Every December, the design world eagerly awaits as the Pantone Institute selects its Color of the Year. The choice for 2023, announced last week, is none other than Viva Magenta 18-750, a vibrant relative of the red family. Described as “a nuanced crimson tone” that balances warm and cool, Viva Magenta is “an unconventional shade for an unconventional time,” Pantone said in a statement unveiling its pick, “a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength.”
Now in its 23rd year of selecting the annual color, Pantone considered the challenging times society has faced in recent years amidst a health pandemic and subsequent devastating losses, and how they have shaped perspective, values, and attitudes in finding a color for 2023. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute stated, “We wanted something that will lift us up to the positive, both physically and psychologically. We didn’t want somber or dreary… Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative”. Other words the company uses to characterize the color — and, by extension, the current cultural moment — include powerful, empowering, electrifying, boundaryless, audacious, and inclusive.
Softer and more playful than a classic red, which is often associated with “unrelenting passion” and all-or-nothing energy, Viva Magenta encourages hope. “Magenta’s vibrant color has the power to fill us with a sense of optimism, a beautiful reminder that something – or someone – can help us transform ourselves and our surroundings. We aspire to embody this energy and spirit in our everyday lives. The color also represents change. It is “a hopeful reminder that brighter days are just around the corner. We are looking at the red family because red is a color of optimism and hopefulness, but it also has that warm, uplifting quality of being stimulating,” said Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “We have had to adapt; we have had to think about things differently. We have had to recalibrate our lives and priorities, personally and professionally,” Pressman said. “We wanted to reflect on what’s been going on in the world, and as we think about color for next year, we’re really thinking about hope for tomorrow. As people continue to cope with an uncertain world and a changing global landscape, they will seek out color in a variety of different ways. This confident and self-assured color is a strong reflection of what we see taking place in our culture at this moment in time. It’s a color that encourages us to step up and stand out, particularly in our collective response to the ongoing pandemic.”
Magenta itself is an extra-specular color, not found in the light spectrum that is visible to the human eye. Rather, it exists only as a perception of the blend of the colors red and violet. Magenta combines the power, passion, and energy of red with the reflective, quiet energy of violet.
Past Color of the Year winners have included such choices as Marsala from 2015, Greenery from 2017, and Very Peri from last year. “Greenery was about the future, Very Peri was about the uncertainty and cautious optimism of the moment, and Viva Magenta is about stepping forward and re-energizing,” says Eisman. It’s a hopeful color that’s just right for the times. We haven’t seen a shade of red show up on Pantone’s popular color trend announcement for eight years, with the release of Marsala in 2015. Pantone describes Viva Magenta as powerful and empowering, encouraging the freedom of self-expression and experimentation.
As we choose to go into the new year determined to focus on things most important to us and begin to find our way out of the dark times of the past years, Viva Magenta is a visual punch of color that conveys that determination and strength. Bringing a bit of the feel of the bright colors of spring that bring joy and cheer, while also standing out with an undeniable imbued energy. Magenta is classically associated with love, passion, and desire and hints at a posh, sensual element to life. It has a sense of power as well as an intangible feeling that things are about to explode into motion. It’s a color that may be indeterminate as to what you are really feeling but suggests passion just the same.
Pantone’s decision comes during a year when paint companies are seeing a rise in the popularity of bolder colors for paint interior walls. Bright, vibrant pinks and reds have long been considered a controversial and overpowering choice but are gaining favor with designers and homeowners, as it brings energy into a space without taking up visual real estate and oppressing the room, the way a dark color like black or even deep chocolate brown can sometimes do.
Viva Magenta is very versatile and will elevate the feel of any room. It’s a lively, vivacious color that is sure to bring good vibes to any space. It’s bold enough to make a statement and exist well on its own. It’s a robust and saturated color, it doesn’t need contrast to be seen. A perfect choice for bedrooms, living rooms, and offices alike, it can easily bring a sense of joy and vibrancy to any space. Use Viva Magenta in spaces where you want to evoke a sense of drama. Pairing it with its neighbors on the color wheel such as orange, purple, and periwinkle blue seems a natural choice. It also goes well with lighter shades of pink, purple, and blue, and is a great way to add a bit of color and brightness to a room. You can soften Viva Magenta by pairing it with muted earthy hues like creamy vanilla and light pink. You can also create contrast by using lighter tones and letting the boldness of magenta stand out on its own.
Ready to bring Viva Magenta into your home? Paint is a great option! Be it an accent wall to add a pop of color or committing to painting an entire space, this vibrant hue is sure to complement any room that is looking to make a statement and create a lively atmosphere. The bold, outspoken color works especially well in spaces such as dining rooms, bringing with it an air of glamour and sophistication. When painting, make sure to use a primer before painting with Viva Magenta to ensure that the color will be vibrant and long-lasting!
If painting is not an option for you, or an entire wall of magenta seems a bit daunting, below are a few ways you can use easily changeable decor pieces to tap into the spirit of Viva Magenta without the long-term commitment:
Rugs are the perfect way to add pattern or color to any room without changing the decor. A bold magenta rug paired with softer, neutral furnishings can ground a space and add a bright, visual excitement to your decor. Artwork is another way to add color to walls without changing the room entirely. Try an eye-catching art piece with elements of Viva Magenta to embody the playful optimism and self-expression the color evokes. A few select accents in the same tone can bring the room together and ensure a cohesive feel.
For bedrooms and living rooms, even just a few cushions on a sofa or a plush throw draped across the foot of a bed or side chair can bring the liveliness of Viva Magenta into your home. Throws are a simple, inexpensive way to add this bold color to your home and are also more purposeful. With a vast variety to choose from, select one that you’d love to snuggle under. To add warmth and coziness to the palette, pair it with upholstered furniture in a neutral gray or brown.
To energize your kitchen and create a playful space for the family to gather, look for appliances in Viva Magenta to add subtle pops of color on the counter or cabinet. In the bathroom, you can easily incorporate magenta through rugs, towels, soaps, and shower curtains. Add small accents of Viva Magenta in your home through glasses, plates, vases, placemats, and lamps for bursts of energy without overwhelming the space.
Any way you choose to take advantage of this vivid, exciting color in your home, it’s sure to lift your spirits every time you see it and turn your home into a haven that will rejuvenate and replenish your spirit!
Viva Magenta will be a defining moment for the future of color and design. The vibrant yet versatile hue will surely inspire us to explore, create, and embrace all the possibilities that lie ahead in the new year. Pantone has given us a new, exciting opportunity to express ourselves and push the boundaries of our imaginations even further. This Pantone Color of the Year for 2023 will undoubtedly bring with it a sense of hope and adventure, as we all hope 2023 itself does.
