Color Ideas for Walls and Decor

Go big or go home.

The color experts at Pantone are always looking ahead to what will be on trend in the future. While 2018’s Color of the Year, Ultra Violet, still holds its reign, that hasn’t stopped the institute from predicting what we’ll see more of in 2019 already. Check out what’s on the horizon for next year, according to Pantone.

This weekend I’m heading to Chicago for the annual International Home + Housewares Show, where I will get to see all sorts of new blenders, coffee makers, kitchen tools, cleaning supplies, and more. (I’ll be writing about the best of what I see, so be sure to check back early next week!) Like clockwork, this show is also when KitchenAid typically reveals their newest colors for stand mixers. This year, however, the company gave us all little preview.

If you’re looking for an unexpected place to add color to your home — why not try painting your door? It’s less of a commitment than painting an entire room — but it’s sure to put a smile on your face anytime you go in or out.

If you've ever struggled with what colors to pair together, consider this your new go-to secret weapon.

You think winter is bad where you live? Try comparing that to Helsinki, Finland. Even in southern Finland, winter is the longest season of the year, with temperatures dipping into the teens (around -10 degrees Celsius). On the shortest day of the year, the sun sets a little after 3 PM. That’s a recipe for Seasonal Affective Disorder if I ever heard one. But in the heart of the city, one woman’s apartment has a cheerful antidote: lots and lots of color.

This soft pastel has some surprising staying power (and works in just about every room).

Sure, a bright white is a common go-to, but there are other hues that look fantastic.

Tired of all-white spaces? We've got the perfect antidote.

Each year, the color experts at Pantone make a pick for Color of the Year. Sometimes their selections are right on the money—in 2016, they correctly predicted the rise of Millennial pink. Other choices seem a bit…odd. 2014’s Radiant Orchid wore out its welcome fast, and while it’s a lovely color, I’m still kind of at a loss as to what to do with Ultra Violet. But by far the biggest head-scratcher of recent memory was 2015’s Marsala.

Nothing says “welcome home” like a smart exterior. Though if your curb appeal could use some punching up, there’s a relatively simple and effective way to change that, and it’s currently trending on Pinterest. Today, the Pinterest 100—the company’s 2018 trend report—was released, and we spied this tried and true trick for updating your home: a boldly hued front door.

Don’t get me wrong: I think Ultra Violet, Pantone’s pick for color of the year in 2018, is a pretty color. It was my favorite color when I was five. But as a visionary color, or one that’s supposed to represent both the cultural zeitgeist and the future of design, it seems a bit…uninspired. Maybe I’m a little bitter because none of my predictions for COTY 2018 panned out, but I can’t help wishing that the color was something a little more nuanced.

If you’re just joining us, Pantone made their huge annual announcement on Thursday: the Color of the Year 2018 is Ultra Violet. Pantone says it “takes our awareness and potential to a higher level,” though it might be a Friends throwback or something more subtle. Either way, we’ve found out what you think, but we thought we’d ask some of our favorite designers and influencers for their professional opinions.

In these unpredictable times, Pantone delivered at least one certainty we can hold onto for 2018: their much-anticipated Color of the Year. And like it or not, the pick is Ultra Violet—an intense, bold shade of purple. At face value, the choice might seem like merely a design one that will influence everything from throw pillows to bridesmaid dresses in the coming year. But over time, these selections have come to take on a bit of a deeper meaning.

On Thursday, Pantone announced Ultra Violet as the Color of the Year 2018, and publications, brands, and people from across the globe have since taken to the internet to share their opinions on the new reigning hue. Colors are so steeped in personal preference, that it’s no surprise that—like every year—there are the people that love it and the people that don’t.

Purple is not an easy color to design with. On a shirt or boldly patterned dress it’s wonderful and bold, but in a room, it can be incredibly tricky and go from bad to worse with one false move. Where blue is basic and the everyman of the color world (I mean, it goes with everything and near impossible to mess up), lilacs and plums and, well, ultraviolet, are as easy to work with as a prickly cactus. Plucky shades of purple are the hardest.

It’s December, and the holiday season is officially here. But for color lovers, today is a holiday in and of itself: the day Pantone announces their Color of the Year for 2018. In 2017, they went for a bright, leafy hue called Greenery. For their tenth anniversary pick, will they go bold, or return to a softer hue? Let’s find out: The 2018 Pantone Color of the Year is Ultra Violet!

You never know when color inspiration will strike—and we can pretty much guarantee it won’t happen while you’re nervously sweating, staring down the paint chips in your local hardware store. Thankfully, there’s a new app, Swatches, that turns the gorgeous rainbow-filled world around you into your own personal color catalog.

Every year since 2000, color giant Pantone has picked one shade (okay, in 2016 it was two shades) to be the Color of the Year. The announcement, which occurs in early December for the coming year, is a hotly anticipated event in the design world, and invariably produces a great deal of commentary and even controversy.

