Ultimate Gray and Illuminating yellow were chosen as Pantone’s colors of the year for 2021, representing “feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.”

Each year, Pantone – a company known for its color matching system – chooses a color of the year to set a mood for designers and color enthusiasts alike. For 2020, the color of the year was Classic Blue, chosen to represent “the trust and faith” to provide a sturdy foundation for the year ahead. For 2021, Pantone has chosen two colors, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating, a yellow tone.

Together this gray and yellow combination was selected as “a marriage of color conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.” Considering the trials faced by many in 2020, this color combination with thoughtful gray and bright yellow offer a hopeful feel for the coming year.

In their announcement about the 2021 Colors of the Year, Pantone wrote that the colors are “practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic.” The colors are meant to encapsulate “deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.”

With a calming and comfortable feeling, and a touch of elegance, pairing yellow and gray can be a great choice for interior design! Here are some examples of combination:

From Contemporist.com, these examples capture how yellow and gray can make an excellent pair for interior design in a number of different rooms, from a nursery to the kitchen.

This bedroom from Decoist.com shows how gray and yellow create a calm and happy environment that can energize you in the morning and help you relax in the evening.

This beautiful modern kitchen from Simplyfutbol.com is a great example of using gray and yellow together in harmony!