2022's Color of the Year & 5 Fresh Color Combos to Try This Year
- Molly Ishmael
- Jan 22, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 14, 2022
2022's Color of the Year has been announced, and in keeping with what seems to be a theme of the last couple years, the experts DON'T agree. However, there is one consensus designers have reached that may surprise some people. Scroll down to see 2022's Color of the Year (let's be honest, according to people who are probably selling paint.)
Perhaps more importantly and even more fun, get inspired with some seriously stylish interiors! Browse ideas of how to incorporate this year's theme color(s) into your home in a fresh new way, plus explore even more colors that are rearing their gorgeous heads right now.
Photo credit: VKV Visuals (blog)
2022 COLOR OR THE YEAR: Pale Green
PureWow has announced its color of the year and I'm loving it: PALE GREEN.
It makes sense that fresh, minty green would be 2022's theme color, what with the return to nature being so popular as evident from countless TV shows featuring homesteading and DIY-themed anything at a all-time high, not to mention real estate trends proving people are leaving cities en masse and moving to less densely populated areas to seek peace and privacy. So, I have to agree with the paint experts on this one: misty, leafy green has never felt more right.
As shown in the gorgeous photo above, try pairing your minty green decor with creamy white textiles and rich gold metals. Natural-finished wood furniture completes the look. (Bonus points if you can find that huge fuzzy-looking chandelier.)
Pillow covers are a super affordable way to infuse any new color into a space.
The return to nature continues in design trends. Photo credit: BHG / Brie Williams
THIS JUST IN: The color of the year is (drumroll please) earthy brown!
According to Dunn-Edwards (spoiler alert, they are a paint manufacturer), their chosen shade for 2022 is called "Art and Craft." It's a new warm brown shade announced last fall.
Wait a minute, I thought PureWow said 2022's color trend is pale green?! Ah yes, I just remembered, there is no official governing body on colors of the year. It's the Wild West out there - and that's how I like it. Why choose just one totally gorgeous hue when you can have two!
And after all, our favorite colors don't need to go on the walls (I don't recommend painting your walls brown.) For an elevated look, try mixing contrasting sandy browns in rich textures with crisp black and white accents, colorful pops and bright white walls.
This chair is so dreamy, it turns a girl's head!
Photo credit: The Nine Schools
Announcing 2022's Color of the Year: Very Peri
And another contender joins the ring! Will the real color of the year please stand up? You know what, I say we keep them all!
Pantone's Very Peri is described as "displaying a carefree confidence and a daring curiosity that animates our creative spirit, inquisitive and intriguing" (from Pantone's website). And believe it or not, that's most normal part of the description. It only gets more dramatic from there! On a serious note, as featured in the photo above (an advert for a Chinese ginger jar), Very Peri exhibits deep, velvety quality. It reminds me of the little wild violets in our backyard growing up.
Not ready to paint everything periwinkle? (Me neither.) How about just a pop?
5 FRESH COLOR COMBOS TO TRY RIGHT NOW
On another note, do you prefer sticking with your instincts and eschew redecorating just because "Big Paint" tells you to? Just want to hear more of my unsolicited opinions? Me too, sister!
Scroll down for 5 more tasty colors to whet your appetite for the paint aisle, no sponsors in sight! (Not to worry, no one with any importance voted on these combos - I just picked looks that I like.)
Photo credit: HGTV / David A. Land
1. ROSE PINK & WHITE
Warm pink stands out against bright white walls in this kitchen and now I'm craving cotton candy. Finish up your modern yet feminine kitchen with almond-stained wood and pops of teal and royal blue to balance out the pink. It's just enough. See more of this beauty here:
Pink velvet swivel barstools? Yes, please!
Photo credit: Pinterest / Etsy
2. ROYAL BLUE & GOLD
Although this is a classic combination, it's elevated in the room pictured above with an infusion of colorful flowers, a contemporary chandelier, and a one-of-a-kind abstract painting. (The painting shown is by and artist who calls herself OLSHE and sells via Etsy, by the way.) With a tasteful touch, this classic color combination remains current and fresh.
Check out these look-alike stools I scouted on Amazon. *patting self on back*
Photo credit: Elle Decor / Decorator: Kimberly Hall
3. LAVENDER & APPLE RED
Granted, this color combo could turn out garish in the wrong hands. But thankfully, with inspiration like the photo above, we have proof it can be pulled off! The room shows off a Colonial Indian influence in the Ikat prints, fearless colors, and iron canopy bed, brought into modern times with contemporary grasscloth wallpaper and 70s style shell chandelier. Overall, I just love the eclectic blend! This room makes me smile.
I think we can all agree. Lovely lavender has all the vibes.
Photo credit: Elle Decor / Room by architect Carmel Greer
5. PEACH & BLACK
To be honest, when I first pictured peach and black together, 1980s design nightmares danced in my mind. But not to worry, the colors don't have to read Miami Vice. The photo above showcases the Boho Chic potential of peach and black, and I'm here for it! What do you all think?
Black wire chairs are one way to modernize a Granny-chic room.
Photo credit: Better Homes and Gardens
5. LEMON YELLOW & CREAM
Well, isn't this color combo delicious! And just like the multi-purpose fruit, lemon as a color is friends with lots of other foods - I mean colors - too. Feel free to add fun colors to the mix with wild abandon. I was inspired by the inspo photo above where magenta, teal, orange, blue and black all make their appearance.
This faux-hide rug works with any colors.
Who's ready to get out the paint brushes and fabric dyes?
The experts may not exactly agree on ONE color of the year for 2022, but overall, there IS a consensus: Natural-themed tones are taking 2022 by storm! And for good reason. I think people are tired of the overly-stimulated, noisy TikTokian, loud hustle culture that was on the rise until 2020 hit us all in the gut and reminded us to slow down, take it all in, and enjoy the day - and to do so outside, if possible! Maybe I'm just speaking for my own family, but I wonder if a lot of folks might agree with my assessment of the situation. And now, we want our homes to reflect those renewed values: peace, quiet, appreciation of nature, love.
Along those lines, when HGTV predicted color trends for 2022, most of them were greens and browns, too:
Why choose one color when you can have them all in this charming macrame wall hanging!
As for my picks, I stuck with joyful floral tones which would be perfect compliments to all those earthy browns and natural greens. Absolutely all colors can work together when properly styled. Perhaps it's also worth mentioning that while current design trends are fun to explore, I'm certainly not advocating that we repaint every year based on Pantone's latest announcements! But I am inspired seeing this new trend featuring a return to nature - that part is just my style.
With Love,
Molly
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