How To Use Living Coral – Pantone’s Colour Of The Year 2019

A new year brings the inevitable flourish of what’s hot and what’s new on the home trend front, including colour. This year you’ll see an explosion of Pantone’s Living Coral for 2019 and I have to admit I like it.

It’s always intriguing to see what the powers that be decide upon as colour can be a contentious subject as its such a personable choice. And I do wonder if we are ever truly swayed into believing the hype. That said, colour trends are something to consider when decorating our homes. They offer us the chance to rethink and assess our decor choices and consider new possibilities.

How To Use Living Coral – Pantone’s Colour Of The Year 2019

Whilst there was a lot of blah (including myself) for last years Pantone UltraViolet, there has been a more realistic heartfelt welcome for this year’s Living Coral. Maybe, because it has been seeping into various design pieces for a while. It could also be because we’re not really that far away on the colour spectrum of trending pink and orange.

 Living Coral colour is described by Pantone as an “animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energises and enlivens with a softer edge”.

Attention Seeker…

Rather than grabbing the paintbrush and painting those walls, (which I personally would find overwhelming), opt for smaller doses in the form of of statement seating. Whether that be adding a pop of colour to a neutral setting such as this office space above or a more dramatic luxe look with a velvet coral chair to add to a dramatic living room.

Living Coral is an attention-grabbing colour. Consider where and how you’ll use it within your home. Too much and it could send you all of a quiver as it’s a stimulating colour to endure. Visual balance is key to it being a success. Try experimenting with different forms and sizes to keep it from being overbearing within a space.

Living Coral + Neutrals

If you’re willing to embrace Living Coral and prefer a more serene calming scheme add in some neutral colours such as earthy browns, creams and soft greens.

I could quite happily live with this design scheme of soft calming colours that allow Living Coral to be the star of the show without being too much of a diva. Paired with natural earthy tones and a good dose of neutral cream you’ll create a peaceful elegant setting that exudes an air of decadence.

You might be forgiven that using Living Coral as a primary colour in a room would be too much. However, this fabulous Wisteria wallpaper is set upon a neutral background allowing you to play with Living Coral on a larger scale. More dominant forms such as a sofa can be considered due to the repeating coral elegant blooms. It’s a case of balance and knowing how much of it to introduce. Too much and it might end up looking like a peach palace.

If you’re willing to embrace Living Coral and prefer a more serene calming scheme combine with neutral colours together with earthy browns and soft greens.

Living Coral + Colour Splash

Chalk Paint |Annie Sloan | Pina Colada Lampshade – Penelope Hope | Penn Bedside Table Dark Ash – MADE.COM | Rufous Tile Wallpaper – Decoville | Phenix Flamingo Coral House Cushion – Beaumonde | Mellow Teal Velvet King Size Bed – Danetti| eppich Alfombra Safari Koralle Rug – Traumteppich | Judy Baa Stool In Teal – BAA Stool

Paired with its true complementary colour blue, Living Coral is right at home. Here I’ve used teal in my mood board above, but you could opt for softer blues which would create a fresher cleaner look to a room like the image below.

Although, it might be too bright a stimulating colour for a bedroom space for some, for others it may not. Living Coral would work well to highlight and draw your attention to a bedroom’s main focal point, the bed.

Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits, PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral embodies our desire for playful expression.

Pantone

“Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature of Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral welcomes and encourages lighthearted activity.”

Pantone

For those of you that prefer the darker moodier vibes, Living Coral would work wonderfully with inkier darker shades of blue such as navy with metalic touches to lift and add a luxe look.

TIP: Consider opting for wallpaper that allows you to introduce Living Coral without it dominating the room.

Accessorise!

Used as an accent colour Living Coral works beautifully. But be warned it’s not subtle and will draw the eye to wherever you decide to introduce it.

Put it to work by using it to highlight a focal area within a room where you want to draw attention to rather than dot it around. Overused as an accent colour, Living Coral will result in visual conflict. Your eye won’t settle and will follow it around the room resulting in your focal point being lost.

Tempt Your Inner Colour Lover…

As always, if you’re really not feeling brave enough to implement Living Coral in your main living spaces, experiment with the downstairs loo or bathroom. This fab Undersea wallpaper is perfect for either. It may even be the stepping stone to building your colour confidence with the rest of your home.

Have I tempted you to consider introducing Living Coral into your homes? Or are we turning a blind eye this year and looking elsewhere for your colour fix? It would be lovely to hear your views…

Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!

Maria xx