Every year color experts and paint companies disclose their picks for the hue that best summarizes the current period. Their choices for color of the year often draw on trends in design, fashion, technology, pop culture. This autumn for the first time in years multiple brands have selected nearly the same shade. Various shades of green were announced as their 2022 color of the year.
If you happen to like any of these hip hues, the year of 2022 will be a good time to update your home, architectural color specialist Jennifer Ott said. These paint color picks mean that green will also soon be everywhere in home furnishings, so it’ll be easier to find items in these shades, if you happen to be a fan.
Green Represents Rebirth And Growth
Top brands have selected a concordant shade of sea glass or olive-toned pale green as the color of 2022. Some specialists expected this, as green kitchens have been trending for quite a while now. The Harris Poll found that online searches for “green paint” have more than doubled since 2020.
“Green is quickly gaining color confidence with homeowners who are realizing how well this color complements others and changes easily with the seasons just like in nature,” – Stephanie Pierce, the director of design and trends, said.
One of the reasons why green is suddenly so hot in and on homes is that after so many years of pure white and cool shades of gray and blue dominating interiors, people are looking for warmer hues. Green can go warm or cool, but it’s especially good at taking the chill out of a room when paired with white or cool colors.
Green also partners well with wood tones and natural fibers, and it brings with it an outdoor vibe, which everyone seems to be craving these days.
In Chinese metaphysics green represents rebirth and growth. It’s a nurturing color that signifies hope for the future.
So, let’s take a closer look at the colors of 2022.
1. Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams selected the subtly soothing Evergreen Fog SW 9130 as its 2022 color of the year. The mid-tone gray-green signifies a shift away from the cool neutrals and brilliant jewel tones that have previously dominated paint color trends. This familiar, organic color can extend a comforting welcome in entryways, establish quiet and calm in bedrooms or bathrooms, and introduce restorative energy to living rooms, kitchens, and other common areas.
“Evergreen Fog is a sophisticated wash of color for spaces that crave a subtle yet stunning statement shade,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, in a press release. But next year, Sherwin Williams predicts we’ll be celebrating the lessons we’ve learned with more down-to-earth greens that serve as reminders of how far we’ve come. And, while the shade falls in line with post-pandemic themes of prioritizing comfort and finding tranquility in indoor-outdoor connections, it also symbolizes growth and effectively turning over a new leaf.
“Evergreen Fog inspires us to begin again and is a great choice for modern interiors and exteriors.” Wadden suggests complementing the color with warm, earthy neutrals, such as beige, camel, or coffee brown. Then bring in additional layers of texture with natural materials including wood, leather, jute, and rattan. For a polished look that veers more glam, try incorporating a mix of metal finishes like warm brass, light gold, or matte black.
2. Breezeway by Behr
Breezeway from Behr is described as reminiscent of green sea glass. It’s a great choice in rooms low on natural light. Behr’s 2022 color of the year is a cool, refreshing shade of green called Breezeway MQ3-21.
“It’s a gentle, silvery-green that provides a sense of tranquility and peace, inspired by earth’s beauty and by sea glass found on salty beaches,” says Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Color and Creative Services at Behr, in a press release.
What we love most about Behr’s shade is that it takes a detour from the deep, forest greens that mimic sprawling evergreen treetops. Instead, the color parallels 2021’s coastal farmhouse trend, which has created a space for the seaside within nature-inspired palettes.
“Breezeway inspires us to fully embrace the hobbies or adventures, both near and far, that excite us,” Woelfel adds. “We look forward to a color that welcomes a hopeful sense of renewal, restoration and healing.” While the shade continues the color theme of finding peace through connections with nature, it also introduces a subtle layer of optimism and encouragement to gradually break out of the comfort zones that limited us in 2020.
Sarah Fishburne, Director of Design at Home Depot, expands: “For many months, the outdoors were the only retreat from a life lived entirely inside the home. As we venture back out, we want to bring nature indoors without overpowering it.” She suggests using Breezeway “as an accent color to freshen up doors and cabinetry,” or in “an entryway, creating a transition from the bustle of the outdoors to an inviting atmosphere in your home.”
3. October Mist by Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore’s soft, silvery green called October Mist 1495 has a good bit of gray in it but also some yellow, which gives it a nice touch of warmth. October Mist was chosen to serve as a background hue to support the other nature-inspired colors put forth in the brand’s 2022 color trends collection.
It’s a bit of a Goldilocks color — neither too warm nor too cool, too light nor too dark, too bold nor too blah. It’s just right for a bedroom or living room space where a soothing and relaxed vibe is desired.
“October Mist 1495 and the corresponding color trends 2022 palette reflects an effortless harmony of colors while inspiring unique combinations for any paint project,” said Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore’s director of color marketing and development, in a press release.
4. Olive Spring by PPG
The color named Olive Sprig 1125-4 has yellow undertones so it veers a bit warmer than Evergreen Fog. This hue works well with other warm colors such as yellows, burgundies and rusts.
While its green-gray, aloe vera hue evokes tranquility and renewal, its versatility acts as a grounding force, sending a message of resilience.
“As many of us know following a year of lockdown, the easiest way to shift your mindset is to change your environment,” says Senior Color Marketing Manager of PPG Amy Donato in a company announcement.
“You can expect to see shades like Olive Sprig paired with escapist and vintage decor as we use nods from the past to help guide our future. In their announcement, PPG expands on this, explaining, “Just as trends in the 1920s were marked by opulence, metallics, rich woods, layers, moody colors and angular shapes, today’s home décor is drawing inspiration from the Antiquity, Baroque and Renaissance eras of art, sculpture and architectural forms. This colorful embrace is thought to reflect an optimistic rebellion, a sign of personal expression or soothing self-care.”
5. Guacamole by Glidden
A zingy shade called Guacamole PPG1121-5 is Glidden’s pick for the 2022 color of the year. This ripe avocado-green delivers crowd-pleasing color that’s both relaxing and refreshing.
“We’ve all saved beautiful green kitchens and earthy-inspired bedrooms on our Pinterest boards and TikToks over the past year and a half, driven by our need for calm, regrowth, and rejuvenation after living through these ‘unprecedented times,'” said Kim Perry, Glidden paint color guru.
In kitchens and bathrooms, pair Guacamole with classic white subway tile and matte black accents for a timeless mix. For living areas, home offices, and bedrooms, try it with light wood tones and plenty of plants to enhance the calming, organic vibe.
