Pantone went bright and bold with its pick for the 2023 Color of the Year: Viva Magenta, 18-1750. The crimson-adjacent color is an “unconventional shade for an unconventional time” according to an announcement from Pantone, the global color authority and forecasting powerhouse.

Viva Magenta is vigorous and a symbol of strength. The brave and fearless shade promotes joy and optimism, encourages experimentation and is “inclusive of all”.

How was this color chosen from a sea of color possibilities? This year, Pantone’s color inspiration is found in part in the natural world, with the crimson hue coming from the red family.

“In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. Pantone 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute. “Rooted in the primordial, Pantone 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, Pantone 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.”

However, it’s not just Mother Nature that’s providing inspiration this time around. Similar to last year’s pick of Very Peri, Viva Magenta is inspired by the digital world as well. It is even paired with the opening of a new art exhibition in Miami, named the “Magentaverse”, an ode to the metaverse.

Bringing Viva Magenta into Your Home

Like Viva Magenta’s predecessors for color of the year, you can expect to see the color popping up all over our daily lives—both virtually, and physically on runways and showrooms alike.

The color will also find its way closer to home—or rather within our homes—and not just in wardrobes. Pantone’s color of the year selections have long served as inspiration for interior design trends, and the 2023 pick is no exception.

While it is no doubt a bold choice, Viva Magenta is surprisingly versatile. It offers a balance of warm and cool tones. It can be used as the pop of color in a mostly neutral palette, or paired with other bold shades for a daring design aesthetic.

If you are looking to Pantone’s star shade for interior design inspiration, there are many possibilities, ranging from small pops of color to bold design statements:

• Candles and vases in the shade can add a fresh and current touch to your bookcase, accent table or mantle.
• Accent pillows or a throw blanket can refresh a neutral sofa or accent chair.
• Wall art can update your living room, bedroom or home office.
• Area rugs featuring crimson tones are available in a variety of motifs and can complement traditional to contemporary designs.
• A sofa, loveseat or chair can become a bold focal point in your room.
• Wallpaper or paint can create a beautiful focal wall in your living or dining space.

By incorporating Viva Magenta into your home, either in little or large doses, you can give your home a 2023 edit, albeit one that’s personalized to your own design preferences.