Every year, Pantone unveils a color that reflects the current climate, which ultimately influences trends in every aspect of design from architecture to fashion.  That’s why it’s so encouraging the color technology company released its “official color of 2017” as Greenery (specifically, Pantone 15-0343) —a color reminiscent of nature itself.

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“It is easy to see that as a society there is a growing awareness and desire to connect with nature in all aspects of our daily lives,” said Ambius expert designer Laura Burns-Lambert. “We are ecstatic to see shades of green flourish in the 2017 palette. With color palettes named Succulent, Floribunda, Forest Floor, it is biophilia, human connection, love and need of nature, at its finest.”

Ambius has been a proponent of biophilic design – the use of nature and greenery in interior design to help motivate people and encourage proficiency and efficiency – for years now.

People have an innate desire to see nature around them, whether that’s a view out a window of trees and grass, live plants in their office and around them, or even colors that remind them of nature on the walls. Being able to look up from your desk and see design elements that invoke nature’s calming beauty makes people feel better. When employees are happier and more content, they work better and are generally healthy.

That’s why it’s so encouraging that the color-matching company Pantone has named its “official color of 2017” Greenery.

The color green has many different connotations for different people. The color green usually represents health, peace, ambition, wellness and nature. Pantone has always featured colors that relate, in some way, to trends in the world around them. Thus, it seems obvious that biophilia, or the move toward embracing nature because of its beneficial properties, is becoming more prominent and prevalent in everyday life and interior design, in particular.

Using Greenery in Various Industries

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How can you use this design trend in your upcoming projects? Here are some ideas on how to incorporate Greenery into your space:

Healthcare environments – in hospitals, the use of green can foster a sense of relaxation and peace for patients and family members that are, as you might imagine, stressed out. Simply adding a color, such as Greenery to the walls is a first step, but the use of large leafy plants, such as philodendron and Strelitzia, can promote a feeling of relaxation as well as encourage conversation.

Offices and working environments – not everyone can get a window seat. Businesses can get creative, by adding large green walls to their space and smaller green wall solutions like LivePicture. “Tech companies are having fun with this concept using large plantings and mobile green walls to create soft walls”, said Burns-Lambert. The offices today are industrial and airy to help us remain grounded. This is perfectly reflected in nature’s neutral, Greenery.” Various types of succulents are being used in reception areas and on top of filing cabinets – areas where employees congregate such as breakout rooms, lounges, cafes, and conference rooms.

Hospitality – boutique lodging and hotel chains alike try to provide warm and inviting spaces to guests. Whether that’s in the lobby, where the first impressions are made, or the rooms hospitality managers want guests to feel comfortable and at home. Lounge areas and lobbies can use greenery to add color, and provide a warm, homey feeling and unique views that change constantly all year long as the plants are rotated based on seasonality.

Adding Color to Work Spaces

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Biophilia is a growing trend and Ambius is at the forefront of the movement. Having drab interior spaces and open floor plans without something that reinforces a human-nature connection leads to something often referred to as “sick building syndrome.” Adding a color like Greenery, or colors such as “Floribundant” and “Forest Bathing” can help.

Businesses can also add actual plants themselves, or colorful planters and containers, too. Artwork, carpeting and the paint on the walls can also encourage a healthier working environment.

“Green color palettes such as Forest Bathing and Floribundant give us a range of greens and touches of floral reds”, said Burns-Lambert. “A perfect plant that comes to mind would be an Aglaonema Pink Siam or Golden Passion. When designing your space pair these plants with containers in deeper and darker hues of grey like Benjamin Moore’s 2017 color of the year “Shadow” or Kelly-Moore’s 2017 pick “Kettleman” and you have encapsulated a full range of this year’s design.”

With Pantone choosing Greenery as the official color, it is acknowledging that this trend is here and growing in popularity. Now is the time to add green space, a touch of nature, to your work environment to help employees, clients and customers, since all can benefit. This trend is likely to continue for some time and the most effective companies will provide solutions that will capitalize on this biophilia trend.

History of the Pantone Color of the Year

Pantone’s “Color of the Year” selection is a tradition going back to the year 2000. The color is chosen during two meetings held throughout the course of the prior year among color standard groups. After debating and presenting arguments over which color should be the winner, they determine a Color of the Year.

The intention is that the color chosen will represent an overall trend or feeling in popular culture (the zeitgeist). The color is chosen based on events and trends around the world. For example, in 2011, during the time of the financial crisis, the color was Honeysuckle which was felt to represent a color that would represent adrenaline and be stimulating and encouraging.

These colors are used across many platforms and not just in interior design. They are used in fashion and beauty products, too. Graphic designers often use them for materials they produce throughout the course of the year.

If you want to make that first step toward adding Greenery and to discuss biophilic needs in your building contact your local Ambius design team today. Our interior designers will work with you to find the right solution for your business and layout that will help improve productivity, creativity and efficiency.