After years of so much gray and white, this is most definitely a new narrative! And to my eyes, a most welcome one!

I took a poll on my Instagram asking what people thought, and overwhelmingly, it was positive! On a side note, I literally just realized that IG autocorrected my text and changed Pantone to Phantom – oops.  I WILL say that the artwork Pantone has used around this color selection is a little intimidating looking. They said they used an AI (artificial intelligence) generator to create their main image – so there is a bit of a futuristic, post-apacolyptic feel to the graphics. In fact, they call this the “Magenta-verse”. Hmm… Maybe “Phantom” was the right descriptor after all!

Viva Magenta is derived from the carmine color family, one of the brightest, purest and most expensive paint pigments.

Much happier than the Pantone artwork is the actual carmine sonata flower.

It’s important to remember than unlike the paint company (Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and Behr) Colors of the year – Pantone is not limited to home interiors. It also covers fashion, products, home good, advertising, printing and marketing. Basically, anything onto which a color is applied.  I wouldn’t want to be in a room painted this color for very long. But a beautiful velvet chair or sofa? An Angora sweater or leather gloves? Yes please!

Pantone Color Trends 2023

Here is the full range of the Pantone Color Trends 2023 – the Magentaverse. Interestingly, the other colors are much softer and muted.

It’s very similar to the Behr Color Trends 2023 range:

Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2023

Sherwin Williams Color Trends 2023

Back at Vivid Magenta – I can’t help but be reminded of Melania Trumps 2019 White House Christmas decorations with the hall of red trees. I know a lot of people hated this, but I actually liked it. A tad forbidding (not unlike Viva Magenta in fact) but I thought it was striking and unique.

Speaking of color, Fixr.com polled over 60 interior design professionals across North American, yours truly included, on Color Trends for 2023.

Report on Color Trends 2023 for interiors and real estate.

The past couple of years have seen home design center around serenity and nature, but 2023 is bringing color back! Color can evoke a wide range of experiences, which is why it’s such a huge part of interior design. It allows people to express their personalities throughout their homes and create a unique ambience for each and every space. From neutrals with pops of color to botanical patterned wallpaper, 2023 is the year for cheerful, eclectic and dramatic styles  which come to life, whilst not completely losing the calming influence of warm neutrals. 

I contributed to the findings of Fixr.com’s Paint and Color 2023 trends report by participating in a survey along with fellow leading experts in the interior design industry. By combining their knowledge and expertise on the latest trends, homeowners and designers get an insight into how to get the best out of home design, and the top ways to stay on-trend going forward. 

Some of the key findings from the report are:

• 58% of experts say neutrals with pops of bold color will be the most popular color palette.
• Earthy tones and warm neutrals will continue to trend in 2023.
• Terracotta will be the most sought-after interior color, according to 50% of designers.
• Wallpaper will be an even bigger trend in 2023, say 63% of experts. 
• 52% of interior designers believe botanical is set to be the number one wallpaper pattern.
• Painting a whole room remains the top way to introduce color, according to 57%. 
• For selling a home, 82% of experts recommend warm neutrals for interiors, and 74% agree on white for exteriors. 

Access to full report: Paint and Color Trends Report 2023

My quote: “I’m enjoying a return to warmer, deeper colors from the stark whites and grays and I think this represents a desire for warmth and security and a sense of history.”

Ok, so, warmer deeper colors – YES! But while Pantone sees a rejection of the status quote, I see a desire for warmth and security and sense of history.

Can we have both? Something to ponder.

Pin for future reference.

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