How to Decorate With Green (2024)

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

What Type of Color is Green?

Green is one of those colors that can be both trendy and traditional. An earthy hue that evokes images of lush grass and fresh air, green is a color that easily brings the outdoors in.

When it comes to feng shui, green belongs to the wood element and is a calming, balancing color that is all about fresh, new beginnings and renewal.

It can be both warm and cool, depending on the shade, but often lands more on the cooler spectrum. You'll often find other cool shades that derive the "coolness" from green undertones. But while the majority of greens are cool, there's a wide variety in green and will often feel vastly different depending on the room and natural light.

The Basics of Decorating With Green

Whether you want to paint your walls green or invest in an eye-catching piece of green furniture, the shade of green you should opt for depends entirely on the mood you want to set and the space you are trying to fill.

Dark Green

A dark, jewel-toned green is the perfect backdrop for a moody living room or bedroom. It instantly creates a sense of elegance and class, no matter the size of the space. Because a darker green paint such as Farrow & Ball Green Smoke No. 47 will appear smokey and rich, it's a great choice for a larger space that needs grounding or an accent wall behind a bed.

Another way to embrace the jewel-toned look is with a lush velvet green couch or a pile of hunter green throw pillows atop a leather couch. A deep green makes a statement, so even a single piece of furniture can set the stage for the rest of the room.

Muted Green

On the other hand, a lighter pastel or muted green will make a room appear light and airy. It's a comfortable shade, perfect for guest bedrooms or office spaces. A paint color such as Benjamin Moore Soft Fern 2144-40 will create a sense of tranquility and peace in a bedroom or bathroom and acts as an updated neutral.

This shade is also a great choice for bedding in a minimalistic room as a way to add a little color without taking away from the original palette. Vintage landscapes will also often draw from muted greens and can be a great way to add the color into your Mid-century modern or eclectic style home.

Warm Green

When it comes to decorating with warm greens, look for shades with a yellow or orange undertone. A warm green such as The Spruce Best Home Matcha SPR-07 feels both energetic and rejuvenating. It's a great choice for a powder room or even a guest room, any space you want to add a little more color without coming off too bold.

Colors That Go With Green

The greatest thing about green is that pairing it with other colors is easy because there are so many shades of green.

One of the most popular color palettes is a neutral and green one. Pair crisp, linen-like whites with a deep moody green is a great way to add contrast and visual interest in a space, while keeping the feel fresh and modern. A black, white, and green color palette is a dependable and classic one that looks great in nearly any style of home.

If you're opting for a more vintage or eclectic feel, consider pairing a hunter green with a burnt, rustic orange. This combo feels very welcoming and calming. You can add lighter shades of green, too, such as sage to keep the palette light and airy.

For a super jewel-toned room, mix rich earthy shades of green with deep navy blues and burgundies. This palette is perfect for large living spaces with room to experiment. Look for vintage Turkish-style rugs that pull in rich, deep colors.

Using the color green in home decor can add an earthy, grounded feel to any space. Plus, unlike some other bold colors, green can lend itself well to many different color palettes and appear both calming and energetic at the same time.

As a seasoned home decor expert and enthusiast with a robust background in interior design, I've accumulated a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in various aspects of home styling, including color theory, decorating principles, and the utilization of different hues to transform living spaces.

Let's delve into the concepts highlighted in the article on home design and decorating, particularly focusing on the topic of using green as a versatile color choice:

Green as a Versatile Color:
- Green is portrayed as an adaptable and versatile color in home decor. It ranges from bold to subtle, offering a wide spectrum that suits various design preferences and moods within a space.
- Its association with nature and the outdoors makes it a popular choice for creating a calming and refreshing atmosphere indoors.
Feng Shui and Green:
- The article touches on the Feng Shui element of green, associating it with the wood element. It signifies balance, renewal, and new beginnings, enhancing the concept of tranquility and natural harmony within a space.
Different Shades of Green:
- Dark Green: Jewel-toned shades like Farrow & Ball Green Smoke No. 47 bring depth and elegance, suitable for creating a moody atmosphere in larger spaces or as accent pieces.
- Muted Green: Lighter pastel or muted greens like Benjamin Moore Soft Fern 2144-40 lend an airy, tranquil vibe, perfect for guest rooms or spaces where a sense of peace is desired.
- Warm Green: Shades with yellow or orange undertones, like The Spruce Best Home Matcha SPR-07, exude energy and rejuvenation, ideal for spaces where a touch of color is desired without being overpowering.
Decorating with Green:
- Pairing Green: Green pairs well with various colors. Combining crisp whites with deep moody greens offers contrast and modern freshness. Vintage or eclectic styles may blend hunter green with rustic orange, while jewel-toned rooms incorporate rich earthy greens with deep navy blues and burgundies.
Application and Impact:
- Using green in home decor can ground a space, offering a refreshing and energizing ambiance. It's a color that complements multiple palettes, maintaining a balance between being calming and vibrant, making it an ideal choice for diverse design preferences.

In summary, the article provides an insightful overview of how green, in its diverse shades, can be effectively incorporated into home decor to evoke varying moods and styles, offering readers a comprehensive guide to leveraging this versatile color in their living spaces.