Out with Old in with the New - Pantone Colour of the Year
Hailed as the ‘symbol of the global zeitgeist of the moment and the transition we are going through’, the Pantone Colour of the Year 2022 is a dynamic blue with violet-red undertones. Very Peri, officially known as a PANTONE 17-3938, displays a ‘carefree curiosity’ and ‘daring curiosity’ that inspires creativity and vision.
Every 12 months, Pantone, the iconic provider of digital design solutions and colour standards, sets the tone for the year ahead with its Pantone Colour of the Year, and 2022 is no different. As we look to our surroundings for reassurance and inspiration, this year’s Very Peri provides the faithfulness and serenity of blue combined with the excitement and hubris of red. The result? An optimistic and empowering shade that reflects a new perspective and an ‘altered landscape of possibilities’.
A New Colour for a New Year
Interior designers, homeowners, and design enthusiasts look to Pantone to reflect our collective mood and each year, the design powerhouse shares its selection. In 2022, however, we really are being treated to something new. Pantone has created this year’s colour, Very Peri, from scratch, bringing us a brand-new shade at a time when we’re embracing a new world.
This is the first time that Pantone has launched a brand-new colour for its Colour of the Year educational program, and it is fitting that it’s for 2022. As we strive to find out place amidst an evolving landscape and we encounter new ways of living, Pantone’s fresh new colour gives us the confidence and reassurance we need to succeed.
What is the Pantone Colour of the Year?
Now in its 23rd year, the Colour of the Year educational program highlights a colour that colour standards powerhouse, Pantone, believe will be widely used. Based on data-driven insights and trends, the Pantone Colour Institute takes a scientific and creative approach to arrive at their choice.
Pantone is, perhaps, best known for its Colour Matching System. Encompassing more than 2,100 different shades, Pantone effectively standardised these colours, so that printers and manufacturers could recreate the shade seamlessly, regardless of what equipment or processes were used. Since then, its Colour Matching System has also been ubiquitously online and in the world of digital design.
However, its Colour of the Year program has taken on a life of its own and its annual release is a key date in the diaries of interior designers, graphic designers, packaging designers, manufacturers, fashion designers and many other types of creatives. Running the gamut from digital art to physical objects, you’ll find that a wide range of artisans, designers and manufacturers incorporate this year’s Colour of the Year, Very Peri, into their work in 2022.
Pantone Colour of the Year in Interior Design
If you want to stay on-trend and use your surroundings to reflect the changing times, incorporating the Pantone Colour of the Year into your interior design is a savvy choice. Whether at home or work, you’ll find spaces that can benefit from the attributes of Pantone’s appointed shade and, as a result, you’ll be able to identify where and how to use Very Peri.
When it comes to interiors, Very Peri injects a ‘sense of playful freshness’, which can be maximised through ‘unusual combinations.’ Whether it’s in your living space, office or bedroom, the creativity and positivity associated with Very Peri will elevate the space and ensure your surroundings spark joy, fun and curiosity.
Incorporating Very Peri into Your Colour Palette
As well as releasing its Colour of the Year, Pantone helpfully publish suggested colour palettes to accompany their selected shade. If you’re looking for inspiration, this can be a useful way to discover which colour combinations can be used to maximise the impact you want to create.
If you want to blend Very Peri to create a natural, soothing palette with a hint of liveliness, for example, balance its confidence with Burnished Lilac, Lotus, Muted Clay, Dried Moss, Granite Green, Hawthorn Rose or Elderberry. A mixture of cool and warm tones, you can use Very Peri to enliven a tranquil space when you combine it with these stoical shades.
Alternatively, incorporate Very Peri into a palette of neutral classics and make it the ‘Star of the Show’ Amidst Anthracite, Volcanic Glass, Deep Taupe, Plaza Taupe, White Sand, Petrified Oak and Cloud Dancer, Very Peri is a ‘dynamic presence’ that adds a boldness to a timeless and classic palette.
When fun is a top priority, Very Peri works exceptionally well in conjunction with other joyful and whimsical shades. Tawny Orange, Pink Flambe, Iced Coffee, Fuchsia Pink, Paradise Pink, Cornsilk and Tourmaline harmonise well with Very Peri, elevating its vibrant playfulness without overpowering it.
For spaces where you want to mimic the outdoors and inspire wellness, add Very Peri to green-inspired shades. The quiet consistency of Chai Tea and Dewberry, in conjunction with the nature-infused shades of Treetops, Greenbriar, Foliage and Celery, and the lighter shades of Eggshell Blue and Very Peri, work effortlessly together to generate a holistic and nurturing colour palette that will revitalise and restore.
Where to Use the Pantone Colour of the Year
At first glance, Very Peri, might seem like a tricky colour to integrate into your existing colour scheme. However, the solid consistency of its blue hues and the spark of fun associated with its violet undertones make this a fantastic colour to have around you. What’s more – the range of colour palettes outlined above show just how easy it is to incorporate this innovative shade into any environment.
