Tangerine Tango: 4 Ways to Use Pantone's Color of the Year
Don't let this bold hue scare you — try warming up any room with this cheerful red-orange color of 2012
Next year, it’s all about tangerine. Pantone, the design world’s authority on color identification, today announced its much-anticipated Color of the Year for 2012 —Tangerine Tango, a dramatic reddish orange with a positive energy and warmth. Although it can be intimidating at first, this attention-grabbing orange is a surprisingly flexible hue. Whether you’re a tangerine addict and can’t wait to outfit a room in all-orange, or if you’re still getting used to this bold color, there are plenty of simple tips to integrate Tangerine Tango into your home.
1. Embrace tangerine from floor to ceiling. This reddish orange hue is warm, cheerful, and inviting. If you agree with Pantone and have fallen in love with Tangerine Tango, go all out and use the bold color for an entire room. This room tones it down a little with more neutral accents — like khaki, brown and black.
Tangerine Tango PANTONE 17-1463. This hue is deeper, bolder and more red than your average orange, but it can still go with many of the same colors it pairs with.
Using tangerine on the walls in this room transformed it into a vibrant nook to sit and enjoy the view.
Don't be afraid to play with the same color in different tones. Sometimes too much of one color can seem a little scary, but the deep tangerine walls and red ceiling create a visually interesting space.
Don't be afraid to play with the same color in different tones. Sometimes too much of one color can seem a little scary, but the deep tangerine walls and red ceiling create a visually interesting space.
Shades of Pantone's tangerine can be great for bedrooms. Try mixing it with patterns and white to break up the space and blend with other bright hues for depth.
2. Add unexpected pops of color with paint. Not sure if you're ready to go all tangerine? Take a tip from this designer and use it on just one wall. It goes with warm and cool colors, and is easy to paint over if you get tired of it.
Painting your front door a happy hue of deep tangerine is a great way to draw guests into your home. If you have a more neutral exterior color — like gray, khaki, or brown — a contrasting tangerine door is the perfect way to set your home apart from the other houses on the street.
Have you ever thought about using this spicy tangerine in the kitchen? It might seem like a bit of an odd choice at first, but when used sparingly like this, the result is warm and modern.
If you have a more traditionally styled home, try taking a bit of a risk with tangerine accents. The bright coffered ceiling and dining chair backs take this dining room to the next level.
If you have a smaller space in your home, painting it tangerine could help it stand out. Pick out just the right shade to mesh with the rest of your home's decor, and add in a few matching accents to maintain a uniform look.
3. Create a subtle tangerine theme with accessories. If you love tangerine but would rather keep your walls and ceilings neutral, tie in the color with products. It's surprising how many color palettes this color goes with. The orange accessories in this room warm up the blue, green and browns in this space.
If you find one tangerine textile you love, use it as a base for other accessories in that room. The color alone ties together the drapes and the rug in this room, though the patterns are very different. Tangerine knickknacks on the shelf bring the whole room together.
Sometimes you don't need more than a few simple pieces to make a big statement. The side tables and pillows in this room add a pop of this rich tangerine color to this retro-inspired space.
It's amazing how much a simple throw can change the look of a room. Neatly folded blankets tucked into chairs can immediately take them from boring to inviting.
More color inspiration:
Honeysuckle: Inspired by Pantone's Color of the Year
Color Combos: Khaki and Tangerine
Rhymes With Orange
Who to Choose the Right Coral
More color inspiration:
Honeysuckle: Inspired by Pantone's Color of the Year
Color Combos: Khaki and Tangerine
Rhymes With Orange
Who to Choose the Right Coral