It’s fun to imagine what goes into deciding just what the Colour of the Year is at paint company headquarters around the globe. Design scientists, madly crunching numbers as some sort of whirring sci-fi computer spit out paint chips, a frantic search for the hue that will bring consumers true happiness—for the next 12 months at least.

Whatever the process, most paint brands seem to have landed in a similar region for their latest Paint Colour of the Year predictions: it looks like soft, soothing greens will be everywhere in 2022. It makes sense that palettes inspired by nature are ruling the charts here, given the winning shades we saw in the past few years have all taken their cues from the ocean and forest. In a world gone mad, a bathroom wall or kitchen cabinet that subconsciously brings you back to earth is mighty appealing indeed.

Here are all the 2022 Colours of the Year we know about so far—but we’ll update as more brands make their big announcements throughout the fall. (What’s the hold up over there, Benjamin Moore?!)

Sherwin Williams 2022 Paint Colour of the Year: Evergreen Fog

They say: “Evergreen Fog is a versatile and calming hue, a chameleon colour 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.”

We say: The beauty of an organic colour like this is that it can be all things to all people. You and your partner can’t agree on blue or green for the bedroom walls? This sophisticated shade should satisfy all parties.

SICO Paint’s 2022 Colour of the Year: Cool Current

They say: “Cool Current is a relaxed yet enticing green that represents regrowth, mimicking nature’s resiliency and blending in with nearly any environment, inside or outside.”

We say: Can’t keep that aloe plant alive? This sophisticated, sage-y pastel green will make up for any not-so-green thumb. Pair with white and black accents to keep it from veering too ’90s.

Dulux Paint’s 2022 Colour of the Year: Olive Sprig

They say: “We’re seeing a trend towards relaxed, rich, organic hues that will be incorporated into home decor in the coming year.”

We say: This olive-hued paint has a silvery tinge to it€”you might even be able to get away with using it as a neutral. For a Craftsman-style dining room, it’d be a dream in green.

Graham and Brown’s 2022 Paint Colour of the Year: Breathe

They say: “The colour of the year, both reflect the celebration of nature, self-care, and optimism for the future. Breathe is perfect for creating calm and peaceful spaces, which is exactly what is needed for the year ahead.”

We say: Ooooh, this blue! Soft, serene and grey-toned, It’s like being hugged by a cloudy Vancouver day. It’s tough to hit that sweet spot between moody and refreshing, but they’ve nailed it. Go into the deep blue with navy accents, or cool things off with crisp whites.


Behr Paint’s 2022 Paint Colour of the Year: Breezeway

They say: “The silvery green shade with cool undertones is inspired by the earth’s beauty and mimics naturally stunning sea glass found on the shore of salty beaches.”

We say: We love a minty moment, and Breezeway delivers. In a modern space or a more transitional one, this fresh colour would make a serious pop… especially balanced with warm woods.


Valspar’s 2022 Paint Colour(s) of the Year: Too Many Different Things

They say: “The colors of 2022 come from nature, each bringing a calm, comfortable presence into your home. Our color experts curated these 12 trendy, yet timeless, colors that will look great for years to come.”

We say: Twelve colours? TWELVE? That’s right, It’s a 12-way tie between Blanched Thyme, Gilded Linen, Delighted Moon, Lilac Lane, Orchid Ash, Grey Suit, Subtle Peach, Sunset Curtains, Country Charm, Fired Earth, Rustic Oak and Mountain River, which span the colour spectrum to tell no cohesive story whatsoever.

Pick a lane, Valspar. Every other brand managed to commit to one choice, why do you think you get to put forward a dozen? There are already too many decisions to be made out there in the world! We needed you to take the lead this one and honestly, you let us down.

… That being said, Subtle Peach is pretty fresh and would really freshen up a Scandi-modern ensuite.

Farrow and Ball’s 2022 Paint Colour(s) of the Year: Also a Maddening Indecision

They say: “Joa Studholme, Farrow and Ball’s colour curator, predicts that simple and familiar colours in clever combinations will be experiencing a revival in the home in 2022. Rooted thematically in a feeling of folk and craftsmanship, these colours are a versatile mix of function, form and comfort. Each colour is further anchored in asense of comfortability and simplicity.” In other words? These guys picked five colours to be their colour of the year. Come on!

We say: To their credit, Farrow and Ball released their colour predictions back in August, probably before they knew how incensed we would be with their indecision. And while we admit that Schoolhouse White and Baboosh (a sunshine-y yellow) certainly have their own appeal, let’s focus on F&B’s own green pick here: Breakfast Room Green. It’s a lush, liveable colour that’ll be the perfect backdrop for drinking a morning coffee and penning letters to paint companies, begging them to be more confident and take a stand.