What Is the Color of the Year—and Who Decides?
Every December, design insiders and trend watchers start dropping the same big question: what’s the color of the year? It’s not just a marketing stunt. The color of the year is a tone chosen to reflect the mood, values, and mindset of the current moment. It goes beyond aesthetics—this is a shorthand for the cultural pulse.
Organizations like Pantone and major paint companies (think Sherwin-Williams or Behr) each name their own version. It’s decided by teams of color experts who analyze everything from social movements and economic shifts to runway shows and street style. They spend months spotting patterns before zeroing in on the one hue they believe best captures the emotional temperature of the coming year.
Why does it matter? Because color affects how we feel, what we buy, and even how we behave. In design and fashion, the color of the year spreads fast—it’s in your Instagram feed, on displays in department stores, in product packaging, and yes, on accent walls in your living room. Love it or hate it, the chosen shade gets into the bloodstream of visual culture.
Ultimately, the color of the year offers a lens to look at what matters most in this moment—one pigment at a time.
There’s a reason muted earthy greens are having a moment—they’re steady, grounded, and quietly confident. The shade trending in interior circles right now is a soft olive-gray hybrid: think forest after rainfall or dried sage leaves. It’s not flashy, not loud, but it doesn’t fade into the background either.
This color tells a story of calm persistence. It creates a mood that’s focused and unfussy. Rooms painted in it feel deliberate, not staged, like someone took their time getting things just right. Unlike stark whites or moody darks, this tone holds a middle ground—relaxed but grounded. It plays well with natural wood, matte blacks, stone, and warm neutrals.
You’ll spot it everywhere from minimalist studios to rustic cabins. In modern lofts, it pairs with metal and glass for a cool, understated vibe. In eclectic homes, it’s the quiet thread tying together bolder elements. And with enough daylight, it adds softness to even the hardest edges.
Bottom line: it’s a shade that doesn’t need the spotlight to do its job. Solid, adaptable, and exactly what many homes—and minds—are craving right now.
Sometimes, a full room makeover isn’t necessary—or realistic. Adding new color into your vlogging space can be simple, clean, and low-commitment. Start with an accent wall. A single bold color, used sparingly, can add depth to your background without hijacking the frame. Choose matte finishes over gloss; stay away from overly trendy patterns unless they tie into your brand.
Textiles are another quiet power move. Swap in throw pillows, an eye-catching rug, or new curtains that quietly echo your chosen color. These smaller touches can seriously shift the feel of your space without requiring a paintbrush.
Don’t forget shelves. Whether it’s a ceramic vase, a book spine, or a framed print, you can layer color into your set with detail that supports—not steals—the shot. And here’s the key: if you’re unsure, make it temporary. Removable wallpaper, swappable slipcovers, and rented decor pieces can make a big impact without locking you in. Vlogging is a long game—your space should evolve as you do.
Statement colors don’t need to stand alone—they can carry an entire home if you know how to balance them. Start by building a full room palette around your chosen shade. Let’s say it’s a deep olive green. From there, pick lighter tints for furniture or curtains, and darker tones for accents like throw pillows, trim, or shelving. The goal isn’t to match everything, but to echo the core color in a way that feels natural, not forced.
Balance is the next piece. Statement colors need a steady hand or they’ll overwhelm. Neutrals—off white, soft gray, light wood—can hold the space without falling flat. Or, if you’re the type to push the envelope, contrast tones like terracotta or navy can sharpen the aesthetic without bleeding into chaos.
Finally, think like a director moving through scenes. If that bold color is in your living room, consider weaving it into artwork or textiles in the hallway. Let it show up in small, repeated moments. This creates flow without repetition, continuity without repetition. One strong color, used intentionally, can thread your entire home together.
Color makes or breaks a vlog’s visual feel—and in 2024, deliberate choices win. Complementary colors (think blue and orange, red and green, or purple and yellow) create tension and energy. Use them when you want to pop. Contrasting schemes like black and white or jewel tones on pastels draw the eye without overwhelming it. These work well when you’re layering design or adding text overlays.
Lighting is about chemistry. Warm light (think natural, golden-hour tones) pairs well with warm palettes—burnt orange, ochre, rust, peach. Cool light (fluorescent, LEDs, overcast daylight) works best with cooler shades like navy, mint, gray, and icy blue. Match your palette to your lighting, or risk color distortion that throws off your shot and your vibe.
