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color trends

These Are The Colors Everyone Is Talking About In 2018

There's a new minimalist color palette in town, and it doesn't involve grey.

Headshot of Danielle FoxBy Danielle Fox

While 2017 was all about tropical green, warm neutrals, and sophisticated camel accents, color palettes took an edgier turn this year. Think fiery reds, metallics, and, of course, a lot of Ultra Violet — the Pantone color of the year. These home decor trends will continue to define the months to come and seep into 2019's design visual boards.

If you need some help imagining how they might play out in your own space, look no further than the rooms below.

Caviar Black

trend colors 2018
Pantone

'Caviar' is a black that's on the cusp of charcoal, so it pairs well with dark grays and won't contrast too starkly with furniture in deeper shaders.

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Nero Black Marble Accent Table, $269, Crate & Barrel

Statement Turquoise

color trends 2018
Richard Powers

This vibrant shade isn't demure in the slightest, and makes a bold statement on the wall. Try a single accent wall in a bedroom, or fill an entire space with this forward-thinking shade. If you love blue but not this blue, check out our list of designers' favorite shades.

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Modern Ball Chair, $7,920, Houzz

Sunshine Every Day

2018 color trends
Valspar

This year, turn to sunny goldenrod shades to make a cheerful, cozy statement. Warm, rich yellows feel organic and all-natural, and pair best with cream and blue accents, according to Valspar, which selected Golden Ochre as one of their colors of the year.

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Flossie Sheep Ottoman, $79.99, Viv + Rae

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Sophisticated Blush

color trends
Graham & Brown

Graham & Brown's 2018 pick is Penelope, a shade of dusty rose that reimagines neutral home styling. This barely-there color combines the simple chic of ecru and the vivacity of a classic pink.

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Losange Rosewater Settee, $1,798.00, Anthropologie

Rich Earth Tones

2018 color trends
Valspar

This shadowy umber shade is Valspar's Charcoal Brown, a lush earth tone that feels both sophisticated and natural. Pair it with faded red and green accents for a relaxed room.

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New York Yorkville Tassel Pillow, $129, Kate Spade

Vibrant, Deep Red

color trends
Benjamin Moore

Benjamin Moore picked the vivid Caliente as their color of the year. This lively shade of red is designed to stand out, but an accent wall in this fiery color can help energize and harmonize a space.

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Odyssey White dining table, $199, CB2

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Shades Of Purple

color-trends
Simon Upton

Pantone named Ultra Violet the 2018 Color of the Year, and it's easy to see why. This rich, thoughtful shade of purple adds energy and depth to any room. Whether you're adventurous enough to commit to an all-purple color scheme, or prefer to experiment with home accessories first, this complex hue is one to watch.

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Hand Blown Eggplant Table Lamp, $84.99, Wayfair

Black As A Statement Color

color trends
Simon Upton

There's no denying we're in love with all-black rooms, and 2018 is totally onboard with the sleek and sexy trend. According to Trendir, black should be treated as a neutral this year, considering it complements nearly any theme or color palette. From black floors to black chandeliers, it is the perfect way to add some drama to your space.

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Lucca Indoor/Outdoor Chandelier, $399, Pottery Barn

Minimalist Pastels

color trends
Sherwin-Williams

Black-and-white interiors had their time to shine, but 2018 is ready to give way to a new minimalist palette. Soft, washed pastels like mint greens and sandy pinks will totally reimaginesimple modern design in the coming year, according to Sherwin-Williams.

“Sincerity is about mindful living and creating an environment to disconnect and recharge," says Sue Wadden, Sherwin-Williams' director of marketing. Soft, washed neutrals, greens and sanctuary pinks work together to create harmony.”

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Round Wire Basket Large, $18.99, Target

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Pink As A Power Color

color trends
Joshua McHugh

It's official: pink is losing it's gendered connotations. It evokes so many feelings that everyone can relate to, from joy to lust, making for the perfect mood-enhancing paint color.

Pantone predicts that 2018 will the year millennial pink shape-shifts into a stronger, more complex version of itself. "Pink has developed more power than ever before," said Leatrice Eiseman, the Pantone Color Institute's executive director.

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Laundered Linen Throw, $194, Pine Cole Hill

Serene Shades Of Blue

color trends
Behr

An overwhelming trend for decor in 2018 appears to be creating tech-free sanctuaries, where you actually find a little relief in unplugging and actually relaxing. Behr's first-ever Color Of The Year, appropriately called In The Moment T18-15, is a casual and calm blue that immediately makes you feel more at peace.

"In The Moment speaks to our society's desire to disconnect and be present," said Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr. "It crosses multiple design styles — global, coastal, modern — and pairs well with other subdued colors to create harmony for interiors or exteriors."

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White Dome Pendant Light, $243, Progress Lighting

Vibrant Yellows And Greens

color trends
Simon Upton

Filling your home with vibrant colors shouldn't be considered a design risk, and in 2018, Pantone predicts that it won't be. In their Playful color scheme, you'll find shades like vibrant yellow and lime popsicle that will bring you a childlike joy."People need to stop and smile," said Eiseman. Design doesn't always have to be so serious!

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Ceramic Cockatoo Sculptures, $345, Chelsea House

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Palettes Inspired By Travel

color trends
Sherwin-Williams

Thanks to social media, everyone seems to be talking about travel. Even if you aren't a regular jet-setter, you can still draw color inspiration from around the world. If you live in California, it doesn't mean your palette needs to be nature-inspired or if you're a New Yorker, you have to embrace industrial-inspired shades. In fact, we predict this year is going to be all about going against the grain in terms of color choices.

Sherwin-Williams' color story Unity, pictured here, is inspired by the connection of people and places. It beautifully pairs unexpected colors like striking blue, animated fuchsia, and creamy yellow.

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Cane Large Gray Wash Pendant Light, $129, Pier 1

Metallics As Neutrals

color trends
Thomas Loof

According to Pantone, metallics are no longer a dramatic color choice. In fact, they're part of the "new neutrals" for 2018, says Eiseman. Whether your choose to inset your ceiling with gold paper, like the room pictured here, or add a few gold accessories throughout your space, apparently gilded is the new white marble.

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Curve Gold Side Table, $399, CB2

Tech Green

color trends
Sherwin-Williams

“In Silicon Valley, Austin, Berlin and Beijing, techies are the new hippies, full of breakthrough ideas and utopian ideals,” Wadden of Sherwin-Williams says. “Connectivity is modern and playful, bringing in dark watery tones of blue that are balanced with neutrals, warm yellow and energetic purples.” Get tech-friendly, not just with your smart home devices, but your color choices, too!

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Gini 6-light Sputnik Chandelier, $207.99, AllModern

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