Illuminating + Ultimate Gray: Pantone 2021 Is Two Colors in One

The Research Institute selects a Color of the Year for over twenty years, but it chose two colors only once — in 2016. Why did they make an exception for 2021, what are these shades, and how can they be integrated into your interior?

Quickly about what the Color of the Year by Pantone means

Every year, specialists at the Color Institute analyze color shades used in design and art, choose one of the most popular ones, and announce it as the Color of the Coming Year in December.

Research helps everyone working with visual imagery, because the Color of the Year by Pantone is the most interesting to society and thus can influence product promotion. Learn more about how the Color Institute works here.

What colors did they choose this year?Illuminating, or 'Illuminating' — a bright, joyful, warming shade of yellow full of solar energy.

Ultimate Gray, or 'Perfect Gray' — about resilience and strength. According to Pantone experts, this shade is intended to inspire, bring calmness, and stability.

Why exactly these two?

"Illuminating and Ultimate Gray are two independent colors whose union creates an inspiring color pair, combining the sense of depth and thoughtfulness with an optimistic promise of a sunny day," explained Pantone.

Since the choice of the Research Institute always reflects recent events and societal moods, the Color (or Colors) of the Year is also a message. Judging by the results, the 2021 color pair encourages not to hang your head low and not to lose hope, especially since these shades do indeed have a calming effect, and color therapy is never canceled.

How to use the color pair in interior design?

We’ve gathered ready-made solutions for every room in the house — explore and try them out on your home.

Gray + light wood — a popular base in modern urban apartments. A pair of accessories in the current yellow tone — and a stylish interior is ready!

Designer Marina Novikova added the trendy Illuminating to the bedroom interior using bed upholstery.

And we also see it by the window, in the palette of autumn leaves.

Another idea with a bed in the 'Illuminating' shade is featured in Yuliya Andrievskaya’s project.

Here, the trendy yellow is accentuated with pillows and paintings.

The easiest way to add the 2021 color pair to your interior is to create such a set of pillows.

Though, it can be even simpler — just go to IKEA for a yellow stool. Of course, if you already have a gray kitchen like in Vera Tarlovskaya’s project.

Tile with geometric patterns is a simple trick for this bathroom. The yellow on a gray background can be one of the walls…

…or part of the kitchen cabinets, as in Tatiana Fursanova’s project.

This is a solution for the brave. But it looks stunning!

Did you like the 2021 Color of the Year? Vote and share your impressions of Pantone’s choice in the comments.