Pantone released their Color of the Year for 2019 and…drumroll please….it’s “Living Coral.” The peachy pink coral shade feels vibrant and fresh for a new year. And, while one color isn’t the be-all and end-all of trends for 2019, as design experts we think it’s indicative of what’s to come.

Like last year’s Ultraviolet, Living Coral is no pastel shade. Yes, it’s pastel-adjacent, but it injects a little more life into those ultra-popular pale pinks of a few years ago. We’re taking it as a sign that design is ready to move into bolder territory. This is far from neutral. Living Coral is energizing and buoyant. It creates a fun, social mood that feels fresh after a year of ups and downs.

Havenly designers agree. Shelby Girard, Head of Design, thinks the color is ultra-versatile. “It obviously works in a more traditional coastal way, but it feels like a great accent for more bohemian and eclectic rooms as well. I see it working well with warm tones like coppers, caramels, and yellows,” she adds.

Living Coral takes a classically preppy pink away from its lobster-pant associations. Elyza Brillantes, Design Program Manager at Havenly notes that “unlike some of the past Pantone Colors of the Year, it has a vibrancy that feels really universal.”  And, it’s already popular —  Havenly designers get asked to incorporate this color “all the time.”

How can you inject a little bit of Living Coral’s vibrant personality in your space? Well, it’s easy. Look for coral elements in the pattern of rugs, throw pillows, and bedding. Art is also a great way to incorporate the color, as it often appears in the nature-inspired designs that have become popular in the last few years. And, if you’re really ready to embrace the new color trend, you can always paint a bold accent wall!

Whether you’re diving right into 2019’s color trends or just dipping a toe in the water (ocean puns intended), Living Coral is a beautiful way to add a fun touch to any space, one that still upholds the fresh feminine feel of pale pinks but takes them to a bolder place. We have a hunch this color is going to have a major moment in the coming year. Goodbye millennial pink, hello Living Coral!

If you love real living coral as much as you love the color, please consider donating to the Coral Reef Alliance.