Our 2022 Color of the Year, a shade of organic, restorative green, embodies nature’s effect on our well-being.

We’re nearing the end of 2021, and with that has come the announcement of our 2022 Color of the Year, Evergreen Fog SW 9130. Year after year, we choose a single defining hue after carefully considering the global sentiments and new styles we anticipate for the year ahead.

Here, we’ll look closer at the fresh, cool shade of Evergreen Fog SW 9130 and its place within biophilic design.

 

Photo by West Elm

The Flourishing of Biophilic Design

A concept first popularized in the 1980s, biophilia is, as the name implies, the love of life—an innate human tendency to seek connection with the natural world. In design, we’ve seen biophilic principles emerge regularly throughout history, but lately it’s become a far more significant piece of the puzzle.

Humanity has been spending more and more of our time within built environments over the last few decades, and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of time spent in human-made spaces has grown considerably.

We crave the outdoors, so we bring it indoors. And this craving is more than just surface-level; it can actually have a real and lasting impact on our health and sense of well-being. When effective, we call this biophilic design.

Incorporating nature and wellness into home and commercial spaces can prove remarkably beneficial, so biophilic design is unlikely to be just a passing trend. Our overall well-being depends on our connection to the natural world, so as Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin-Williams, believes, “being thoughtful about the purpose of a space and how it can round out a sense of well-being” is becoming vital in the modern world of design.

 

Bringing Buildings to Life. Bringing Life to Buildings

So how do we bring this “love of life” into often sensory-deprived and artificial settings like office buildings, hospitals, schools, and retail environments? Natural light and ventilation, raw materials, green vegetation, and even furnishings with nature-inspired forms can elevate sterile spaces so that they feel more environmental. Of course, organic colors can serve as a reminder of the wider world outside our doors and impact our well-being.

Scientific studies have proven that a patient’s physical surroundings can help or hurt the healing process. Which is why we so often see soothing, restorative colors in healthcare facilities rather than drab or disruptive colors. This need for healing was part of what led to the selection of the Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year for 2022, Evergreen Fog, a serene sage color that pairs well with organic woods and textiles.

Given the importance of restoration and “green living,” it’s no surprise that many of the finishes and materials that pair best with the organic Evergreen Fog fit comfortably within the realm of the sustainable design movement.

 

Nature + Nurture

In architecture and design, it all comes back to nature. But it’s not only about connecting with our environment—it’s about protecting it as well.

We’ve written about rethinking sustainability, about historic preservation efforts and the use of found objects and repurposed items, and these eco- and budget-friendly considerations still hold true.

At Sherwin-Williams, sustainability has been a top priority for decades. The company has voluntarily participated in the Carbon Disclosure Project since 2006 and is striving for the goal of operating at 50% renewable energy by 2030.

There is also the Sustainability by Design^™ program. From initial concept through commercialization, Sherwin-Williams seeks ways to make products more sustainable and higher-performing by improving chemical formulations, manufacturing processes, health and safety, packaging methods, and more.

With an ongoing focus on nature’s influence on us, and our influence on nature, there’s never been a more opportune time to embrace an organic hue like the Sherwin-Williams 2022 Color of the Year, Evergreen Fog.

Photo at top by Kerrie Kelly