From a contemporary, open-plan living space or a snug den to a home office or a shared workspace, you’ll find that Very Peri has something to offer. Whether you choose to make the Pantone Colour of the Year your base colour or use it to add contrast and depth to an existing colour palette, the courage, creativity, imagination and optimism of Very Peri will nurture and embolden you as you embrace a new world and a modern era.
What does Monochromatic Mean in Interior Design?
The term ‘monochromatic’ is often used in interior design and decorating, but what does it really mean? More importantly, how can you use monochromatic scheme interior design to create a revitalising living environment, an inspiring workspace, or a fun entertainment area?
In this post, we’re focusing on all things monochromatic – what it means within the world of interior design and how to use the concept to make the most of any space.
What is Monochromatic Interior Design?
The word ‘monochromatic’ literally means ‘one colour’, but this doesn’t necessarily mean using a single shade to decorate an entire room! Instead, monochromatic interior design typically refers to using different shades, tones, and tints to generate different hues, effectively broadening the impact of a single colour. If you want to use red to decorate a space, for example, you could use a range of shades from vibrant pinks, bold scarlet or dark maroon to add variation to the design.
Of course, using a single colour to decorate a room will inevitably mean that it overwhelms the space, but using variations of this colour can have the opposite effect. To find out more, take a look at these seven easy ways to apply monochromatic scheme interior design in your home or workspace:
1. Select Your Colour Palette
Once you know which colour you want to use as the basis of your monochromatic interior design, you can begin to experiment and select your colour palette. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to incorporate different shades, tones and tints into your interior design.
Whether you end up using two or 10 different shades to decorate a space, your colour palette will have a tremendous impact on the overall effect. Due to this, it’s well worth taking your time and trialling different hues before you make a final decision. After all, the natural light in the space, combined with the dimensions of the room and artificial lighting, can affect how a colour looks.
By giving yourself a blank canvas and seeing how different shades look in various areas of the room, you can finalise your monochromatic colour palette.
2. Create Visual Interest with Prints and Patterns
When you’re using a monochromatic interior design scheme, don’t limit yourself to using only blocks of colour. While a burst of block colour can be impactful when used sparingly, filling the room with large swathes of block colour will soon become dull. Instead, add visual interest by using prints and patterns in the tones, tints and shades of your colour pattern.
3. Add Depth with Different Textures
As well as using prints and patterns to create visual interest, you can add depth to a room simply by incorporating different textures into your interior design. Even a combination of sleek, glossy paint and a matt finish can be enough to increase the depth of a particular area and create a more polished finish. However, it doesn’t stop there.
When you’re selecting furniture, artwork, and decorative accessories for the space, be sure to incorporate different textures here too. By using varying textures, as well as choosing pieces that match your style, you can increase the depth of your design and create a space that’s visually exciting and appealing.
4. Don’t Get Hung Up on Black and White
Many people assume that ‘monochromatic’ means a black and white colour scheme, but this isn’t the case at all. While true black, carbon black, black red, graphite, deep grey, charcoal, and black olive could certainly make up a fabulous monochromatic interior design scheme, you needn’t feel restricted when it comes to which colour to use as the basis for your design. Instead, begin by choosing a colour you love in a particular space and use a colour chart to identify the varying shades, tones and tints that will work well within the design.
5. Use at Least Three Shades
When you’re using monochromatic scheme interior design, it can be tricky to decide just how many shades or hues to incorporate into one space. Ideally, you should aim for at least three shades to create a varied yet cohesive look. Selecting a dark, middle, and light shade gives you the opportunity to experiment with varying tones and tints while adding light and depth to the space.
Of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to just three shades either. If you want to add more hues to your colour palette, simply look for shades that share the same base colour and feature different tones.
6. Let Contrasting Shades Draw the Eye
Contrast is an important principle of visual communication. It can turn a simple accessory into a statement feature and will draw the eye to wherever you use it. Even when you’re using monochromatic scheme interior design, you can use contrast to differentiate between features in a room.
If you’re using blue as a base colour, you might have a deep blue sofa topped with cornflower cushions, for example. Alternatively, using a lime green with a forest green will contrast in the same way and allow you to use your monochromatic colour scheme to highlight features in any room.
7. Incorporate a Neutral Colour
A true monochromatic interior features just one colour in varying shades and tones but this can often be overwhelming. To add balance, incorporate a neutral shade to ‘break up’ the monochromatic colour. A white kitchen island can look fabulous amidst a monochromatic colour scheme, for example, while a dove grey armchair can be a great neutral option in a monochromatic room.
Using Monochromatic Interior Design At Home or Work
From soothing tones for relaxing spaces to vibrant hues for motivating environments, you can use colour theory to help you create the look and feel you’re after and, with these top tips, you’ve got everything you need to begin planning your very own monochromatic interior!
