Ok, so I am massively behind in sharing the Pantone Colour of the Year 2020 news, but I figure there may be people out there who don’t follow trends as closely as I do so may still be in the dark. Every December, The Pantone Colour Institute announces its Colour of the Year for the following year, and I sometimes (rarely) cover it here as long as I have something to say about it.
To be honest, I’ve never really found Pantone to be the most relevant when it comes to interiors. I know they take a much broader view and look at fashion, print, packaging, textiles, cosmetics, plastics and graphic design amongst others and perhaps their predictions are more relevant to those industries. I’m mostly surprised when their public announcement is made and usually struggle to see how the colour will translate into our homes.
I started this blog in 2009, and over the years I’ve examined a few of these choices. You can read the posts here:
If I didn’t write about them, it’s more than likely that I just didn’t see that they were going to make that big of an impact in interiors. Take greenery for example, anyone want to paint a room in that Kermit shade of green? No, thought not. But had they announced Kale that year, I’d have been all over it!
Anyway, Pantone Colour of the Year 2020, is Classic Blue and I have to say, that whilst it’s not really groundbreaking, and it is a little bit on the safe side, I really do like it. Blue is my favourite colour, I find it very stabilising, grounding and calming and above all easy to live with. So for me personally this is a colour I could decorate my home with. And in fact, I already have. My bedroom is a very similar colour to this and I absolutely love it.
Coatings 
Cosmetics 
Digital 
Packaging 
Plastics 
Print 
Textiles 
Texture
Pantone describes Classic Blue as a timeless and enduring hue which is elegant in its simplicity. They say the resemblance to the sky at dusk gives it reassuring and thought-provoking qualities and highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation from which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era. All sounds very deep!
“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by PANTONE19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on. Imbued with a deep resonance, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue provides an anchoring foundation. A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.”
Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute.
I do agree with Pantone when they say that it is a restful colour that brings a sense of peace and tranquillity to the human spirit and offers refuge. I chose it for my bedroom precisely because I find it restful. Pantone also states that it aids concentration, brings laser-like clarity, re-centres our thoughts and fosters resilience.
Classic Blue apparently lends itself to relaxed interaction, is non-aggressive and easily relatable. Pantone believes that the Colour of the Year highlights the relationship between colour trends and shifts in our global culture.
“As society continues to recognize colour as a critical form of communication, and a way to express and affect ideas and emotions, designers and brands should feel inspired to use colour to engage and connect.”
Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute.
Below are a selection of images showing just how Pantone Colour of the Year 2020 Classic Blue can be used in our homes including a photo of my own bedroom.
My bedroom features a wall painted in Valspar’s Epic Adventure.
The Rebel Classic Blue Modular Sofa from Snug Shack
Louro 100% Cotton Bedspread in Ink Blue from Made.com (affiliate link)
If you are looking to add a few new pieces to your home in Classic Blue, I have rounded up a really nice selection for you.
- The Shorty in Navy – Mustard Made
- Round Blue Planter on Stand – Melody Maison
- Karlsson Mr Blue Wall Clock Steel – The Design Gift Shop
- Grandma Blue Velvet Tassel Stool – Beaumonde
- Holland Sofa – Darlings of Chelsea
- In Deep Water Emulsion and Eggshell Paint – Dowsing and Reynolds
- Rayner Dining Chair Velvet Upholstered Blue – Cult Furniture
- Eichholtz Forever Table Lamp – Sweet Pea & Willow
- Alaska Dark Blue Glass Vase – Habitat (affiliate Link)
- Elona Sideboard Dark Blue and Copper – Made.com (affiliate link)
- Velvet Throw in Dark Blue – Soak & Sleep
- Dascia Grey Ceramic Table Lamp With Navy Blue Velvet Shade – Habitat (affiliate link)
- Little Treasures Ink Blue Optic Vase – Dartington Crystal
- Medium Blue Batea Coffee Table With Storage – woodendot
- Eleanor Bed – Living it up
- Luna by Jonathan Lawes from Look Like Love
- Togo Sofa by Ligne Roset from Heals
- Hampshire Stool – Sweetpea & Willow
So what do you think of the Pantone Colour of the Year 2020? Could you see yourself decorating with this shade of Classic Blue? Do you think this colour represents the zeitgeist for 2020 or do you think Pantone has played it too safe? Let me know in the comments below. And don’t forget to pin this post for later.
Give me blue any day of the year! The fresh, engaging and optimistic color permeates my spirit and makes any day — even ones amidst the coronavirus and civil unrest — a better one. A more hopeful future is ahead when I’m surrounded by blue. Amen, blue.
I think we are kindred colour spirits Mari! Blue is my favourite too. It’s so calming and I have to say since the pandemic I have been spending a lot more time in my blue bedroom.