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Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced purchasing decisions and product development in multiple industries, including packaging design, graphic design, fashion, home furnishings, and product packaging for over 20 years.
Thoughtful consideration and trend analysis goes into the Pantone Color of the Year selection process. Pantone’s color experts and the Pantone Color Institute scour the world looking for color influences. They take inspiration from every aspect of life: technology, textiles, popular travel destinations, new and emerging artists, and even upcoming events that will capture the attention of the entire world.
So, what is Pantone’s 2021 Color of the Year?
There’s two! PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating.
So, why was this color combination chosen? Essentially, gray gives a firm foundation to the bright, happy color yellow. Everybody wants to be happy and have a joyous attitude. However, sometimes it can be difficult to put yourself out there in certain situations. Having a firm foundation to fall back on allows greater risks to be taken and that is the message pantone is trying to portray for the new year!
Now, how will we see such a bright vibrant color brought into the stone and tile industry?
I have a few ideas. We have seen gray being a very popular color choice as a neutral for the past years, and this year will be no different! While the specific pantone color that was chosen is a very bright yellow, I believe that most of the yellows we will see will be a muted version. Muted yellow and gray is a gorgeous combination, especially for a backsplash.
How would gray and yellow work in a kitchen for someone who doesn’t want as much commitment as to redo their backsplash?
Paint, accessories, and furnishings. Since gray has been a staple color in most remodels recently, I see yellow being used as a trendy update through chairs, a fun painted accent wall, and new light fixtures. This allows for a kitchen to be updated through trends more frequently and at a lower cost. My personal favorite place to put gray is in the countertop through soapstone and quartz or as a cabinet color. This allows for color versatility as the trends change.
What if you fall in love with this color combination and it is your newly beloved aesthetic?
Well, I have some great news for you! We have a gorgeous selection of tiles where you can keep gray as the focal point, but allow for the yellow to shine through and brighten up your life a little bit every day. Bring it into a gorgeous entryway flooring or as a feature wall in your bathroom. Show everyone your positivity while staying grounded in neutrals.
These next few pictures are examples of how to embrace your yellow!
Forget about gray, she’s boring! You are nothing but pep. Show the world your bright side with these gorgeous accent walls and backsplashes!
Can’t get enough yellow and gray? Check out a few more tile options that we have.
Photos courtesy of Daltile, Marazzi, Metroquartz, Origin Mission Tile, Pantone, TileBar, Somer Tile, and Walker Zanger.
