Before this week, I hadn’t thought about purple for about 20 years. (It was my favourite colour as a kid and my walls and my wardrobe were purple for far too long, but hey, it was the ‘90s.)

Then Pantone announced Ultra Violet as the 2018 Color of the Year and suddenly I was swept up in nostalgia. The colour is meant to be optimistic, empowering and calming, a Pantone spokesperson told the Associated Press. But could it work in home décor without making me feel 10 again? I asked the experts. “This shade of purple can be one of the most intimidating hues to bring into a home,” says Rob Hellander, colour and design expert at Behr Paint. “However, when styled correctly, it can add an air of confidence and originality to a space.”

Here’s how to pull it off based on your bold-colour comfort zone.

 

BABY STEPS “As this colour is rather strong, I would use it primarily as an accent colour on a smaller object or architectural detail,” says Stephan Weishaupt, owner of luxury home decor store, Avenue Road. Hellander suggests starting with purple textiles and furnishings. His picks: velvet throw pillows, painted purple vases or lavender, lilac or sweet pea florals. Or, for “a regal, energizing look, pair it with lighter, contrasting blues and terra cotta oranges, and light wood finishes,” he adds.

Another option: paint the walls a lighter purple. “Lilac, a bluer, more grown-up version of blush, is alluring and approachable, creating a welcoming and calm aura, says Hellander, who suggests the colour “Graylac.” 

 

A LITTLE BIT BOLDER “I like to use colour on some of my furniture pieces,” says Weishaupt, who recommends the sculptural YBU table. “While we typically show it in wood finishes, it also can be ordered in any custom lacquer. Its unique design combined with a striking colour makes it a statement piece.”

 

ALL IN “A rich purple adds a touch of whimsy to neutral spaces when applied on furniture in a shiny, high-gloss sheen. If you’re one of those people who just can’t get enough purple, you can even try painting your fifth wall — the ceiling — with the colour. Immersive and unexpected, this approach is great for adding a pop of colour to a small space such as an entryway or mudroom,” says Hellander.