As for bold vs. soft? It depends on the space. A bold palette works for high-energy spots—kitchens, home studios, spaces where you want action and storytelling. Softer hues bring a sense of calm and polish, ideal for intros, sit-downs, or personal long-form updates. Know the room’s job, then paint accordingly.
Accent color isn’t just for the living room anymore. In 2024, bolder tones are making their way into the corners you wouldn’t expect—and that’s the whole point.
Entryways, powder rooms, even garages are being used as backdrops for color experiments. A two-tone garage wall or a punchy coat closet tells visitors something right away: this place has personality. These high-traffic, short-stay zones are perfect for going bold without long-term fatigue.
In the kitchen, it’s all about contrast. Vloggers and designers are spotlighting kitchen islands, cabinet interiors, and even appliance panels in statement shades that pop against neutral countertops. It’s not loud—it’s deliberate.
Laundry rooms and home offices are finally getting some love too. Small splashes of color here bring energy to repetitive tasks. A vibrant backsplash behind your desk, or custom shelving in a rich tone? Beats blank walls and beige boredom.
Outdoors, color is carrying its weight. Front doors in citrus tones, earthy-painted planters, or a bright bench on the porch can shift a home’s whole mood. These updates don’t need big budgets or time sinks. They just need a bit of guts.
Bottom line: there’s no such thing as an off-limits space when it comes to color. Especially not anymore.
Color as a Cohesive Force in Open-Concept Living
Open-concept layouts remain a popular choice for modern homes, but without thoughtful design, these expansive interiors can feel disjointed. One of the most effective design tools to bring harmony to open spaces? Color.
Use Color to Unify Open-Concept Spaces
Instead of viewing each area—living room, dining area, kitchen—as separate zones, consider how a cohesive color palette can visually connect them. A consistent color story helps the eye flow from one space to another without distraction.
- Choose a base color that runs throughout the space for walls and key pieces of furniture
- Use complementary or analogous accent colors for pillows, rugs, and art
- Repeat subtle undertones (like warm greys or soft greens) to create continuity without monotony
Blend Your Color Scheme with Lighting
Lighting enhances how color is perceived, adding dimension, warmth, and mood. To bring more depth to your chosen palette:
- Use layered lighting — a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting
- Choose bulbs with color temperatures that align with your palette (cool tones for crisp whites, warm tones for earthy shades)
- Consider statement fixtures that play off your dominant color for added cohesion
A well-lit, color-unified open space feels elevated and intentional—without needing walls to define it.
(For more design insight, check out: 10 Must-Have Features in New Home Design Plans)
Choosing the right paint finish is an underrated detail, but it makes a big difference. Matte works well in low-traffic areas like bedrooms and ceilings—it hides imperfections but scuffs easily. Satin has a soft sheen that’s more durable, making it ideal for living rooms or hallways. Gloss or semi-gloss? Save them for trim, doors, or bathrooms where wipe-downs are frequent. Think of it like this: the shinier the wall, the harder it works.
For high-traffic spaces like mudrooms, kitchens, or kids’ play areas, durability is king. Go with scrubbable, stain-resistant paints—many brands now offer formulas specifically designed for wear and tear. Choose finishes you won’t regret after the tenth mop-up.
Color also shifts how a room feels. Light, cool colors (like soft blues and pale grays) open up tight spaces, making them look bigger. Warm or dark shades (like terracotta or deep green) wrap the room, adding a cozy, grounded feel. The trick? Use color intentionally. Let it do the work of reshaping the space without knocking out walls.
Trends come and go, but throwing yourself at every one is a fast way to lose your way—and your audience. The smarter move? Use trends as tools, not roadmaps. A popular format or aesthetic can be a boost, but only if it aligns with what you already do well. That shade of the year or editing style? Let it echo your voice, not drown it out.
In 2024, intentional experimentation is the name of the game. Try out a new hook style, or film a vlog in a trending challenge format, but keep your core present. You’re not blending in—you’re adding depth.
Start small. One element at a time. A new lighting setup, a shift in color grading, or a tweak to your intro. Layer thoughtfully. When your aesthetic grows with your content, it feels authentic—and audiences notice. Great design—and great vlogging—doesn’t come from jumping on every wave. It comes from building your look and voice, step by step.