In her novel Anne of Avonlea, author Lucy Maud Montgomery writes: “That is one good thing about this world… there are always sure to be more springs.” It’s a line that captures the hopefulness of the season, suggesting that we don’t need to limit the “spring” in our lives to only a few months. This time of year is a new beginning. We can embrace the sentiment through our mindset, our way of living, and even our surroundings—which is exactly why we’re exploring these stunning spring paint color trends of 2022.
Bright, fresh, and alive, each of these hues below is an invitation to feel good. Some shades speak of walking through the forest, with the spring flowers tickling the air, while others evoke a sense of opulence. Psychologically, these spring colors offer a sentiment of repose, growth, longevity, and stability, Christine Borges, owner and designer of Saddle Road Interiors tells us about the top spring paint trends she’s seeing right now. “Aesthetically, these colors offer a moment of enlivening and excitement. Whether used on an accent wall or an entire room, incorporating color sparks creativity and gives a sense of personalization to a home.”
Just reading Borges’s words feels like a breath of fresh spring air. We love the reminder that spring is ours to embrace however we like. With that in mind, we asked the experts for their top spring colors (keep reading for the one that surprised us!) so we can incorporate this happy vibe into our homes—any time of year.
Feature image by Michelle Nash
Trend #1: Light Shades
Photo courtesy of Heidi Caillier Design, photographed by Haris Kenjar.
It comes as no surprise that this spring, designers are forecasting lighter colors for both interior paints and décor items. Historically, this is how it’s been for spring says, Christine Borges. “The lighter, muted shades will make their appearance and slowly saturate into summer.” Think lighter hues of blues, greens, pinks, and even yellows. It’s less about the actual color and more about the presence of light.
Trend #2: Limewashed Walls
Above photo courtesy of Portola Paints and Glazes.
The dimension that comes from limewash paint is unparalleled. One of the original paints ever created, limewash has a mineral base that lends a chalky, almost cloudy appeal to walls. According to Regan Baker, founder of Regan Baker Design, dousing a room in this type of paint will be big this spring for its “not too precious but rather elevated depth and character.” There also comes a beautiful patina, “as if it’s been around for a while,” she adds.
Trend #3: Pure and Off-Whites
Above photo by Kate ZImmerman Turpin.
With the endless color options available, sometimes the most elemental hue speaks the loudest. In this case, it’s white (as it often is). A fresh, clean white, in both a pure and off-white hue, is versatile in any space. They complement the natural light and breathe life into a room. Pure and off-whites allow “spaces to bounce light and keep a space airy,” says Christopher Charles Evans, principal and designer of Christopher Charles Interiors. There is also “the spring-cleaning vibe” we get from white, as Julie Rootes, owner and founder of Julie Rootes Interiors, points out.
Trend #4: Historic Colors
Above photo courtesy of Sixpenny.
Another spring paint color trend on the rise is an array of historic colors, Borges tells us. “Bold yet subtle in tone with a sense of opulence,” these hues—which include clay-based reds, muted dusty roses, marigold yellows, and earthy blues—are typically reserved for the fall. Rather, “this year, we predict they will appear much earlier, says Borges. “Historic colors tend to give a feeling of longevity and stability, which is a sentiment we believe we are all craving.”
Trend #5: Verdant Greens
Above photo courtesy of Little Black Dresser Interiors.
“Nearly every paint manufacturer has deemed a shade of green as their ‘Color of the Year,’” Borges tells us. The run of verdant shades has included everything from softer, lighter sages to deeper, more saturated forest greens, she says. The reasons behind this speak of a natural, collective pull to incorporate elements that speak to nature and calm in the home. While this may not be a new trend, there is a “strong desire for the feeling of repose and growth,” believes Borge—and green imbues just that.
Trend #6: … Black
Above photo of Lauren Greenberg’s home, photographed by Juley Le.
You read that correctly. This spring, this rich hue is in the forecast. Why? It is rich, simple, and “unencumbered,” as Christopher Charles Evans describes it. With all its elemental gravity, this rich shade is a giant surprise spring tend this year… and we’re totally on board. Black provides “a sophistication and richness that makes a space inviting and warm.” And we will add: A wall washed in black compels you to stop, consider, and revel in the moment—which is a good mantra for this season.
Which paint colors are you excited to bring into your space this spring?