Photo by Jute Interior Design / Houzz
Each year around this time, a plethora of paint companies and design firms start dropping their own Color of the Year, intended to influence the worlds of fashion, home decor, and more for seasons to come.
But there’s something different about the hues of 2022—they’re all kind of the same. Yep, that’s right: There’s an omnipresent green streak in the colors du jour.
First there was Olive Sprig from PPG, and then Behr gave us silvery green Breezeway. Sherwin-Williams jumped on the theme with Evergreen Fog, and Benjamin Moore showed up with October Mist. Even the Brits joined in the fun by including Breakfast Room Green as part of their five-shade 2022 color trends palette.
So what’s the big deal with green hues suddenly? It’s all about nature, baby.
Green is part of “a biophilic trend that brings the outdoors inside the home,” notes Karen Gray-Plaisted of Design Solutions KGP.
“The color green is the literal embodiment of this movement—and we’ve become increasingly sensitive to it during our recent isolation,” adds Debra Kling of her eponymous color consultancy.
Read on for why—and how—this color works as the ideal design choice right now.
Green is timeless
It’s not just a desire for nature that’s making green so good right now. We’re also seeing so much green today because it’s a welcome change from the cool blues and grays that have dominated home decor for over a decade—and “we all feel the need for a little bit of coziness and comfort right now,” says Kling.
If you’re looking to infuse a soft and welcoming vibe in your rooms, seek out green with warm undertones. (Paint names that include words like “olive” and “khaki” will usually fit the bill.)
Green plays well with others…
Photo by Cowart Group Architects
Whether you favor a muted sage green or a vibrant minty take, “there’s a green which will successfully combine with almost any other shade,” says Kling.
The reason? “Because we’re accustomed to seeing a whole range of greens happily coexist in nature, green is the only color family in which we perceive that no two versions of the shade clash,” she says.
To wit: Pink and green are a classic preppy combo, shown above, while the mix of blues and greens are both harmonious and offer a dual nod to nature.
… except red
Photo by Corvallis Custom Kitchens & Baths
OK, not every color works with green.
“Avoid combining forest green with fire-engine red, for example, except at Christmastime,” says Kling.
Even during this celebratory season, it’s fine (and even recommended) to tone it down or try other combos with green. Metallics are popular—gold, copper, silver, brass—and can feel special at the holidays, especially as we work forward from Christmas into the new year. And green and ivory offer winter vibes (think: crisp white snow on fir trees).
Mix green with earth tones
Some of the paler blue-greens pair exceptionally well with sepia tones, orange hues, and earthy browns.
“And the latter are the natural tones of many types of wood, which are a smart way to introduce texture and an organic feel into a space,” says Kling.
Live-edge wood pieces show off the material’s depth and grain, though if you’re a fan of more polished looks, those found on traditional pieces of furniture can also complement green decor.
Green is playful
Pink and blue for babies is out of step with the times. But a neutral green can skew light and bright in a kids room or fun (think neon or Kelly green) in a tween lair. Cream, soft yellows, or gray can mix nicely with green in a nursery, while an older child might love pops of purple on the walls.
Green feels royal
Photo by Margot Hartford Photography
If you want your dining room, home office, or library to really sing, choose a jewel-toned green. Go all in with a green velvet sofa, and up the “wow” factor by adding black accents and leather upholstery on an accent chair.
If you love a lighter look, try cool mint in a bedroom or bath. This serene green promotes a spa ambiance and encourages relaxation. Bright white woodwork is a nice complement as are soft blue hand towels and bathmats.
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