Pantone’s colour of the year is always an exciting chance to embrace the latest trends whilst experimenting with colours you might have otherwise overlooked. We’re going to be exploring the last twenty years of Pantone’s colour of the year looking back on some of the iconic colours that have shaped our style and giving you inspiration for the future too.
2005: Blue Turquoise (15-5217)
Bring on the memories of glittering oceans and everybody dreaming of becoming a marine biologist! Blue turquoise was the embodiment of the 00s with its warm undertones being slapped across any surface imaginable. From walls, furniture, technology, and even fashion, blue turquoise was and still is an iconic shade of blue.
2006: Sand Dollar (13-1106)
This is one of the years where we shifted from the life of the party to a more elegant and perhaps subtle shade. Sand dollar was a soft beige that catapulted design and fashion magazines into a more minimalistic territory. It was a real turning point when we saw fewer of the loud colours appearing in places like IKEA to be replaced with a much more neutral vibe instead.
2007: Chili Pepper (19-1557)
Thought we were sticking to neutrals forever. You thought wrong! 2007 was the year of Chili pepper and boy didn’t we know it. The passionate, fiery red took off as a statement colour to be splashed liberally across walls and soft furnishings for the entire year. Whilst it is definitely a shade that ages a room now, it’s still a fantastic colour to reach for every now and then.
2008: Blue Iris (18-3943)
The world was changing quickly giving Pantone the perfect opportunity to unleash a completely different shade from last year upon the world. Blue iris was the absolutely dreamy combination of blue and purple tones that signified a serious need for a little peace and calm in the world.
2009: Mimosa (14-0848)
When we needed it most, Pantone gave us the optimism we desperately needed during tough economic times in the form of a sunny yellow. Mimosa was a sign that things were going to work out one way or another and we saw it on pretty much everything imaginable…
2010: Turquoise (15-5519)
Pantone threw it back a little with a classic turquoise in 2010. If you delve into the hidden depths of any “vintage” Pinterest board you can easily pinpoint the exact moment Pantone unleashed this colour. Enter the era of turquoise shoes, nails, statement necklaces, and peplum tops. Call the fashion police as we saw turquoise everywhere!
2011: Honeysuckle (18-2120)
Phew! We made it through the turquoise period. Honeysuckle was a delightful pinky red hue that offered us some confidence and courage when added to our wardrobes whilst being a fun statement in the home. Honeysuckle is still a pretty colour to reach for should you need a bold ceiling or some eye catching soft furnishings.
2012: Tangerine Tango (17-1463)
2012 brought us a new burst of energy with tangerine tango which was as the name suggests, a vivid red-orange that gave interior designers the perfect chance to experiment with new themes like Moroccan decor. This summery colour is still a perfect statement now that is ideal for adding some colour to dull corners of your home.
2013: Emerald (17-5641)
As the world took a little look at itself and started putting some serious efforts into reducing climate change, Pantone gave us emerald. Emerald was the deep green reminiscent of forests, jewel tones, and a sense of luxury. Even today, emerald remains a popular choice in unexpected areas like kitchens because of its gorgeous tones.
2014: Radiant Orchid (18-3224)
A soft purply tone was a wonderful balance from the previous year offering a feminine touch to any home. We saw radiant orchid in fashion, interior design, cars, and even technology as it took the world by storm. We loved it for creating a womanly boudoir or an artistic office space allowing you a sense of calm whilst promoting your creative side.
2015: Marsala (18-1438)
2015 brought us the grounded, earthy tone known as Marsala. Marsala effortlessly bridged the gap between neutral tones and a slight pop of colour. Even today, tones like marsala are popular in children's bedrooms, cozy living rooms, and modern dining spaces because of how well it pairs with other earth toned colours.
2016: Rose Quartz (13-1520) & Serenity (15-3919)
This year was one for the history books as Pantone made a bold choice and chose two colours for their colour of the year title. Of course, once you see rose quartz and serenity, it’s easy to see how they couldn’t choose between the two.
As the name suggests, rose quartz is a delicate pink reminiscent of its crystal namesake and was a girly choice that perfectly allowed a soft pop of colour into a room without overwhelming the space.
On the other hand, serenity was a stunning soft blue giving 2016 the vibes of a traditional baby shower. Serenity was a popular choice for creating a bathroom sanctuary or a bedroom space that promotes calm and a restful night's sleep. Even today, serenity is a great choice thanks to the calming properties of blue.
2017: Greenery (15-0343)
A luscious leafy green was exactly what we needed in 2017. The slightly brighter shade was a delightful contrast from the previous duo as greenery became an ideal choice for pretty much any space. We loved it in kitchens for its warm and inviting energy encouraging creativity and fun anywhere it's used.
2018: Ultra Violet (18-3838)
Ultra violet was a deeper, purple shade giving us real spacey vibes. We absolutely loved the intriguing nature of this colour and how it inspired some cosmic style makeovers in any corner of the house. We saw this shade grace the pages of fashion and design magazines in a variety of creative ways like statement ceilings and chimney breasts.
2019: Living Coral (16-1546)
It wouldn’t be the end of the 2010s without coral! Living coral was saying a bright goodbye to the final years of the 2010s and made us all long for a beachy getaway. Living coral was brought into seaside themes in the forms of crabs, corals, and starfish turning every home it graced into a peaceful oasis.
2020: Classic Blue (19-4052)
A new decade was the absolutely perfect time for a strong, confident colour like classic blue. A popular choice in the automotive industry, the classic blue shade is a strong choice that makes any home feel modern and fresh. Our favourite use of this tone is on kitchen cabinets for a surprisingly timeless makeover.
2021: Ultimate Gray (17-5104) & Illuminating (13-0647)
Pantone surprised us with another double whammy in 2021 giving us the warm yellow of illuminating and the space age vibes of ultimate gray. Together they were a powerful combination that was even popular in car interiors as it was the perfect balance between bright and neutral. Ultimate gray is a trend that has lingered even today.
2022: Very Peri (17-3938)
What better than a lovely periwinkle blue with slight violet undertones for 2022? The blue working with the violet-red undertones gave Very Peri the ideal balance between cool and warm tones which made this shade a really popular choice for spaces where you needed calmness without coolness.
2023: Viva Magenta (18-1750)
2023 was time for a fun crimson red with viva magenta. We saw a slight resurgence in statement walls but in a bit of a different way as interior designers and influencers alike experimented with ¾ walls, bright ceilings, and even rainbow rooms! Viva magenta was a sign that people were getting bolder than ever with their colour choices and weren’t afraid to see their personalities reflected in their homes.
2024: Apricot Crush (16-1544)
Post-COVID positivity peaked through again as Pantone chose apricot crush for a warm and inviting shade that totally embodies the excitement of an Olympic year. With slight earthy tones under the brightness of the apricot, this colour is great for bringing a pop of brightness to a space without completely overwhelming the room.
2025: Mocha Mousse (17-1230)
Mocha mousse was announced as the colour of the year for 2025 and many feared it was the rise of the “sad beige” trend but we can assure you that it's far from it. Mocha mousse has a luxurious, rich brown tone that makes spaces feel warm and sophisticated. The choice of a more neutral tone as opposed to the bright tones of the previous years has really shown how Pantone has veered towards the popular natural aesthetic where people are repurposing and upcycling wherever possible.
So, which colour of the year is your favourite? From bright reds, bold blues, and beyond, Pantone has a knack for picking colours that we always fall in love with! If you’ve been inspired by our look back at Pantone’s Colour of the Year choices then why not check out our decorating range?