Colours of the year 2018
Every year, trend forecasters colour experts as well as paint manufacturers identify a colour or series of colours they believe capture and convey the spirit of the year. This year the forecasts range from a deep violet to a warm neutral and a welcoming pink, ensuring every taste and need is catered for.



PANTONE: ULTRAVIOLET
The world is a little obsessed with purple right now. Colour experts, Pantone have chosen PANTONE 18-3838 UltraViolet as the colour for 2018.
With playful references to science and space travel, the colour continues the move away from pastels such as those seen in 2016, and the warmer tones seen in years before that. Bold jewel tones of semi-precious stones and rich fabrics. For almost everyone purple is symbolic of wealth, luxury and regal bearing, while also bringing to mind counterculture, unconventionality and mindfulness.
More than just a deep purple, UltraViolet is a bold hue, complex and provocative. It is versatile in the manners in which it can be used, and unlike other colours of past years can be included in a way that will have a lasting effect.
As the Pantone announcement explained, the colour is a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, which communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us towards the future.
“We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination. It is this kind of creative inspiration that is indigenous to this year’s UltraViolet, a blue-based purple that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute.
Dulux: Pictured Rocks
For 15 years now, paint manufacturers Dulux have been using their trademarked Colour Futures continuous expert research into trends, insights and consumer behaviours to identify one hero paint colour that is relevant in homes around the world. This year’s Dulux colour is Pictured Rocks, a beautiful warm pink chosen by the colour specialists at Dulux Global Aesthetic Centre.
It is a subtle and warm tone of grown-up pink drawing elements from the tactile qualities of natural wood and leather.
The choice was in line with research revealing a strong overarching trend of consumers wanting to transform their homes into spaces of retreat from the outside world.
“Colour can play a significant role in addressing the balance between outside clamour and inner calm,” says Palesa Ramaisa, Dulux Colour Consultant.
“Our 2018 Colour of the Year and its four complementary colour palettes will help consumers achieve a home that is truly and uniquely theirs, bringing a feeling of safety and reassurance, and creating a welcome home for all.”
Visit the Dulux website or download their Dulux Visualizer ZA App to see how to best use the colour in your own home.
Plascon : Neutral of the year 2018: Amadeus
Breaking from the tradition of having a colour of the year. Plascon’s colour team this year chose a Neutral of the Year. First launched as the colour of the month in September 2017. Amadeus (Y2-B1-4) provided an earthy natural canvas to a variety of paint inspirations drawing from a variety of South African traditions . The colour itself is an earthy, yellow-tinted hue, a neutral with character which, when combined with other colours, brings a grounding energy. Plascon says it captures the essence of the year’s trends and is really easy for anyone to incorporate into their own colour schemes.
Plascon has also identified four colour stories which reflect the changing state of the world. For inspiration ask for the latest paint sample chips at your paint store, or visit the Plascon website. Plascon also has a visualiser which can help you see what your room would look like painted before you make the big commitment to a colour. Plascon Visualiser can be downloaded from the GooglePlayStore.