The most popular Pantone Colours of the Year revealed
The most popular Pantone Colours of the Year revealed
Explore which Pantone Colours of the Year have been the most popular over the last decade in our latest research & how to style them in your home.
Discovering The Pantone Colour Of The Year: A Decade Of Trends Unveiled
At Furniture And Choice, we believe that the right colours can transform any space. A statement fabric sofa or vibrant feature wall can bring style and personality to your home. Each year, Pantone announces its Colour of the Year, setting the tone for design trends worldwide. But which of these colours has been the favourite of home decorators over the past decade?
With over 140k posts on Instagram for #pantonecoloroftheyear, the social platform is a good indicator of popularity. By using the number of posts for each Pantone colour and dividing it by the number of Instagram users (to consider the increase in people posting to the grid each year), we’ve created a popularity score to uncover the most-loved tones from the last 10 years.
So, join us as we explore these vibrant hues, delve into the data, and discover how to incorporate them into your home for a stylish, contemporary look.
The Most Popular Pantone Colour Of The Year
Our research revealed that Classic Blue, Living Coral and Ultimate Grey x Illuminating have been the standout favourites among Pantone’s Colours of the Year over the past decade. Classic Blue takes the crown in first position with a max score of 100, all thanks to the whopping 165k people who have taken to the ‘gram since its reveal in 2020. Living Coral is in second position with a score of 80 down to its 112k posts. Finally, the unique combination of Ultimate Grey and Illuminating completes the top three with a score of 77.
As a result of its perfect score of 100, Classic Blue emerges as the most popular Pantone colour of the decade, amassing an impressive 165,272 shares on Instagram. Its enduring appeal has been the topic of conversation in more than 9,500 articles, and with blue tones often evoking feelings of calmness, confidence and stability, it’s not hard to see why this versatile colour is the most admired. It's not just Instagram where people have turned for inspiration; over the past four years, there have been 75k Google searches for Classic Blue. It’s a colour that has retained its popularity, with 1,600 average monthly searches on the browser – despite first launching in December 2019.
Want to add this tranquil hue to your own space? Start by introducing Classic Blue in small doses. Add a playful, coastal feel to the cosy areas of your home, like a quiet reading nook or breakfast corner. For a bolder approach, make an Art Deco-inspired statement in the living room with a blue fabric sofa. Nothing says chic like the deep, rich hues of a blue sofa.
Living Coral secured its place as the second most popular Pantone Colour of the Year, thanks to its popularity score of 80. This was down to the 111,764 Instagram posts celebrating its vibrant charm. Its warm peachy-orange tones were also the discussion point of more than 6,000 articles. Living Coral’s popularity underscores its power to uplift and invigorate interiors, making it a beloved choice for many home enthusiasts, as shown by the 33k Google searches over the last four years.
This lively shade brings a sense of playfulness and energy to any space, making it a favourite for those looking to create a welcoming and cheerful atmosphere. To incorporate Living Coral into your home, try pairing it with white and neutral tones to let it take the spotlight. Or couple it with similar colours like salmon pink or terracotta to create a sun-kissed effect that is warm and inviting, ideal for living spaces as well as the dining area.
3. Pantone Colour Of The Year 2021: Ultimate Grey X Illuminating
Ultimate Grey and Illuminating scored 77 out of 100, claiming the third spot in our list, all thanks to the combined 149,487 Instagram posts celebrating their unique synergy. According to colour theory, Ultimate Grey represents resilience and stability. In contrast, Illuminating (a bright and cheerful yellow) symbolises hope and positivity. This dynamic duo may not be to everybody’s taste, but with a combined 120k Google searches when they were revealed in December 2020, the combination had people talking. There have also been over 9,000 articles discussing this unique blend, and with a combined 960 monthly Google searches, people are still intrigued by this unlikely duo.
To incorporate this harmonious blend of colours in your home, you could start with a grey fabric sofa as an anchor, and then introduce elements of Illuminating with yellow pillows, artwork or even a feature wall. Or, for a fresh take on a modern dining room, introduce Ultimate Grey into the space with an industrial dining set, built on strong silhouettes and materials such as concrete and steel. Then, accent the space with Illuminating to give it a zing of energy and brightness.
Greenery emerged as the fourth most popular Pantone Colour of the Year, with 57,525 Instagram shares (equalling a score of 71 out of 100). Green symbolises new beginnings and growth, making it a perfect choice for those looking to bring a touch of nature into their homes. Interestingly, there are a massive 27k monthly Google searches for this yellow-green hue; its popularity highlights its ability to breathe life into interiors, offering a fresh and invigorating atmosphere.
