True Blue could be this year's mantra.
The fresh year welcomes "Classic Blue" as the new color of the year, and it's already surfacing in homes, both inside and out. The particular blue color is a rich shade close to cobalt, somewhere between navy and royal. This shade of blue is thought to instill calm, confidence and connections. It's also an enduring blue hue that highlights people's desire for dependable, reassuring and stable anchors.
Imprinted in psyches as a restful color, some say Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge. Others believe this color aids concentration and brings laser-like clarity, re-centering thoughts. As a reflective blue tone, Classic Blue also fosters resilience.
Pantone representatives, who select the annual colors of the year, tout Classic Blue as elegant in its simplicity. They also describe it as a timeless, enduring blue hue--suggestive of the sky at dusk, much like a beautiful evening setting on Lake Murray.
Indeed, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, explains their choice: “We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on. Imbued with a deep resonance, Classic Blue provides an anchoring foundation. A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.”
As technology continues to race ahead of the human ability to process it all, Leatrice says it's easy to understand why humans gravitate to colors that are honest, non-aggressive and easily relatable. She says the trusted Classic Blue lends itself to relaxed interaction, plus an association with the return of another day.
“As we all head into a new era, we wanted to challenge ourselves to find inspiration from new sources that not only evolve our Color of the Year platform, but also help global audiences achieve richer and more rewarding color experiences,” says Laurie Pressman, vice president of The Pantone Color Institute. “This desire, combined with the emotional properties of Classic Blue, motivated us to expand beyond the visual, to bring the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year to life through a multi-sensory experience.”
Classic Blue in Home Décor
Offering the promise of protection, Classic Blue can be a favorite home accent color. This shade of blue injects creative confidence into interiors, transforming existing spaces into places that beacon the notion of sitting and relaxing for a spell. The color can be readily applied across many different materials, textures and finishes, so lends itself to expressing tradition and elegance as well as unexpected boldness.
Because this color is a thought-provoking one, following are suggestions about how to embrace the trend and work it into home interiors without having to completely redecorate.
- Classic Blue can give a space a feeling of sophistication and luxury, but it's also a darker, eye-catching shade that typically is applied in moderation.
- Paint an accent wall in this color to add it to a room without overpowering the space.
- Be sure to welcome an abundance of natural light to balance the blue.
- Bring the hue into rooms through accessories, such as rugs, pillows, blankets, throws, candles or photo frames.
- One way to first try incorporating Classic Blue is to add to a laundry room, then spread it elsewhere in homes.
- Add a new couch or sitting chair in this blue color--just not perhaps an entire new furniture set in the same Classic Blue color.
- When adding floral arrangements, be sure to include some sort of blue flowers. Or, simply use a blue vase this year.
- Blue touches go hand-in-hand with media rooms for promoting serenity.
- In bedrooms, blue can be worked in through beddings, rugs, lamps, bed head boards and window shades.
- In dining rooms or other rooms, try printed wallpaper that keeps the design whimsical while including shades of Classic Blue.
- Simply switch to blue place mats, dishes or table cloths in kitchens. Navy blue has been a popular kitchen cabinet color lately, so anyone who has that color cabinets has a jump on this year's trend. For a lighter blue vibe, consider painting only a kitchen island blue, or updating with a blue backsplash. Or, invest in a blue range and matching hood for a stunning, new look.
- For bathrooms, it can be as easy as switching to blue printed hand towels. People associate blue with the sea and the sky, so use blue water-associated items in bathrooms to channel a resort vacation and that lovely Lake Murray look.
- Blue diffuser containers can be moved around homes to spread the blueness.
- For those who truly love Classic Blue, walk upon it by updating flooring.
- Some are intentionally introducing blue velvet pieces into their décor this year.
Classic Blue matches well with pastels, which add softer touches to the dramatic blueness. Interior designers suggest pairing Classic Blue with color schemes of grays, yellow and whites. Others agree that Classic Blue was a good choice due to its timelessness amidst a year of change to become a guide to personal interior design updates.
This blue hue marks a bold switch from 2019's Living Coral and other brighter shades, such as 2016's Rose Quartz and 2017's Greenery.
