Benjamin Moore's 2020 Color of the Year Proves Pink Is the New Neutral

Pink is here to stay. Benjamin Moore just solidified the hue's place in design for the new decade with the announcement of their highly-anticipated 2020 color of the year: First Light 2102-70, a soft, rosy hue, is officially the new color to watch for.

"Back when we were starting to discuss the color trends for 2020 we knew it was a new decade, and we could set the tone [for it]," says Hannah Yeo, color and design manager at Benjamin Moore. As the design team began batting around ideas—they spend months traveling to design shows, art museums, and more as a way to inspire and inform their color choice—the one concept they kept coming back to was home. "What does home mean to us and how is it different from a decade ago?" says Yeo. "We expect a home to provide core needs. Some of those needs are security, comfort, community, and ultimately, optimism."

For the brand, First Light creates the perfect backdrop for those idealisms, especially happiness. "Pink is a little bit more upbeat and optimistic," she says. When it comes to decorating, the color is versatile and works well with popular paint choices such as gray and navy; it even complements the ever-popular Scandinavian aesthetic. In addition to First Light, the brand also released nine harmonious new hues for the modern home, including a muted sage green (Grystalline AF-485), a soft yellow (Golden Straw 2152-50) and a rich, dramatic blue (Blue Danube 2062-30) as part of their 2020 Color Trends Palette.

While the team at Martha Stewart Living have been fans of blush since long before it was a trend, the cheery color is often associated with hair bows and frosting rather than high design. "But First Light is not a baby pink," explains Yeo. "It's definitely more delicate and more sophisticated. It has a slightly blue undertone. It's a great alternative to a beige."

Another bonus: "It casts a flattering glow to any room," she says. Looking and feeling good in the new decade? That sounds great to us.