This Serene Paint Trend Is Set To Take Over In 2022

After a period dominated by crisp neutrals and minimalist aesthetics, interior design is witnessing a vibrant resurgence of color, marked by a playful yet polished approach. Among these returning hues, lavender is emerging as a standout, earning enthusiastic endorsements from designers for its versatile appeal. This particular shade introduces a quiet elegance and a touch of whimsy to any space, alongside a perception of serenity, largely attributed to its namesake plant. Its application ranges from wall colors and upholstery to subtle accents, consistently delivering an optimal splash of color. The increasing popularity of lavender in home decor, following its established presence in fashion and beauty, is due to its inherent versatility. Designers are particularly drawn to its capacity to function as a soft neutral, yet possess enough character to make a room feel both thoughtfully curated and distinctly contemporary. Sarah Hargrave, a Dallas-based designer, highlights lavender's "well-deserved" comeback, noting its ability to strike a beautiful balance between softness and sophistication. She emphasizes its role as a refreshing alternative to traditional neutrals, offering a serene ambiance. This trend aligns with a broader consumer desire for uplifting colors that avoid being overwhelming. Audrey Scheck, an Austin-based designer, views lavender's revival as part of a general move away from minimalism and a return to bolder color expressions in interior design. She appreciates how lavender contributes color while still maintaining a subtle, neutral quality. Tricia Hassenfeld of Hell Yes Interiors, also based in Austin, reveals that lavender is a frequently chosen color in her projects, despite initial client reservations due to its association with children's rooms. Hassenfeld explains that when paired with bright white, lavender can inject a playful element into a space, preventing it from appearing overly serious. When it comes to color pairings, lavender's soft undertones make it an ideal partner for natural textures and earthy tones. Rachel Blindauer suggests combining lavender with olive green, warm woods, dusty ochres, and antique brass to introduce warmth and depth. Erica McLain, a biophilic design expert, recommends pairing lavender with tactile materials such as raw linen, stone, or softly grained wood. For a harmonized palette, she advises complementing lavender with warm whites, cool greys, blush tones, or muted greens. Natalie Biles and Stacey Breezeel of Shine Interior Design Studio recommend exploring color wheel complements like golden yellow or soft olive, which can enhance various rooms without overwhelming the senses. Courtnay Tartt Elias, a Houston-based designer, finds that lavender, particularly when combined with celery, creates a natural and organic feel, serving as an excellent alternative for clients who wish to avoid pink. For those seeking a bolder aesthetic, Hassenfeld encourages leveraging lavender's unexpected edge by using it as a neutral base for more sophisticated hues. Examples include pairing it with a maroon headboard, an emerald fireplace, or deep, rock-n-roll purple velvet drapery, emphasizing that the key lies in achieving balance. Designers also identify specific rooms where lavender can excel. Virginia Wyatt suggests bedrooms as ideal spaces for lavender due to its calming and ethereal qualities, recommending subtle integrations like lavender embroidery on natural bedding or lavender trim on neutral drapery. For living rooms and formal spaces, designers use lavender to soften the environment without compromising elegance. Hargrave proposes using lavender as a primary accent through painted cabinetry, velvet upholstery, or a statement ceiling, or more subtly via textiles like drapery or throw pillows. For a low-commitment approach, Christina Kelley suggests incorporating a lavender throw, subtly patterned pillows, or a ceramic piece to nod to the trend. #HomeDecorTrends #LavenderColor #InteriorDesign #PaintColors #ColorPairings #HomeStyling #SereneInteriors #DesignersChoice #ModernLiving

