New year, new paint trends.
Ready or not friends, 2022 is upon us and Benjamin Moore has declared October Mist their color of the year. They have also unveiled their stunning new palette. Are you excited? I am.
Benjamin Moore has always been a favorite of mine when it comes to my home projects. I explain why in “How to Choose Good Interior Paint” if you’re curious!
If you’re planning on giving your walls a refresh this year, knowing more about interior paint trends is a must. And diving into Benjamin Moore’s picks is a great way to start.
Here’s the low down on the palette, my favorite colors, and my thoughts on how best to use them.
How does Benjamin Moore determine the annual palette?
Designers of the Marketing and Development Group pick a color that reflects the mood and tone of what’s going on in the world. How are we feeling? Where are we heading?
This year they settled on the sage green of October Mist. Representing the stem of a flower, it’s a symbolic color speaking to the transition we’re in. The stability of the earth and the promise of new beginnings.
Feeling grounded is something we all need more of. Don’t you agree?
Once Benjamin Moore settles on their yearly color, they establish a palette that coordinates with the shade to create a color scheme.
For 2022, they describe their palette as “harmonious yet diverse, reliable yet whimsical, and meditative yet eclectic.”
It contains fourteen colors including October Mist.
The Palette
- October Mist (CC-550 or 1495)
- Collector’s Item (AF-45)
- Steam (AF-15)
- Hint of Violet (2114-60)
- Natural Linen (966)
- Venetian Portico (AF-185)
- Morning Dew (OC-140)
- Quiet Moments (1563)
- Fernwood Green (2145-40)
- High Park (467)
- Gloucester Sage (HC-100)
- Mysterious (AF-565)
- Pale Moon (OC-108)
- Wild Flower (2090-40)
Natural Linen, Collector’s Item, and Steam are perfect if you’re looking for a warm and neutral color to pair with October Mist.
If you prefer pastels, you have Venetian Portico, Quiet Moments, Morning Dew, Hint of Violet, Fernwood Green, and Pale Moon to work with.
Then for a pop of color, there’s High Park, Wild Flower, Gloucester Sage, and Mysterious.
As you can see, the palette is a beautiful mix of warm and cool paint colors with a nice balance between neutrals and bolder shades.
There’s a color for everyone.
I think Benjamin Moore did a good job of picking colors that work well together and have lasting appeal. What do you think?
My favorite colors in the collection
Considering how diverse and earthy the whole palette is (which is totally my vibe), it was hard to pick my top favorites.
But these five are the ones I envision myself painting with this year.
October Mist (CC-550 or 1495)
I love how this sage green looks a bit silvery. You can see the grey undertones in low light. I think it gives it a modern look.
It’s a color with a lot of depth, not a pastel shade, and not too dark. It’s a cool shade that brings a feeling of grounding and relaxation.
Steam (AF-15)
I quite like this shade because it’s a rich and warm white, but it doesn’t have a yellow tint that other warm whites tend to have.
As I wrote earlier this year about 5 Best True White Paint Colors With No Undertones, it can be challenging to find a good white. This one fits my list.
Quiet Moments (1563)
This neutral gray is a winner. It’s reflective so it brings a feeling of freshness and brightness.
I like the blue-gray undertones with a hint of green. It’s a soothing color that inspires calm.
High Park (467)
High Park is a classic color and I like that. It’s a darker green with a low reflectance value that makes a statement without being overpowering.
Mysterious (AF-565)
Part navy, part dark grey, this color is rich and has a feel of sophistication while also being a great neutral color.
Where I Plan to use these colors in my home
All the colors in the palette are great options for anywhere in the house, depending on light and your taste.
If you want some inspiration, here are my personal picks for the main areas of my home.
Living Room/Kitchen
The earthy tones of October Mist’s sage green work well for the living areas. I think it’d be a good choice for my living room or to refresh kitchen cabinets.
Bedroom
October Mist is also a fitting color for a master bedroom. I like how grounding the soft green is. It makes you want to relax and wind down.
I think Quiet Moments is a good color for a kid’s bedroom. It’s neutral so it would work great in the bedroom my kids share. It’s bright enough to open the room and it inspires calm.
Final thoughts on these paint trends
Overall, I think Benjamin Moore nailed it with their picks this year.
October Mist is a versatile color, and the palette offers tons of great color options to pair it with.
The shade of sage green can go with darker colors like navy or greys. It works well with pinks and pastels. It’s a shoo-in with warm tones.
Truly, it fits most aesthetics.
Are you a fan of Benjamin Moore’s color of 2022? What do you think of the palette and this year’s paint trends?
I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below!
xo, Gbeke
What do you think?