Last Updated on September 6, 2022
While some of us are trying to wrap our heads around the fact that winter holiday decorations are already donning store shelves, the country’s biggest paint companies have already announced the Colors of the Year for 2022.
The color experts at BEHR, Sherwin-Williams, and Benjamin Moore analyzed trends in culture and design, assessed what people are craving right now for their own homes and workspaces, and predicted what the future of design and color will look like in the year to come.
Benjamin Moore Color of the Year: October Mist
The team at Benjamin Moore scoured the company’s library of more than 3,500 colors to curate a Color Trend palette of 14 hues. At the helm is the Benjamin Moore 2022 Color of the Year, October Mist.
This gentle, earth-inspired sage tone not only looks like it was inspired by a plant stem, it also acts as a connector between colors and rooms. Just like a stem connects the earth to the flower, October Mist is the perfect color for a hallway or staircase connecting two living spaces.
Use October Mist as an accent by painting a piece of furniture, or imbue the entire room with the peaceful shade by covering the walls and the ceiling. Accent the room with the natural greens found in plants, plus the darker browns of natural wood furniture and decor.
Pair October Mist with any of the other choices in the Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2022 Palette to evoke any feeling you want. The possibilities are endless, and you can rest assured that these colors were designed to work together beautifully.
Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year: Evergreen Fog
In August, Sherwin-Williams announced their 2022 Colormix Forecast, called MODE and made up of four individual groupings: Method, Opus, Dreamland, and Ephemera. The 2022 Color of the Year, Evergreen Fog, was plucked from the Method palette, which emphasizes sustainability and earthiness. The elegant gray-green pairs perfectly with natural textiles and metallic accents.
Inspired by modern maximalism, glam industrial, and moody eclectic, Opus is the most dramatic of the palettes, with a vibe that Sherwin-Williams Director of Color Marketing Sue Wadden calls “alchemical, mystical, and spiritual.”
The Dreamland palette evokes wellness, renewal, and eco-style. Consisting of “pearlescent tones, new-growth greens, and lavish pinks,” as described by the Sherwin-Williams global color and design team, Dreamland offers a soothing alternative to the hustle and bustle of our busy lives.
Completing the 2022 Colormix Forecast is Ephemera, a palette inspired by midcentury modern design. The strong hues that stand out in Ephemera play on primary colors and evoke nostalgia. The luxe, bold Cascades is as dark green as it gets, while the warm Sierra Redwood transports you to the Southwest.
BEHR Color of the Year: Breezeway
Where Sherwin-Williams chose a forest-inspired shade of green for its Color of the Year, BEHR went with a minty green with a coastal feel. Breezeway’s cool undertones evoke the feeling of finding sea glass on a quiet walk along the shore.
“A new year brings the opportunity to embrace a sense of renewal and pursue untapped passions,” said Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at BEHR. “Whether it’s lacing up our hiking boots, or breaking out the gardening tools, Breezeway inspires us to fully embrace the hobbies or adventures, both near and far, that excite us.”
The tranquility of Breezeway pairs well with several other colors in the BEHR Color Trends 2022 Palette, including the boldness of the terracotta-inspired Perfect Penny and the cheerful, kitchen-friendly Corn Stalk.
The 20 colors that make up the BEHR Color Trends 2022 Palette range from neutral (the classic Whisper White makes a gorgeous trim color against walls coated in Breezeway) to bold (the confident softened black/brown of Cracked Pepper makes a statement on any surface).
Keep reading: 2021 Paint color trends
