Striking and timely colour palettes: top paint trends for the year

A SAGE CHOICE Topping the trend list, this soothing green is the colour preferred by several paint companies this year. Defined as a gently shaded sage that quietly anchors while encouraging creative expression, October Mist (pictured, left) is one of six greens in Benjamin Moore’s 2022 collection. Sharon Grech, media spokesperson at Benjamin Moore, extols the adaptability of this soft green. “It makes easy connections and flows seamlessly into spaces and surfaces with other hues.” For a fun, graphic wall treatment, she suggests using the winning shade on the lower portion of a wall and a paler green above, like Morning Dew. BENJAMINMOORE.COM

October Mist is one of six greens in Benjamin Moore’s 2022 collection.

WARM AND SUNNY Bright primary colours take centre stage this year. Farrow & Ball’s Babouche No. 223 or Annie Sloan’s Carnaby Yellow (pictured, below) are perfect examples. This cheerful tone is bold yet never feels garish or overpowering, even when used in larger spaces. “Babouche can be used in myriad ways,” says Joa Studholme, colour curator at Farrow & Ball. “It looks particularly modern when combined with a dark shade like Railings No. 31 on the trim. For the ultimate contemporary feel, use it in full gloss on walls or even on the ceiling.” FARROW-BALL.COM ANNIESLOAN.COM

Carnaby Yellow by Annie Sloan

A TOUCH OF TERRACOTTA Colours from far-off places are a welcome sight in our homes this year. Warm and wistful shades of terracotta that speak to this wanderlust can be found in spicy Wild Flower by Benjamin Moore (pictured, below) – and in Riad Terracotta from the new water-based matte Wall Paint colour collection from Annie Sloan, which launches in Canada this spring. The 32 shades are inspired by colours found in architectural icons and homes throughout history, from the neoclassical Charlottenhof Villa to the terracotta houses of Morocco.
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Wild Flower by Benjamin Moore

LOVELY LILAC The soft side of purple is having a cool moment, with shades like Lite Lavender by Sherwin-Williams (pictured, below) and Hint of Violet by Benjamin Moore adding a feminine touch. Lilac Lane by Valspar also fits the bill. “It’s a new, modern pastel that’s both restorative and uplifting,” says Sue Kim, director of colour marketing for Valspar. She suggests using it in a home office or pairing it with brass accents in a bathroom.
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Lite Lavender by Sherwin-Williams

DARK AND BROODING Maximalism gave jewel tones their comeback, but the plot now thickens with an evolving movement toward the darker side of the colour wheel. “People are craving deep and moody colours after a decade filled with whites and light greys,” says Sue Wadden, director of colour marketing at Sherwin-Williams. Think dark, refined walls that recede, highlighting your furniture and artwork. To dip your toe into the drama pool, try painting lower kitchen cabinets or an island with a moody hue like Naval from Sherwin-Williams (pictured, below) or Mysterious from Benjamin Moore. SHERWIN-WILLIAMS.CA BENJAMINMOORE.COM

Naval from Sherwin-Williams