It’s that time again…when the experts in shades, hues, tints and tones launch their “colour of the year”. But which will work well in your bathroom? Our Interior Designer Ruth gives her verdict…
As we head into 2022, there’s one thing we can always be certain of…and that’s the launch of a “colour of the year” from the likes of Dulux, Graham and Brown, Pantone and even us! But what is a colour of the year?
Pantone, one of the leading worldwide authorities in all things colour-related, started this annual tradition back in 2000, to mark the new millennium. The colour they pick is a representation of global culture at that point in time. Colour plays a significant role in the way we communicate with each other and how we express our thoughts and ideas, and the colour of the year should convey a genuine message about the year ahead. For example, colour of the year 2017 Greenery reflected the growing focus on green issues around the world, while recently we saw 2 colours, Ultimate Grey and Illuminating, named colour of the year 2021, bringing hope and optimism to a world which had been turned upside down by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Pantone colour(s) of the year 2021, Ultimate Grey and Illuminating, used to decorate a bathroom
Over the years, other prominent thought leaders have thrown their hats into the ring, naming their own colours of the year. All of these colours usually form the basis of on-trend palettes for home interiors, which is why it’s important to consider them when planning a new bathroom. In this blog post, I’ll take you through each colour of the year 2022 from the experts, including our very own selection, and show you how to use each one in your bathroom. I hope you’ll be inspired!
Pantone colour of the year 2022: Very Peri
We begin with the experts who started it all. Pantone launched Very Peri (PANTONE 17-3938) as their colour of the year 2022 on 9th December 2021. According to Pantone, Very Peri is symbolic of the changes we are going through right now. Described as a red violet-infused blue, this is a joyous, celebratory tone which is designed to encourage creativity and expression.
Blue shades have featured prominently in recent years, lending themselves perfectly to bathroom spaces. This blue comes with a reddish tinge, rendering it almost purple (a colour which, we at Victoria Plum, certainly approve of)—something which would certainly work well in a traditional bathroom. However, this tone says more about the modern world in which we live than a traditional regal purple, with its roots in online gaming and digital art. We feel this is a versatile shade which lends itself well to contemporary interiors too.
Very Peri is all about:
- Creativity
- Confidence
- New experiences
- Joy
- Imagination
- Changing times
Dulux colour of the year 2022: Bright Skies
Optimism is a key theme for 2022 and this is mood is certainly reflected in the new Dulux colour of the year: Bright Skies. A light, airy shade of blue, designed to replicate open skies and bring a breath of fresh air to home interiors, Dulux have also created 4 easy-to-use colour palettes to help revitalise your home. The soft muted tones reflect a shift towards pastel colours in recent years.
Blue has always been a popular colour for bathrooms and Bright Skies, with its softer tone and airy feel, will really open up your bathroom space, helping you unwind, relax and look to the future with renewed optimism.
Bright Skies is all about:
- Words which begin with “re”
- Refreshing your surroundings
- Reinventing spaces
- Rethinking a look and feel
- Reassessing the way you use your home
- Revitalising a tired old bathroom
Graham & Brown colour of the year 2022: Breathe
Wallpaper specialists Graham & Brown have named Breathe as their colour of the year…can you see a theme emerging here? As with Dulux, this is a soft tone, mid blue in colour, designed to bring calm and relaxation to any interior. It can be paired with whites and greys for an airy feel or deeper blues to create a bold backdrop.
As you might expect, Graham & Brown have also launched a wallpaper of the year: Restore Midnight. Designed with healing, rejuvenation and reconnection with nature in mind, the dark design features botanical prints on a smoky blue backdrop. A great choice for any restorative space…like a bathroom!
Breathe is another great colour for bathrooms, working well with a range of complementary colours, not to mention both contemporary and traditional styles. I could just picture some half height wall panels painted in this precise colour.
Here are some of the key words and phrases I’d associate with Breathe:
- Calming and peaceful
- Healing
- Rejuvenating
- Airy and space-enhancing
WGSN colour of the year 2022: Orchid Flower
Whilst you may not necessarily have heard of WGSN, they are a globally-renowned authority in forecasting trend predictions for the years ahead. From the world of fashion to home interiors, many, many companies use WGSN to help them plan for changes in consumer tastes and requirements. And, as such, WGSN are at forefront of colour predictions, with their very own colour of the year 2022: Orchid Flower. Described as a saturated magenta tone, this is a highly positive and energising colour, designed to stand out in any setting.
Pink has certainly proved popular in bathrooms throughout the past year and, with this vibrant shade, you can make a real splash with your interiors. Featuring purple undertones, Orchid Flower certainly has broad appeal, playing perfectly into the theme of small luxuries and precious things which come from nature.
Here are some of the key words and phrases I’d associate with Orchid Flower:
- Intense
- Energising
- Versatile
- Positivity
- Escapism
Sherwin Williams colour of the year 2022: Evergreen Fog
Much like Dulux in the UK, Sherwin Williams are one of the leading paint manufacturers in the US, making them an authority on colour trends, especially for home interiors. For 2022, they have named their colour of the year as Evergreen Fog: a soothing, subtle shade of green to help you freshen up any space. When paired with a palette inspired by nature, it’s a great way to bring that organic look and feel to your home.
As we have seen in recent years, green is an incredibly popular colour for bathrooms, bringing natural, organic tones to your interiors. This grey and blue-tinged shade is absolutely ideal for bathrooms big and small, working well with both modern and vintage style décor. It is yet another soft, relaxing shade which will help you unwind and focus on your own mental wellbeing.
Here are some of the key words and phrases I’d associate with Evergreen Fog:
- Sophisticated
- Calming
- Versatile
- Soothing
- Escapism
Victoria Plum’s colour of the year 2022: Plaster Pink
Whilst some of the colours we’ve looked at are noticeably different to each other, there does appear to be a common thread which runs through them all. And that is optimism. As we enter 2022, the world still remains in an uncertain state. These colours seem to suggest reassurance of better days to come, with a soothing, calming feel that helps us to relax and meditate within the confines of our home.
So, what is the Victoria Plum colour of the year 2022? I’ve chosen Plaster Pink. This is a shade we saw trending in summer 2021 and I can only see it increasing in popularity this coming year, along with other earthy tones. Pinterest, this year, revealed searches for “terracotta walls” increased by 86% year on year in the UK, and this rich warm shade sits within a colour palette of plaster pink, burnt orange, spiced ochre and charcoal black—all pigments drawn from natural elements.
An airy, positive shade taken from the earth, Plaster Pink creates a sense of tranquillity in any space and, when paired with colours from the palette above, offers depth for your own private sanctuary.
Here are some of the key words and phrases I’d associate with Plaster Pink:
- Naturally organic
- Earthy tones
- Soothing
- Rich
Working with colour
Whether you’re a dab hand with a paintbrush or don’t have the faintest idea when it comes to picking a complementary colour palette, at Victoria Plum, we’re here to help.
First things first, head to our bathroom ideas section, where you’ll find a whole host of blog posts on the subject of bathroom colour schemes. Why not begin with our article on choosing your bathroom colour—a real beginner’s guide! From there, you can graduate on to the more advanced stuff, like how to use a colour wheel to create carefully coordinated schemes—not just in the bathroom, but right around your home. And, if you’re looking to keep up with the latest trends, take a look at some of our top bathroom colour combinations for the year ahead.
