Vibrant colors like honeysuckle rose are a natural companion to a valance

Home decorators who are stuck on the color wheel, trying to predict which hues will have the most staying power on their walls and furnishings, may get some help from the Pantone Color Institute.

The New Jersey-based company sets color standards for the fashion and home design industries and selects an annual favorite color. While honeysuckle rose was the color favorite this year, the past decade of colors chosen by the institute has included several shades of blue - including last year's cool turquoise - a couple of reds and sand, according to the institute's website.

But homeowners should be forewarned when choosing bold colors - a little goes a long way. Black and white are ideal neutrals to use to offset vibrant hues, as are deep brown and a range of off-white and sand shades.

Using strong colors in a window treatment is an ideal way to include the latest hues in a home design without overpowering a room. Today's window shades and blinds come in wide range of colors and finishes and can be used in tandem with curtains, custom drapery and valances that can be outfitted as neutral backdrops or vibrant shades.