Liven up your home with the Pantone 2016 spring colour collection

Psychologists and colour specialists alike maintain that there is a strong relationship between colour and our psychological and emotional states. Colour has the power to influence your mood, and can make you more productive, help you relax, and even dictate how hungry you feel. Colour is like “a universal, nonverbal language,” says colour consultant leslie Harrington, and the colours you introduce into your home are more than just a matter of aesthetics, they’re “a tool that can be leveraged to affect emotions and behavior.”

Since colour taps into something primal and emotional, simply changing up the colours you use on your walls and in your décor can help refresh a space and create a new psychological landscape. But where do you start? What palette should you tap into to create an energized yet serene space? Fortunately, Pantone just released their spring colour collection, a palette inspired by feelings of transformation and transcendence.

Featuring both the calm pastels we associate with early spring, and colours inspired by a world in bloom, Pantone’s Spring 2016 Fashion Color Report is the perfect guide for homeowners looking to rejuvenate their home this season.

Bright tones like Fiesta, Buttercup, or Snorkel Blue work well for accent walls, while soothing hues such as Peach Echo, Serenity, and Lilac Gray help keep rooms grounded and calm. Together, the colours emerging in the collection are vehicles that transport us to “more tranquil, mindful environs which encourage relaxation first, followed by curiosity and exploration.”

Transformation and Transcendence

According to Pantone, this year’s canvas is all about transformation and transcendence. The collection was inspired by the desire to disconnect from technology and unwind. This makes sense for a palette that marks the transition from a period of hibernation and long winter nights to a season where we return to our patios, parks, and natural spaces.

The collection was inspired by a contrast between urban design and lush vegetation. Using Cuba as inspiration, the designers played with bold and vibrant colour statements combined with quieter, classic, natural tones. Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director at the Pantone Color Institute describes spring’s palette as colours that “transport us to a happier, sunnier place where we feel free to express a wittier version of our real selves.”

Now that you know the meaning and inspiration behind the palette, let’s take a look at each component of the collection. Every colour has an important role to play:

Rose Quartz is a gentle tone that, “like a serene sunset, flushed cheek, or budding flower,”  reminds us to reflect during the busy but lighthearted spring and summer months.

Peach Echo “emanates friendlier qualities” and adds a warm shade to the spring palette. Orange has been in style for a few seasons and this shade is playful but not overwhelming in the context of your home.

Serenity is weightless and airy like the sky, offering a sense of calm and relief. Reserve this color for spaces in the home that serve as a place for reflection where you escape to find breathing room.

Snorkel Blue is a member of the navy family with energy rising from its undertones. The maritime-inspired tone “implies a relaxing vacation and encourages escape.”

Spring is often awash in pastels and subdued tones. However, Buttercup adds a burst of energy to this collection. Use this colour for a room’s accent pieces to add some sunshine to your space.

Like Snorkel Blue, Limpet Shell’s aqua colour evokes the sea. This clear and clean colour evokes “clarity and freshness” and a “mindful tranquility.”

In contrast to Buttercup, Lilac Gray lends the palette a subtle neutral colour with lilac undertones. This colour is a great foundation for a room that needs a calming anchor.

Fiesta is the complementary colour to this collection’s navy and sky blues. The fiery yellow-based red “provides a stark contrast to the calming, softer nature of this season’s palette.” Use this colour to create exciting contrast through accent pieces or an accent wall in your home.

The earthy Iced Coffee is what Pantone refers to as a “transitional color,” helping the collection transition seamlessly through the seasons. When combined with the rest of the palette, this colour creates a subtle and neutral foundation. Anchor the room with a leather couch or wooden piece in this shade.

Finally, the collection is not complete without Green Flash. Spring is a time when the drab greys and subdued blues of winter give way to bursts of colour. This green hue delivers that punch and creates a sense of natural energy.

Now that you’re familiar with Pantone’s latest palette, it’s time to get ready for spring and transform your home into an energized, calming, and transcendent space! Use these colours to turn your home into a space of exploration and relaxation.