2019 Colors: The Palette, Trends, and Design Legacy of a Definitive Year

The 2019 colors defined a major transition in global design, shifting away from stark minimalism toward warm earth tones, biophilic greens, rich blues, and energizing corals. Anchored by Pantone’s Living Coral, major paint manufacturers and design houses introduced palettes designed to foster comfort, optimism, and a tactile connection to nature across interiors, fashion, and digital media.

The Cultural and Aesthetic Shift Behind 2019 Color Trends

Color forecasting in late 2018 and throughout 2019 reflected widespread cultural desire for grounding, digital detox, and authentic human connection. For nearly a decade prior, interior design and graphic branding were heavily dominated by stark whites, cool grays, and clinical monochrome palettes. By 2019, design trends pivoted sharply toward warmth, organic textures, and emotional resonance.

This shift was driven by three main cultural impulses:

1. Biophilic Connection: As screentime increased globally, designers sought to bring the outdoors inside. Deep forest greens, stormy blues, and clay terracottas satisfied a subconscious need for natural environments.
2. Optimism and Playfulness: In response to geopolitical and social tensions, energetic, uplifting tones—most notably coral, blush, and warm yellow—emerged as accent shades to inject vitality into living and commercial spaces.
3. Restorative Quietude: Alongside vibrant accent hues, muted neutrals evolved. Crisp, clinical grays were replaced by greige, soft fog, and warm stone shades that offered visual relief without feeling cold.

Understanding the balance between these restorative neutrals and expressive accent colors is essential when evaluating the visual movement of 2019 and applying these palettes today.

Pantone Color of the Year 2019: Living Coral (PANTONE 16-1546)

When the Pantone Color Institute announced PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral as the 2019 Color of the Year, it signaled a vibrant break from previous cool-toned selections like Ultra Violet (2018) and Greenery (2017).

PANTONE 16-1546 Living CoralHex Value: #FF6F61RGB: 255, 111, 97CMYK: 0, 65, 54, 0

Aesthetic Properties and Emotional Resonance

Living Coral is an animating, life-affirming coral hue with a subtle golden undertone. It sits comfortably between pink and orange, offering warmth without the aggressive intensity of pure red or neon orange. Pantone described the color as an evocative response to the pervasive impact of digital technology and social media, offering a sense of warmth, nourishment, and natural intimacy.

Primary Applications

• Interior Accents: Living Coral was rarely recommended for all four walls of a room. Instead, interior designers deployed it on accent walls, velvet upholstery, throw pillows, ceramic artwork, and area rugs to inject warmth into neutral rooms.
• Graphic Design and Branding: The high-energy, friendly quality of Living Coral made it widely popular for user interfaces (UI), mobile applications, lifestyle packaging, and print media.
• Fashion and Cosmetics: The shade naturally complements a broad array of skin tones, leading to widespread adoption in spring/summer runway collections, lipsticks, blushes, and activewear.

Leading Paint Manufacturers' 2019 Colors of the Year

While Pantone dictates broader cross-industry trends, major architectural paint manufacturers release specific colors engineered for residential and commercial walls. In 2019, paint brands presented distinct yet remarkably complementary visions.

1. Sherwin-Williams: Cavern Clay (SW 7701)

Sherwin-Williams selected Cavern Clay (SW 7701) as its 2019 Color of the Year. A warm, earthy terracotta shade with roots in Mid-Century Modern and Southwestern design, Cavern Clay represented a return to elemental materials like brick, clay, and leather.

• Light Reflectance Value (LRV): 20 (absorbs significant light, creating an intimate setting)
• Undertones: Warm rust, terra-cotta orange, subtle brown
• Best Uses: Accent walls in dining rooms, kitchen cabinetry paired with warm wood tones, front doors, and rustic exterior trim.

2. Benjamin Moore: Metropolitan (AF-690)

In contrast to bolder color choices, Benjamin Moore selected Metropolitan (AF-690), a soft, refined light gray with cool undertones. Metropolitan offered an understated backdrop designed to induce tranquility and calm.

• Light Reflectance Value (LRV): 61.12 (reflects moderate light, keeping spaces bright)
• Undertones: Cool gray, subtle blue-green undertones under daylight
• Best Uses: Open-plan living areas, corridors, minimalist bedrooms, and ceiling paint paired with dark wood accents.

3. Behr Paint: Blueprint (S470-5)

Behr identified Blueprint (S470-5) as its anchor hue for 2019. Positioned as a mid-tone blue that is darker than sky blue but softer than navy, Blueprint was celebrated for its structural versatility and timeless appeal.

• Light Reflectance Value (LRV): ~20
• Undertones: Balanced blue with quiet denim and slate gray undertones
• Best Uses: Kitchen islands, bathroom vanities, bedroom feature walls, and exterior siding.

