Pantone's Color of the Year: A Guide to the Annual Selections

rIn Pantone’s Color of the Year selection, design trends amalgamate fashion, interiors, and beyond. The Pantone Color Institute selects the color that best reflects global mood, culture, and events. From cerulean back in 2000 to mocha mousse in 2025, color selection justifies the world's changing conditions and desires.

Pantone’s Color of the Year is selected through extensive research on global trends, social movements, and emerging patterns in art, technology, and culture. With over 10 million designers and producers relying on its color systems. Pantone has become essential across industries. Additionally, the Pantone Color Institute offers consulting services to help companies integrate color into branding, product development, and marketing strategies.

This blog is organized around a few highlights — the history of Pantone’s Color of the Year and some key choices in particular, of interest to designers and color enthusiasts everywhere. 

The History of Pantone’s Color of the Year

Pantone’s Color of the Year run since 1999, is a program of the Pantone Color Institute that maps how colors become an expression of the cultural mood of each year. The initiative fosters global dialogues about color and design, whereby each selection is emblematic of the year's prevailing sentiment.

A group of color experts has researched different cultural influences ranging from entertainment and fashion to new technologies and global events to select one color that best embodies the spirit of the times. In its long life, Pantone has selected intensely bright colors and muted tones, each mirroring the world's mood in a decidedly different way.

More than a design trend, it defines the essence of a given year and gains direct influence in requisite industries of fashion through commercial design. From Cerulean to Mocha Mousse, every passing color imparts to the world a different viewpoint with its groundbreaking influence.

Pantone Colour List 

Pantone’s Color of the Year is not the only color that gets chosen every year. The Pantone colour list is a complete guide around an expanded spectrum of colors. It has been used in graphic designing, fashion, and new product development. Pantone’s color matching system helps ensure consistency across all platforms, whether you are printing a brochure or choosing fabric for a new product.

While Pantone colors play a major role in many industries, the Color of the Year emerges as an emblematic hallmark of what is ahead. It becomes a connecting essence for designers, artists, and occasional creators.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2025

Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025 is Mocha Mousse (PANTONE 17-1230). This warm, luscious brown evokes a sense of indulgence and comfort with notes of chocolate and coffee. This shade inspires warm, serene spaces in décor, fashion, and design.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2024

The 2024 Pantone Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz (PANTONE 13-1023), infuses a soft peach hue with warmth, kindness, and a sense of community. The calm, comfort, and collaboration it embodies are ideal for post-pandemic situations.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2023

Pantone’s Color of the Year 2023 is Viva Magenta, a vibrant red grape hue that, in summary, represents energy, passion, and fearlessness. It symbolizes the drive within the world for change and renewal. 

Pantone Color Of The Year 2022

Pantone’s Color of the Year 2022, Very Peri, a new color blending blue, violet, and red, symbolizing creativity, transformation, and optimism after a challenging period.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2021

For 2021, the blend of two shades – Ultimate Gray and Illuminating Yellow – was chosen as the Pantone’s Color of the Year. Ultimate Gray suggested reliability and response, while Illuminating Yellow was the element of brightness and cheer. 

Pantone Color Of The Year 2020

Classic Blue, Pantone Color of the Year for 2020, giving a sense of stability and confidence, evokes calmness and comfort in the great uncertainties and changes of the world.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2019

Living Coral is Pantone Color of the Year 2019. This vibrant hue, loved by many, symbolizes joy, warmth, and optimism. It also serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of human connection and interaction in an increasingly digital world.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2018

2018's Color of the Year, Ultra Violet, was bold, mystical purple that reflected creativity, imagination, and vision. It expressed out-of-the-box thinking and opened new possibilities. It inspired people to see beyond the real and to instigate new ideas.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2017

Greenery was the Pantone Color of the Year in 2017. This color is accompanied by freshness and becomes bold for renewal and growth. Prompting a return to the concept of nature, the color bespeaks environmental and emotional responsibility and hope for the future.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2016

"Rose Quartz" and "Serenity" were the 2016 Pantone Color of the Year. This combination of pale pink and pale blue expressed harmony, balance, and wellness. It also reflected the ongoing transition in design towards gender neutrality and inclusiveness.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2015

In 2015, Pantone Color of the Year was "Marsala," which appeared rich earthy red-brown in shade. The warm grounded color stood for sophistication and comfort, maintaining a sense of stability.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2014

