The color gods have spoken and the “It” colour of 2023 is here. Introducing: Viva Magenta (18-1750), the Pantone Color of the Year 2023. Or for you designers out there, #BE3455.
It exists somewhere between the colors red and pink, but with a bit more flair and extravagance. Viva Magenta, described by Pantone as “a nuanced crimson red tone that presents a balance between warm and cool”, is the exact pop of colour your house needs this new year.
Throughout the years, Pantone’s annual pick has influenced many a homeowner’s home decor theme, and for good reason. They know what they’re doing. But mixing this rich red beauty into your humble abode may seem tricky. That’s where we come in.
A pop of color, a touch of drama
One of the main things you can do to incorporate this vibrant shade of red into your home is by adding accent furniture in different spaces to create a visual balance in a room. Here are some ideas.
Viva Magenta in the living room
What first comes to mind when decorating a space are big and bold upholstered sofas or armchairs. Personally, they complete a space and can elevate it when in Viva Magenta’s show-stopping color. To balance the room, you can keep your neutral-coloured wall paint and perhaps add a light gray rug. You can also pair it with a dark mustard yellow throw pillow to create a nice contrast with the rich bold color of Viva Magenta.
If you’d rather go small with the bright pops of Viva Magenta in your living room, you could look into adding bohemian quilts or blankets to can drape across the couch (which can also be very useful when snuggling at night as you scroll through TikTok), putting up prints on the walls (that classic Matisse print in Viva Magenta is something I need to go and get for myself), or add an area rug to tie it all together.
In the kitchen
This is Goop’s (yes, that beauty company by Gwyneth Paltrow) beauty editor’s apartment in New York City and it is everything. Somehow, she has managed to seamlessly incorporate the vivacious Viva Magenta into her kitchen. I thought I was more of a Dakota-Johnson-sage-green-kitchen type of girl (Google it later), but this is changing my mind.
You’ll see a splash of Viva Magenta among her cabinetry, paired with a sort of ocean-green backsplash that manages to create an alluring vibe in what I consider to be the heart of the home. You’ll see she also has a carpet runner that incorporates both green and magenta in it, but in a slightly different tone so as to not overwhelm the senses.
If you don’t want to completely repaint your kitchen carpentry, you can add little bits and pieces of appliances and cookware in the color of Viva Magenta, or a carpet runner to brighten up the space. A cheeky little bar cart, the beacon of all things good and fun, can also do the trick.
Another easy, but subtle, way to add Viva Magenta into your home decor is by displaying some actual magenta flowers in a white vase (this will make the color pop more) on your breakfast counter. Actually, have some in every room. It makes any space look more elegant and put-together.
In the bedroom
I know we often say that neutral is best; cleaner, simpler, and easier to decorate. But since it’s the new year, and the new It Colour is in town, it may be time to experiment with a few different prints and color combinations.
Dark blue against green with a hint of Viva Magenta makes for a sophisticated and elevated look; like you’re having slightly more fun than everyone else. Or if you really want to go full maximalist, adding wallpaper with a flower-and-plant print can rejuvenate your room. Sprinkle some other color, like that mustard yellow we mentioned earlier.
It’s all about mastering the art of balancing colors: Viva Magenta against an off-white background and splashes of colour in the art and decor works. If everything else is already coloured, pare it down with some white bed sheets and tuck a magenta blanket somewhere in there or change your pillow covers and it should be enough.
In the bathroom
Now I think this is where you can really go big and bold with Viva Magenta. I’ve always been in love with having a feature wall to add interest and energy to a room that can often be boring and just plain practical, through texture, color, and contrast. Here are a few ideas:
The theme that best (and most naturally) incorporates Viva Magenta is a jungle home theme, with overgrown plants, forest-like backgrounds, and hints of flaura and fauna. The black and white tiles on the floors and/or walls can create a gorgeous contrast and center the room. But adding even more colour, like a teal shade, can also brighten up the space, if that’s what you’re going for. Otherwise, something in between could work, like an abstract print or paint splashes of different colors (perhaps all the previous Pantone Colors of the Year) on a white or cream background.
In the study
There’s something about bright colors in a room that make me feel, or at least want to be, productive. As vibrant as Viva Magenta is, research shows it can also boost energy, promote optimism, and inspire creativity — all of which you’d want to experience in your home study/office/library where important work is supposed to get done.
Again, a good armchair can really do the trick of incorporating enough magenta and comfort to aid your work process. Add some warmth and texture to the room by adding a velvet couch, or a woven rug, if you’re not comfortable with painting your shelves or walls in Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2023.
Let us help you breathe new life into your home
You may also want to incorporate these 6 Feng Shui Tips into your home decor to welcome the Lunar New Year. Even if you’re not a believer, rearranging certain furniture and maintaining the cleanliness of your home are simple enough. And if doing so will invite good energy into your home, well, all the better for you and your family.
If you are looking for extra assistance in sprucing up your new home, or simply want to give it a fresh look (it’s about time, hey?), look no further than Ohmyhome to help you get started. You can speak to our team of interior designers here and get a free quote of your dream renovation here.
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