Tag Color

There’s a reason the sunset invites us to pause and take in its splendor—each illuminates the sky in a spectrum of pinks and oranges too beautiful to miss. The peachy hues are a nod to the beauty and abundance all around us. And with that wondrous embrace of the present moment, it’s evident why this soft, velvety shade was named the 2024 Pantone color of the year. Peach Fuzz is all-encompassing, warm, and radiant—timeless and on-trend all at once.

Officially Pantone 23-1023, Peach Fuzz sits softly between pink and orange. After a tumultuous year, the color is a warm invitation to slow down and prioritize our relationships. Introducing the dreamy shade to your home is a wonderful way to create what Pantone describes as “a feeling of kindness and tenderness, communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration.” And from my conversations ahead, it’s clear that designers agree. 

Featured image from our interview with Alex McCabe.

Designers Share Their Takes on Pantone’s 2024 Color of the Year

“I know the selection of peach may feel like a surprise, but after the chaos of the world, the stress, the anxiety, the heaviness—peach doesn’t add to that noise,” says Joshua Smith, Principal and Founder of Joshua Smith Inc. “Rather, it’s uplifting, connecting, and is about lightening up and not being so serious.”

Jenna Morrow, owner and principal designer of Morrow Design Studios has noticed the need for comfort and well-being as well. “Many of us are still recovering from the months of isolation in 2020 as we make up for lost quality time with loved ones and reestablish plans that were delayed,” she shares. “A trend has emerged that places our desire for connection, wellness and gentleness at the helm. The Pantone color of the year, Peach Fuzz, celebrates our pursuit of comfort, care and community.”

How to Incorporate Peach Fuzz Into Every Room of Your Home

If you’re eager to explore Peach Fuzz’s warm and gentle vibes, look no further. We’ve rounded up our favorite ideas, inspiration, products, and designer tips to help you bring the romantic shade into your home.

Every product is curated with care by our editors and we’ll always give an honest opinion, whether gifted or purchased ourselves. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Paint 

Painting your walls Peach Fuzz is a fantastic way to add softness and warmth to any space. According to Smith, it can also make a statement when styled in unexpected ways. “Peach is a great color for a ceiling, as it is highly flattering with warm, glowing light bringing out the beauty and softness of the skin,” he says.

Wallpaper 

Pantone collaborated with Spoonflower on a collection of whimsical, peachy wallpaper that can refresh small and large spaces alike. “If adding wallpaper to a full room is too overwhelming, adorn a coat closet instead or place it on the ceiling paired with warm neutral walls,” Morrow suggests.

Living Room Accents

Accessories can enliven any living space with a pop of Peach Fuzz. Consider smaller room accents like throw pillows or table lamps or large ones like area rugs. Pantone also partnered with Ruggable on peachy washable rugs. Not sure what colors Peach Fuzz pairs well with? Pantone has created a few color palettes to help, and Smith loves incorporating peach with blues and greens. “It even works with magenta or purple, which are current obsessions of mine,” he says.

Drinkware

Picture yourself dining al fresco, sipping from a peach-tinted wine glass or coupe. Blissful, right? Come spring and summer especially, peach-colored drinkware will add a bit of flair and fun to your meals, whether they’re indoors or out.

Bathroom Textiles

“Don’t overlook adding color to quieter spaces like your bathroom,” Morrow shares. Peach textiles will add cheer to an otherwise neutral space and will make your morning and evening routines even cozier.

Bedroom Textiles

Diving into a soft and cozy peach bed? Yes, please. Whether you opt for a peach duvet with matching pillowcases or add a peach throw to your neutral bedding, the pop of color will bring a gentle warmth to the entire room.

Florals

Peach Fuzz will be especially welcome in your floral displays come spring and summer, whether you choose to go faux or invest in the real thing. “Add faux florals to your entryway vase or kitchen countertop to extend a gentle welcome that’s as warm as the season,” says Morrow.

Tabletop Styling

Coffee table styling is an art in and of itself, and adding Peach Fuzz-hued vases and coffee table books will create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, especially when mixed with a variety of other colors and textures.

Kitchen Accents

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and subtle Peach Fuzz elements like a knife set or dishcloths add an unexpected and uplifting vibe to the well-loved gathering space.

