Every year late fall, the paint companies select their Color of the Year for the following year. Part marketing hype, part consumer trend driven, it is always interesting to see what they choose!

Surprisingly, this year the 5 Color of the Year announcements were ALL shades of green! This is perhaps a reflection of our renewed connection to nature as the pandemic forced a change of routine for most of us. The outdoors became our place of connection, solace, and socialization.

The green choices range from the aqua green of Behr’s Breezeway to the deep yellow-green of Glidden’s Guacamole. Benjamin Moore Color of the Year for 2022, October Mist, falls right in the middle. It is a complex grey green with a hint of warmth.

Green in general, and October Mist in particular functions almost as a neutral. It pairs well with many other colors. It works with most other shades of green, as well as a variety of blues, pinks, purples, corals, and yellows. Paired with white, it feels fresh and paired with black it takes on an air of sophistication. Naturally, it also works well with pretty much any color of stained wood as well, from pale birch and pickled oak to rich shades of mahogany and fruitwood, whether that appears in millwork, flooring, or furnishings.

With this botanical wallcovering from Brewster (Floret in green) and these textured and embroidered fabrics in shades of green and taupe (Stout Textiles), we’ve paired it with a creamy ivory and a warm cocoa tone.

With these coastal colored fabrics (from Stout Textiles) in fresh shades of blues teal, and greens, we’ve paired it with a pale sky blue and a deep teal green reminiscent of the ocean.

For these gorgeous textured fabrics from Stout Textiles (The green chenille stripe is Blink/Chive, the embroidered leaf pattern is Creed/Aloe, and the diamond pattern is Wynnewood/Grass), and trim from Thibaut (Pleated Tape/Taupe) in woodland shades, we have selected pairings in a warm taupe-beige and a piney loden green

And for these garden inspired fabrics from Stout Textiles, we’ve selected companion colors in shades of pink and deep blue-green.

October Mist is indeed a very versatile color - as Benjamin Moore says, “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.”

So whether you lean toward quiet, serene and understated with a soothing palette of muted greens and neutrals, or are in the camp of lively and energizing color - or fall somewhere between the two, this sage green tone might be just the foundation you need!

As always, choose colors that make you and your house happy, not just what is “in”. And, if painting (especially walls or millwork) always always always follow the steps to make sure the color is right for the space BEFORE you invest the time and money in a large painting project. Environment radically affects your perception of color and it is important to get it right the first time!

If you’d like help, our downloadable guide to choosing paint colors with confidence is available for purchase here for less than the cost of a gallon of paint!.

Happy Painting!