The biggest color trends for 2022 include an autumn bouquet, pretty pastels and a step back into the ’70s

Blood Red

As if to perfectly illustrate the theme, the most prominent colors on the stands composed a natural autumn bouquet. This palette appears on furniture, accessories and finishes with hues running from red to yellow by way of burnt orange and terra cotta. These individual shades bring a lot of warmth into an interior, with a few pleasant surprises, like blood red.

Terra Cotta

The autumnal composition begins with a shade that has been talked a lot about for the last few years: terra cotta. The shade is still very much present in international collections, appreciated for its direct connection to the earth, bringing us back to nature.

Burnt Orange

New this year, burnt orange completes this spectrum of warm colors, bringing with it a dose of nostalgia and a return to the decor of the ’70s.

Elizabeth Leriche, director of the eponymous style agency, says, “The lifestyle of this era is well loved, doubtlessly because the young generations are nostalgic for these happy years when everything was permitted. There is a desire for a less formal, more relaxed and more convivial lifestyle”.

Brown

Brown fits naturally in this ode to autumn, as it is a pleasant, neutral and relaxing shade. It is also expressed in the choice of materials, with natural fibers, leather, and darker woods than we have gotten used to in the last few years.

Warming Yellow

Pantone selected it as the Color of the Year 2021: hopeful, optimistic and joyful, yellow is by no means an afterthought. It made its appearance on the autumnal palette with softer, warmer and more muted shades than Pantone’s Illuminating, with tones like mustard or pastel yellow.

Klein Blue

Yellow is combined, in moderation, with another color that had a big comeback this year: Klein blue which is another hint of the return to the ’70s.

Mauve

Another surprise is that mauve and violet have returned to the forefront in decor. Unexpected, but seductive in daring combinations with the other bold shades, like Klein blue or yellow.

Moss Green

What would reconnecting with nature be without a notable presence of green, the best representative of the plant world?

In the coming season, the trend is moving slightly away from pine green and sage and turning rather toward moss and lichen shades. In other words, tones reminiscent of the interiors of the ’70s, which are combined with burnt orange to really commit to the period.

Brown to Beige

Balancing all of these striking colors is a very natural and natural palette composed of ecru, beige, stone grey, taupe and brown. In other words, very organic shades, related at once to the earth and the mineral world, which can be used to create a soft and relaxing atmosphere.

Pastels

Likewise responding to this need for softness in interiors, once again pastel tones are on the forefront, particularly pale pinks. They are part of a more general tendency towards less saturated colors than the ones we’ve seen over the past few years.

Color Blocking

More than the colors themselves, the real novelty is the way they are combined in a big revival of color blocking, which is so representative of decor from the ’80s and ’90s. Colors no longer match, but clash as contrasting solid colors within the decor.

Putting a new paint colour on the walls is one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to transform a room. But where do you start if you haven’t already picked out a colour? An interior designer or colour consultant can help you hone in on the general colour you want, such as yellow, gray, white or green. A pro can also advise you on the specific paint colour to choose.

But before you commit, it’s worth considering which colours you truly love.  Here are some practical suggestions that will have you feeling more colour-confident in no time.

Visit Your Closet

Whatever you do, don’t just head straight to the paint store to browse through the paint chips, or you risk being majorly overwhelmed. Of course, if you’ve already done this, you’re not alone.  Before you go to the paint store, you really want to narrow down the colours. Even before you pick up the swatches.

But how do you narrow down a colour in the first place?  Examine your wardrobe. Look in your closet and see what colours you wear often. You are going to gravitate toward certain colours that look good on you. What better way to look great in the interior than if you paint what you look great in?

Browsing your wardrobe can also help you come up with ideas for accent colours. For instance, if you tend to wear a lot of blue and often pair it with khaki, tan leather shoes and silver jewelry, perhaps those colours could be a theme for your home. You could translate that theme to your living room with blue walls, soft leather furnishings, and gray or silver for other accents like the rug and toss pillows.

Unearth Your Happy Memories

What colour was your room growing up?. What colour makes you the happiest?

Inspiration can come from anywhere. Maybe your grandmother’s kitchen was yellow, and you have great memories of traveling with her. Maybe you saw this great shade of blue when you were traveling in the Caribbean, and it calms you.

If no colours come to mind from your memories, try getting out a photo book from one of your favorite trips and seeing if any colours speak to you. As you go about your days, visiting restaurants, shops and even other people’s homes, pay attention to which colours you’re most drawn to.

There are no real rules about colour. You really have to know what moves you and not be influenced by what other people like and what other people say.

Envision the Feeling You Want

So you’ve decided to paint your room blue. How do you narrow down which blue? It can be helpful to think about the feeling that you want to create in the room. If you’re seeking a cozier feel, choose a blue on the darker end. If you’re going for a more serene vibe, a lighter, perhaps sea blue may be better.

As you’re drawn to shades of blue, pay attention to whether you prefer blues that tend toward lavender, green or pure hues. Knowing the undertones of the shade you’re selecting is useful for coordinating with trim and accessories. A good designer will be able to identify these undertones and help you select a paint that works with your furnishings.

You’ll also want to keep in mind whether your paint colour should have cool or warm undertones — and again, a designer can be invaluable in helping you identify these subtleties. If you’re starting from a blank slate, a cool gray or a warm gray might suit you equally. But if you already have furniture and accessories in warmer hues, you may want to choose a warmer tone that complements what you already have.

Seek Inspiration

Browse the internet, magazines etc for general colour and style ideas, and tone and value inspiration — meaning light or dark or medium. But keep in mind that the way colours read on your computer screen or mobile device probably won’t be the way they read in your room, where they’ll be affected by the amount of light and even the landscaping that the light is coming through.

If you fall in love with a colour online, go out and select a swatch and bring it home before committing. Even colour chips won’t be exactly how the paint colour will appear, so it’s important that you actually test out the paint on your walls.

Tip: As you’re browsing for inspiration, look for rooms that are similar in size and shape to the one that you’ll be painting; that way, the effect will be more similar.

Narrow Down Your Options: No More Than Four Colours

Once you’ve settled on a general colour, your designer can save you a lot of time by suggesting a few excellent paint colour choices and helping you choose the best option among them. However, if you like to be more involved in the selection process, you might head to the paint store and pick out several chips and bring them home. Then it’s time to winnow them down.

Say you come home with eight shades of blue. Lay all the swatches out and compare them to each other. You will start to see the subtle differences between each colour. Some of the blues lean toward green or aqua. Some are a denim shade. Some have a funky undertone that you just don’t like at all.

Winnow down the options to three or four colours. You can tack the colour chips to the wall of the room you’ll be painting, or use a sheet of paper as a neutral background. Keep in mind as you make your comparisons that the paint chips will appear a bit darker on a light background, and lighter on a dark background. Often, after comparing the paint chips to each other, it will be pretty clear which colour is going to work.

If you still aren’t comfortable with the colour options, you could consider taking away all but one option and looking at each colour individually. As you assess the colours, consider how each option will look with the elements of your room already in place and that you’re not willing to change.

Put Paint Samples Right on the Wall

Once you’ve chosen your three or four final colours, it’s time to test them. It is better to paint the wall than the sample boards the paint store sells. This is not just because it’s more economical. You need to paint at least a 1-by-1-foot square on all four walls, some designers recommend painting an even larger area -  at least 3 by 3 feet. Paint on the wall because that’s exactly where it’s going. You’re painting over a previous color.

Place the paint samples side by side on the wall. They should still be lined up because you still need to compare and choose based on the process of elimination. Again, if this is overwhelming for your eye, you could consider looking at them apart.

It’s also important to make sure the sample you purchase has the finish that you’re planning to use - matte, eggshell, satin, high gloss - because that can also change the way a colour reads. Many stores sell the sample-size cans only in the matte finish. You may want to consider buying a full quart to get the true effect.