Accent Chairs

Adding new accent chairs will instantly refresh any space, and these peach pieces will no doubt be conversation starters, whether you decide on a leather and white oak chair for the corner of your living room or a velvet barrel chair for a cozy reading nook.

Paint is more than simply a pigment, and its influence extends beyond the visual. Our walls express a mood, influencing our energy and establishing the vibe of a space. And as with anything aesthetically significant, how we choose to experience our homes—by the way of color—is subject to the ebbs and flows of taste. What we’re attracted to, whether it’s a waterfall kitchen island, a sentimental reading nook, or any design flourish, is a reflection of our world. Both with attention to the present and an appreciation of the past. Paint is powerful—and the paint color trends of 2024 express exactly that.

Featured image of Kate Arends’ home by Suruchi Avasthi.

Paint Color Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2024

In the year to come, designers anticipate sophistication and warmth conveyed through deep browns, unexpected purples, and grounding pairings for Pantone’s Peach Fuzz. Ready to see what the year has in store? Ahead, designers share their takes on the paint color trends of 2024.

Rich Browns

“Gone are the days of stark whites and bleak greys as people continue to gravitate toward hues that provide warmth and character in 2024,” says Samantha Stathis-Lynch of Samantha Ware Designs. The designer anticipates “rich, mud-like browns” to influence our living spaces. Ware calls the choice charming and sophisticated, citing Farrow and Ball’s London Clay as her favorite embodiment of the trend.

It’s a departure from last year’s dopamine decor, which favored all things bold and bright. But as homeowners seek to cultivate a calm haven, subdued shades are top of mind. Brad Ramsey, Principal and Founder of Brad Ramsey Interiors agrees, noting that our collective penchant for caffeine will reign over our design choices. “Think about coffee, cappuccino and lattes and how those warm colors hit the spot just like your afternoon Starbucks fix.” Sound cozy? Ramsey loves Sherwin Williams’ Iced Mocha 9092 to bring the trend to life.

Cozy and Warm Earth Tones

While the hype behind Chocolate Brown’s influence is a trend unto itself, the brown-is-the-new-black shift from Barbiecore pink leads us into the expansive world of earthy tones. Charity Buchika of Teaselwood Design opts for these organic shades when looking to design “a luxurious canvas and add depth to create an inviting atmosphere.” It’s a trend we’ve seen gather steam over the past few years, and interiors will continue to lean on these versatile shades. Clinton Brown by Benjamin Moore is the designer’s go-to, noting that it “complements lighter tones nicely by introducing striking contrasts.”

Deep Purples

Joshua Smith, Principal and Founder of Joshua Smith Inc. is happy to welcome a surprising new color family to the design zeitgeist—purple. But it’s not the poppy, jarring pigment that first comes to mind. “Think deeper shades like plum and amethyst, even magenta,” Smith says. If cultivating inner peace is on your 2024 vision board, purple is your color of the year. “From a psychology perspective,” notes the designer, “purple promotes harmony of the mind and the emotions. It contributes to mental balance and stability, calming the nerves.” Smith loves the trend so much, he painted the front door of his Vermont studio Farrow and Ball’s Pelt.

If you’re not ready to go all-in with the trending hue, Stathis-Lynch loves purple as an accent, simultaneously spanning the spectrum of emotion to capture both an eclectic and moody vibe. With its subtle red tint, she recommends Brinjal by Farrow and Ball.

Nature-Inspired Hues

A common consensus among the designers we interviewed is that natural influence will reign over the paint color trends of 2024. Shelagh Conway, Principal and Founder of Triple Heart Design in Austin, predicts the year will be defined by a “mix of soft neutrals and rich earth colors. Think of the morning light at sunrise—the soft, dreamy pastels and the drama of the night sky.” Colors will continue to draw influence from nature’s inherent calm and peace.

Eddie Maestri, Principal Architect and Owner of Maestri Studio in Dallas, coins the moment a deep lean into “biophilic design.” Ginger Curtis, CEO and Founder of Urbanology Designs agrees with the terminology, predicting that “shades of taupe and beige will infuse spaces with a sense of timeless elegance and a palette that evokes the comforting warmth of sun-kissed landscapes.”

