Pantone Introduces Their Color of 2021
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Happy New Year! Many of us have had a rollercoaster of a year and are happy to see it end. Every year Pantone announces their “Color of the Year” for the new year. This year come with not one, but TWO colors that very accurately represent the time we’re in.
Key Takeaways
- Pantone announced its Colors of the Year for 2021: ‘Illuminating’ (bright yellow) and ‘Ultimate Gray’ (medium gray), symbolizing optimism and resilience.
- These colors will dominate marketing, fashion, and home design, allowing for versatile use in decor.
- Use Ultimate Gray as a neutral base and introduce Illuminating through easily changeable items like pillows or rugs.
- Illuminating brightens darker rooms, bringing a sense of sunshine; these colors remain relevant beyond 2021.
- Check stores for these colors and reach out for professional design advice tailored to your space.
Table of Contents
Summary
Pantone’s 2021 Colors of the Year are “Illuminating” (a bright yellow) and “Ultimate Gray” (a medium gray), chosen to reflect optimism and resilience after a tumultuous 2020. Expect to see these hues across marketing, fashion, retail, and home design. Use Ultimate Gray as a versatile neutral foundation and Illuminating as a cheerful accent—especially through easily updated items like pillows, rugs, and accessories, or a bold statement piece. Keep an eye out for these colors in stores, and reach out for tailored design advice.
Understanding Pantone’s 2021 Color Selection
“Illuminate” is a bright, clear yellow. “Ultimate Gray” is a medium gray shade.
These two colors reflect the dichotomy that 2020 brought to the world.
While a global pandemic and spotlight presidential election took over everyone’s newsfeeds, many were also able to enjoy more time at home with their families and gather a sense of hope for the future.
Most people don’t specifically realize that there is an official color of the year. The way you’ll see this is usually reflected in marketing campaigns, clothing, and retail wares. Companies utilize these popular colors to stay on trend and unite their visions.
Incorporating Illuminating and Ultimate Gray at Home
Because of the trends in retail, home designs trends also follow the popular color of the year.
You have a lot of freedom in how you use them – as much or as little as you want! Ultimate Gray is a fantastic neutral that would work well in any home.
Exploring Color Psychology: Yellow and Gray
Yellow helps to brighten any room and it works especially well in rooms without a lot of natural lighting to bring a sense of sunshine into the space.
Bright colors are best incorporated in ways that are easily updated – pillows, rugs, accessories, to name a few. If you’re feeling daring – buy a statement piece of furniture to really add a pop!
Illuminating and Ultimate Gray are two fantastic color options no matter what year it is.
Take a look the next time you’re in a store and see how many times you can spot them!
If you are not sure what makes the most sense for you, Contact Us to get some professional input on what you might think about doing with your space.
Q&A – Pantone Color of the Year 2021
Pantone selected “Illuminating” (a bright, clear yellow) and “Ultimate Gray” (a medium gray) to symbolize optimism and resilience after a tumultuous 2020. The pairing reflects the year’s dichotomy—global challenges alongside renewed hope and time spent at home.
Expect them across marketing campaigns, fashion, retail products, and home design. Brands use the Color of the Year to stay on trend and align their visual messaging, which often influences what’s available in stores and, in turn, home decor choices.
Use Ultimate Gray as a versatile neutral foundation—walls, large furniture, or flooring—and bring in Illuminating as a cheerful accent. Start with easily updated pieces like pillows, rugs, and accessories, or go bold with a statement furniture item for a vibrant pop.
Yes. Illuminating’s bright yellow can help “bring the sunshine in,” making dim spaces feel lighter and more uplifting.
Not necessarily as while they’re highlighted for 2021, both hues are timeless choices that can work well any year. Keep an eye out for them in stores, and if you’d like tailored advice for your space, you can Contact Us for professional input.
