Pantone Colour of the Year 2022: Very Peri

The colour purple

Every year, the Pantone Institute announces its ‘Colour of the Year’. Chosen to reflect the times and encapsulate the cultural moment, this year’s choice took an unexpected twist as the company decided to formulate a brand-new colour: Very Peri.

A member of the blue family, Very Peri (aka Pantone 17-3938) is a vibrant shade of periwinkle enlivened with violet-red undertones. It is said to symbolise the transformative times we’re living in, and it will now be added to the company’s colour chips. As a blue, it was designed to feel steadfast and comfortable, yet also dynamic and energetic with its violet-red undertones. Combined, the cool and warm tones together it feels fresh, unexpected and innovative.

Purple reign

Over the past 22 years, the Pantone Institute has selected a colour from its more-than-2000-colour database, with shades from Cerulean Blue (2000) to Living Coral (2019) stealing the show. This isn’t the first purple pick from Pantone. In 2008, they chose Blue Iris. In 2014, it was Radiant Orchid. And in 2018, the Pantone chose Ultra Violet as the Colour of the Year.

This year, in creating a new tone, the team at the Institute sought a futuristic hue to reflect global innovation and the digital world.

As the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2022, you can expect to see it splashed from the catwalk to magazine spreads and filtering down to prints, cushions, vases and other homewares in interiors stores across the globe.

Decorating with Very Peri

When using this shade in your home, unless you’re The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, you should pepper purple sparingly. However, as a vibrant accent colour, small pops can instantly infuse the entire space with warmth, depth and just a touch of playfulness.

Make your spaces pop with a sprinkle of purple accessories.

Accents such as decorative cushions and faux flowers in shades of lilac, lavender, plum and violet work as a transformative palette, particularly to break up larger areas, such as living room. Darker shades such as aubergine, magenta and amethyst have long been associated with luxury, sophistication and royalty, so framed prints and canvases with deeper purple tones can add elegance and sophistication to your rooms, without overwhelming the space.

Ultimately, colour choices come down to how they make you feel, so if this hue is for you, here’s your excuse to sprinkle the periwinkle from the dining room to the deck.

Top purple picks

More in-store at Early Settler

Visit us online or in-store to check out our purple homewares. Purple not your hue? Don’t miss our story on Classic Blue and Ultimate Gray and Illuminating — the Pantone Colours of the Year 2020 and 2021.