Pantone Color of the Year  2014 was "Radiant Orchid," with purple and pink undertones. The bold tone represented creativity, joy, and uniqueness, championing that year for innovation and individuality in fashion.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2013

The Color of the Year 2013 according to Pantone was "Emerald." This rich green shade symbolizes growth, renewal, prosperity, and rejuvenation, drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2012

In 2012, Pantone's Color of the Year was "Tangerine Tango," a courageous and lively orange-red. It communicated enthusiasm, energy, and excitement.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2011

The Pantone Color of the Year 2011 by Pantone went to "Honeysuckle." This pinkish-red color was chosen to represent courage, confidence, and optimism, spreading energy during a time of global uncertainty.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2010

The Pantone color of the year 2010 was “Turquoise,” a calm and refreshing blue-green color. It symbolized a sense of peace, tranquility, and escape.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2009

The Pantone Color of the year 2009 announced by Pantone was Mimosa, a warm yellow. It was chosen for its optimism and uplifting nature, bringing forth feelings of hope and renewal in the minds and hearts of victims in a bad economic period.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2008

In 2008, Pantone chose Blue Iris, a color that combines the calming blue with the mystical purple. It symbolized the desire for comfort and reassurance in a confusing world while adding a touch of mystery and excitement.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2007

Chili Pepper, a spicy red that made a bold look, and attention-grabbing statement was Pantone Color of the Year for 2007. This fiery color signified confidence and an outgoing, design-savvy attitude, capturing the energetic spirit of the time.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2006

The  Pantone Color of the Year for 2006 was Sand Dollar. This warm, natural shade of soft beige evoked memories of quiet stretches of soft sandy beach and the sunny desert landscape. It was a response to the disturbing economic climate in the world that was calming amid all the turmoil.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2005

Pantone chose the soothing oceanside hue called Blue Turquoise as the Color of the Year. This softer turquoise offered reassurance and peace, an escape from a fast-paced world to calm one's senses.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2004

In 2004, Pantone chose a bright, vibrant, and refreshing blend of red and yellow called Tigerlily. Inspired by the colorful blooms of flowers, this bold, passionate color symbolizes energy, warmth, and optimism, capturing the very spirit of a year.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2003

The soft, cool, blue-green Aqua Sky was announced as Pantone Color of the Year for 2003. This serene color provided a sense of peace and calm, enabling a tranquil spirit during a time of global change.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2002

True Red the Pantone Color of the Year 2002 selected by Pantone, is a vivid intense color associated with love, passion, and power. It’s deep, strong tone suggests strength and vigor, making it an adequate symbol of confidence and deep emotional meaning.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2001

Fuchsia Rose was selected by Pantone in 2001. Radiant and bright, it exuded warmth and vibrancy. This passionate and exciting color stood for optimism and empowerment, making a bold statement of fun and vitality.

Pantone Color Of The Year 2000

Pantone's first-ever Color of the Year, Cerulean, was selected in 2000. This calm and peaceful blue that resembles an unclouded sky stood to signify calmness and tranquility.

Final Thoughts on Pantone Color of The Year

Pantone’s Color of the Year is more than just a color; it serves as a lens through which we view contemporary society. Whether it stands ultra-pale and defiant in the limelight or takes on a subdued and neutral tone, it reflects the prevailing mood and culture of the time.

At Rug & Home, the influence of Pantone’s Color of the Year extends to inspiring collections of home decor, area rugs, and stylish furniture. From timeless jute rugs to trendy boho area rugs, the right pieces can help you seamlessly incorporate this year’s defining color into your living space.

Faqs on Pantone Colors

Q. What is the Pantone's color of the year 2024?

A. Pantone color of the year 2024 is Peach Fuzz (PANTONE 13-1023), a soft peach hue symbolizing kindness and community.

Q. What is Pantone's color of the year for 2025?

A. Pantone's color of the year 2025 is Mocha Mousse (PANTONE 17-1230), a warm and sophisticated brown evoking comfort and luxury.

Q. How does Pantone determine the color of the year?

A. Pantone determines the Color of the Year by analyzing global cultural, social, and political trends across various industries.

Q. When is Pantone Color of the Year announced?

A. Pantone announces the Color of the Year in early December each year.