The 2018 Color of the Year from Pantone has officially been announced as being Ultra Violet, which the company says "communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking." Pantone always makes a Color of the Year selection in order to help make a big impact on the industry of home and interiors in ways that the average consumer generally is unaware of. For instance, back in 2016, the company selected Rose Quartz as its Color of the Year, which shared the designation with its sister shade, Serenity, which is described as being a softer blue color. Both colors were selected due to an overall balance between cool and warm, as well as to enable Pantone to showcase that pink and blue were colors that were no longer specific to certain genders. A year later, in 2017, Pantone selected Greenery as their 2017 Color of the Year not only as "a symbol of new beginnings," but also stating that the color was "illustrative of flourishing foliage and the lushness of the great outdoors." In terms of colors such as this year's choice, purple seems to be a divisive color among many people, as there are those who really love it, while those who hate it are equally as passionate about their feelings for doing so. Pantone had the following to say regarding Ultra Violet: "In interiors, Ultra Violet can transform a room into one of extraordinary self-expression, or conversely its polish can tone down a room with subdued, modern pairings. Adding spice and brightness, Ultra Violet calls attention to a tufted couch, piece of art or accent wall. As a color that can take you in so many directions, Ultra Violet makes a statement in any space, whether it’s one of tradition and elegance or unexpected boldness. In hospitality, we are seeing purples like Ultra Violet take center stage in interior spaces as large and small hotels harness color and design to entice travelers and stay relevant" For the year 2018, Pantone predicts that a brand new set of trends will emerge in the world of interior design with respect to colors. Their 2018 palette includes the following: Maize Powder Pink Golden Brown Deep Green Nautical Blue Mandarin Orange Aurora Red When it comes to selecting colors to use in your own home, there are all sorts of different factors that you should consider, which include the following: Don't Be Afraid to Break Tradition Never be too afraid to go with your own unique ideas rather than just sticking with something that is typically tried and true. After all, it's your space and it's your choice how you design it Choose Subtle Colors for the Exterior If you choose to paint the exterior of your home in a more vibrant color, you'll risk rubbing some people the wrong way. This can be reserved for your front door, plantings, pots, etc., but for the rest of the exterior, select a color that's more subtle. Determine Your Comfort Level If you want your home to feel more calming, go with a color palette that contains more calming colors; however, if you're someone who enjoys being more brave, select a palette that has colors that are much more bold. It all depends on what your overall comfort level is. Establish the Mood If you're looking for an environment that's much more soothing, the best route to take is to select colors that are more quiet, such as whites and grays. For a more warm mood, go with pinks, reds, and yellows. Many interior designers typically warn against painting in colors that are cooler, as this can result in an atmosphere that is more cold. Create a Sense of Balance If you're someone who prefers a color palette that's more provocative in nature, consider selecting shades of reds, pinks, and oranges, though you never want to exclusively stick with just these colors. Instead, add in blue, black, or a rich chocolate shade to go along with them.