Black and white is classic. But what happens when you add a little bit of gold? Well, then you’ve really got something. The proportions might be a little different, but these nine spaces all work this color combo, guaranteed to add a little glamour and drama to even the humblest of spaces. Above: In this space from Residence Magazine via My Unfinished Home, gold and white accents take on a new aura when paired with dark, dusty walls.

When the days get longer and the leaves start to fall, I find myself craving darker, moodier colors. Obviously you can’t repaint your house for every season (unless you just have a whole whole lot of time on your hands), but if you’re thinking about redecorating anyway—or you just want to feast your eyes on a few spaces inspired by the colors of the season—read on. This space above from Herz & Blut mixes together quite a few fall colors: mustard, hunter green and mauve.

Are you ready to just run away from it all? Willing to trade your office job for some rugged, outdoor labor? The US Forest Service may have an opportunity for you, but you have to act fast the deadline is quickly approaching. The San Juan National Forest in Colorado is looking for someone to take over two of their remote properties. It reads something like a hermit, meets in-keeper, meets homesteader.

Or as the actual (but too long) title to this post should read: How to Pull Off Painting Your Living Room Black and It Not Look Like an Angsty Goth ’80s Teen Is Gearing up for a Halloween Party While Their Parents Are Out of Town. I’m here today to let you know it is possible to rock super dark paint on the walls, ceilings, shelving, mantel, fireplace, etc. and not look like you went on Trading Spaces with The Addams Family.

The sofa is arguably the most important piece of furniture in your home (based solely on the amount of time you spend on it). It’s where you binge watch episodes of Broad City and Game of Thrones; where you collapse after a long day of work; and where you curl up with a good book on an obligation-free weekend.

We dare you to do something really bold: paint an entire room black.

When it comes to design, I think, there are things that you like, and then there are things that you’re drawn to, things that speak to you on a visceral level that goes beyond taste or fashion. One of those things, for me, is pastels. These soft, soothing colors get me every time. They’re like a cool breeze for my senses. And, conveniently, they are quite stylish right now.

If you’ve ever been on a modestly-priced ski vacation (okay, there is no such thing as a modestly priced ski vacation, but a relatively modestly priced ski vacation), you know that those slope-adjacent condos tend to have a common aesthetic, and that aesthetic is: real boring. This apartment, however, is anything but—thanks to a healthy dose of color.

Dusty pink is everywhere. Call it millennial pink if you want to, but anybody who lived through the 1980s will recognize that dusky shade of rose. The ’80s, generally, are having a huge influence on interior design right now, which has got me thinking: if dusty pink can come roaring back, can that other ’80s staple — teal — be far behind? Here are some of my favorite examples of the color, whether on walls or tile or accessories. What do you think?

For most small spaces, the color of choice is white. White is bright, it’s safe, it makes small rooms seem larger. But that doesn’t mean that color doesn’t have a place in petite spaces. Here are five apartments that buck the trend, and prove that sometimes, a little bit (or a lot) of color in a small space can be just right. One way to add color to a small space is with a single big color statement.

Did you catch this rad house tour from Buenos Aires? Each room was bursting with bold design elements balanced and mixed to perfection. But something about the living room really stuck out to me: it’s an excellent example of the versatility of a black and white color palette. In other words, if you’re someone who gets tired of the same look after awhile and you like to mix it up, take some notes from this home.

Despite the fact that every room in this house was dark and the living room was a deep, almost-brown maroon color, Andrea (a fashion blogger over at Blonde Bedhead) could see this home’s potential. A bold move, considering this is her first house! “I was your typical millennial, avoiding home ownership for years, choosing the mobile life of apartment rentals.

Earlier this year, we predicted what would be trendy in the kitchen for 2017, from rich, muted hues, warmer finishes, New Bohemian style and more. We’re now more than halfway through this year, and I find myself looking back at 2017’s designs. I’ve seen many of the trends predicted above come true, but I’ve also noticed a color trend emerge for the kitchen that I didn’t expect: mint green!

The inky hue might not be the first thought that comes to mind when considering the bright and clean vibe of a contemporary kitchen, but in practice, it's all kinds of amazing.

If you are nervous or unsure about adding color into your home, consider using 60-30-10 color rule when planning your next room makeover. The 60-30-10 rule is a very easy-to-follow approach that designers often use to create well-balanced rooms using color. This concept follows the classic rule of three (which is also used in everything from marketing, to floral arrangements, to writing). In this case, three color families are used to add balance and depth to a room.

Project by: Caroline Iredale and Deborah Moor Slightly Quirky Ltd. Location: Chiswick, London Caroline and Deborah’s client needed help making their classic property feel like a vibrant and modern space that felt like their own. With some gorgeous colors and occasionally unexpected furniture choices, they created a home that is as welcoming as it is interesting.

Every neutral shade seems to have its moment in the spotlight, but gray and beige are often constants. A blend of the two—greige, a warmer take on the often cool toned gray—had a huge moment in the earlier decade of this century, and hasn’t really ever left. Dutch Boy announced their 2018 Color of the Year today, and the new neutral isn’t really new at all.

It's a big beautiful world of blue paints out there, and narrowing down the best options is no easy feat. After much deliberation, here are our 21 favorite blue paint colors.

It doesn’t matter how big or how small (or how mobile) a space is — when it works, it works (better yet if you get to see what it looked like before it got to its currently amazing state). Such is the case with Mandi from Vintage Revivals’ 1973 Bell Travel Trailer makeover: A sad, dated, basically uninhabitable “before” and it’s spot-on jealousy inducing “after”. Hello?!?

There was a lot to drool over, design-wise, in James and Kurt’s Chicago home. Contemporary art and cool furniture, and as a bonus, two homeowners that look like they must throw amazing parties. But there’s no denying it’s the color palette that really steals the show. Purple, yellow, blue, green — this vibrant home features a variety of hues that are unexpected and delightful.

I’ve always loved to play with colors, and put together unexpected and maybe unusual combinations, and my most recent favorite is this: black and mint. Like mint chocolate chip ice cream, but with a little more sophistication. The mint is cool, refreshing, gentle: the black adds an unexpected contrast, and a modern edge. The vibe is a little bit art-deco Miami, with a little bit of Memphis thrown in for good measure.

BEHR just announced their 2018 color of the year.

It’s one of the most overused, annoying phrases in design writing: the “pop of color.” But this expression endures because using small, potent pops of color in a room is truly powerful. You can make a room look bold, dramatic and vibrant, without having to coat every square inch of a room in color. Need proof? Here are some GIFS that showcase the magic of the color pop (and the four most effective ways you can wield this design power).

From polka dots to kaleidoscopic prints, scroll ahead for some gorgeous graphic sofas that will seriously make you reconsider your opinion of patterned upholstery.

As the bedroom is a place in which you want to be lulled to sleep, its design is typically tackled in ways that could be described as “soothing” and “serene”. Soft colors and delicate patterns are the norm for a “sophisticated” retreat. But what if you want something with more pizazz? A room that’ll get you excited about the day the second you peel your eyes open?

We get it: pink gets a bad rap for something it did many, many moons ago. It’s time to forgive and forget the horror that was ’80s pink, because the sweet hue can totally feel alive, modern, fresh and pretty. These rooms are rockin’ pink, and the palettes they inspire, you can try for yourself! Designer Emily Henderson shared this bedroom makeover that feels like a sweet, sweet dream. This room is all about that super hush hush blush.

It’s a tale as old as time (well, as long as leasing agreements have been around): You find a rental apartment or house you LOVE…but you’re not allowed to paint the walls. Perhaps the walls are white or beige and you find them ho-hum. Or perhaps your rental walls do have color—but not color you like. What’s a rule-following tenant supposed to do?

Traditional types of architectural woodwork — I’m looking at you, wainscoting — are cropping up more and more in homes these days. Woodwork like this is gaining in popularity due to two main phenomena: folks currently purchasing homes that have original woodwork are interested in restoring the historical craftsmanship, and those who live in homes that weren’t built with charming, handcrafted wooden details are opting to install it to add architectural character.

Crayola wants your help in picking the name for its new crayon. There are five options for the blue hue’s new name—check them out below. Back in March, Crayola announced that OG yellow crayon Dandelion would be retired from its 24-pack. In May, the crayon makers revealed that the new hue would be inspired by YInMn (pronounced yin-min) Blue, the first new blue pigment discovered in 200 years by chemist Mas Subramanian and his team at Oregon State University in 2009.

There's a powerful design element at your disposal for highlighting — and creating! — architectural features.

Pink is one of the most polarizing colors. Depending on your perspective, it’s either beautiful, flattering, cheerful—or juvenile, unsophisticated and dated. If you fall into the first camp, I’m sure you’ll appreciate this list of nine different ways to add a little rosy color to your home. And if you fall into the second camp, well, take a look, and maybe you’ll be convinced. The cheerful pink front door is the perfect introduction to this California home.

Whether you see it as a throwback to the ’80s or a reflection of changing attitudes about femininity, there’s a particular shade of light, slightly-muted pink whose ubiquitousness is as complete as it was sudden. Call it millennial pink, or dusty pink, or rose quartz—it’s everywhere, and it’s the color that every eye seems drawn to. So we’ve created this roundup of sofas where pink, the color of the moment, meets velvet, the fabric of the moment.

Want to know what colors work best with blue? Here are five unexpected (& killer!) palettes to try.

There’s a color combination I’ve been seeing pop up in bedroom after bedroom recently. From transitional to eclectic to bohemian style, it seems to be the kind of combo that works with any decor look. And considering one half of the pair is very popular (like, the most popular), it’s not surprising that the trend is starting to swing in this direction.

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