The nod to all that’s organic will make its away to our exteriors as well. But because of the exposure to the elements, exterior paints favor preservation and longevity through more muted tones, says Nastassja Bowman of Kristen Elizabeth Design. There’s also a desire to seamlessly blend a build into the environment around it. “Pulling colors from nature is a great way to bring in color without impeding on the exterior landscape,” says Bowman.

Interior decorator Kathrain Rhudy loves the blending of this trend with the year’s shift toward timeless appeal. “Rather than choosing a bright white, opt for something a little more subtle and combine with dark grey green for a dramatic and sophisticated look.”

Accessible Whites

Achromatic and neutral, white is often slated as an afterthought—the default shade designers opt for without consideration for what a room truly needs. But this year, we’ll see white contributing to our penchant for comfort and stability in our spaces. Matthew Blonand of MMB Studio captures the trend using Dunn Edwards DEW380, loving its warmth and versatility “for an art-filled interior with wood floors.”

Eleanor Trepte, Principal Designer of Dekay & Tate predicts a similar role for whites in 2024—a salve to soothe and subdue other hues. She calls Benjamin Moore’s White Dove an “easy” white, citing its ability to pick up and play well with other tones. Melinda Trembly of Rincon Rd loves this off-white as well, pairing White Dove with Natural Cream on the trim of a recent project. A proponent of the trend, she loves Swiss Coffee as a universal shade and the creamy warmth of Mascarpone on cabinetry.

Peach Fuzz

It comes as no surprise—any hue Pantone names its Color of the Year is bound to find its way to our walls. Designer Laura Chappetto Flynn of Element Design Network loves peach for the “cheerful, playful vibe” it lends to any space, encouraging homeowners to experiment with the hue as an upbeat accent color. To keep the retro shade from overwhelming a room, she advises pairing it with a grounding color—”rich navy, deep green, and chocolate brown being our favorites.” Two trending paint colors in one? We’re here for it.

And if you’re hesitant to lean into the year’s ubiquitous shade, Chappetto Flynn suggests opting for a wallpaper that incorporates the color into its design. Complete the look by painting the ceiling for an “unexpected accent.” The designer loves employing the trend in either a powder or mud room.

Bright, Accented Exteriors

Amber Guyton of Blessed Little Bungalow suggests opting for vibrant shades beyond just peach in 2024, with blues and greens making their appearance in exteriors. “Exterior doors are also a great way to add a warm pop of color like brick red, orange, or yellow.”

And while Bowman loves the look of muted tones used in large swaths across an exterior, she agrees that striking, bold colors can work well on a trim if used in a gloss finish.

It’s proof that no matter how much inspiration we draw from the natural world, color—when used thoughtfully—will always be in.

“Wow, you’re really going for a look.” My husband gestured to my side of the closet and I followed his gaze toward the growing category of cream tops hanging in a row. Moving down the line, a collection of muted, sky blues and cotton candy pinks now hung in the place where burnt orange, forest green, black, and white once lived. And he’s right, I am going for a look. One that makes my eyes pop and my skin tone even. My closet reflects the journey I’ve been on for the last few months—to discover my “season” by exploring color analysis.

Featured image by Michelle Nash.

How Color Analysis Will Change the Way You Get Dressed

Not the most noble journey, I’ll admit. But I’m on a greater quest to diminish decision fatigue in my life and getting dressed (see also: going shopping) was wearing me out. Personally, I want to feel like myself in my clothes. This translates to silhouettes that reflect my style, fabrics that are comfortable and easy to move in, and colors that complement and enhance my skin tone. I’ve got those first two down. As for colors…

I’d heard the seemingly age-old, “I’m an autumn,” phrases thanks to the bestselling 1980s book Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson. But, like hot rollers, I assumed it was dated. However, when color analysis and “getting your colors done” began to pop up on my feed—along with the stunning before and afters that seemed to make people literally GLOW simply by swapping out a grey top for green—I sat to attention. (I also ordered a set of rollers this week but that’s for another story.)

Now, it needs to be said that a lot of this conversation around finding your best colors IS quite dated, in the way that the language was written mostly for white women. Thankfully, thanks to stylists like Cocoa Styling on YouTube, and one of my favorite Instagram color styling accounts, Curate Your Style, there are now more resources for women of color.

