Pantone Picks Viva Magenta as the 2023 Color of the Year

The name says it all: Viva Magenta. Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2023—the most anticipated announcement that sets the tone for design trends for the 12 months (and more) to come—is lively, bold, and not for the faint-of-color-heart. 

To the eye, Viva Magenta can be hard to pin down. It’s somewhere between pink and red, somewhere between warm and cool, and somewhere between joyous and daring. That’s why Pantone chose it to represent 2023, a time when they predict we’re ready to put aside the safe design choices—white paint, looking at you—and opt for adventurous ones instead.

“It’s brave, it’s fearless, it depicts optimism and joy—and we know that we are all greatly in need of that,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, says.

The color doesn’t come out of thin air, though. Through Pantone’s extensive research, they’ve seen the hue already pop up in fashion and makeup trends, and post-announcement, we’re guaranteed to see that continue. Keep an eye on the next fashion week; you’ll likely see Viva Magenta all over the runways.

The same goes for your favorite home stores. They’re bound to inject doses of the innovative shade into their products too, making it all the easier to add it to your decor. Viva Magenta is meant to be empowering, giving you a gentle nudge to not play it safe, whether in a lampshade, the wallpaper on an accent wall, or the rug in your entryway.

The tone, also known as Pantone 18-1750, isn’t purely for risk-takers though. There are plenty of ways to include the standout, vibrant hue throughout your home in big and small moments. From paint to textiles to tile to accent items, you can introduce Viva Magenta’s vibrant color and fearless feel into your home in various ways. 

“Magenta is a deeply saturated color that has stimulating energy,” interior designer Sarah Cole tells MyDomaine. Because of that, she says, a little goes a long way. “This is a can’t-miss tone where even a little makes a big impact.”

Its closeness to red makes it an assertive color, but don’t worry about it feeling too harsh; Cole says its blue tones keep magenta grounded.

“Because of that, it can be used sparingly as an accent or in excess,” she says. If you opt to use Viva Magenta in larger doses—four walls of paint, perhaps?—Cole recommends a tiny room, like a powder bathroom. That’ll transform the space into a jewel box. 

Cole suggests being strategic with what other colors you pair magenta with, too. “For example, mix it with blacks and charcoal to make it look elegant and more serious, or complement it with other saturated jewel tones for a more eclectic aesthetic," she says.

Interior designer Sabra Ballon of ballonSTUDIO agrees. "This color will immediately elevate your mood,” she says. She loves magenta because it not only is stylish and vibrant, but retains a certain level of sophistication as well.

“In a home, this color will transform any room into a powerful and energetic environment no matter the lighting. It's a wonderful option to consider when creating a moodier, sexier space, such as a den, library, or dressing area," she says. "I also love the idea of using Viva Magenta as a velvet upholstery on a big, deep plush sofa."

However you use Viva Magenta in your home decor—in big or small doses, in upholstery or paint, in a tiny powder bathroom or an oversized living room—have fun with it. The shade should inspire you, enliven you, and set an excited tone for the year to come.