Anybody remember Kermit the Frog’s musical lament “It’s not easy bein’ green”? If not, no problem. Because in 2022, it’s easier than ever to be green. In fact, it’s unanimous.
Multiple paint brands have revealed their Color of the Year for 2022, and green is all the rage. Take October Mist 1945, selected by Benjamin Moore. Described as “harmonious yet diverse, reliable yet whimsical, and meditative yet eclectic,” this gently shaded sage quietly anchors a space, while encouraging individual expression. For its part, Behr chose Breezeway MQ3-21, a silvery green shade with cool undertones that evokes feelings of coolness and peace while representing a desire to move forward. And Sherwin-Williams crowned Evergreen Fog SW 9130, a nourishing and sophisticated gray-green that ushers in a new era of nostalgic mid-tones, as its color king.
OPTIMISM AND HOPE
If these descriptions find you longing to get outside in nature, especially in the spring, that’s kind of the point. We’re ready to move away from dull pre-pandemic beige and white hues and embrace renewal. “From a color psychology standpoint, green is the color of revitalization and growth, which inspires optimism for the year ahead,” explains Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin-Williams.
Additionally, Andrea Magno, Director of Color Marketing and Development at Benjamin Moore, explains that we are often surrounded by green in nature, contributing to the color’s tranquil characteristics. “October Mist has a very comforting and grounded quality, which is important as we yearn for stability,” she says.
VERSATILITY IN EVERY ROOM
Green can serve as both a blank canvas to work around and as inspiration for an entire room. Its soothing, meditative qualities help it ground a space and blend with other colors in your palette. “We see the green family as a connector color that can be used to bridge spaces in a home,” says Magno. “It works beautifully with colors ranging from soft to bold, light to dark.”
You can easily incorporate green into your home, whether in a small way, used as an accent (think throw pillows, artwork or window treatments), or more broadly by incorporating green décor (think accent chair or a statement-making sofa), or by painting entire walls.
Wadden offers up ideas for incorporating Evergreen Fog: “It makes for a sophisticated backdrop in a home office and is a soothing hue to help relax in a living room or bedroom,” she says. “It would also be beautiful as a subtle statement shade in a bathroom, or as a fresh take on kitchen cabinets.”
SUSTAINABILITY
Finally, since green hues bring us back to nature, we’d be remiss not to mention conservation and sustainability. Incorporating a green pop of color into your home celebrates these all-important concepts and brings the outdoors in. In fact, adding plants or even just botanical prints is an easy way to have your interiors connect with nature.
Arika Lowther, Art Director of Marketing at Sherrill Furniture Companies, explains: “We’ve seen plants taking over homes, especially during the covid pandemic. House plants inspire architecture and color trends. In their decorating process, we’ve seen designers referring to these indoor succulents and trees more and more to blend home furnishings into the nursery and gardening sector.”
Green can be neutral or distinctive, trendy or traditional, so you can’t go wrong. Ultimately, concludes Wadden, “There are no rules. People are really embracing creativity, and they’re doing it through color.”
Article by Lee Rhodes
Article originally appeared in February 2022