I think I speak for most people when I say that I can’t wait for this year to be over. Now of course there is no guarantee that 2021 is going to be pandemic free, but at the moment it looks like we can be a bit hopeful. The color experts at Pantone seem to share that optimism because their color trend predictions for next spring are a burst of cheerful kaleidoscopic color. Featuring ten colors that will be find their way into fashion, home decor, graphics and advertising.
The overall 2021 color trends are warm color hues from soft pastel tones to serene blues and greys to create a calm base. But there is also a trend for more brigher color hues to add more contrast and vibrance to our lives.
Why is it so important to pay attention to color trends? Using color as a means of self-expression is not limited to artists. Specific hues, shades, tones, and tints convey mood or sentiment and people’s tastes in color are continually evolving. This begs the question, can we possibly single out a shade that perfectly captures the current moment? Over the past 20 years the anwer is yes. Each company that releases a color of the year takes into consideration fashion, marketing, social media and even politics. The hue chosen as Color of the Year has become increasingly influential in the vast world of design and brand marketing.
Benjamin Moore selected a soft, soothing blue-green for its 2021 color of the year. Aegean Teal 2136-40 marries the tranquil nature of blue with green’s association with wellness, while a gray undertone keeps the color modern.
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams predicts vibrant, daring colors will reign supreme in the coming year. The brand’s 2021 color of the year, Passionate HGSW2032, is a rich, saturated red (personally I think this color is closer to a maroon and my personal favorite color of the year).
Instead of announcing a single shade for the color of the year, Valspar named 12 cozy muted colors as its top picks for 2021. Ranging in tone from misty blue to warm apricot, the hues were chosen for their ability to calm and encourage mindfulness.
One color that appears to have true staying power – Aqua. According to the trend forecasting company WGSN, Agua is the color of the 2021. Already popular in the fashion and tech world, the forecast is that this bright, bold color will dominate the year ahead.