Discover the Top 4 Neutrals for Fall 2020: They're Not What You Expect

Thankfully, amid all this uncertainty, we can always count on one thing: the changing of the seasons.  This year in particular, summer felt especially long, what with the endless days indoors, staring at the same walls, feeling stuck in the same old rooms…  Well. Fall will be here in a few weeks, and while things aren’t quite back to “normal” just yet, we can at least look forward to warming up our spaces with fun, new accents and colors.

What do you think?  Earth tones, right?  Autumn leaves, pumpkins… rich browns, orange, gold and red combinations… the classics that have been our mainstay for ages.  Guess what – this year, the experts at Pantone Color Institute are giving fall neutrals a fresh, unexpected twist.

Because home fashion typically follows fashion apparel, and because New York Fashion Week is coming up in September, I thought I would check out Pantone’s Fashion Color Trend Report for Fall 2020 to see what the experts are saying, what designers will be showing on the runways, and what we’ll later be seeing on the retail market.

The overall palette was a vibrant collection of jewel shades mixed with warmer hues.  But what surprised me the most, were the selections for the season’s core or foundational colors.

While still inspired by the natural colors of fall, there are no browns to be seen.  The focus, instead, is on the undertones, the less prominent background colors – of moss on stone, of cream-colored gourds, of the sky or water at dusk.

So you’re probably thinking… “these colors don’t look very warm and cozy.”  And you’re right!  They need to be paired with the other colors in the palette, like the  bright orange tones of Amberglow or the more subdued Sandstone to complete the look.

Combine these colors into your design with cozy accents that we associate with comfort, such as pillows and throws, or accessories that have texture from natural materials like baskets, rugs, or seasonal fruits and florals to give you that welcoming feeling of fall.

But why stop with just one or two colors?  If you’re not too excited about these core neutrals, here’s the rest of the palette:

I’d say there’s a lot to get excited about!  These colors are so bold and dramatic, so different than what we're used to.  Whether you use them conservatively with smaller accent pieces or liberally on entire walls, any combination would be a welcome change.

How about adding softness and warmth to Sleet walls with a little Classic Blue on your dining chair upholstery, and complementing it with an interesting mix of Ultramarine Green and Magenta Purple texture on the rug?

If you're looking for something more vivid, Green Sheen works wonders to liven up the neutral Almond Oil and Military Olive backdrop.  I would only apply this bright color in small doses, though, so as not to overwhelm the space.

For more dominant pieces, such as a sofa, a softer hue like Rose Tan can be selected instead of a neutral.  This color looks especially fresh against a more saturated background like Ultramarine Green, and even a lighter, more pastel color, when applied in a luxurious, plush texture, can be appropriate for the fall.

Now if you want your fall color scheme to really pack a punch, run with a deep, rich shade like Fired Brick, and accent with your favorite brights to make it your own.  

There are always certain colors that you will be drawn to, so feel free to include them in your design!  Keep in mind that this fall palette is here to inspire you, not cramp your style.  And by the way, it’s also okay for neutrals to take a back seat, if you need a little more color in your life.

Whatever your decorating style may be, I hope I got your creative energy flowing with this new fall color palette.  There are literally endless ways to combine these colors to spice up your home and create a nice little haven to hibernate in this season.  So go ahead, mix it up – I’d love to see what you come up with.