Should You Decorate with the Color of the Year?

Written by Jaymi Naciri Posted On Thursday, 13 December 2018 05:00

Pantone just announced the 2019 Color of the Year, and if you’re thinking warm and inviting sounds pretty good this time of year, you’ll love their choice of Living Coral. But should you rush to incorporate the shade into your house? The short answer is: Only if you plan on redoing it again next year, when the 2020 color is announced. The long answer will take a bit longer.

Staying on trend

If you’re getting ready to sell your home, or if you simply love to be on the forefront of trends, using the Color of the Year is a great place to start. Of course, you may not want to splash it all over the walls. As “animating and life-affirming” as this year’s winning color may be, coral is still a bold choice for such a broad expanse.

Wallpaper that features the hue—especially in a temporary version like this WallPops NuWallpaper Coral Grove Peel & Stick Wallpaper if you’re selling your home soon, is a great option that can bring new life to a boring space. A few accessories can also make a big impact in a trendy color. Freshen up the living room couch with a few pillows, drape a throw at the foot of the bed in the master, and swap out a few tired tchotchkes for something more current.

Sticking with classics

The major downside to following trends: “You need to be prepared for the possible necessity of redesigning your rooms once tastes change, especially if you’re thinking of putting your home on the market,” said Freshome.

Neutral colors and classic patterns are two elements that can help you create timeless design that won’t need to be updated every year. “Popcorn ceilings. Shag rugs. Gold fixtures. Open floor plans. Chevron. Shiplap. Each decade has its fair share of home decorating clichés,” said Cheat Sheet. “And no matter how stylish they seem at this moment, every bold choice is bound to become cringe-worthy not too far in the future.” Will Living Coral be on that list by the time the next Pantone Color of the Year rolls around? That remains to be seen.

Going with what you love

Regardless of the trends, it’s your home. And unless you’re planning a home sale imminently, you get to take creative license. That could mean embracing every new trend, color-related or otherwise, ignoring them all, or, most likely picking and choosing to create a home that’s uniquely you.

Want bright red walls in the living room? A dining room with a poker table instead of a place to eat? When it’s your house, you get to make the rules. “Ditch ‘safe’ designs in favor of creative accents and personal touches to make your abode feel one-of-a-kind—just like you,” said Martha Stewart, for “home decorating tips to begin adding a healthy dose of personality into your home.”

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