By Erin McFeeters
Every year in December, Pantone and other paint companies announce their Color of the Year. The colors set the tone for the year ahead in industries such as interior design, fashion, and packaging. Check out this year’s picks.
Pantone
The biggest shock of the color industry was Pantone announcing two colors for 2021—Ultimate Gray and Illuminating.
The bright yellow and subtle gray are “practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of Pantone 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and Pantone 13-0647 Illuminating is one of strength and positivity,” said Pantone in the 2021 Color of the Year announcement. “It is a story of color that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.”
Like last year, Pantone partnered with companies to offer consumers products with its colors of the year such as mugs, shoes, and more. Even more trendy companies such as love your melon and Live Lokai even hopped the train this year, featuring the Pantone 2021 Color of the Year products on their social media channels.
Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore’s pick for 2021 is Aegean Teal, a bold yet welcoming green-blue. The 12 color 2021 palette radiates warmth and aims to make your home feel even more like home.
“Take a moment to reflect and reset. Intriguing, balanced, and deeply soothing, the Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2021, Aegean Teal 2136-40, creates natural harmony,” said Benjamin Moore.
Sherwin-Williams
Unlike Pantone and Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams chose a much deeper color, Urbane Bronze, for its 2021 Color of the Year. But, like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams was inspired by the increased time at home in 2020—they hope Urban Bronze cultivates a sense of calm from the ground up.
Behr
In the past, Behr has picked one color for its color of the year. This year, they opted for a much different approach by releasing a full palette of 2021 color trends—21 Colors to Elevate Your Comfort Zone. From the neutrals of casual comfort to bold and saturated colors of optimism, Behr covered every style and feeling for 2021.
Valspar
Valspar typically chooses 12 colors of the year, and this year was no different. They curated 12 trendy colors with the goal to make you feel cozy and comfortable. This year unlike years prior, Valspar released a video series for each of the 12 colors entitled The Sounds of the Colors of the Year. Viewers can meditate on making-over your home in one of the 12 colors.