I love white walls.
It could be that I fancy the idea of living in an art museum. As kooky as that sounds, I’ve always thought of white walls as being super versatile. You can literally have any pop of color against them, and it will look great.
But, somewhere in the past 12 months I started feeling like I’d like to see a little more color in my home, can you relate?
As soon as I started feeling that I noticed the calls to obliterate white walls from everywhere: TV, magazines, social media.
It was an all-out war against my beloved white walls!
OK, maybe I exaggerate but it’s funny how the universe shows you 100 reasons why you should do something when you get it in your head, you know?
If you’re sick of white walls, this post is for you.
Whether you’re color shy, or you love big bold colors, I’ll show you how to navigate some popular 2022 color trends so you can add a bold pop or a subtle splash to your home.
So, are white walls really over in 2022? Let’s talk about it.
I don’t know about you, but the new year always makes me want to shake stuff up and try new things.
It’s silly really because the calendar switching from December 31 to January 1 is one day, but I seem to get this rush of excitement. The new year is a blank page, and the possibilities are endless!
One possibility I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is painting my living room.
After the Christmas decorations came down, and I replaced all the sparkles with my same old everyday stuff, I immediately felt the winter blahs.
Without the cheery decorations and twinkling lights, there was a shift in my mood and energy.
Putting my house back to what it was before the holidays made me feel like I was taking a step backwards instead of going forward into a new year.
As I looked around, it became clear.
The color of my favorite season was gone, and I wanted it back!
I wasn’t about to put the Christmas decorations back up, but I did really feel that sense of loss when I removed the festive blues, reds, greens and gold and I was determined to figure out a plan to get that cozy, vibe back.
I thought about it for a couple of days and what I came up with was a loose plan for how I wanted to bring color back in based on what I do in specific areas of my house, and I think that’s a good way to tackle making color changes in your home too. Let me explain:
How Do You Use the Room?
Say you want to change the color of your bedroom. The most important function of the bedroom is rest, right? So, the first step to picking a bedroom color would be figuring out which colors make you feel restful? Maybe that’s a green color, or maybe it’s a cream or light tan?
Pexels, Curtis Adams
The Location of the Color
Perhaps you want to change a color in your living room. That doesn’t mean that you have to change the color of the entire room…
Pexels, Max Vakhtbovych
Think about the function of that room. Maybe highlighting a color on a focal wall is the answer?
A focal wall is a place in the room where you focus your attention. It could be the entertainment wall or fireplace wall.
That would be a good place to add some color because it distinguishes the area that you’re looking at most of the time.
Test the Color Before You Commit
I’m a big fan of testing the color choices before investing in paint, rollers, and help.
Gallons of paint are a lot less expensive than a contractor team, right?
But why spend more than you have too if you’re not completely sure?
I say invest in small swatches of paint or little sample cans to test first. Paint the samples on the wall and look at them for a few days in different lighting: natural light and artificial light, before spending the big bucks on the gallons. This will go a long way toward helping you make the right color choice.
Let’s get into the color trends for 2022:
Yellow
Michael Helwig Interiors
According to Apartment Therapy, from an article they posted in November 2021, yellow is the color you should paint your kitchen in 2022.
“Abby Hesketh suggests using bright and uplifting colors in the kitchen—there’s been a 19% increase in searches for “yellow paint for kitchen” over the past year.
Bright yellow shades represent optimism and happiness, so they are the perfect pick for promoting positive emotions within the home,” she says. “Since the kitchen is the first one you head to in the morning, it is important to choose a shade that will wake you up and start your day on a positive note.
”
Go with bold yellow like this:
Farrow & Ball – Dayroom Yellow: This is a beautiful warm and buttery yellow. It’s very saturated and happy. Looks great with bright white trim and blue accents. Classic.
House Beautiful
Behr- Turmeric: This is a spicy yellow-orange color. It pairs great with taupe grays and creams. It definitely pops opposite dark woods: like the ebony walnut tones shown here.
Behr
Valspar- Redstone Dining Room Gold: This yellow has subtle hints of apricot and looks amazing opposite cherry wood trim. It has a traditional hue and will warm up a dining space or home office very well.
Valspar
Add pops of yellow like this:
Tip: A good way to keep this color pop consistent is to keep all the yellow accents similar. If you choose bright and saturated, keep all the things you choose bright and saturated.
Committing to a color intensity for your accents will make sure your décor is consistent throughout.
Want a subtle yellow? Try:
Benjamin Moore – Moonlight: This is a soft, almost cream color. It’s bright and pairs well with light woods that have a slight yellow undertone.
It will work well in Mid Century and Craftsmen style homes.
Houzz
Farrow & Ball - Farrow’s Cream: This is an updated take on beige, more cream yellow. It’s soft and relaxing. Excellent for bedrooms, baths or kitchens.
Farrow & Ball
Benjamin Moore - Barley: This is where yellow ventures into the off-white or antique white color range. It’s a true beige with a slight peach undertone.
Looks great with honey-colored woods and trim.
Elizabeth Burns Design
Blue
Michael Helwig Interiors
I’m still on my blue kick from Christmas a few weeks ago and it seems that my pick for the holiday color will remain into the new year.
According to HGTV, blue is making a big splash this year.
“Pantone’s 2022 Color of the Year is making history with its best reveal yet: an entirely new hue created, for the first time ever, to serve as Color of the Year. They call it Very Peri (17-3938). The brand-new blue — a vivifying violet with electric red undertones — boasts both constancy and energy, consistency and excitement.”
