From the elegant pink/purple Radiant Orchid of 2014 to the fresh, natural Greenery in 2017, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2018 has been announced. We wondered which direction Pantone will take this year, given how the past few years have focused on lighter, brighter colors that emphasize a naturalistic optimism. Here’s what they had to say about their choice:

“Inventive and imaginative, [it] lights the way to what is yet to come.”

For 2018, Pantone’s Color of the Year is Ultra Violet! It definitely goes in a different direction than the previous years, opting for a darker and more dramatic purple shade. With a predominantly blue undertone that results in a rich and recognizable purple shade, we can’t help but think of the possibilities in store for interior design in 2018. Without further adieu, let’s highlight some designer wallpapers that showcase the gorgeous color!

Luxury Linen 089201 - Plain Linen

Created with natural fibers, the patterns in the Luxury Linen collection focus on adding a simple yet elegant touch to the space. From small-scale geometric and stripe designs to plain textures, these wallpapers open up a world of creativity with how they can be used. For example, the Plain Linen wallpaper above can be used to compliment existing feature walls. Boasting a vivid color itself, imagine the possibilities when paired with a large black and white digital mural, such as this Chicago wallpaper mural or this print featuring Amsterdam. For a similar wallpaper in a slightly different shade, the Bont collection features one.

Brocante 45914 - Flash

Moving on to a simple yet stylish design, striped wallpaper has always been a staple for residential and commercial spaces. For whatever project, striped patterns allow for additional flexibility and usage in spaces small and large. For our next pick, we’re choosing Flash, which features two different purple tones. The pastel lilac color works wonderfully with the deeper purples, creating a nice contrast that adds energy to the design.

Shadows on the Wall 45574 - Adore

Moving to a more complex and intricately designed pattern, this floral wallpaper showcases the power of sophisticated design. Thin threads weave across the pattern, creating connecting links that pull the entire design together, uniting the larger floral motifs. The darker purple shade sits on a light gray background, creating a nice contrast that emphasizes its designer wallpaper status. Paired with our first wallpaper pick, Plain Linen, this purple floral wallpaper can be used as a feature wall.

Neo Royal 218601 - Floral Bohemian Wallpaper

If you want a wallpaper that hints at deep purple tones but utilizes other colors as well, Floral Bohemian is for you. With a color burned look that’s out of this world, this wallpaper is a drastic change in direction compared to the previous purple wallpapers on our list. Emphasizing a modern look, the Damask-like rendition of the floral arrangement showcases a wide range of vibrant colors such as purple, red, and blue. It’s a visually memorable pattern that dramatizes the atmosphere with its dark, mysterious look.

Mart Visser 48222 - Dye

Watercolor and tie dye effects are popular wallpaper styles this year and with good reason. The hand painted looks give these wallpaper patterns an original quality that makes it stand out. Again, this tie dye wallpapaer in particular blends a lighter purple with a darker purple shade to create a beautiful visual interaction between the two. The horizontal stripes and the water bleeding effect gives it a rustic characteristic.

Comtesse 225333 - Watercolour Damask

Focusing on balancing light and darker colors, Watercolor Damask is true to its name, featuring the iconic damask pattern with a watercolor style. The different shades of purple blend together to create a subtle gradient effect. The off-white background maintains the classic traditional look of many damask wallpaper patterns.

Van Gogh 17191 - Piles of French Novels

Last but not least, perfect for book lovers who love an engaging and memorable story, this one features playful imagery that is sure to make an impact. As part of the Van Gogh collection (https://primewalls.ca/collections/van-gogh-wallpaper), the watercolor aesthetic brings these books to life with a creative, artistic-inspired touch. The soft colors bright a sense of brightness to the space, whether it’s for a child’s bedroom or a modern bookstore. With both a modern and traditional look, this interesting wallpaper uses Pantone’s color of the year to truly create a statement piece.

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2017 is Ultra Violet

Purple colors often have a mysterious air about them that draws your attention. While the wallpapers we’ve highlighted mostly focus on that color, think about incorporating or pairing this deep purple with other colors to create a diverse color palette that speaks to the richness and luxuriousness of the purples. Navy blue, taupe, black, and magenta are excellent options.