2024 Colors of the Year: From Peach to Pepper

In a sea of calming blues and grays, one company’s 2024 color of the year stands out against the rest.

Pantone is “embracing the warmth” this year with their Color of the Year: Pantone 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, which is described as “a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body and soul.” As the name suggests, Peach Fuzz is a bright but calming peachy-orange hue with warm undertones. The color is meant to elicit warmth, modern elegance, compassion and youthfulness.

“At a time of turmoil in many aspects of our lives, our need for nurturing, empathy and compassion grows ever stronger as does our imaginings of a more peaceful future,” Pantone’s Color of the Year press release stated. “A warm and cozy shade highlighting our desire for togetherness with others and the feeling of sanctuary this creates, Pantone 13-1023 Peach Fuzz presents a fresh approach to a new softness. Peach Fuzz is a heartfelt peach hue bringing a feeling of tenderness and communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration.”

While Peach Fuzz takes a warmer, brighter approach to calming relaxation, other companies have selected cooler, more subdued colors to achieve the same effect for 2024.

Sherwin Williams SW 6239 Upward is described as “a breezy, blissful blue” and “the color found when we slow down, take a breath and allow the mind to clear.” A silver/gray/light blue shade, this color of the year also evokes feelings of relaxation and contentment. Leaning more towards neutral, Upward may be favored over Peach Fuzz for those who want something a little more subdued.

Keeping with the themes of calmness and peace, Valspar’s Color of the Year 8003-37D Renew Blue is “a nourishing, green-influenced blue that creates a sense of peace wherever you place it.” Bolder than Upward but cooler than Peach Fuzz, Renew Blue provides a splash of color and soothing undertones.

Another blue, Benjamin Moore’s color for 2024 is Blue Nova 825. “Violet and blue come together in this elevated, sumptuous hue,” the company’s site says. “With Blue Nova leading the way, depth and intrigue are balanced by an undercurrent of reassurance. This alluring mid-tone features an enchanting duality, capturing the spotlight with endlessly classic appeal.”

Lastly, neither blue nor peach, Behr’s Color of the Year is Cracked Pepper PPU18-01. Like Blue Nova, this shade of dark gray is meant to elevate. It’s described as “a versatile soft black that accentuates the spaces you create life moments in.” Against the others, Cracked Pepper stands out as the most neutral and darkest of the bunch.

Feature photo credit: Pantone Media Kit