Pantone
If you want to be bold, here are some colors to explore:
Benjamin Moore - Bold Blue 2064–10. It’s a saturated blue that is perfect for bold punches.
I love how they painted the base cabinets with it in this picture to add a dramatic contrast. So rich and bold!
West Wolf Design
Clare – Deep Dive. It’s a deep-sea blue, just a hint of green. So sophisticated.
This color can take the Coastal design look up a 2022 notch.
It’s watery and deep and would great with creamy whites, alabaster or taupe grays.
Clare
Benjamin Moore - Palatial Skies 800. It’s in their classic color collection. It’s a version of baby blue with a bright undertone, great for a fresh bedroom with crisp white trim.
It could easily translate to coastal or contemporary design styles.
Remodelista
Tip: If you want just highlights of blue, try introducing painted accent furniture, lamps, artwork, or occasional pieces like occasional chairs, ottomans or benches with a pop of blue.
If you’re looking for a hint of blue, try:
Farrow & Ball - Parma Gray No. 27. It’s a sophisticated blue that can easily cover all your walls and not overwhelm your space.
It has a hint of gray but enough saturation to shine without being overpowering.
Anthropologie
Glidden – Cumberland Fog. If you’re used to super white walls but want to venture into color, this shade is the one for you.
It’s a gorgeous blue-gray.
Light, airy and complementary to bright white accents.
Glidden
Green
Michael Helwig Interiors
Adding green to your walls is literally like bringing the outside in.
There’s probably no other color that takes cues from nature more. You can find every hue, shade and intensity of green in most lawns during the Spring and Summer. So, why not start greening things up this winter?
It seems like I’m not alone with this idea. Houzz writer, Jennifer Ott predicts:
“Green is about to be seen — everywhere. Most major paint brands picked a neutral green as the color they think will define 2022. If you happen to like any of these hip hues, this year will be a good time to update your home, even if it’s in small ways. That’s because these paint color picks mean that green will also soon be everywhere in home furnishings, so it’ll be easier to find items in these shades, if you happen to be a fan.”
If bold green is what you’re after, consider:
Farrow & Ball Duck Green No. W55. It’s modern and saturated. Taking inspiration from nature, specifically the coloring of mallard ducks.
This green is the perfect complement to dark redwoods, smoky gray accents or bright white trim.
Farrow & Ball
Benjamin Moore - Forest Moss. It’s earthy with a leafy green color, not bright, but saturated and would work well with beige, white, browns, or gray accents.
Meg Braff Interiors
Sherwin Williams - Argyle 6747. It’s a dusty green with a blue undertone.
This color will pair well with beige, off-white or charcoal grey or gray/black accents.
It looks slightly Scandinavian and would be an excellent choice to compliment light woods and neutrals.
Sherwin Williams
Tip: If you want to punch up your decor with hints of green, try incorporating plants.
You can’t go wrong with that natural look.
Or, install panel molding with a saturated green paired with white walls, super sophisticated!
Try Bringing in an area rug with greens to get the color in the room. Chic!
Subtle green wall colors:
Benjamin Moore – High Park. This green is very subtle, almost gray.
It’s got just enough color to contrast white or off-white trim, but it’s not so bold that will overpower the room.
It will work with dark wood or light wood floors. It will reflect and absorb light depending on what you put with it.
Raleigh Magazine
Farrow & Ball - Mizzle No. 266. This is a very neutral sage green.
It’s sophisticated but also light. I feel like it would brighten up a dark room by adding subtle color.
@this 1870house, Farrow & Ball
Benjamin Moore – October Mist. It’s a definite green but still has enough gray in it so that all the decorating you’ve done in recent years won’t have to be pitched out.
It’s perfect for a change but will play nicely with the stuff you already have, like gray upholstery or neutral upholstery or dark woods or light woods…
It’s also Benjamin Moore’s color of the year choice and it seems to be getting a lot of buzz.
Benjamin Moore
Whether you want to go bold, highlight a few pops of color, or just bring a hint of color, 2022 looks like it’s shaping up to be a way more colorful than the past few years have been.
Now it’s your turn, tell me: do you want to bring a new wall color into your home this year? I’d love to hear what you’re planning. Leave me a comment below and tell me how you’re making some colorful changes.
Join The Fun!
If you enjoyed this post and you want to keep seeing my weekly blog, the best way to do that is to subscribe.
You can subscribe by downloading my 11 Secrets Only Designers Know to Make Your Space Rock. If you’re curious about how decorators and designers make a home look magazine ready, you’ll love taking a gander at these 11 secrets. You’ll learn how to style your room from the floor up and it will work for ANY space you have.
I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.
I’d love to connect with you!
“Michael Helwig was top-notch, very professional and responsive to my needs. He allowed me time to explore ideas and try out a variety of combinations until we found the perfect fit. Michael provided detailed information and offered beautiful ideas to make my dream living room become a reality. The furniture he sourced has totally transformed my living room space. Everyone that has seen my new living room has one word, WOW! A special thank you to Michael for a wonderful experience.”
“Michael was very knowledgeable and guided us, with great patience and good humor, through the process of designing our dining room and helping us find the perfect sleeper sofa. He offered really helpful advice when we asked questions - which was often - but at no time did we ever feel pushed. He helped me when I felt like I couldn’t make one more decision. When my new furniture finally arrived I realized everything down to the pillows was perfect. I couldn’t be happier!”
Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.
