The world’s color authority, Pantone, announced last month the color of 2021. The chosen shades are actually two: Ultimate Grey and Illuminating, a rock-colored grey and a sunny yellow, respectively.

This is only the second time ever that Pantone has chosen this type of approach.

“The selection of two independent colors highlights how different elements come together to express a message of strength and hope…the idea that it’s not about one color or one person, but more than one,” says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Solid as a rock, yet warm and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us hope,” she adds. “We need to feel encouraged, this is essential for the human spirit.”

Now you are wondering how to use the two Pantone 2021 colors in your home?

The stunning combination of Ultimate Grey and Illuminating is a wonderful choice for almost any room.
Here are some suggestions.

Fearless

Transform a room into an ode to this pair of inspiring shades. Bright yellow walls combined with warm grey seating create a positive and grounded atmosphere, which you can replicate in a different form in the next room. Ultimate Grey is an ideal and solid base for mindfulness while Illuminating is synonymous with stimulating insight, bringing curiosity and resourcefulness.

The Right Accents

Almost every room in the house can benefit from the solid backdrop of Ultimate Grey, punctuated by some accents of Illuminating.

In a living room, the grey fireplace area is uplifted with splashes of bright yellow through fabrics, decorations, and cushions.

Wonderful Combinations

The two Pantone Colors of the Year create a wonderful combination, but since they are both such striking shades individually, you can have fun using them in varying proportions to highlight one or the other as you please.

One way to do this is on a door leading to another room. Give your guests—and yourself—a warm and bright welcome with an optimistic sunny yellow covering the top of a wall, emphasizing it maximally as in the photo above. Try including Ultimate Grey on the parallel wall, to make the room more functional, playing with this dynamic duo.

Choose One

Are you a bit intimidated by the images we are presenting? An alternative path can be to use only one of the two. Choose the yellow as the wall color, in a slightly muted shade, decline it in other hues and pair it with grey decorative accents.

Focus on Furniture

You have two options here. You can choose a stunning and velvety armchair and know that you will keep it until you tire of it, or you can paint your bookshelf: both choices will make you feel in tune with the moment, with two different monetary commitments.