Pantone® Reveals 2018 Home Design and Color Trend Forecast

Last Updated on January 7, 2020

At the “International Home + Housewares Show,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone® Color Institute, revealed what color and design trends we can expect to see in 2018. As a world-renowned color authority and provider of color systems, designers and consumers alike are turning to this market leader for predictions on what the trends of the upcoming year will be. Once known for just “Color of the Year” predictions, the team at Pantone has expanded its expertise to include seasonal color forecasts and general home design trends based on worldwide pop culture, movies, the art scene, architecture, retail, theater and consumer goods.

Brace yourself for five home design trends and eight color palettes that are sure to grace homes in the coming year.

Pantone Predicts Home Design Trends for 2018

Geometric Patterns

Geometry may not have been your best subject in high school, but incorporating geometric patterns into your home décor can truly add up when it comes to creating a dynamic look. This versatile mosaic tile pattern (named “Murano”) can be applied to any room in your home – from the backsplash in your kitchen and bathroom, to striking wallpaper in living rooms and bedrooms. If you’re not ready to give this the full treatment, try adding a pillow or throw with a geometric design as a test.

Typography

Saying it “like it is” continues to be a hot trend, as messaging on everything from pillows to home goods remains a fun way to complement the “story” of a specific room. People have a fascination with using letters and words as a design element, as this is a form of expression and personal passion.

Wood Treatments

Next year, if not already, will be the time when design trends are brought back down to Earth for a while and reconnected with natural elements – like wood. As technology continues to advance, design experts expect to see wood showing up in unexpected places, such as ceilings and accent walls. Below, rustic wooden cabinets play a starring role in this all-white contemporary bathroom. For a subtle look, try placing plants in natural wood planters around your home. Or, show off hand-carved wooden bowls to add richness to a space.

Fringe

What was once old is new again. Next year, look for fringe on everything from throw pillows, blankets and window treatments to smaller pieces of furniture like ottomans and footrests. It’s a classic throwback to visits to grandma’s house, when fringed lampshades and bed spreads were all the rave.

Iridescent Accents

The shiny new trend of iridescent colors may be new to the design scene, but experts predict this to be around for a while. Prices will become more affordable as the look becomes more popular. Featured below is an iridescent glass mosaic tile backsplash named Liberty Diamond from Granite Transformations. It shines and sparkles in the sun, making it a gorgeous focal point of any space.

Pantone Predicts Trending Colors for 2018

As the color authority, you wouldn’t expect anything less from Pantone than a spectrum of color palette predictions that has something for everyone. Last June, Leatrice Eiseman presented the company’s 2018 forecast for interior design color trends, and she said: “Intense colors seem to be a natural application of our intense lifestyles and thought processes these days.”

Here are the eight palettes you can expect to see in 2018:

Resourceful: This palette shows off complementary colors on the color wheel, such as oranges and blues which combine warm and cool tones. As Eiseman says: “You just can’t avoid looking at.”

Verdure: These colors are reminiscent of nature as they reflect colors found in plants and vegetables like celery, foliage, and berry-infused purples and eggshell blue. This palette is symbolic of health and well-being.

Playful: Coined as whimsical and quirky, this palette is a fun combination of bright-hearted colors with names such as “Minion Yellow,” “Lime Popsicle,” “Green Flash” and “Skydiver.”

Discretion: Pink takes on a new meaning in this palette as subtle hues such as “Elderberry,” “Burnished Lilac” and “Hawthorne Rose” are combined with strengthening tones. According to Eiseman: “Pink has developed more power than ever before.”

Far-fetched: This palette embraces a host of different cultures and showcases warm, earthy tones like “Cornsilk Yellow,” which are combined with rosy tones and others such as “Iced Coffee” and “Ruby Wine.”

Intricacy: Metallics are the new neutral and they are captured in this dramatic palette which features “Holly Berry Red” and “Sulfur” (Yellow).

Intensity: Appropriately named, this palette is an eclectic mix of colors that Eiseman says conveys, “a certain strength, power, depth and sophistication.” Hues such as plum, blue and blue-green are paired with the brightness of orange “Emberglow,” “Molten Lava” and “Bossa Nova.” This mix is rounded out with golds and blacks to complete the look.

TECH-nique: In today’s high-tech society, it’s no surprise there’s a palette to reflect this current age. This palette features colors “that seem to shine from within,” according to Eiseman, and includes vibrant hues such as blue, green, fuchsia and purple, which are paired with iridescent peacock tones like turquoise and hot pink. They are all offset by beautiful neutrals that include “Brilliant White” and “Frosted Almond.”

Find a Granite Transformations store near you and see how our remodeling experts can bring any of these color palettes to life in your home.