Pantone’s 2021 Colors of the Year

Pantone is known for their 20-year tradition of selecting an official color to set the tone and mood for the year’s design trends. Last year, they revealed the 2020 Color of the Year, the timeless and tranquil Classic Blue (PANTONE 19-4052).

This year, there’s a slight twist. Pantone announced that they chose a pair of hues to represent 2021. The 2021 Colors of the Year are Ultimate Gray (PANTONE 17-5104) and Illuminating (PANTONE 13-0647), two distinct yet complementary colors that convey the unity of dependable solidity and warm optimism.

In their announcement, Pantone’s executive director states that the “union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude.” This color combo works beautifully together, with Ultimate Gray conveying feelings of assurance and practicality while Illuminating expresses vitality and a sunny spirit.

Gray & Yellow Walls

Yellow and gray are a very harmonious pair, making them stylish candidates for wall colors in a bedroom, living area or other space. Pair three Ultimate Gray walls with a striking yellow accent wall in Illuminating for a cheerful and on-trend space. In a baby’s nursery, these colors create a space that’s soothing yet happy. If you’re looking for a third accent color to complement yellow and gray, turquoise or aqua are perfect.

Yellow & Gray Kitchen

Individually or together, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating are two stylish choices for kitchen design colors. A kitchen featuring gray backsplash tile like Bare or a gray wood-look floor tile like Davenport is sleek and timeless. Gray countertops are very popular, from gray quartz to granite slab.

Bright yellow tile is less common, but if you want to go bold and vivid, create a striking porcelain backsplash in Gioia Mango. For a more subdued look, you can add a few yellow accent tiles throughout a gray tile backsplash, or simply add pops of yellow in the décor.

Tile Colors that Complement Gray and Yellow

If you’re planning to include Ultimate Gray or Illuminating in your home’s color palette and are looking for tile ideas that complement them, we have a few for you. Ultimate Gray is an extremely versatile color that should pair well with virtually any other tile color. From other neutrals to blue tones to brights like Illuminating, almost any hue is a safe bet to pair with Ultimate Gray. In a gray kitchen, white marble countertops are a stunning way to lighten the space.

You might be surprised to know that a bright yellow hue like Illuminating actually goes well with many other colors, too. Adding different shades of yellow, like gold or mustard, is one way to go. Pairing it with neutral tiles in cool gray, taupe or sandy tones is another option. Finally, if you’re drawn to a vivid color palette, yellow is a natural complement to most shades of blue, including navy, teal and turquoise.

Visit your nearest Arizona Tile location with an Ultimate Gray or Illuminating color swatch to see how it looks against your favorite tiles and slab. When it comes to incorporating the Pantone 2021 Colors of the Year into your home’s design and décor, the options are virtually endless.