When the pandemic pushed many of us to have more intimate relationships with our homes than we may have ever had, we looked for ways to make those spaces uplift and support us in return. If we couldn’t leave home, the least we could do was turn it into a calming sanctuary best suited to combat the high levels of stress and uncertainty unleashed by the pandemic itself. With that in mind, it makes sense that we have quickly seen an influx of wellbeing-boosting home technologies; the rise of the home meditation corner; and well well well lots of indoor plants. Last year, we spotted the seeds of this indoor greenery revolution, and it has since taken on epic proportions. Now, a new green trend is germinating: the use of Color green in all elements of home design.
Over the past few months, four major paint brands have announced a certain type of green as their color of the year for 2022. Behr has opted for a light sea glass green called Breezeway; PPG Paints chose a neutral grey-green called Olive Sprig; Benjamin Moore chose a soft sage green called October Mist; and Glidden chose a creamy vegetable-inspired green called Guacamole. It’s no coincidence that the names and descriptions of all these shades allude to something natural or organic. According to environmental psychologist Sally Augustin, PhD, director of Design With Science, this influx of green likely stems from our deep-rooted connection to nature and its supportive qualities.
“We know that seeing green, leafy plants can reduce your stress levels, improve your mood, improve your cognitive performance and allow you to think more creatively,” says Dr Augustin, whose job it is to help designers interior to make choices based on their psychological and neuro-scientific implications (i.e. how certain designs and decors make a person feel in a space). Separately, several studies have also shown that the color green itself can have a positive effect on the psyche, whether by increasing levels of optimism in memory recall, increasing feelings of comfort and calm or improving performance on creative tasks.
“It is assumed that we have such a positive response to green because eons ago, when we were around lots of green plants, it meant that life was generally good.” —Sally Augustin, PhD, environmental psychologist
Dr. Augustin posits that the mental impact of the color green (both natural and in the setting) is tied to our evolutionary past. “It is assumed that we have such a positive response to green because eons ago, when we were around lots of green plants, it meant that life was generally good, there was something to eat and to drink nearby, and that you could let your mind wander freely to things other than those basic necessities,” she says.
This mental lightness and positivity is probably a big reason why paint companies and designers are planning even more green color in home design as 2022 approaches. to shelter-in-place guidelines, “the pandemic has left us all in need of a soothing change of scenery,” says designer Claire Zinnecker, adding that a soft green is not only soothing for its reminiscence of nature, but it also keeps the design neutral and goes with almost anything.
How to Use the Color Green in Home Design for the Most Calming Effect, According to Design Experts
Scan your natural light before selecting a green paint color.
If you’re working with limited natural light, consider lightening up a few shades on the green paint, as it will inevitably look darker once in place, says designer Anastasia Casey, founder and creative director of The Identity Collective. “And to get an accurate reading of the color you choose, display the samples on a vertical surface rather than flat on the counter, because the light will reflect differently,” she says.
As you scan your space, look for colors reflecting in it, perhaps the color of a neighboring house. “If your light is warmer, say orange or pink, you’ll want to counter that in the green color you select by going for a cooler tone,” Casey explains.
When in doubt, opt for a muted shade of green paint.
In general, lighter, less saturated colors are more relaxing to see, says Dr. Augustin, who even suggests mixing one of the year’s green paint colors with a gallon of white paint for a more green tone. soothing. Not to mention, a lighter color on a wall can also make a space appear slightly larger, which is generally a good thing if you’re going to be spending a lot of time there, she adds.
Get creative with green accents.
Although most green hues offer the aforementioned positive effects, not all of them are created equally, says architect and designer Rachael Grochowski. “Some are more soothing, some are more energizing,” she says. To dive into the green trend, try incorporating green with a single piece of furniture or accent pillows mixed with beige and cream neutrals, she adds: “I like deep greens for the carpentry, the green-blues for accent walls and mint greens for throws. , or a variety of soft green tones for a collection of vases, candlesticks or bowls.
Due to the great versatility of the green, it’s hard to go wrong. “We use green, no kidding, in every room we create,” says designer Shawna Percival, founder and creative director of Styleberry Creative Interiors. “We see green being implemented in design in the form of cabinet color, upholstery, tile and wall color.” While you can certainly pair different shades of green, Percival also loves the soothing effect of soft sage with complementary pastels.
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