When it comes to home interiors, Greenery is perfect for injecting a burst of energy into any space, whether through accent pieces, indoor plants or bold feature walls. Embrace its vibrant hue to create an eclectic space with contrasting warm tones and patterns or opt for a more subdued approach with simpler colours and fabrics. To make green the standout colour in your living room, consider grounding it with grey, white and other neutral tones. These minimalist, fresh colours provide a clean palette that allows green to become the focal point of your décor.
To round off the top five, Ultra Violet is the fifth most popular Pantone Colour of the Year, scoring 66 out of 100 as a result of the 76,149 Instagram posts showcasing its mystical and creative allure. This 2018 colour has been mentioned in over 4,100 articles since its reveal and has been searched 260k times on Google over the last four years. In colour theory, Ultra Violet is associated with originality and visionary thinking. Its deep, rich hue evokes a sense of mystery and spirituality, making it a favourite for those looking to add a touch of the extraordinary to their interiors.
Ultra Violet can transform a space, lending a unique and original quality to your home. When set against lighter colours, this bold hue truly stands out, creating a striking visual contrast. For added drama, consider incorporating brass and velvet accents to enhance Ultra Violet’s richness and edge. Whether featured in a statement wall, furniture or accessories, Ultra Violet brings a touch of sophistication and creativity to any room, making it a standout choice for those looking to infuse their interiors with a sense of mystique and elegance.
When it comes to the Pantone colours which are less popular, the warmer pinkish tones from the last three years haven’t seen as much conversation online as the Classic Blue reveal in 2019.
2024’s Colour of the Year, Peach Fuzz, has only been shared 46k times and mentioned in 2,800 articles since its reveal. Analysing the social sentiment over the past four months, 66% of social media and article mentions have been positive, while the remaining 33% have been neutral or negative. This indicates that Peach Fuzz, despite its vibrant and fruity appeal, may not have resonated as strongly with the public as previous colours. Very Peri, Viva Magenta, Marsala and Radiant Orchid also conclude the bottom five. These colours, while beautiful, might require a more adventurous approach to interior design due to their striking palettes, which could explain their lower popularity compared to more versatile and universally appealing shades.
Over the past decade, several fuchsia-toned shades have made the list of Pantone Colours of the Year. With the announcement of 2025’s colour just around the corner, the question arises: will it be another variation of pink, or will it break the trend with a contrasting palette? Perhaps 2025 will introduce us to mint green, chocolate brown or even a sunset yellow – vibrant hues that have yet to be featured. The anticipation is building, and we can’t wait to see which colour will inspire the next wave of home décor trends.
To understand how the Pantone Colour of the Year impacts home décor choices, we reached out to some inspiring home interior Instagrammers. We asked them how these annual colour announcements serve as a source of inspiration, and how they incorporate these trending hues into their homes. Here’s what Melanie Boyden of Melanie Jade Design had to say:
"The Pantone Color of the Year announcement is something I always look forward to. While it doesn't dictate my entire design approach, it definitely serves as a source of inspiration. Each year, Pantone selects a colour that reflects broader social, cultural, and interior trends, and often, we can already see evidence of this on social media and home decor blogs.
Incorporating the Color of the Year into my home may not be something I do immediately, but with the items I purchase, I can start seeing subtle changes in the products I choose. Sometimes it's as simple as adding accents like throw pillows, rugs, or artwork in that shade to give a room a fresh, on-trend vibe. Other times, I use it as a starting point to explore new colour palettes, testing how it pairs with other hues for balance and contrast.
Pantone’s choice can bring attention to colours I might not have considered. It encourages me to think outside my usual palette, keeping my designs current and dynamic. It’s a gentle influence, but one that keeps my home designs feeling fresh."
Melanie is a home décor, interior design enthusiast and sometimes DIYer. Nature, biophilic design and boho interiors feature heavily on her website and social media sites, often featuring articles on how to use colour, nature and pattern in the home. With green being her favourite colour!
The Pantone Colour of the Year significantly influences home décor trends, encouraging both designers and homeowners to explore new hues. Popular colours like Classic Blue and Living Coral bring unique qualities to interior spaces. While some shades like Very Peri and Viva Magenta may not have resonated as widely, they still offer exciting possibilities for those willing to embrace bold design choices.
Feeling inspired to incorporate one of these vibrant hues into your home? Explore our range of colourful fabric sofas, from 2-seater fabric sofas to fabric Chesterfield sofas, to find the perfect addition to your space.