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So, let’s address the big question: How do I figure out what season I am? The answer, at least for me, wasn’t that simple. I took quizzes and uploaded photos of my face to AI apps—but I still wasn’t sure. There are many professional color analysts who can help you determine your season and perhaps I’ll take that road in the future. But for now, I’m going the long way. And by that I mean, following a few Instagram accounts, thrifting colors in my season (I suspect I’m a Summer), and wearing them to see how I feel.

So, how do you find out your season? Let’s dig a little deeper.

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The Four Color Seasons in Color Analysis

Before we dive into the seasons, what they mean, and which one you might be, remember that ultimately this is all in good fun. You can (and should!) wear any color that makes you feel good. As much as we love to sit within these “categories of being,” (it’s why we can’t resist a good quiz) the truth is that we’re nuanced creatures. If a color system ever makes you feel like you’re being put in a box, you have full permission to break that box down.

That said, we all know the feeling when we put something on and it just WORKS. Your eyes look brighter, your skin tone seems to even out, and dark circles disappear. You feel confident. When you know your colors, it makes shopping easier—and takes the guesswork out of getting dressed. That’s because what you’re wearing shares the same natural color dimensions of your hair, eyes, and skin. Your best colors will enhance your natural coloring, whereas others might make you appear pale or tired.

Of the four seasons, there are two over-arching types: warm (Springs and Autumns) and cool (Winters and Summers). If you’re in the warmer seasons, you’ll favor more yellow tones whereas cool seasons favor more blues.

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What season are you?

If you’re trying to find out your season at home, there are three components that can help determine where you stand.

1. Discover your undertone

Start by looking at the veins on your wrist. Hold your wrist up to the light and check the color of your veins. If they look more blue, you’re probably cool-toned. If they lean greenish, you’re likely warm-toned. If you need a little help deciphering, I found the Neutone app to be helpful—and it’s free!

2. Consider contrast

Contrast (or value) considers the scale of lightness to darkness between your eyes, skin, and natural hair color. For example, you’re high contrast if your skin is fair, you’ve got jet-black hair, and cool-toned eyes. Alternatively, darker-toned skin against lighter hair and dark eyes indicates low contrast.

Understanding your contrast level helps you choose colors that create a harmonious balance with your natural features. High-contrast individuals tend to look best in bold, contrasting colors, while low-contrast individuals look more flattering in softer, tonal color combinations. Winters and Springs tend to be high contrast whereas Summers and Autumns are lower.

3. Look at chroma, or, softness vs. clarity

Depending on where you fall in the seasons, your natural features favor a softer hue vs. a brighter one for a more harmonious look. If you’re categorized as Summer or Autumn, you’ll typically have a softer overall appearance and are flattered by soft, tonal color combinations. Summers have cool undertones and often look best in soft, pastel shades, while Autumns have warm undertones and are flattered by rich, earthy, and muted colors.

Whereas, if you’re Winter or Spring, you’ll typically have more clarity and boldness in your overall appearance. Winters have cool undertones and look stunning in jewel-toned colors like royal blue and emerald green. Springs have warm undertones and shine in vibrant colors like bright orange and sunny yellow. Bold colors enhance your natural features and create a dynamic look.

Analyzing Each Season

While there aren’t any true “rules” to color analysis—again, you genuinely can wear whatever color you want—here are some general guides for each color season. We’re just going to cover the four main seasons here, but color analysts have broken them down even further by identifying 12 sub-types for a more thorough evaluation.

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Spring

Springs have a high contrast with warm undertones. They often have light, warm-toned hair and fair to medium skin. Springs shine in vibrant and warm color combinations.

Celebrities in the Spring color season include Jessica Chastain, Emma Stone, Rihanna, Blake Lively, Kate Hudson, and Brittany Snow.

Vein Test: Start by examining the color of your wrist veins. Springs typically have veins that appear more blue or green. If your veins lean toward green, this suggests warm undertones, which may align with Spring if other characteristics match.

Eye and Hair Color: Springs usually have warm-toned eyes like hazel, light blue, green, or warm brown, and their natural hair colors can range from light to medium warm shades, such as strawberry blonde, golden blonde, or light to medium brown.

How Colors Make You Feel: Pay attention to how you feel when you wear different colors. Springs typically look their best in soft, warm, and vibrant colors like coral, peach, sunny yellow, and mint green. If these colors make your complexion appear more radiant and healthy, you might be a Spring.

