This New Color Trend Is Subtler Than Millennial Pink But Just as Fun

Have you ever wondered why Millennial Pink is so insanely popular? Don't get us wrong, our wardrobes are well stocked with the hue and we rarely turn down a photo opportunity that involves décor or a wall in this shade of pink. But we're still curious as to why it got so popular so fast and why it's intrinsically tied to our much-discussed generation. As such, we decided to gain some insight from Jamie and Casey Davis, the designers and founders of Portola Paints. And when we asked the brothers why they think Millennial Pink took off as a design trend, their response was clear: It's fun and Instagram-friendly.

"With the rise of social media, young people have a stronger voice than ever before. The world is a crazy place to live in, and pink is a small way to brighten your mood and your environment," they explained. Plus, in general, pink has become more gender-neutral, which accounts for the wide appeal. Given their spot-on read as to why it's so popular, as well as their expertise in color creation, we decided to find out if they've been seeing any aesthetically appealing colors that boast that same buzzy appeal on the rise.

As for what's coming up next, you can expect to see—and potentially pose with—a rainbow of pastel corals and greens in your social media feeds, as well as your most stylish friend's décor scheme. Though both colors exude a bubbly spirit and a sense of optimism much like Millennial Pink does, they're also a lot softer. And as the Davis brothers explain, "there's a difference between what works in interior design and what's popular on social media. Certain pics will get likes for days, mostly prominent bright, poppy colors … but for practical interior spaces in everyday living, you have to find slightly more subtle ways to use the pops" of color.

To get ahead of the curve, read the color forecast of the seven specific shades of coral and green that are expected to blow up this year, and find out how to decorate with each.

Soft Pastel Coral

The Color: A pastel shade of coral.

The Mood and Personality: Cheerful and bright yet understated and calm.

How to Use It: Finding the right shade of coral is tricky. Though it's a specific color, it's a total winner if you can pull it off. "It's a fun alternative to pink, depending on how you style it." And here's an example of pastel coral done well. The high ceilings and mostly all-white color scheme make the drapes the perfect pop of color to live in and to photograph. "A coral accent piece will give you all the feels of Stockholm, while coral walls will transport you to the desert." There are just so many ways to spin it. And if you do decide to use coral in a pink rather than a fabric accent piece, keep this pro tip in mind: "The variation in the plaster can take the edge off the vibrancy and make a fun pop color a little more usable," The Davises tell MyDomaine.

Beige With a Drop of Pink

The Color: Pale beige pink.

The Mood and Personality: Sweet, charming, coy, and refreshing.

How to Use It: This is the dreamy color we imagine you'd get if you added a drop of coral-ish pink to a sea of beige. In other words, it's the perfect light, neutral shade. Not only does it complement the emerald-green accents throughout the space as well as the cooler shades of gray, but it also allows the gorgeous, eye-catching artwork to stay in the spotlight. That being said, it's by no means underwhelming, and it introduces the perfect dose of whimsy and wit to the regal environment. "You can add your pop colors through artwork or throw pillows, providing the perfect accent to more muted walls," the Davises remind us, rather than dousing an entire wall in a coat of coral paint. It just depends on what suits your style best.

Deep, Stormy Turquoise

The Color: Deep smoky and stormy turquoise.

The Mood: Moody, mysterious, grounded, and calm.

How to Style It: Sometimes, stormy shades of blue and green can appear too dark. But when you get it right, it's stunning. The key is to use it when contrasting with crisp whites, super-light gray hues, and fresh shades of green like mint or sage. If you're hesitant to create a statement wall, the Davis brothers may change your mind, saying that "introducing variation and texture on your walls can make all the difference in transforming a room. With texture, you suddenly turn colors that are soft and subtle into something more interesting and deep."

The space above nails it by allowing the deep shade of paint to peek through as an intriguing hint in the background since it's contained to the small closet. We also love how this bedroom includes light-wash wooden flooring for a farmhouse feel and a simple accent chair to warm things up. Oh, and that robe also happens to be in a coral hue pretty enough to double as décor when it's not being worn.

Misty Mint Green

The Color: Misty mint green.

The Mood: Zesty, vibrant, clean, and intriguing.

How to Style It: The beauty of this color is that you can pair it with anything, and it'll instantly bring in a sense of play without going overboard. The light minty-fresh paint in this dining room transforms this warm neutral area into a cozy yet regal sanctuary. As the Davis brothers explain, "one of the best ways to get creative with color these days is to play with texture." The forest-green seats offer interesting scale and proportion, the smoky glass and gold light fixture brings in refined sophistication, and the sprawling indoor plant brightens everything up. Though they're all unique in material and design, they all remain in the same color family for cohesion, and the pink and orange artwork splashes the room with just enough contrast.

Muted, Smoky Lime Green

The Color: Muted lime green.

The Mood: Offbeat, bold, and alluring.

How to Use It: A muted lime shade of green can truly transform a room. With gray undertones, you'll get an industrial vibe, while a brownish wash can create a super-cozy, cavernous hideaway, and white layers will result in a super-subtle and pure feel. Or you choose to bring in this gorgeous shade of green vis-a-vis accent pieces if you don't feel like embarking on a paint project. We love how this room uses large indoor plants to reflect the splash of lime green in the statement-making rug.

And if you're worried about going overboard on a color trend that might not be timeless, here's the Davises rule of thumb: "give yourself a comfortable place to come home to, and then add that pop of brightness to lighten your mood. For example, a soft taupe/gray exterior with a seafoam front door," or a simple accent piece that you can swap out later. "The key to making something your own? Follow your heart, and do what makes you smile. If you love it, it's perfect."

Light Gray With a Dash of Green

The Color: Light gray with green undertones.

The Mood and Personality: Polished, graceful, and subtly unusual.

How to Use It: If you want to paint your walls something neutral and fresh but think white is too bright, opt for this less saturated gray-green color. It complements a variety of palettes, so it'll be flattering throughout the years even if you decide to switch up your accent pieces like throw pillows and blankets. We love how this living room brings in subtle contrast with the velvety purples, creams, and blues. It makes a seemingly simple paint color truly come alive and create a subtle curiosity. It also looks perfect in this formal, sophisticated living room, and the angular structure of the furniture adds just the right touch of artful, unique character.

Pale Sage Green

The Color: Pale sage green.

The Mood: Warm, comforting, and enduring.

How to Use It: How gorgeous is this green-soaked wall? We're obsessed with the muted shades of lime, emerald, and moss green. Not only does it achieve a lovely texture, but it also serves as the perfect canvas for the other subtle pops of color in the bedroom. It blends beautifully into the hypnotizing bed frame, makes the otherwise-classic bedside tables especially striking, and it creates a warm, comforting room that's upbeat and crisp. And even though there's extensive variation in the color, it doesn't look at all overwhelming, proving that a softly saturated hue can be totally timeless and will continue to flatter the space even if new bedding and furniture is brought in throughout the years.