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A Quick Design Guide to Ultra Violet, 2018 Color of the Year

Pantone® Color Institute recently announced that the 2018 Color of the Year is Ultra Violet. Whether Pantone’s choice excites you or makes you wonder about its best usage, here are a few tips for how you can work this color into your design plans this year.

Recommendations for Using Ultra Violet, 2018 Color of the Year:

Ultra Violet poses both unique opportunities and challenges for designers. Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, comments, “It’s [the] most complex of all colors [because] it takes two shades that are seemingly diametrically opposed—blue and red—and brings them together to create something new.” When following the Ultra Violet trend, Jennifer Ott, author of 1000 Ideas for Color Schemes, recommends:

  • Think big or small scale with this color. Applied to hotel projects, Ultra Violet can be the color of the accent wall anchoring a guest bed. On the other hand, it can be the color of the throw pillows in an otherwise more neutral-toned hotel lobby.
  • Ultra Violet can be either bold or relaxing. Manipulate Ultra Violet to make a dramatic impression or tone down a room’s ambiance by playing with the color’s scale, placement, and variations.

“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.” – Pantone Color Institute®

How to Incorporate Ultra Violet Into Your Bathroom Design: 

For an on-trend Hospitality or Multifamily bathroom design:

duro single handle lavatory faucet ultra violet color of the year 2018

  • Pair Ultra Violet with Matte Black plumbing fixtures. Matte Black’s flat finish builds on Ultra Violet’s assertiveness without overwhelming the end customer with too much color.
  • Introduce pops of Ultra Violet through your linens and room accents. End customers will be surprised to see this color choice in place of standard white and neutral décor.
  • Don’t hold back. Commit to Ultra Violet when you use it from floor to ceiling—or, more daringly, for your floor, wall, and ceiling!

How to Incorporate Ultra Violet into Your Kitchen Design: 

Some of the concepts for Ultra Violet in bathroom design also apply to kitchen design:

sereno kitchen faucet matte black finish

  • Feature Ultra Violet with Matte Black metal finishes. The balance and calm of this modern duo is sure to inspire hotel guests or Multifamily residents with culinary affinities. In the image above that shows a kitchen with a white color palette, Ultra Violet could be an option for shelving décor, tile backsplash, or lower cabinet color.

    ultra violet iridium azalea mosaic backsplash tile buytile

Source: BuyTile.com

  • Add subtle hints of this hue throughout your room. Ultra Violet can be an out-of-the-box choice for backsplash tile, one of two colors for two-toned kitchen cabinets, dining area upholstery, and other kitchen accents.
  • Make Ultra Violet the focal point of an adjacent common area. When the kitchen extends into a common area, such as a hotel room’s living space or the great room in a Multifamily unit, spread Ultra Violet over a wide space for a hip yet inviting look. Use the color liberally as the room’s wall color, area rug, or ceiling.

More Ultra Violet Design Resources: 

According to Pantone, Ultra Violet works well in a gender-neutral design scheme or one that requires relevance throughout changing seasons. Be sure to refer to Pantone‘s website to access additional Ultra Violet resources such as: coordinating color palettes; formula and color guides; official color swatch card; and plastic standard chips. 

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