Green. Ask any two people what comes to mind when they think of the color green, and you will likely hear anything from nature, growth and sustainability to money, greed and envy. Situated right in the middle of the rainbow, green is actually one of the most balanced colors, lending it an air of stability. Serving as the bridge between stimulating, warm colors like red, orange and yellow, and calming, cool colors like blue, purple and violet, green is making a run as the new “neutral” palette for furniture, home accents and paint colors.
I know what you are probably thinking: green as a neutral? Yes, in 2022, “going green” has taken on a new meaning. Grays, beiges and greiges, long the color of choice for home interiors, are giving way to a new generation of green neutrals. Perhaps a result of the lockdowns and the increased time spent at home, there is an increased desire to bring the outside indoors, creating spaces that feel organic, healthy, fresh and tranquil.
As home sellers and buyers scurry to take advantage of the booming real estate market, thoughts of improvement projects and color schemes are top of mind. But when it comes to interior paint colors, before you grab chips for the same shades of gray that have been used for the last decade, go for the green instead.
You will not have to look far for inspiration. Just step outside your door. But when it comes to finding the perfect color for your bedroom or living room, not all greens are created equal. You will want to look for earthy, muted and natural greens. Fortunately, companies like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Valspar, PPG and Behr have taken some of the guesswork out of choosing the right color for your space by naming varying shades of green as their “2022 Color of the Year.”
Whether you are thinking about color schemes for your new home, want to give your current residence a fresh new look or need to re-paint before putting your house on the market, think forward and give one of these fabulous shades of green a try.
- Benjamin Moore | October Mist 1495 – “A gently shaded sage that quietly anchors a space, while encouraging individual expression through color.”
- Behr | Breezeway MQ3-21 – “A relaxed and uplifting sea glass green that expresses peace and tranquility for forward movement.”
- Sherwin Williams | Evergreen Fog SW 9130 – “A versatile and calming hue, a chameleon color of gorgeous green-meets-gray, with just a bit of blue. It is a simple but sophisticated wash of beautiful, organic color for spaces that crave a subtle yet stunning statement shade.”
- Valspar | Blanched Thyme 6001-4A – “A cool, organic green that works beautifully with warmer wood tones for a natural and balanced look.”
- PPG | Olive Sprig PPGII25-4 – “Reminiscent of a soothing aloe vera plant or velvety sage leaves, this gray-green color was chosen to represent regrowth and the resiliency of nature as we adapt to new ways of living post-pandemic. The lush mid-tone feels familiar and grounding, and it is versatile enough to be used as a livelier alternative to traditional neutrals.”
From Kermit the Frog’s famous song “It Isn’t Easy Being Green” to the 2022 Color of the Year, green has come a long way and is finally getting the recognition it deserves. As the new neutral of 2022, there is no better time to “go green.”