The Calming Color of Pandemic Times

Sage green - a muted, grayed-out green reminiscent of the herb - became the defining color of 2020-2021 interiors, succeeding millennial pink as Instagram’s favorite hue. The color’s calming, nature-inspired qualities resonated during pandemic stress, offering visual tranquility when external circumstances felt chaotic.

Aesthetic Appeal

Sage green occupied a sweet spot: colorful enough to feel interesting, muted enough to feel sophisticated. The color worked across design styles - Scandinavian minimalism, boho maximalism, modern farmhouse, cottagecore - making it versatile choice. Its connection to nature felt authentic rather than forced, aligning with biophilic design trends emphasizing nature connections in built environments.

The color photographed beautifully in natural light, crucial for Instagram appeal. Sage provided soft contrast to white and cream without harsh boldness. As neutral alternative, sage offered warmth that grays lacked while maintaining similar versatility. The color felt simultaneously fresh and timeless - not obviously trendy yet distinctly contemporary.

Pandemic Timing and Psychology

Sage green’s surge correlated strongly with pandemic lockdowns. Color psychology associates green with calm, renewal, and nature - all valuable during prolonged indoor time and collective stress. As people reassessed home spaces becoming offices, schools, and primary social venues, sage green offered visual comfort without overwhelming restricted environments.

The color also aligned with plant parenthood trends. Rooms painted sage green harmonized beautifully with abundant houseplants, creating cohesive indoor garden aesthetics. This worked particularly well for people unable to access outdoor nature during lockdowns.

Paint Industry Response

Paint companies seized the moment. Sherwin-Williams included sage-adjacent “Evergreen Fog” in color trend forecasts. Benjamin Moore, Behr, and other brands introduced numerous sage green options. Design influencers posted countless room transformations featuring sage accent walls or full-room treatments. The hashtag #sagegreen accumulated millions of posts across Instagram and TikTok.

Unlike millennial pink’s decline from oversaturation criticism, sage green seemed to avoid significant backlash. Perhaps the more subtle, natural color felt less “trendy” than pink’s obvious aesthetic-of-the-moment status. Or pandemic timing created different relationships to color choices - less about Instagram performance, more about genuine comfort.

Staying Power

As of 2023, sage green remained popular, suggesting potential longevity beyond typical trend cycles. The color’s natural inspiration and calming qualities had enduring appeal. However, historical patterns suggested that widespread trend adoption eventually creates “dated” associations. Whether sage green would feel locked to 2020-2022 or maintain timeless status remained uncertain.

Sources:
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/
https://www.nytimes.com/
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/