Pantone's Palette Predictions: These Colors Will Dress Your Home in 2013

If you plan to redecorate your home next year, your shopping expeditions might turn up a preponderance of toasters, rugs and sofas in shades such as antique-white, coral and sea green -- just a few of the hot colors we'll be seeing on home products in 2013, according to the View Home + Interior's 2013 forecast from Pantone, the color authority.

Every year, retailers, manufacturers and designers consult Pantone's forecast for trends that are later reflected in the colors you find on the bedding, pillows, curtains, furniture, kitchen appliances, stemware and other home products in stores.

The color forecast culls its picks from trends bubbling up in the culture, including fashion shows, art shows, and pop culture in the U.S. and around the world, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, tells DailyFinance.

Neutrals, such as greys, taupes and soft greens, make a strong showing on this year's list.

"Historically, when the economy is dicey, and people are concerned about how they're spending their money on big ticket items [such as furniture and carpeting] in particular, they are more inclined to buy neutral colors," which are more practical and timeless, she says.

At the same time, expect to see pops of bold colors on lower-priced home accessories such as placemats and pillows, as home furnishings suppliers and retailers look to meet consumers' desire to "have fun with color" on purchases that won't break the bank, she says.

Greens and blues also featured prominently. Those tend to be perennial favorites, because shoppers, particularly in coastal markets, are drawn to shades found in nature, which also connote "zen, and something we can rely on," Eiseman says.

But perhaps what's most notable about the list is how much it echoes last year's forecast. In uncertain economic times, people tend to stick close to the status quo, Eiseman says. There are colors that have "staying power and can be relied upon as a steadying influence in unsteady times," she said, during a presentation at International Home & Housewares Show this month.

Here are Pantone's nine directional palettes for 2013: