Cobalt has canceled navy for 2022, according to color experts

This is the haute hue you need to know about for the year ahead – and how to use it in your scheme

Colbalt painted bedroom
(Image credit: Future / James Merrell)
Megan Slack
By Megan Slack
published

Navy has had its time at the peak of the color industry, but its reign may be coming to an end, according to those in the know. 

Luxe online marketplace 1stDibs has announced that cobalt will overtake navy as the most popular blue hue in 2022, following its fifth annual Interior Designer Trends Survey. The survey, which is taken by more than 750 interior designers globally, foreshadows interior design trends for the seasons ahead, and the verdict is in: navy is out. 

In their color trends investigation,1stDibs discovered cobalt ranks highly amongst designers – falling only behind the earth tones. 'As the most popular blue this year, cobalt bested navy, which had the most dramatic decline in responses out of all the hues compared to last year, dropping a whopping 43% in interest,' they share. 

Cobalt painted kitchen

(Image credit: Annie Sloan)

While navy may appear timeless, Anthony Barzilay Freund, the editorial director at 1stDibs, explains that no color, or decorating idea, is safe in the design industry – a place that is ever-evolving. 

'New trends emerge, old trends are reinterpreted, and our perception of beauty continually evolves,' Anthony says. 'Additionally, the last two years have been unlike anything we've ever experienced, with our homes and corporate offices taking on new meaning.'

Though, before you avoid navy at all costs, Lick's Head of Colour Natasha Bradley reminds you that both shades can 'bring a different feel to a room'. Meaning, therefore, we may not have seen the last of the tone.  

Cobalt painted kitchen

(Image credit: Future // James Merrell)

'Cobalt brings in energy and power; it's a very stimulating and striking color. If you want to add a lot of drama to a room, then this is the perfect shade,' Natasha says. She adds that the color of the moment works beautifully against pinks, green tones, reds, and yellows – so you don't need to dedicate yourself to blue entirely.

However, while cobalt may threaten navy's rule this year, Natasha suggests that the latter will 'always be a classic' with a permanent place amongst the most timeless of painted wall ideas. 'Navy is a very safe, comforting, loyal blue that will always be there,' she adds. 

Has navy met its match, or will the hue endure? Only 2022 will tell. 

Megan Slack
Megan Slack

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team.


Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US whilst studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site.


Megan currently lives in London, where she relocated from her hometown in Yorkshire. In her home, she experiments with interior design trends and draws inspiration from the home decor ideas she observes in her everyday work life. Her favorite pieces include her antique typewriter and her expansive collection of houseplants. When she isn’t writing, she is browsing London’s coffee shops and bookstores to add to her ever-growing library, taking over the open shelving in her apartment. 

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