Jul 12, 2023 | Flooring America
Design by Kandrac & Kole | Photography by Emily Followill
The naming of Pantone’s “color of the year” is always a harbinger of style trends to come, and the 2023 color of the year, a bold Viva Magenta is no exception. Look for punches of vibrant color in interior design —including flooring. This year is all about infusing your space with personality and using color trends to add visual understanding to your design!
“Trending for 2023 is color. As we emerge from the pandemic, people are energized and ready to jump back into a life of travel, entertainment, and social events. This energy translates to color,” said interior design duo Joann Kandrac and Kelly Kole of Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs in Atlanta. “The colors trending for 2023 in home furnishing will be ochre, persimmon, tobacco, moss, and other staples such as blush and navy. We will also see color brought into homes through biophilic design, aka bringing nature indoors to foster a feeling of health and wellness. We will continue to maximize big punches of color in our designs through art, lamps, rugs, and pillows.”
Hardwood Flooring by Flooring America/Flooring Canada
The first step when embarking on color design is to effectively understand the color wheel. As most of us learn from an early age, the color wheel is made up of three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. When these colors are combined, we create secondary colors: green, orange, and purple. Lastly, there are intermediate colors which are the colors you get from combining a primary and a secondary.
Now, for the age-old question in interior design: what colors go well together? If you have a hardwood floor in earthy tones, what color should your walls be? There are several good answers to this question and the right choice for you often depends on personal taste! Complimentary colors, or colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel like orange and blue, work to contrast the intensity of each other, whereas analogous colors, or colors that are next to each other on the color wheel like blue and green work in combination and blend nicely. Analogous colors are often easiest to match since they're so similar and you can play with shades and hues. You can also match triad colors, which are a third of the color wheel removed from each other, and applies contrast in intensity that works best when one color is lighter or darker than the other.
Encourage self-expression but stay within the limits of the color wheel and notice which colors complement each other and which ones do not. Earth tones, such as terracotta, rustic greige, and Spanish moss tie together nicely to create an overall cozy appeal. A bright shade like raspberry blush, or viva magenta on the other hand, would easily harmonize with a warm neutral shade like creamy white or beige.
Blue Cellular Shades by Graber
Picture this: An inviting blank slate, open to all the creative services employed by your imagination. What colors do you like? What do you want to be the most immediately noticeable element in the room? Do you draw inspiration in your daily life from soothing shades and cool accents or do you treasure bold visuals and want your space to have a unique feel?
You want your accent color to be something that you can easily match with the other design elements in your room, so keep in mind your existing design when choosing your accent color. Think about the 60/30/10 rule. 60 percent of your room should be made up of the main color (typically a neutral), with 30 percent made up of the main accent color and 10 percent of the secondary accent color. This is why so many homeowners choose white as the main color. White easily harmonizes with any color palette and provides a crisp, fresh look. This blank canvas effortlessly offers space for other colors to pop and simple design elements to shine.
Accent colors that are easy to match include:
Here are a few easy ways to incorporate colors economically into your design to give your home a charming and cozy appeal.
Luxury Vinyl Stone Look by Flooring America/Flooring Canada
A simple way to incorporate a splash of color, backsplashes and wall tiles are the perfect addition to your bathroom, kitchens, and laundry rooms alike. Whether you're looking to add a bold blue shower wall in the master bath or a green backsplash behind the kitchen sink, wall tiles are your best friend as they add color and visual depth to your design. Plus, you can find them in a wide array of colors, sizes, and materials making it easy to match your existing design style.
Gray Patterned Carpet by Flooring America/Flooring Canada
Using vibrant colors and rich jewel tones in accent furniture and walls is the perfect way to add a daub of color to your home without making a big commitment. With the Pantone color institute naming Viva Magenta 2023 color of the year, rich reds and pinks are on the rise. Incorporate these colors through upholstery, paint, trim, and even wallpaper, to add warmth to your rooms.
Patterned Carpet by Flooring America/Flooring Canada
With the latest advancements in flooring technology, luxury vinyl has never looked more like hardwood, engineered hardwood floors have never been more waterproof, and carpet fibers are stronger than ever. Now's the time to invest in bold flooring whether with a patterned carpet in the home office, a rich hardwood with prominent grain in the bedroom, or a bright area rug in the living room.
Rezone White Mosaic Porcelain by Emser Tile
Perhaps the quickest way to bring color to your home is through artwork and decor. These smaller elements are the perfect place to incorporate the secondary accent color as they typically take up less surface area than a wall or a floor. Artwork effortlessly integrates color while lending dynamic texture and visual impact to your space.
Curious to learn more about the other design trends? Read our blog on "The Top Five 2023 Flooring Trends." And when you've hit your fill of inspiration and you're ready to begin your next design project, get in contact with the design experts at Flooring America and check out our extensive flooring catalog.