All the 2021 Colors of the Year + Pantone’s Surprisingly Controversial Picks

Ashley Dennis | 09 Dec 2020 | Trends

We're counting down the days left in the year and we know many people are eager to find a breath of fresh air in 2021. A lot of people gave their homes makeovers this year to create a more comfortable space to recharge. Using color might be one of the easiest ways to transform how a space feels. So we're rounding up the biggest color trend forecasts for 2021 as well as some tips on how to bring these colors into your own home.

For more decor trends, check out The 13 Biggest Decor Trends You'll Be Obsessed With In 2021.

vinyl fabric samples in rainbow order around a white and gold tea cup.

Pictured: Blinds.com Economy Blackout Roller Shades. Also available in Light Filtering or Solar opacities.

Benjamin Moore: Aegean Teal

Named after the Aegean sea, this teal evokes the feeling of a seaside mediterranean spa. If you're looking to make your space feel more serene, this is definitely a color to consider!

colorful, modern office with teal walls, checkered floors and white roller shade.

Pictured: Blinds.com Solar Roller Shades in Monterrey 5% Cloud White. Photo via @houselarsbuilt.

If you love this color but slathering it over every wall feels too overwhelming for your taste, a window treatment might be the perfect compromise!

flatlay of teal blind and shade samples.

Pictured: 1. Tantalum Sea Foam, 2. Agave, 3. Malachite, 4. Verdant Sea Glass, 5. Carrollton Stripe Agave, 6. Shantung Topaz, 7. Carousel Topaz

This color also works nicely with light neutrals like beige or gray and it really pops next to white. Pairing with a neutral can help tone down the color's intensity too.

teen girl's room with teal ceiling and grey roman shades.

Pictured: Blinds.com Roman Shades in Newport Grey. Photo via @jaccardinteriors.

Glidden: Aqua Fiesta

Similar to Behr, Glidden nominated a soothing (but cheerful) aqua color as their color of the year. It is a few shades lighter than Aegean Teal.

flatlay of light aqua blind and shade samples.

Pictured: 1. Ivy Seaglass, 2. Profile Dockside, 3. Darien Seaglass, 4. Halo Blue Lagoon, 5. Nature's Bouquet Sky, 6. Agave

kitchen sink with a teal cellular shade in the window and white open shelving for dishes.

Pictured: Bali Light Filtering Cellular Shades in Halo Blue Lagoon.

Cellular shades, like Bali's Light Filtering Cellular Shade in Halo Blue Lagoon, are a great way to incorporate a sweet pop of color in an otherwise neutral room without the commitment of paint.

Sherwin Williams: Urbane Bronze

Sherwin Williams went for bold and dramatic when choosing Urbane Bronze as their color of the year. This smoky charcoal has warm undertones that give it the appeal of oil rubbed bronze and helps a room feel more grounded.

modern living room with dark bronze-brown wall similar tot the urbane bronze color.

flatlay of dark brown and bronze blind and shade samples.

Pictured: 1. Rustica Burnt Umber, 2. Realgrain Dark Walnut, 3. Tundra Blackout Russet, 4. Papua Clove, 5. Chocolate Lava, 6. Splendor Chocolate, 7. Sydney 5% Bronze, 8. Lyra Chocolate, 9. Sienna Mahogany, 10. Carousel Umber, 11. Dark Walnut

This is a very easy color to incorporate into your home and windows since it is basically a neutral (yes, black is a neutral!). Great news if you're shopping for window treatments since this color looks great on wood blinds, woven wood shades, shutters and even some faux wood blinds.

modern living room with dark faux wood blinds over them two sets of french doors.

Pictured: Blinds.com Cordless 2 1/2" Faux Wood Blind in Espresso.

Sherwin Williams also partnered with HGTV on a 2021 colors collection with a deep burgundy, called Passionate, being the star. We expect to see a lot of variations on this color in 2021, from maroon to plum and terra cotta.

flatlay of red and maroon blind and shade samples

Pictured: 1. Spiced Raisin, 2. Cotillon Merlot, 3. Mahogany, 4. Luxe Velvet Cabernet, 5. Spectrum Azalea, 6. Deco Persimmon, 7. Hasting, Plum, 8. Hideaway Red Velvet, 9. Toffee Crystal Trim, 10. Red Mahogany

modern office with maroon walls, white roller shades and oak desk.

Pictured: Levolor Light Filtering Roller Shades in Batten Multi.

Earthy reds work well with white or off white window treatments, like roller shades (above). Or try wood or faux wood blinds if you're going for a high-contrast look. You can also try a medium or light woven wood shade (below) to add more texture and character to a space.

kids room with a jungle theme, woven wood shades and zebra pillows.

Pictured: Blinds.com Woven Wood Shades in Driftwood Umber from @ClaireBrodyShop.

Behr: Elevate Your Comfort Zone Palette

Breaking from the pack, Behr opted to present a palette of 21 colors they think will be prominent in 2021 under the theme of comfort.

kids room with airplane theme, aqua walls and blue roman shades.

Pictured: Levolor Roman Shades in Designer Textures Blue.

The collection of 21 colors promotes relaxation and comfort after such a challenging year. It includes colors like Smoky White, Almond Wisp, Saffron Strands, Royal Orchard Green and Voyage Blue.

colorful flatlay of blind and shade samples representing behr's 2021 color palette.

Pantone: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating Yellow

Pantone's colors of the year were announced on 12/9, Ultimate Grey and Illuminating Yellow. And the world had mixed feelings about it. A grey, really? But the meaning behind these two colors goes much deeper below the surface.

pantone swatch postcard in alternating grey and yellow shades.

Pantone calls these colors thoughtful + forward thinking. Strength + Hope. Practical + Optimistic. Together these colors show there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Ultimate Gray has been a popular neutral in home decor for over a decade but pairing it with yellow, which psychology often associates with happiness, brings a ray of sunshine to any room. It works perfectly on Roman Shades or Draperies it amplifies warm and sunny ambience.

large contemporary living room with yellow roman shades.

Pictured: Blinds.com Premium Roman Shades in Casablanca Sun and Blinds.com Easy Grommet Drapery in Brisbane Sand Dollar.

Illuminating yellow fits right in with other pastels and the resurgence of postmodern decor trends. Some even speculate this Gen Z yellow will soon overthrow millennial pink.

What Do You Think?

How do you feel about 2021's colors of the year? Do you love them or would you have chosen something different? Join the discussion over on our Instagram @blindsdotcom. Also be sure to follow us on Pinterest for more color and decor trend inspiration!

Have window treatment color questions or want a color consult? Our Design Consultants are on standby, ready to help! Give us a call: 800-505-1905.

Other Readers Also Checked Out:

The 13 Biggest Decor Trends We Predict Will Be Everywhere In 2021

The 10 Best Before + Afters We've Seen This Year

How Trends That Changed Home Decor In 2020

  • About Author

    Ashley is a Blinds.com Social Media Specialist. A weekend-warrior, she and her husband spend their time fixing up their townhome together. She is an artist and DIY craft fanatic who has converted her dining room into a tiny studio where she hangs out with her two assistant-cats. Sci-fi books, video games and hula hooping are also her jam. Follow her on Instagram @Adenn.fox or Youtube.