Look at the samples on the wall at various times of day, and try different types of lighting to see how that may change the colours. Live with the colours for a few days. When a clear winner emerges, you’re ready to paint the walls.

Whether you’re looking to have yourself a small little holiday display or shamelessly trying to keep up with the Griswolds, there’s no doubt a well-planned light display is a mainstay of the season. Holiday lights represent all that is jolly and bright. 

Our ancestors, and some places in Europe use candles to light up Christmas trees–yikes! As you can imagine, fires started easily and often, with homeowners having buckets of water on hand to help battle a sudden blaze.

The beginning of electricity saved many a tree and fewer and fewer Christmases went up in smoke. We have Edward H. Johnson to thank for that. In 1882, Johnson—an associate of Thomas Edison—dressed up the first known electrically-illuminated Christmas tree with 80 custom made walnut-sized incandescent bulbs in red, white and blue. His look caught on and by 1900, businesses were dressing their window displays with the colours of the holiday. Lights became affordable and commercially available    for households in the 1930’s.

To help you on your merry way, here are some tips and tricks for planning the perfect display, ways to save money on your energy bill and holiday light safety 101. 

Tips And Trends In Holiday Light Displays

Fail to plan, plan to fail. One of the most important things to remember when thinking about a holiday light display of epic or average proportions is creating a master plan. Make sure to have a good idea of the look you want to achieve before you start decorating to avoid disappointment. This is where that high school math may come in handy; measure twice, cut once. Take some time to calculate how many light strings you’ll need and what accessories you need to pull it off–this will save you multiple trips to the stores during high season. Don’t forget key accessories like light clips, extension cords and timers. 

Smaller And Brighter Is Key

Energy efficient LED lights are gaining popularity as consumers look for bulbs and cords that nestle seamlessly into structures, trees and holiday wreaths or lawn ornaments.  You can also find battery-operated options, perfect for lawn displays or hard-to-reach corners. 

If possible use LED lights over incandescent. The disadvantage with incandescents is you end up paying more in electricity costs. Incandescents are inefficient since 90% of the energy goes toward heat and only 10% toward the actual light. Using about 1/10 the wattage of incandescents and lasting up to 10-times longer, a display of LED lights will help you save on your energy bill for the season and last years with proper care and storage. 

Be Smart About It 

There has been a shift towards smart home and customized light shows. People want a custom light show and they want to show it off in a big way. Make use of your current infrastructure by integrating your display with your smart home technology.

Impress the neighbours by setting the flicker pace to a classic holiday tune, or changing the colour scheme on demand. You can have the flexibility to match your lights to your house design and colour scheme while being able to use lights for multiple occasions. 

Choosing Your Holiday Light Style

The great thing about creating your own holiday light extravaganza is the ability to entirely switch it up the following year with little cost. That being said, it’s important to know your options before heading into your local hardware store and becoming mesmerized by all the pretty lights—just like you should never go to the grocery store on an empty stomach. Here are a few options to consider:

• Turn your outdoor holiday display into a winter wonderland with icicle or snowflake-shaped lights. 
• LED projection spotlights require no installation, are a timesaving alternative to traditional string lights and are available in a wide variety of colours and patterns. For a small price, you can fill your entire house with colour-changing starfields or amazing animations and effects. Or use rope lights which are typically much brighter than regular lights and create a very futuristic look, perfect for outlining doorways, windows, trees and walkways.
• If you’re after a timeless look, think about investing in a variety of string lights in hues of white and incorporating subtle pops of colour like blue, green or red. You can find a variety of options including strings with large bulbs, mini lights or nets. 
• If you’re looking to get the kids excited about decorating for the holidays, consider a lawn inflatable or two. 

Tip: Not all white string lights are created equal. There are noticeable variances in the temperature of the glow, some are cooler and give off a blue-ish tint while others may be a warmer yellow. 

