There Is Something So "Ethereal" About the Color Cyan — Designers Break Down Why That Is, and How to Use It

Image of a living room that is color-drenched in a teal-cyan color. The walls are painted in cyan, there are cyan curtains, and the four accent chairs are in a darker teal color. .

What color is cyan? It's one of those shades you know you've heard of, but probably can't quite picture. Is it blue? Green? No wait, maybe it's pink?

"For some of us, the name will spark memories of printers running out of ink and spilling pure pigment over our hands — which tells us how fundamental it is, bringing vibrancy, life, and depth," explains Livingetc's color expert Amy Moorea Wong. "But in a paperless world, cyan deserves much more attention for its playful peppiness which, unusually, also has a soothing and natural feel."