How To Use Pantone Color of the Year In Your 2023 Office

When creating a space that inspires and encourages your work, it is important to consider comfort factors as well. Unique design and comfort–both in that design physically–can directly impact employee productivity and well-being. But creating a workspace that fosters creativity and bold ideas can be difficult enough. Updating it to keep it fresh and inspiring is a whole other task.

Whether you are working from home, in a hybrid environment, or in-office, there are simple ways to update and improve your space to achieve similar productivity outcomes for your business–and even your personal life. Something we have considered over the years? Updating the color scheme–be it with a fresh coat of paint, new furniture, decor items, or otherwise–can make a big impact.

What is The Pantone 2023 Color of The Year?

This year, Pantone has graced us with a vibrant, robust color that brings to mind delicious juices – beet juice, raspberry juice, dragon fruit. The color is Viva Magenta 18-1750. And while many people may view this color as polarizing, its depth and intensity is actually quite alluring. Described on Pantone’s site as “brave and fearless, [Viva Magenta] is a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.” After the last few years, this description – and this particular color – feels like the dawning of a new way of life for many people.

Leatrice Eiseman, the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute expands: “In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.”

How Can You Add Viva Magenta to Your Routine?

Whether you identify as male, female, both, neither, or otherwise, there are different design aspects to play up with Viva Magenta to add a spark to your workspace this year. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Invest in Colorful Wall Art

One of the easiest ways to bring new life to your workspace is to invest in new art. If you don’t have the means or the desire to invest in someone else’s art, you can always test your own creative abilities on canvas. If you’re lucky enough to have children in your life, you could request that they create a piece of art that features splashes of Viva Magenta. Having a piece that is uniquely yours can really put a smile on your face when you glance at it during the day, which can relieve the stress and tension that the workplace often provides.

The best news is that this project can be as involved or hands-off as you desire, and can fit within any budget. Not sure where to start? If you’re looking for stunning paintings for sale, you can get them at Singulart, which features thousands of talented artists and their works on an online marketplace.

2. Paint an Accent Wall

While not everyone has the autonomy in their office space to paint walls willy-nilly, having influence over office updates or working from a home office can afford you a little more wiggle room with design options. As someone who has worked in a space with even more vibrant magenta walls than this year’s Pantone color, I can tell you that they are a topic of interest to everyone passing through.

Painting an accent wall – or a design with Viva Magenta in a space that you can show off – can be a fun project. It can also add dimension to your space as a topic of conversation for your next set of Zoom calls. But if you don’t have the budget for that or need to stick to temporary decor, you can decorate the walls with different illustrations and frame them with personalized picture frames.

3. Color Coordinate Your Office Supplies

When I went to college, I invested in as much turquoise as possible. My tape dispenser, hole punch, scissors, and even staples reflected this goal. While I am unsure that Pantone has their own line of scissors and pencil sharpeners, there are magenta options out there that you can look into. Having bright scissors handles popping out of a magenta jar, or a new set of pens that mimic the color, can add a fun and inexpensive pop of color to your day.

4. Upgrade Your Lighting

The wide world of tech has gotten so much more advanced in the last few years. One of my favorite home and office-ready upgrades? Color-changing lights. LE makes a fantastic Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb that can be purchased and programmed to change colors depending on the time of day, or at any click of the app. Programming these lights to be magenta – especially when you are in a brainstorming session or just getting ramped up with work – can help you to embrace a workspace with less harsh lighting, and a more fun ambiance.

5. Keep it Fresh

It is said that plants and flowers in the workplace can greatly improve performance. In fact, multiple studies have demonstrated that workers are more innovative, quicker on their feet, and better problem solvers when greenery surrounds them. And while fake floral arrangements – like those found in offices in droves in the 80s and 90s – certainly have their “perk of color” benefits, there is nothing like having a fresh arrangement or plant close by in your space to add a pleasant scent and contribute to the air quality in the building.

If you aren’t up for spending money on a fresh floral arrangement every few weeks, there are plenty of houseplants that contain hints of magenta. If you have the correct temperature options in your environment, several species of orchid will work well. The magenta African violet, Magenta earth star plant, coleus, and the Ti plant all have similarly colored leaves or blooms.

Viva Magenta is said to be an empowering and expansive color. As someone who noticed all of the power players at SXSW wearing magenta last year, I can tell you that this more muted and natural tone of magenta is incredibly fun and pleasing to be around. If you get the chance, add a little bit of this attention-grabbing color to your space to help you engage with your senses for mental clarity and notice your surroundings a little bit more.