We’re more than halfway through the year, so it’s time to take stock of the color trends that have been dominating interior design so far in 2016. From Pantone’s Rose Quartz to the bloggers’ favorite – Scandinavian White, and Dulux’s Cherished Gold, here’s what makes each of them so special…
Pantone’s Rose Quartz
Back in the springtime, Pinterest went crazy for Pantone’s new color of the year. The subtle pink is gentle and composed, and brings a sense of calm and relaxation to any room it’s used in, and can be done so without making the interior feel too young or ‘feminine’… no mean feat for a shade of pink! And, when paired with Serenity – a cool blue from Pantone – Rose Quartz feels fresh, sophisticated and soothing, as you’ll see from this Pinterest board featuring various designs inspired by Pantone’s color of the year.
It’s no surprise, therefore, to see swathes of interior designers adding pops of Rose Quartz via soft furnishings (such as blankets, cushions and pieces of cutlery). In fact, a Rose Quartz blanket thrown haphazardly over a plush bed from the Divan Beds Centre is precisely the kind of way this colour is being incorporated into interiors to add a pop of the colour without going overboard – and a clever way of sneaking in a little pink for colour-phobes and male partners who aren’t too keen on the idea.
Scandinavian White
A love for Scandinavian-inspired white interiors is a trend that’s been popular for a few years now, but that doesn’t mean that white is a color that’s heading out of fashion. Everything points to the case being very much the opposite, in fact, with the Benjamin Moore Colour Studio including many shades of white in their forecast for the year. White is clean, easy to style and has an unparalleled ability to brighten up any room, so it’s easy to understand why it’s a color that’s dominated our interiors for such a long time. However, it’s polarizing too: many people feel that it’s too cold and clinical if you don’t choose the right tone.
Check out Sara Tasker’s home to see the white trend done well in action, and make sure you include white pieces with lots of natural, earthy hues and textures to prevent your home from looking like a doctor’s surgery. Think about using whites with various base colors too, choosing green whites, grey-based whites or even whites with a pink undertone if you want to make sure your home looks three dimensional and inviting. It’s the only way to make a piece of art out of this ‘blank canvas’ kind of color.
Cherished Gold
Dulux has named ‘Cherished Gold’ as their color of the year, knowing the hue works perfectly with the ongoing trend for using metallic in our homes. It’s a warm shade and works beautifully in period properties with deep, earthy tones and dark pieces of furniture. That said, it also works well with softer, subtle pastel tones and mid-century styling, so it’s a popular choice with homeowners up and down the country. Expect to see more of this color being used in Autumn and Winter 2016.
