by Courtney Pope

3-2-1! Happy New Year! It’s a new year with new beginnings and of course that means new interior design trends for your home. Top manufacturers like Sherwin-Williams, Behr, and PPG have released their color trend forecasts for the coming year.

We sat down to chat with interior designers Dani Kohl and Stacy Stater to gain some insight into their favorite color trends and how designers and style-savvy homeowners will be using these trendy shades to enhance their homes this year.

COLOR TRENDS FROM TOP PAINT MANUFACTURERS

Sherwin-Williams introduced Evergreen Fog (SW 9130), a cool and soothing gray-green hue as their 2022 Color of the Year. They also take things a step further with their 40 hue Colormix Forecast (MODE), which for 2022 is all about striving towards balance.

The colors range from warm, soft neutrals to bold, luxurious metallics, playing the warmth of organic naturals against bolder opulent palettes, full of rich, deep tones. Sue Wadden, director of color marketing, says, “We told a story of balance and rhythm through color last year as we transitioned into a time of stillness. We are holding that balance in one hand and embracing growth and adaptability in the other as we move toward a new vision and discovery of our world.”

Behr also focuses on a sense of balance and transition. In fact, it announced its Color of the Year is Breezeway, green hue as “the link between home and the action that awaits you.” It evokes a sense of peace and tranquility while also emphasizing “forward movement.”

Breezeway is part of Behr’s Color Trends 2022 Palette, which includes 19 other colors. While Breezeway has cool, refreshing undertones, other colors in the palette, such as Perfect Penny and Lingonberry Punch, infuse the story with plenty of warmth.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that PPG’s palette also explores the theme of hope and new beginnings. As with describing the sea glass Behr and Sherwin-Williams, PPG went with a natural green for their Color of the Year. Olive Sprig is soothing and subtle, while at the same time livening up any space.

PPG also created three color stories for the year with shades that run from deep, saturated colors, to bright, playful hues and well-rounded neutrals that evoke contemplation and reflection with their simplicity.

With such a wide variety of color trends for 2022, you are sure to find just the right shade to suit your style. These cool and crisp tones, warm neutrals, light tones, and bold accents can transform any (and every!) room in your home.

LOCAL DESIGNERS WEIGH IN ON 2022 COLOR TRENDS

“I personally see a lot of muted colors (like “Retreat” by Sherwin Williams) becoming the new grey in the Midwest and it’s one of my personal favorite trends to be on the lookout for!” says Dani Kohl, Design & Sales Consultant with ACo. “Muted colors are incredibly versatile and can be used in nearly any space or location in your home. Whether it be an accent in the family room, home office, kitchen island or an entire mood in the dining room, bedroom or basement entertaining space, these subdued tones allow you to add color to your neutral spaces without having to repaint your entire home.”

“As we emerge from a global pandemic, clients are looking for that sense of hope, optimism and safe/soothing feel and shades of green are quickly gaining confidence!” Kohl continues. “Green is often associated with healing and tranquility and I’m assuming we will see homeowners realizing how well green complements other colors they already have in their home.”

Stacy Stater of Home & Willow emphasizes the trend of going green, “Sherwin Williams Color of the Year, Evergreen Fog, is a modern color that is versatile and calming. It is a soothing green – gray and organic. I personally see earthy browns, greens, and mustards being trendy this year in the Midwest. Our area tends to stay tried and true to neutrals with pops of color,” she says.

PAIRING CLASSIC ELEMENTS OF YOUR DECOR WITH COLOR TRENDS

When it comes to incorporating trendy colors into your own home’s design, it can be a bit tricky to blend it the rest of your décor. Kohl and Stater both have a few tips to help you find the right balance.

“Classic is anything that serves as a standard of its time and remains at a high standard for years to come. I always prefer to keep a well-made cabinet, for example, as my classic piece and add a bold hardware to keep it trendy,” says Kohl. “If possible, I like to incorporate trendy colors in islands, floating shelves or even accessories – these can be easy changes without the huge expense of a full remodel and will keep the house trendy to the eye while being well-paired with the original classic selections of cabinets, flooring or statement furniture.”

Stater echoes Kohl when it comes to basing your design around pieces that stand the test of time. “We will always have the sentimental pieces incorporated in our own home and client’s homes alike as it’s important to keep things with which people have emotional attachment,” Stater emphasizes. “We recommend just painting, recovering or putting a big pillow on the piece – trend it up while staying classy! Trendy colors should be reserved for pillows and paint. We aim to keep large upholstery items, lighting, perimeter kitchen cabinets for longer periods of time given their investment.”

2022 color trends are meant to inspire. If your home (and your mindset) could use a refresh – these palettes and color stories can deliver the transformation you want. The coming year’s themes are centered around balance, transition, and hope. They are about moving forward. Introducing beautiful change into your living space is an ideal place to start.