Style Snapshots 2022 Top Hues in Review

Style Snapshots: 2022’s Top Hues in Review

Yellow, pink, and berry colored paint chips laid out on a cream woven material, near other fabrics and a plant.
Yellow, pink, and berry colored paint chips laid out on a cream woven material, near other fabrics and a plant.

Looking back at 2022’s trending colors, we’ve seen so many wonderfully usable hues step into the spotlight. Here we’ve compiled some of our most popular picks from this year’s Color of the Month series of flat lays, complete with at-a-glance styling cues, material and finish inspiration, and coordinating colors to showcase the versatility of each color in design.

To get inspired by the key colors and trend stories for the coming year, be sure to explore our 2023 Colormix® Forecast.

Aleutian SW 6241

(left) light blue paint chip laid out on a table with different textiles, a fresh herb, and wooden spoon.
(right) blue and cream paint chips on a table with woven placemats and napkins and other wooden decor.
(left) light blue paint chip laid out on a table with different textiles, a fresh herb, and wooden spoon (right) blue and cream paint chips on a table with woven placemats and napkins and other wooden decor.

In February we introduced the cool and chic Aleutian SW 6241 (224-C3), styling it with delicate grays and crisp whites in tile and fabric swatches and a mix of denim blues. When balanced with black, warm wood tones, and rich chocolate-colored velvet, this dusty blue embodied a modern bohemian aesthetic, especially with touches of greenery and other natural textures. Alternatively, global prints and patterns, tropical nods, sunbleached wood tones, and a restrained collection of complementary colors gave Aleutian the feel of a seaside retreat in exotic climes.

Iron Ore SW 7069

(left) green, orange, and black color chips laid out near materials and fabrics of a similar palette.
 (right) brown and black color chips on some glossy and linen fabrics.
(left) green, orange, and black color chips laid out near materials and fabrics of a similar palette (right) brown and black color chips on some glossy and linen fabrics.

Designer John McClain calls this grounded charcoal “a solid option that provides a moody, dramatic effect without going to the (very) dark side.” We’ve seen it styled with rich accent colors, like Sierra Redwood SW 7598 (125-C7) and Basque Green SW 6426 (154-C7), to create warm and modern spaces. For luxe eclecticism, a sweet pairing with warm El Caramelo SW 9106 (203-C6), plus glossy black and a shimmer of gold or brassy metallics made Iron Ore SW 7069 (251-C7) shine, especially composed with white linen and classic marble elements.

Alabaster SW 7008

(left) light pink and white paint chips on top of wood, surrounded by feathers.
(right) cream paint chips on top of furry white fabrics.
(left) light pink and white paint chips on top of wood, surrounded by feathers (right) cream paint chips on top of furry white fabrics.

In 2022 we’ve continued to see a rise in muted palettes that promote mindfulness and well-being. In springtime this took the form of a calming and nourishing hue in April’s Alabaster SW 7008 (255-C2), which played nicely with an abundance of creamy colors, pale wood, and ultra-soft textures. Pink Shadow SW 0070 (Historic Collection) was a favorite pairing with what designer Kerrie Kelly calls an “understated and alluring hue … an oasis of calmness and ‘less-is-more’ visual relief.”

Rose Tan SW 0069

(left) pink paint chips on top of a wooden table near wicker and other fabrics.
(right) brown and pink paint chips near warm textures.
(left) pink paint chips on top of a wooden table near wicker and other fabrics (right) brown and pink paint chips near warm textures.

We continued to move through the year celebrating warmer tones, natural neutrals, and rosy beige bliss. Rose Tan SW 0069 (Historic Collection) bears an effortless sophistication that can skew friendly and whimsical with beautiful coordinates like Beige SW 2859 (Historic Collection), Woven Wicker SW 9104 (203-C4), and Über Umber SW 9107 (203-C7); or with the introduction of throwback motifs, and warmer textures, this cheerful retro-global hue becomes an anchor for midcentury-meets-contemporary styling.

Basque Green SW 6426

(left) Grey, green, and blue paint chips near similar hued geometric designs.
(right) same color scheme as the left paint chips, with more textures.
(left) Grey, green, and blue paint chips near similar hued geometric designs (right) same color scheme as the left paint chips, with more textures.