Jewelry Metals: Springs often look better in warm metals like gold, brass, or copper. If you find that gold jewelry complements your skin tone more than silver, that’s another sign that you might be a Spring.

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Summer

Summers typically have low contrast between their features. They often have light or ash-blonde hair, light skin, and cool-toned eyes. Summers look stunning in soft, pastel colors and muted shades that harmonize with their gentle contrast.

Celebrities in the Summer color season include Emily Blunt, Allison Williams, Barbara Palvin, Leona Lewis, Caitriona Balfe, Emilia Clarke, and Miranda Kerr.

Vein Test: Summers typically have bluish or purplish veins. If your veins appear more blue than green, this suggests you have cool undertones, aligning with the Summer season.

Eye and Hair Color: Summers often have light, cool-toned eyes (blue, green, or gray) and light to medium ash-brown or blonde hair.

How Colors Make You Feel: Pay attention to how you feel when you wear certain colors. Summers typically look best in soft, muted, and cool colors. If pastel shades and cool-toned colors like lavender, soft pink, and powder blue make your complexion appear more vibrant and healthy, you’re likely a Summer.

Jewelry Metals: Summers typically look better in silver or white gold due to their cool undertones. If silver jewelry enhances your skin tone more than gold, it’s another clue that you might be a Summer.

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Autumn

Autumns also have low contrast but with warm undertones. They often have warm hair colors, warm-toned eyes, and medium to dark skin. Autumns thrive in rich, earthy color combinations like deep rust and olive green.

Celebrities in the Autumn color season include Jennifer Lopez, Keira Knightley, Doja Cat, Elizabeth Olsen, Jessica Alba, Sofia Richie, and Beyonce.

Vein Test: If your veins appear more greenish, it suggests you have warm undertones, which align with the Autumn season.

Eye and Hair Color: Autumns often have warm, earthy tones in their natural eye and hair colors. This includes shades like deep brown, auburn, red, or warm blonde. If your natural eye and hair colors fall within these warm, earthy categories, it’s another sign of being an Autumn.

How Colors Make You Feel: Pay attention to how you feel when you wear certain colors. Autumns typically look best in warm, earthy, and rich colors like deep oranges, warm browns, olive greens, and mustard yellows. If these colors make your complexion appear more vibrant and healthy, you’re likely an Autumn.

Jewelry Metals: Autumns tend to look better in warm metals like gold and bronze due to their warm undertones. If gold jewelry enhances your skin tone more than silver, it’s another clue that you might be an Autumn.

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Winter

Winters typically have high contrast between their features. They have dark hair, fair skin, and often, bright or deep eye colors. These individuals look striking in bold, high-contrast color combinations like pure white and black.

Celebrities in the Winter color season include Zooey Deschanel, Janelle Monáe, Alexis Bledel, Lucy Liu, Lupita Nyong’o, Viola Davis, and Selena Gomez.

Vein Test: Winters typically have bluish or purplish veins, indicating cool undertones. If your veins appear more blue than green, this suggests you have cool undertones, aligning with the Winter season.

Eye and Hair Color: Winters often have cool-toned eyes, such as deep blue, gray, or green, and cool-toned hair colors like jet black, deep brown, or ash blonde. If your natural eye and hair colors align with these cool tones, it’s a strong sign that you’re a Winter.

How Colors Make You Feel: Pay attention to how you feel when you wear certain colors. Winters typically look best in bold, high-contrast colors like deep jewel tones and pure white. If these colors make your complexion appear more vibrant and healthy, you’re likely a Winter.

Jewelry Metals: Experiment with silver and gold jewelry. Winters often look better in silver or white gold due to their cool undertones. If silver jewelry enhances your skin tone more than gold, it’s another clue that you might be a Winter.

Final Thoughts

Now, it’s time to play! If you think you might fall within a certain season, try wearing those colors and see how it feels. Switch out your jewelry and see how it looks against your skin tone. In my experience, color analysis takes time and testing to really understand. I never thought I’d purchase a muted purple set, but here we are. And I love it.

Finally, remember that while color analysis can be a helpful guide for choosing flattering colors, personal style and preferences also play a significant role. While color analysis offers valuable guidelines, you do you—embrace the colors that make you feel confident and beautiful, whether they align with your season or not.