Recently, I wrote a blog post talking about the “Colour of the Year for 2022” announcements from various sources. Pantone is the big one, and they chose Very Peri. But orchid and emerald green got a look in as well. There’s no doubt a lot of people in the fashion and design worlds will now incorporate one or more of these colours into their upcoming offerings.
But what about you and I, who only have our own homes and wardrobes to think about, and most likely a limited budget as well. How can we utilise these announcements to stay at the cutting edge of colour trends?
Paint Colour
If you’re keen to make a really bold statement, then painting a feature wall is one way to do it. Or, you can take a much softer, lighter tone and paint a whole room or house. Builders with display homes will often do this. And if your plan is to sell your home very soon and you want it to be as modern as possible, it’s potentially a good strategy.
Even if you plan to live in your home for quite a few years, painting can be a good choice – assuming you love the colour of the year, that is! But a word of caution. It’s a “Colour of the Year” for a reason, and next year there will be a new one. By all means keep the paint colour if you like it, but it will date your house. The 70s and apple green bench tops, anyone?
Accessories
Personally, I’m a big fan of introducing on-trend colours into your space with accessories. With a neutral background, a few well-chosen accessories can immediately change the look and feel of a room. Or in this case, bring it right up to date with the last colour trends.
Cushions are my favourite (and not just because they’re so comfortable!). Once trend colours are announced, a good range of cushions using the colours in various patterns and textures appears in shops. So it’s easy to style a room quickly and reasonably cheaply this way.
Vignettes are also great for adding your chosen colour. A set of 3 vases in Very Peri, for example, or some orchid coloured flowers. Maybe a handcrafted item in emerald green. Or a tray of yummy cupcakes at a party – although they’ll probably disappear very quickly. The possibilities are endless!
And if you really want to tie the room together, artwork is always a good choice. You may not be able to get something containing the exact shade you want, but complementary colours work just as well.
Walking the fine line between staying on-trend and being out of date isn’t always easy, but if you plan how to incorporate the colours of the year into your existing decor, it can be done with minimum effort and cost.