Early summer ushered in the ultimate nostalgic hue, a color suited for modern coastal and casual bohemian spaces and a fitting homage to midcentury modern palettes. Basque Green SW 6426 (154-C7) is an herbal color that pairs beautifully with deep, inky blues—like Anchors Aweigh SW 9179 (253-C7) and Cascades SW 7623 (279-C1)—as well as warm Smokey Topaz SW 6117 (291-C6) and cooler whites and grays for a richly retro-revival aesthetic.

Chartreuse SW 0073

Yellow, pink, and berry colored paint chips laid out on a cream woven material, near other fabrics and a plant.
yellow paint chip on top of a piece of wood by neutral blue textures.
(left) yellow, pink, and berry paint chips on top of a cream woven material (right) yellow paint chip on top of a wood piece surrounded by neutral blue textures.

Complex and delightfully unexpected, joyful Chartreuse SW 0073 (Historic Collection) sparked conversation and creativity this year and will continue to be a trend on the rise in 2023—an energetic yellow-green that looks lovely with live plants, a bouquet of botanical pinks and purples such as Rosé SW 6290 (109-C3) and Blackberry SW 7577 (109-C7), and an eclectic and chilled-out mix of antiqued blues and cozy neutrals.

Shoji White SW 7042

(left) white paint chip on a wooden piece with neutral materials surrounding.
 (right) white color chip on top of neutral stones.
(left) white paint chip on a wooden piece with neutral materials surrounding (right) white color chip on top of neutral stones.

Shoji White SW 7042 (254-C4) is at home in environs characterized by warm modernism, and we’ve seen it as a key design choice in countless must-have looks this year. This tranquil and earthy warm white fits into understated Japandi styling that is muted and minimalistic, and it is super soothing nestled among layers upon layers of our best-loved neutrals, like Loggia SW 7506 (248-C2), Foothills SW 7514 (248-C7), Thunder Gray SW 7645 (278-C1), Quartersawn Oak SW 2836, and Alabaster SW 7008 (255-C2).

Snowbound SW 7004

(left) lavender and blue paint chips on top of similar hued fabrics.
(right) orange, blue, and white paint chips on top of complimentary tiles.
(left) lavender and blue paint chips on top of similar hued fabrics (right) orange, blue, and white paint chips on top of complimentary tiles.

Long celebrated as a “perfect” white—as Design Council member Eneia White says, “a go-to choice that strikes a balance between cool and warm”—Snowbound SW 7004 (256-C2) reigned supreme this year, anchoring nostalgic pops of color like Bakelite Gold SW 6368 (128-C4), Naval SW 6244 (253-C6), and Festoon Aqua SW 0019 (Historic Collection). This clean white gets cozy with a whisper of color in Lite Lavender SW 6554 (189-C1), plush textiles, and the gentlest hints of teal.

Samovar Silver SW 6233

(left) pink and silver paint chips on top of wood with other textures.
(right) silver paint chip on top of a variety of cool toned fabrics.
(left) pink and silver paint chips on top of wood with other textures (right) silver paint chip on top of a variety of cool toned fabrics.

A gallant gray-blue like Samovar Silver SW 6233 (222-C2) proves that classically cool neutrals never go out of style, and in fact can get an utterly modern makeover with some simple styling modifications. This neutral favorite is well balanced by rosy tones—Pink Shadow SW 0070 (Historic Collection) and Coral Clay SW 9005 (114-C4) are two standout shades—to skew cozy-cottage rustic, or lend it a sleek and modern touch with cooler blue complements, dark charcoal, and Pure White SW 7005 (255-C1).

Rosemary SW 6187

(left) green and brown paint chips inside of a bronze bowl with other warm tones.
(right) green paint chips paired with dark grey textures.
(left) green and brown paint chips inside of a bronze bowl with other warm tones (right) green paint chips paired with dark grey textures.

This restrained herbal green is both modern and organic, and coordinating colors in nature-derived warm tones of khaki, beige, brown, and deepest evergreen give spaces a restful sense of harmony with the natural world. Rosemary SW 6187 (215-C6) is a versatile hue, and can be styled either modernist or with throwback artifacts and shapes, but it truly sings in support of a rich gallery of thoughtful design details, and it creates a cocooning sense of comfort in all-over monochromatic magic.

Top image colors: Chartreuse SW 0073, Rosé SW 6290 (109-C3), Blackberry SW 7577 (109-C7).

Discover More

Earn Continuing Education Units

Colormix® Forecast 2025: Capsules

Get Color Samples