The article discusses the anticipated dominant paint color in home interiors for 2026, according to design professionals. While major paint brands annually release their 'Color of the Year' predictions, designers often have a distinct perspective on what hues will genuinely resonate with clients. For 2026, the prevailing sentiment among designers indicates a shift away from cool grays towards warmer, more inviting neutrals. This change reflects a growing desire for comfort and coziness within living spaces, moving beyond previous trends that emphasized vibrant or stark colors. The article highlights that the 'cool-gray' trend, which once signified sleek modernity, is now perceived by many designers as cold and flat. Instead, there is a pronounced craving for shades like taupe, sand, mushroom, and creamy whites. These colors are favored for their ability to create a warm, cozy, and timeless ambiance. This evolution in preference suggests a broader shift in interior design towards environments that offer a sense of calm and connection. Among the various warm neutrals, a specific hue described as 'warm khaki' is gaining significant traction and is identified as the designer-favorite for 2026. This color is characterized as a 'heritage-driven hue' and a new 'foundational neutral.' Designers praise warm khaki for being softer and more inviting than stark whites or greiges, and for its versatility in harmonizing with both warm and cool color palettes. It functions as an understated, sophisticated backdrop that allows other materials and textures within a space to stand out and take precedence. Several designers provided specific examples of warm khaki shades. Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors suggests Sherwin-Williams’ Universal Khaki for adding softness and depth, particularly in larger areas. Lara Apelian of Lara Apelian Studio recommends Ressource Paints’ Fleur De Sureau, describing it as a 'perfect muddy hue.' Both designers underscore that these colors are inspired by nature and its inherent warmth, aligning with the current attraction to natural elements in interior design. Beyond warm khaki, the article mentions that other earthy tones are also becoming popular for 2026. These include rich ocher, forest green, and tobacco brown. These hues are being incorporated into design schemes and are noted by sources like Zillow to potentially increase a home's selling price. The preference for these deep, grounding colors, such as olive, rust, and inky blue, is seen as a 'back to nature' approach, replacing cooler neutrals. The integration of materials like patinaed metals, hand-glazed tiles, and natural stone further enhances the tactile richness of these palettes. This trend towards earthy palettes is framed as a response to a digital-centric world, where people increasingly seek sanctuary-like environments. These colors and materials are believed to provide a sense of quiet confidence, grounding a space, and creating an atmosphere that is peaceful, composed, and timeless. Elana Tenenbaum Cline of Carta Creatives adds that there is a movement away from overly minimalist, white-on-white interiors and mass-produced furnishings towards spaces that embody character, patina, and a narrative, emphasizing interiors that feel grounded rather than merely styled. #InteriorDesign #PaintColors #HomeDecor #DesignTrends2026 #WarmNeutrals #KhakiPaint #EarthyTones #HomeImprovement #InteriorStyling

The article discusses the emerging interior design trend of "color drenching," which is predicted to define home interiors in 2026, marking a shift away from the minimalist and neutral palettes that dominated the 2010s. This trend involves using a single, cohesive color across an entire room, including walls, trim, ceilings, baseboards, and even some furniture, to create a sense of warmth, depth, and personality. The 2026 Zillow Home Trend Report indicates a 149% year-over-year increase in mentions of color drenching, reflecting a growing homeowner desire for unique, expressive spaces. Interior designers Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design and Lesley Myrick of Lesley Myrick Interior Design explain that color drenching elevates color from a supporting role to the main star of a room, allowing homeowners to express their personal style rather than adhering to generic catalog aesthetics. They differentiate color drenching from accent walls, noting that while an accent wall aims to stand out, color drenching creates a seamless, enveloping mood. This approach, though bold, is considered unfussy because the consistent application of color makes it feel more like an overall atmosphere than a singular focal point. For those interested in adopting this trend, designers recommend starting with smaller, contained spaces such as guest bathrooms, reading nooks, offices, bedrooms, or powder rooms. These areas provide an ideal opportunity to experiment with color drenching without committing to larger, more visible rooms. Myrick shares an example of transforming a study with a soft green-gray, making the space feel richer and more layered by enhancing existing wood tones, art, and lighting. Color drenching in smaller rooms is also presented as an effective way to achieve a curated look without adding visual clutter. Before implementing color drenching, several steps are advised. First, homeowners should choose a color they genuinely love and that evokes positive feelings, whether it's a calming olive green or a warm terracotta. For color selection, deep, moody tones like olive, navy, and aubergine are suggested for impact, while dusty greens, warm taupes, or blush pinks can create a serene environment. Cathy Hobbs of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes recommends using "fire colors" like mustard or orange to brighten rooms with limited natural light. Second, testing the chosen color is crucial. Lisbeth Parada, color marketing manager for Sherwin-Williams, advises painting a test section or even an accent wall and observing how the color appears under different natural and artificial lighting conditions throughout the day, as lighting can significantly alter a color's perception. Third, to prevent a monochromatic room from appearing flat, combining different finishes within the same color is recommended. This could involve using a matte finish for walls and a subtle sheen (like eggshell or satin) for trim, which adds depth and dimension without breaking the monochromatic scheme. Finally, adding texture through decor and materials, such as upholstered furniture with patterns, metallic accents, rugs, or woven lighting fixtures, can further enrich the space and make it feel cozier and more inviting. #ColorDrenching #InteriorDesignTrends #HomeDecor #PaintTrends #MonochromaticSpaces #PersonalizedInteriors #ColorPsychology #HomeStyling #DesignTips