Your colour trend forecast for 2021

2020 has been quite a year. Our in-house team of designers have been eagerly waiting for various experts to weigh in with their colour of the year announcements for 2021 – what could be coming now that nobody really can predict what’s coming?

In this article we look at three specific expert organisations and their colour of the year for 2021:

• Shutterstock
• Dulux Paint
• The Pantone Colour Institute

2020, through its many complex challenges, encourages us to do better, be better, and find better ways to live on this earth. Events beyond our control have made us realise what matters in life: connection, grounding, and being present.

Read on to discover what the colour trends have in store for 2021.

Shutterstock: data-based colour trends

Every year, Shutterstock examines which colours have seen increased activity in the last year on their site. They measure their colour trends based on visual asset downloads and the emerging colour themes.

By looking at the HEX code data in each pixel, Shutterstock analyses the hues that are primed to dominate in the year to come. These are the colours that will tell the story of 2021, appealing to universal audiences in visuals across the world.

We touched on Shutterstock’s colours of 2021 briefly in our article An exclusive party just for you: this is your home decor guide to January 2021, specifically looking at the intensely rich Fortuna Gold (#DAA520).

Their advice –

“Create a striking palette by embracing its amber qualities and pair Fortuna Gold with other jewel tones, like amethyst purple and turquoise green.” – Shutterstock

Other colours that they’ve seen skyrocketing globally are Set Sail Champagne (#FAEBD7) and Tidewater Green (#2F4F4F). We love these choices, as they’re all complementary with each other and can be used in a variety of ways, either all together or on their own. 20 countries around the world have their own micro-trends too, according to Shutterstock – check them out!

Read The ‘stay home’ holiday season: trending styles in 2020 for useful ways to use these delicious colour combinations this winter. >

Brave Ground: impacting public and private spaces in 2021

Brave Ground is the Dulux Colour of the Year 2021, as chosen by colour specialists at the Global Aesthetic Centre. It’s a warm, versatile neutral that encourages us to start small, find courage, and embrace change.

Every year, Dulux creates suggested colour palettes based on their colour of the year. View these colour palettes here, they’re gorgeous!

Brave Ground is a perfect choice for embracing wabi-sabi aesthetics or considering Belgian interior décor styling.

The Pantone Colour of the Year inspires grounding and optimism

Pantone’s Colour of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries for over 20 years. The industries they influence are diverse to say the least, from fashion and industrial design to interior furnishings and product packaging.

They also provide seasonal trend forecasts, colour psychology consulting to partner with global brands. The aim of all of this is to “leverage the power, psychology, and emotion of colour” in the design strategy of brands all over the world.

They have chosen two colours as a marriage in balance for 2021: Ultimate Grey (PANTONE 17-5104) paired with Illuminating (PANTONE 13-0647). They describe their colour choice for 2021 as

Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Grey + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is one of strength and positivity. It is a story of colour that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly. – source

FibreGuard stain-resistant fabrics in 2021

These colour selections all point to our deep need as individuals for transformation, courage and optimism.

We are here to support you in this, from our inspirational articles here on our website to our easy clean furnishing fabrics that perform no matter what is happening in the world.