Dulux held a three-day virtual conference to agree their colour of the year. Experts discussed the most important factors in people’s lives currently, which were shared as:
(source: Dulux)
Bright Skies (image by Dulux)
After lengthy deliberations, Dulux announced their colour of 2022 would be Bright Skies – “an airy and fresh tone that opens up and breathes new life into any space” (aka ‘light blue’).
Although very different to their 2021 Colour of the Year – Brave Ground (an earthy shade of taupe), Blue Skies is another colour which reflects nature. Pale blue is a colour that brings to mind the expansive blue of the sky or the calming qualities of water. This choice wasn’t a coincidence – where Brave Ground was selected for its ‘enabling and stabilizing’ qualities after the global pandemic hit, Blue Skies brings about a boost of optimism.
Blue Skies is also a shade which opens spaces up and makes them feel much larger – again an antidote to being cooped up inside for so long
After a prolonged period of isolating indoors, homeworking and home-schooling, painting your walls (or even ceilings) light blue is one way to bring the outside in. Clear blue is a restorative and contemplative shade – a fresh start – something we are all currently keeping our fingers crossed for as the pandemic drags on.
Very Peri (image by Pantone)
The colour experts at the Pantone Color Institute ran a similar, in-depth selection process for their colour of the year. The team considered the use of colour in all areas of society, including entertainment, art, fashion, travel destinations, new technologies, materials and even global sporting events!
For 2022, Pantone have chosen ‘Very Peri‘ as their colour of the year – a vibrant periwinkle blue. Again, partly in reaction to the global pandemic and emerging from a state of isolation, this shade is also intended to reflect the ever-merging state of our physical and digital worlds.
In the words of Leatrice Eisman, Excecutive Director of the Pantone Color Institute:
“Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expressions.”
October Mist (image by Benjamin Moore)
In contrast to the blue shades chosen by Dulux and Pantone, Benjamin Moore have chosen October Mist 1495 for their colour of 2022 – a gentle shade of sage green. Whilst this is very different to the other shades, it is another colour that is reminiscent of nature.
Evergreen Fog (image by Sherwin Williams)
Another US paint company, Sherwin Williams, have also selected a shade of green for their colour of the year.
Evergreen Fog is a darker green hue. It is yet another colour that reflects the colours found in nature and captures the essence of change following the global pandemic. According to Sherwin Williams’ Director of Color Marketing, Sue Wadden, it is “inspired by the world’s ability to adapt and regenerate.”
Read about the 2023 colour of the year.
