Paint company, Benjamin Moore’s colour for 2018 is not pulling any punches. Just like its name Caliente - It’s hot, fiery and spicy! Deeper and more evolved than your average red, Caliente uses many other shades to create this unique tone. Avoiding any blue undertones, Caliente manages to remain warm instead of loud. A definite attention-grabber, the colour screams - “Stop! Look at me.” It is a colour that clearly can be divisive but we find it quite easy to love. See how to add a little bit of energy and warmth to your home with Benjamin Moore’s Colour of the Year for 2018.

Colour of the year - 2018

Use It As A Signature

When something as bold and bright as Caliente comes about, a colour so dying to be the centre of attention, you might as well let it thrive. This could mean investing in a large carpet of the colour, painting more than one wall with this shade or picking a statement piece of furniture in this hue. Though red is not a go-to colour for many people, 2018 may be the year to start making some changes. There’s no need to stay silent and stick with your loyal neutrals. Have some fun and find ways to bring this radiant, energetic colour into your home in a big way.

Bedroom

Doors

One canvas we often forget about is the door - be it your front door or bedroom door. Doors are usually left naked, with a small knocker or sign being the most ornamentation a door will see. However, when you have shades as wild and confident as Caliente, we think you should introduce instantly, like from the moment someone reaches your front door. You can also consider painting other doors in your home this colour and watch your hallway immediately spring to life.



Door

With Complementary Neutrals

A colour as spicy as Caliente goes very well with more soothing shades of brown and beige. White is another colour that works well with Caliente. When using this as your signature shade, you can add other elements in neutrals like dark brown, light beige and a stark white to help offset both the effect of the red while simultaneously letting it shine brightly. When a colour is this strong, it’s impossible to find ways of toning it down so you might as well complement it with less jarring shades to create a calming, comfortable space for yourself.



Complementary Neutrals

However, you decide to use Caliente, do use it. We like the fact that Benjamin Moore has gone out on a wing and chosen something much brighter and much more definitive than its competitors. We feel it is hinting at ushering in a new era where we are less tight-lipped and more wild and free.