2022 Colors of the Year

It’s that time of year when we gather everyone’s pick for 2022 Colors of the Year in one place. Not only is it inspiring to see the beautiful colors companies have chosen to represent the upcoming year, but it’s even more interesting to hear why they chose what they did. What happened in the year we just lived through that informed their selection? What are they seeing on the horizon that helped them choose this particular color this year?

Overarching themes emerged when looking at all the companies together.

There was an overwhelming sense of moving forward and reconnecting; to each other, to nature, to what’s important. These past two years have been marked by many unique experiences such as an increase in our dependence on connecting digitally. Our homes began serving many roles such as home, office, gym, and restaurant. In addition, it’s been a year marked by collective loss, uncertainty, and grief and that has shifted many people’s perspectives in regards to time and priorities. Many people are rethinking their jobs and relationships altogether. Others want to reconnect with nature in more meaningful ways. Others want to devote more time to hobbies that bring joy, instead of side hustles that only make us busy. Pantone referred to “this unique cultural moment” as a transformative time and developed a new color to express this time.

How does color reflect these feelings?

Color has the power to calm, excite, inspire, depress. It also has the power to communicate and influence. Each year as companies choose their colors of the year, they look at the mood at this moment in time. Where are we? What color reflects where we are? Colors this year overwhelmingly feel natural and peaceful. They carry a hint of nostalgia with an eye toward the future.

2022 Colors of the Year

Very Peri
“Displaying a carefree confidence and a daring curiosity that animates our creative spirit, inquisitive and intriguing PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri helps us to embrace this altered landscape of possibilities, opening us up to a new vision as we rewrite our lives. Rekindling gratitude for some of the qualities that blue represents complemented by a new perspective that resonates today, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri places the future ahead in a new light.”

Interior paint companies grounded their colors in nature.

Breezeway
“Looking ahead to 2022, we have a desire to embrace a sense of renewal and to explore new hobbies or adventures, both near and far, that excite us. The BEHR® 2022 Color of the Year, Breezeway MQ3-21, evokes feelings of coolness and peace while representing a desire to move forward and discover newfound passions.”

October Mist
“Make room for creativity with October Mist 1495, the Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2022. This gently shaded sage quietly anchors a space, while encouraging individual expression through color.”

Art and Craft
“Dunn-Edwards 2022 Color of the Year—Art and Craft—is a timeless, versatile hue that beckons us to revisit the classics. It evokes an earthy, sophisticated quality—the perfect backdrop for showcasing handmade objects and works of art. Inspired by academia, 17th-century painters, cottagecore and artisans everywhere, Art and Craft infuses any space with effortless opulence.”

Guacamole
“We have taken our green- and guac-loving affinity to a whole new level. Our 2022 Color of the Year is not only named after our fav food, but is also one of our fav greens to use on any wall or accent.”

Olive Sprig
“After a year of stay-at-home orders and too few IRL (in-real-life) moments in 2020 and 2021, homeowners, designers, architects and facility managers are craving authenticity, nature and meaningful human interaction after living in a mostly digital world. Our 2022 Color of the Year is Olive Sprig (PPG1125-4), an elegant, grounded, versatile and highly-adaptable grey-green. This color represents regrowth in a post-pandemic world and mimics nature’s resiliency.”

Evergreen Fog
“Evergreen Fog SW 9130 is a versatile and calming hue, a chameleon color of gorgeous green-meets-gray, with just a bit of blue.  It’s a simple but sophisticated wash of beautiful, organic color for spaces that crave a subtle yet stunning statement shade.”

At Design Pool we looked toward a clean slate.

White
Our color of the year 2022 pick speaks of optimism and positivity. We’re looking toward 2022 with a sense of reflection, renewal, and making a fresh start.

We can’t wait to see how designers across different industries incorporate these colors into their projects. Did you use one in a color palette? Tag us on Instagram so we can see!