Tips For Installing Holiday Lights 

Now that you’ve created your master plan, it’s time to deck the halls. There are a few things to remember when installing holiday lights in the name of safety and sanity. First and foremost, check your lights. Make sure there are no exposed wires or broken sockets and test each string to ensure the lights are all working and replace any bulbs that have burned out. 

Check your surroundings, make sure you know where your kids and pets are at all times. You’ll likely be scaling a ladder and tools may fall in the process. 

If you’re connecting strings of lights together, avoid connecting more than five or six strands end to end and overloading the circuit. Always avoid pulling the strands too tight in order to reach an outlet. 

Practice good etiquette when deciding on the placement of your holiday lights and decorations. Make sure your decorations are not blocking sightlines for drivers or neighbours to the street. If using music or sound effects consider only turning it on during evening hours, but going silent by 8 or 9 p.m. 

Use the right gear when attaching lights to your home’s exterior. There are a variety of light clips and hooks to be found at your local hardware retailer that are suitable for attaching lights to your eavesthroughing or shingles.

Finally, take your lights down and store them properly once the season is over. The exposure to harsh weather over a period of time can cause damage to the wires, lights and sockets. Plus, your neighbours won’t be too pleased. 

Tip: To store holiday lights, wrap them around a piece of cardboard and then wrap tissue paper around the lights to protect them and keep them dry. 

So start decorating and installing your holiday lights. 

 Have a Happy Holiday Season! 

Colour has the ability to inspire, excite, soothe, heal and even agitate. This is especially true for children, who can be extra sensitive to impact of colour. The importance of picking out just the right colour for a young child’s room shouldn’t be underestimated.

While scientists have learned a lot about the way colour influences our minds and bodies, keep in mind that every child is different; these generalizations don’t apply to all. But if you’re curious about how to bring colour into your child’s room, this information may help you get started.

Red 

Red has the ability to energize the body and excite the mind, increasing heart and breathing rates. However, some research suggests that too much exposure to red encourages aggressive behavior and an inability to focus. The bottom line: Red is great as an accent, but might not be the best wall colour for a restless child.

Orange 

Orange is one of the most misunderstood colours. This warm, friendly and youthful colour is actually great for children since it’s said to encourage confidence, extroversion and independence. The social nature of this colour also puts children and their friends at ease, inspiring communication and cooperation.

Yellow 

Most of us associate yellow with feelings of happiness and cheerfulness. Studies also pair this bright and cheery colour with motivation; softer yellows can aid concentration, while brighter ones can increase memory. Beware of using too much bright yellow, though. In large doses it may create feelings of agitation and even anger.

Green 

This calming, natural colour has a soothing impact on a child. Scientists have also found that green may improve a child’s reading speed and comprehension. There’s no need to keep this anxiety-reducing colour to a minimum.

Blue

Having the opposite effect of red, blue decreases feelings of anxiety and aggression and lowers blood pressure and heart rates. Children who experience tantrums or other behavioral problems may appreciate the soothing effects of a blue room.

Purple 

Often associated with royalty, purple is ambitious and self-assured. It’s also the colour of passion, creativity, wisdom and spirituality. This deep colour is great for inspiring sensitivity and compassion in children. But if your child is particularly sensitive, you may want to keep this colour limited to accents.

Pink 

Although it’s usually associated with typical girly spaces, pink has a calming feel that can translate to both sexes. Any child can grow out of too much pink quickly, though, so try pairing pink artwork, accessories and textiles with a neutral background.

Warm Colours 

Warm colours inspire happiness, coziness and comfort in most people. They can also make large, open spaces feel more intimate for young ones. Of course, this doesn’t mean you’re limited to brown and tan — use these easy colours as a platform for brighter and more daring shades.

Cool Colours 

Some of us associate cool colours with sterile, hospital-like environments, but lighter cool colours can have a calming effect on children. Plus, many of these colours help small spaces seem a little bit more open. Try layering in shades of cream for some softness and contrast, and consider comfortable and cuddly textiles for warmth.