4. PPG Paints: Night Watch (PPG1145-7)

PPG selected Night Watch (PPG1145-7), a rich, deep hunter green that brought the essence of lush foliage into interior architecture. It capitalized directly on the growing biophilic design movement.

• Light Reflectance Value (LRV): 6.32 (absorbs light heavily, best used with strategic lighting)
• Undertones: Deep jewel-toned green, emerald, black base
• Best Uses: Formal dining rooms, home libraries, dark moody bedrooms, and exterior accents like shutters and trim.

Comparison of Benchmark 2019 Colors of the Year

The table below outlines the flagship color selections across key industry leaders in 2019, summarizing technical attributes and intended spatial atmospheres:

Core Palette Themes That Defined 2019

When analyzing the entire spectrum of 2019 color releases, four overarching color stories emerged across home furnishings, architectural coatings, and visual media.

• Warm Earth: Cavern Clay, Ochre, Terracotta
• Biophilic: Night Watch Green, Blueprint Blue
• Neutral Base: Metropolitan Gray, Warm Greige
• Uplifting: Living Coral, Dusty Pink, Mustard

Terracotta and Warm Earth Tones

Warm rust, baked clay, burnt orange, and rich ochre represented a complete pivot away from cool, stark interiors. Terracotta tones connected residential spaces to natural geology, working exceptionally well with natural wood grains, woven basketry, and unrefined ceramics.

Deep Jewel Greens and Biophilic Blues

Deep hunter greens, forest shades, and moody slate blues provided architectural drama. Used extensively on kitchen cabinetry and built-in shelving, these shades established contrast against lighter countertops, brushed brass hardware, and butcher block surfaces.

Muted, Restorative Neutrals

Instead of bright clinical white, 2019 promoted nuanced neutrals. Greige (a hybrid of gray and beige), soft stone, bone white, and smoky fog grays were used as balancing agents to support bolder surrounding colors without feeling harsh.

Vibrant Corals and Optimistic Accents

To prevent rooms from feeling overly dark or heavy, vibrant accents were essential. Living Coral, mustard yellow, dusty blush, and soft peach provided visual points of interest that invigorated grounding earth tones.

How 2019 Colors Were Applied Across Design Disciplines

Interior Design and Architecture

In residential and commercial spaces, 2019 marked a major transition in cabinet finishes and trim work:

• The Rise of Two-Tone Cabinetry: Designers regularly paired lower kitchen cabinets in Night Watch or Blueprint with upper cabinets painted in soft neutrals like Metropolitan or soft off-white.
• Warm Metallic Accents: Cool chrome and brushed nickel hardware yielded ground to warm brushed brass, matte black, and oil-rubbed bronze, which enhanced the warm undertones of terracotta and coral palettes.
• Matte and Tactile Finishes: Glossy surfaces gave way to velvet, washed linen, matte ceramic tiles, and ultra-flat paint finishes that absorbed light and emphasized texture.

Graphic Design and Visual Branding

Digital media saw a widespread move toward warm gradient transitions and rich, organic color fields. Living Coral became a dominant theme across brand identity projects, social media graphics, and web design, often paired with deep teal or dark charcoal to create contrast that popped on OLED displays.

Fashion and Apparel

In retail and apparel, 2019 spring and summer collections highlighted coral knitwear, terracotta linen trousers, and hunter green outer garments. Fashion houses blended utility wear (khaki, olive, clay) with vibrant tropical pops, matching the broader movement toward natural yet energetic aesthetics.

Choosing and Pairing 2019 Colors in Contemporary Spaces

Applying a 2019 color palette effectively requires attention to lighting conditions, undertones, and functional room layout.

• Deep Green / Blue (High Contrast with Warm Brass / Terracotta)
  • Pairs with Neutral Base (Metropolitan / Greige)
• Warm Brass / Terracotta (High Contrast with Deep Green / Blue)
  • Pairs with Neutral Base (Metropolitan / Greige)

1. Pairing Earth Tones with Warm Neutrals

If applying a strong terra-cotta like Cavern Clay, pair it with warm stone or cream base coats rather than stark white.

• Primary Wall: Warm Greige or Cream (e.g., Light Reflectance Value 65–75)
• Accent Wall / Feature Element: Sherwin-Williams Cavern Clay
• Accent Materials: Cognac leather, natural jute, matte brass lighting, and light oak floorings.

2. Balancing Deep Greens and Blues

Moody shades like Night Watch require adequate direct or indirect light to prevent a room from feeling overly confined.

