Pantone's 2023 Color of the Year Is Here—and You're Gonna Wanna Decorate Your House With It

The Pantone Color Institute, aka ~the~ official color experts of the world, have announced their 2023 Color of the Year. Drum roll, please! Introducing, Viva Magenta (PANTONE 18-1750)! She's electrifying, she's a force to be reckoned, and she'd make a fabulous name for a Vegas drag queen. The vibrant shade, described by Pantone as “a nuanced crimson red tone that presents a balance between warm and cool,” is so much more than just the “It” color of the new year. “In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real,” Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director for the Pantone Color Institute, says in a statement. “PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal [insect], one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.” Since Pantone is *kinda* the authority on all things color—surprise, surprise—their annual pick tends to trend BIG, and influence many industries—especially home decor.

Mixing the rich, red tone into your humble abode might seem difficult, especially since she is The New Girl in town, but with some expert advice and recommendations, it's really not hard to bring this bold beauty into your home, promise. “Finding opportunities to incorporate Viva Magenta as an accent in different areas of the room can be a great way to use the color to create visual balance without it being the room's centerpiece,” says Sarah Barnard, a WELL and LEED accredited interior designer.

If the idea of small pops of color makes your maximalist heart palpitate, consider going big and bold with your accent furniture. “Because the deep, floral color is both dramatic and earthy, it makes for a beautiful show-stopping color for upholstered sofas and armchairs for a grounded and invigorating room,” says Barnard. Equally as high impact minus the required assembly, an area rug with splashes of magenta “can have a warming effect that adds comfort and intrigue to a room and can be a great source of contrast,” explains Barnard. So, please take this as your sign to swap out that old, dingy rug your dog likes to scoot around on a little *too* much. It's time to roll out the Viva Magenta carpet for the new year, babe