How To Pick the Right Green Paint
Use Nature's Neutral to Energize, Soothe, and Surprise the Eye
My name is Kelly Porter and I'm the owner of Porter House Designs. As a designer, color expert and contributor here at Houzz, my goal is to help you make the right color and design decisions for your home. Visit my blog, too at http://www.porterhousedesigns.com/colorsizzle
My name is Kelly Porter and I'm the owner of Porter House Designs. As... More »
Often referred to as nature's neutral, green is probably the most diverse color on earth. Because we see so much of green outdoors, it is a color that most people are comfortable with having in their homes. However, depending on the type of green, we can have two very different reactions. True greens and blue greens are refreshing and soothing to most people. On the other hand, warmer yellow greens can be unsettling for some. Choosing just the right kind of green can be challenging, so here are some things to keep in mind, and some paint colors I suggest to get the following effects:
More: How to Find the Right Blue
More: How to Find the Right Blue
| Garden green. In nature, green is perfectly paired with vibrant colors. This is evident when we look at flowers in a garden: red roses, pink tulips, purple hyacinth. You can create the same feel in your home by selecting a green wall color that represents a plant's foliage or a tree's leaves. Then add accessories in fun, vivid hues.
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Paint pick: Picnic 6731 by Sherwin-Williams |
Yellow green. Warm yellow greens have become very popular in recent years. Colors such as wasabi green, chartreuse and acid yellow have become colors of choice for contemporary spaces, and childrens and teens bedrooms. The deeper shades of yellow greens are lively and eye-catching, but can be overwhelming. So, it is a good idea to balance this color by using it with white, black or gray.
Paint pick: Nervy Hue 6917 by Sherwin-Williams
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Paint pick: Nervy Hue 6917 by Sherwin-Williams
Lemongrass. Lighter tints of yellow green are much more soothing than their deeper, more saturated counterparts. This type of green is a delicate color that is very easy on the eyes.
Paint pick: Springtime 6708 by Sherwin-Williams
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Paint pick: Springtime 6708 by Sherwin-Williams
| Lime Green. Lime green will add a touch of whimsy to your space. This high-powered green makes a great, unexpected color for a foyer. It is welcoming and is sure to make a fun first impression.
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Paint pick: Spring Leaf 2030-50 by Benjamin Moore |
| Sage Green. Sage green can turn your space into an organic, earthy and restful retreat. This color represents the woodlands and it looks great with other natural colors such as brown and taupe.
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Paint pick: Georgian Green HC-115 by Benjamin Moore |
| Mint Green. Cool mint green is very refreshing and it makes a wonderful color for a bathroom or bedroom. This pale, blue green is subtle and soothing, and it's a great choice for spaces where you want to relax.
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Paint pick: Serene Breeze 449 by Benjamin Moore |
Spearmint. Deeper blue greens are often called spearmint. This cool color is a softer alternative to turquoise, but it still has a serene, ocean-like quality.
Paint pick: Spearmint 6465 by Sherwin-Williams
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Paint pick: Spearmint 6465 by Sherwin-Williams
| Warm Green. Because green represents harmony and balance, I think it is one of the best color choices for active children and teens. These days, some kids have busier schedules than their parents. Retreating to a green bedroom is one way to help our kids wind down and regroup. Warmer and muted greens feel the most inviting.
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Paint pick: Shagreen 6422 by Sherwin-Williams More: How to Find the Right Gray How to Find the Right Blue How to Find the Right White |
Comments
Ginger Pugliese says:
what about for businesses? still stick with the true or blue-greens?
11 months ago ·
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careylkelly says:
Oh my goodness, this couldn't have come at a better time! I just painted two rooms green, then hated it. It is because it was too yellow. So now we are going back and changing it to a more sage green color! It will be much better with the rich hardwood floors, and stone wainscot.
11 months ago ·
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bellefonte says:
I am determined to have a green living room but have been struggling to find the right green, it's not so easy! Thanks for these suggestions!
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Sandra Strandebo says:
Do you take questions? Just in case ... Repainting my cabin on an island - getting sick of the forest green and am considering the sage green in this article. There is a LOT of light in the room facing south and also windows on the east and west sides. What do you think? Can't make a mistake as it costs a fortune to bring a painter in from the mainland. Any other suggestions appreciated.
11 months ago ·
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Nice Ideabook! I'm a yellow-green lover myself. I have acid green accent walls in a contemporary home and I did paint the others gray. I love that lemon grass too. Really pretty!
11 months ago ·
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embracegrace says:
what about spa green? i'm trying to decide on a master bath color.
11 months ago ·
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gwen mckay says:
love the green in the second photo. and am in love with sage so timeless warm and country
11 months ago ·
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Evan says:
If I had to pick one color for everything, it would have to be green. surf green, avocado, chartreuse, seafoam, mint... so many good ones. I like all of those, not quite sure about the lime...
11 months ago ·
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marticialancaster says:
The yellow green, though i tough it was mustard is amazing, i think im going to suggest this to my parents. Can you imagine a residential condominium with walls painted with this color. This would be great and unique. I love the "Line Green" makes the room look cozy and bright.
11 months ago ·
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mapasia says:
What would be the best color for my new room since we will be having relay-out in the office. That would be a 14 sq meter in size without window. I'm planning touch of pink or old rose. Any suggestion?
11 months ago ·
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iansmom says:
Our house is mostly shades of greens and reds. Not Christmas-y though. We did a very pale green in our living room, and it works great with the dark woods and brown and red accents. Our downstairs bath is a more yellow/green and it looks wonderful with our vintage black and white tile.
11 months ago ·
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Kelly Porter says:
Thanks for all of your comments, everyone! I think the key to choosing green (and many other colors) is to decide the mood you want for your space. If you want a warm feel, go for the yellow greens and sage greens. For a more cool feel, pick a blue green or mint green.
Then decide if you want the color to be...as I say...'Sassy' (vibrant and vivid) or 'Shy' (muted and subtle). This will help you to narrow down the colors until you find the best one.
Then decide if you want the color to be...as I say...'Sassy' (vibrant and vivid) or 'Shy' (muted and subtle). This will help you to narrow down the colors until you find the best one.
11 months ago ·
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Loving that "Nervy Hue"...and what a great name!
10 months ago ·
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jackcynredesign says:
My living room is painted a variation of the sage green - it was actually called "Jodhpurs" by Calvin Klein. I have never tired of it - it is a great new neutral...... I can't deal with large swaths of apple/ bright green - I made that mistake back in high school - I painted my room a bright green - it was so electric I didn't need my lamps.... It just glowed..... I learned the hard way...
10 months ago ·
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wordings says:
I wonder if the disquieting feel of "acid" greens has to do with them reminding us of actual acid, or other toxic substances? Hmm. I have been on a green paint quest, and have decided on Ben Moore's "Vale Mist" for the dining room. I'll post a photo when it's done. It is very much on the sage side of green, and seems neither too light nor too dark. I was glad to hear it works with browns as we've got dark brown moldings and window trim. If I were not thinking about resale in a few years, I might have gone with BM's "Georgian Green"--richer and what I would call "mossy." It seems to emanate a historical feels to me. Wow, I think I might talk myself into Georgian Green after all! Anyway, thanks for the idea book.
6 months ago ·
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