• Room Orientation: Ideal for south-facing rooms that receive natural sunlight throughout the day, or well-lit spaces with layered artificial light (recessed, ambient, and task lighting).
• Complementary Accents: Soft rose, muted coral, crisp bone-white trim, and warm wood millwork.

3. Incorporating Living Coral without Overwhelming the Space

Because Living Coral has a strong visual punch, it functions best when used deliberately according to the 60-30-10 color rule:

• 60% Main Color: Neutral wall finish (Metropolitan or soft alabaster)
• 30% Secondary Color: Anchoring blue or deep gray (Blueprint or charcoal upholstered furniture)
• 10% Accent Color: Living Coral applied via throw blankets, throw pillows, modern artwork, or decorative glassware.

Light Reflectance Value (LRV) and Practical Paint Selection

When selecting paint colors inspired by 2019 trends, understanding Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is crucial. LRV measures the percentage of light a paint color reflects on a scale from 0 (absolute black) to 100 (pure white).

• 0: Dark / Light Absorbent

  • Night Watch (LRV 6.3)
  • Blueprint (LRV 20)
  • Metropolitan (LRV 61.1)

• 100: Bright / Reflective

• Low LRV Colors (0–25): Colors like Night Watch (LRV 6.32), Cavern Clay (LRV 20), and Blueprint (LRV ~20) absorb light. They create intimate, moody, and dramatic environments. Use them in rooms with generous natural light or rich ambient artificial lighting.

• Medium-to-High LRV Colors (50–70): Colors like Metropolitan (LRV 61.12) reflect light back into the space, making small or dark rooms feel expansive and airier.

Common Design Mistakes When Using Bold 2019 Palettes

While 2019 colors are versatile, improper application can compromise an interior design scheme:

1. Ignoring Undertones in Lighting: Dark greens like Night Watch can appear almost black under poor lighting, while blue tones like Blueprint may shift gray in cold, north-facing daylight. Always test painted color boards in the specific room at morning, noon, and night.
2. Over-Saturating with Warm Accents: Combining high-saturation terracotta, bright yellow, and Living Coral simultaneously can result in visual clutter. Restrain vibrant pops to isolated focal points.
3. Failing to Balance Dark Cabinetry: Painting all kitchen cabinets in a deep hue without light-colored countertops, backsplash tile, or light wood flooring can visually weigh down the space.
4. Using Cool Whites with Warm Earth Tones: Pairing a warm terracotta like Cavern Clay with an icy blue-white wall paint creates harsh visual friction. Match warm hues with off-whites or creams containing yellow or beige undertones.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the official Pantone Color of the Year in 2019?

The official Pantone Color of the Year for 2019 was PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral, an animating, golden-under-toned coral shade engineered to convey warmth, comfort, and positive energy.

What paint colors were trending most in 2019?

The top trending paint colors included rich forest green (PPG Night Watch), denim/slate blue (Behr Blueprint), warm terracotta (Sherwin-Williams Cavern Clay), and sophisticated light gray (Benjamin Moore Metropolitan).

How do 2019 color palettes compare to previous years?

Compared to the cool, clinical grays and stark monochrome whites that dominated early 2010s design, 2019 shifted heavily toward biophilic greens, warm earth tones, organic clays, and playful coral accents designed to bring emotional warmth and natural textures back into spaces.

Can 2019 colors like Living Coral and Cavern Clay still be used in modern interiors?

Yes. Warm terracotta tones, muted blues, deep biophilic greens, and coral accent pieces remain staple elements in modern organic, Scandinavian, and Mid-Century Modern interiors. They pair naturally with modern neutral backdrops, light oak, matte black hardware, and raw stone surfaces.

What colors pair best with Living Coral?

Living Coral pairs exceptionally well with deep ocean teals, dark navy, cool slate grays, creamy off-whites, and warm metallic accents such as satin brass or brushed gold.

Practical Recommendations for Working with 2019 Palettes

If you are incorporating elements of the 2019 color palette into a residential renovation, commercial redesign, or brand identity project, follow these actionable steps:

1. Sample Before Committing: Order peel-and-stick paint samples or paint large 2x2 foot test boards. Move them around the room over a 24-hour period to see how changing natural and artificial light affects the color's undertones.
2. Anchor Bolder Tones with Textured Neutrals: When using strong colors like Cavern Clay or Blueprint, anchor them with soft greiges, light oak flooring, woven wool rugs, and linen window treatments to maintain balance.
3. Use the 60-30-10 Rule: Reserve intense, animating shades like Living Coral for the 10% accent portion of your design scheme to keep the space grounded while still achieving a striking visual accent.
4. Factor in LRV: Verify the Light Reflectance Value of dark jewel tones before applying them to small, windowless spaces. Ensure adequate lighting fixtures are in place to preserve clarity and depth.