The color green is everywhere these days — not just in the nature around us and on the plant babies we grow inside, but increasingly on walls, cabinets, couches, and decor. And the experts are feeling it, too. Behr's 2020 Color of the Year is a "restorative, meadow-inspired green" called, appropriately, Back to Nature. But you'll also see deeper, more dramatic gemstone shades, foresty hues, calming sages, or electrifying accents in almost every chic space on the internet, from bedrooms and baths to kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, and beyond. Even front doors get the color treatment. What's great is that, while green room ideas are of-the-moment for 2020, the shade is so perennial, with surprising flexibility in terms of coordinating palettes and overall styles. It rarely, if ever, feels too trendy.
Green Color Trends
Green is quite literally a down-to-earth color — with most shades (but not all) inspired directly by the natural world. There's the dusty, silvery sage end of the spectrum, which imbues calm and can work beautifully in a gender neutral bedroom or nursery. There's the darker, more dramatic forest and hunter greens, which you see popping up on kitchen cabinets and velvet furniture all over Instagram. Shades of mint can feel vintage, too, especially in a tiled bathroom. And the bright tones — even chartreuse — can feel bold and playful in modern spaces.
How to Choose the Right Shade
With so many options, choosing the right tone might seem incredibly overwhelming. Green hues can make your space feel bright, calm, or (if the shade is dark enough) vintage and dramatic. So it helps to start with the mood you want and work backwards from there.
There are some general guidelines, though. Gray-green and pale yellow-green shades have a modern-traditional feel and perform splendidly in shared living spaces. More vibrant options — like a Kelly green straight out of the crayon box — are best in carefully considered doses or on accent walls. Mint, in particular, works well sprinkled in kitchens and bathrooms, especially in older homes. And then there are deep tones that seem almost black. They can make a bedroom or study feel luxurious and cozy.
And keep in mind, you don't have to use green as the dominant color. Olive and sage tones, used on trim, can add a wonderful, neutral warmth to all-white spaces.
Green Wall Ideas
One of the most compelling green paint trends of late is a dark sage in the bedroom. In Stephanie Chang's Los Angeles home, the owner wanted a "very calm and peaceful space," and she started with the wall color (Laurel Tree by Behr). It's the perfect backdrop for the otherwise simple, boho-minimal design.
Similarly, neutral gray-greens work well in nurseries and kids' rooms, as the shade is more sophisticated and flexible than blue, pink, or even yellow. And if you'd like to play it safe, start with a botanical print removable wallpaper.
Must-Have Green Furniture
Ah, the iconic, green velvet couch. It's a must-have that can anchor a living room that leans bohemian or traditional, as is the case in this chic New Orleans Airbnb. In fact, a little green goes a long way. And when it comes to furniture, this color tends to work better in single doses, rather than a matched set. (We're not in the '70s anymore, folks.)
In the dining room, green velvet chairs are also a nice choice. And bench seating is the perfect contrast to wood interiors.
Green Accents
Pops of green, like pillows and throws, work well in almost any space for two primary reasons. One, they play well with just about every shade in the color wheel. Pink and green. Green and gray. Green and gold. Green and black. And two, our eyes are naturally drawn to the color. (That's science!)
Green DIYs
Because green paint can function like a neutral, it's great for updating vintage or dated furniture. Try your hand with this olive rattan chair DIY or this super easy sage filing cabinet creation. You can even transform an IKEA bench with a fun mint hue. As a bonus, all of these projects are from Hunker contributors!
And then, of course, there are plant DIYs aplenty. For boho or midcentury tastes, a succulent wall will fit in beautifully. Or you can give everyday houseplants a sculptural feel with this clear vase DIY. Come Christmas, there are any number of DIY wreaths and holiday foliage ideas to make your home smell great and look seasonal.
Popular Green Paint Shades
Green paint colors take up almost a quarter of the fan deck. To rein in your choices, consider one of these go-to shades.
Where to Shop for Green Furniture and Decor
You'll find green just about anywhere you look — even the plant shelves outside of Trader Joe's. But for some inspired green decor, be sure to try: