Pantone’s 2022 Color of the Year is making history with its best reveal yet: an entirely new hue created, for the first time ever, to serve as Color of the Year.

They call it Very Peri (17-3938).

The brand-new blue — a vivifying violet with electric red undertones — boasts both constancy and energy, consistency and excitement. Basically, it’s the happiest periwinkle around.

Each year, Pantone experts analyze societal trends, and the chosen color reflects the current global culture. Last year, the institute surprised us with two tones, Ultimate Gray (17-5104) and Illuminating (13-0647), because we all needed a little extra color as we left 2020 behind. This year, Very Peri is accompanying us as we emerge from isolation and take on a new digital and physical world.

Of course, the nature of Very Peri’s conception represents its importance. “Creating a new color for the first time in the history of our Pantone Color of the Year educational color program reflects the global innovation and transformation taking place,” says Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “The complexity of this new red-violet-infused blue hue highlights the expansive possibilities that lie before us.”

Use It In Your Home

Thus far, the color forecast for 2022 looks airy and light, with paint brands touting sage greens and light blues as major players coming into 2022. Pantone's pick is more emotional, more saturated. Very Peri joins the 2022 palette as the deepest hue on the spectrum, so naturally it pops as an accent color.

We recommend pairing Very Peri with neutrals such as taupes and creams, or deeper shades like navy or brown. When it comes to decorating, try it on pillows, wallpaper or art. And don't shy away from using it with different textures like velvet, leather or grasscloth.

The best part about this bold hue is that it encourages creativity and expression, so maybe an out-of-the-box change (with Very Peri at the forefront of your design) is in order.