After 2015 thundered in with a mix of bold colors, the 2016 Color of the Year announcements have whispered in on a gentle breeze. All the big names in color are unanimous in selecting soothing, natural colors that evoke tranquility, peace and harmony.
For the first time ever, Pantone has released two colors of the year together: Rose Quartz and Serenity. It’s being compared to a sunrise at the beach and clouds of cotton candy. They are just bright enough to be fun and uplifting and just dusky enough to work into any room without being overwhelming.
PPG Pittsburg Paints chose Paradise Found, an aloe green meant to feel organic and calming. They describe it as a solid, sturdy paint color that reassures us in a hectic, unpredictable world. It is versatile enough for indoor or out, accent or primary color.
All the other major players selected variations on white and off-white shades. Glidden, also owned by PPG, released Cappuccino White as the 2016 color of the year. Glidden says the color creates “a calm lightness in the home to encourage a relaxed mind” much like kicking back with a cup of cappuccino. Also like the namesake, it mixes beautifully with coffee tones.
Sherwin Williams selected Alabaster, a neutral, understated white they hope provides “an oasis of calmness” in our personal spaces. They suggest pairing it with Carrara marble and other natural materials and using it as a primary foundation for earthy accent colors.
Benjamin Moore rounded out the selections with Simply White, a warm clean white they hope can be the canvas for any color palette you choose. They believe it is versatile enough for warm or cool palettes, and it can be strong and powerful or understated and even invisible.
Pantone chose the colors a beach sunrise, Sherwin Williams chose the off-white sand, and Pittsburgh Paints chose the tropical foliage. Glidden supplied your cappuccino and Benjamin Moore the fresh, white canvas for you to paint your new year. Here’s hoping 2016 really is your tranquil year at the beach!
For more examples of all the colors of the year, see our pinterest board.
