Earthy green paint colors are tranquil and relaxing, bringing a sense of the natural world indoors. These muted green shades can lend any room a soothing, organic feel. Earthy greens work well in living spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and more. They pair nicely with natural materials like wood, stone, wicker, and linen. When paired with white or cream trim, earthy green walls create a charming, cottage-like look. Choosing the right earthy green paint color depends on the mood you want to create and the amount of natural light in the room.
The Different Types of Earthy Green Paint Colors
There are many shades of green that can be considered “earthy.” Here are some of the most popular earthy green paint colors:
– Sage green – A pale, muted green with subtle gray undertones. Works well in bright, sunny rooms. Pairs nicely with creams and browns.
– Moss green – A rich, deep green inspired by lush moss in nature. Creates a cozy, enveloping look. Goes well with dark woods.
– Olive green – Has yellow-green undertones like the olive fruit. A versatile, natural color for any room. Works with neutrals.
– Forest green – A very deep, woodsy green. Invokes images of towering trees. Best for accent walls or small doses.
– Limestone green – A light, seafoam green with hints of blue. Feels coastal, calm, and airy. Lovely with white trim.
– Celadon green – A pale, gray-green inspired by Chinese ceramics. Soothing and serene. Pairs with blues and grays.
– Chartreuse green – A bright, vibrant green with lots of yellow. Energizing. Use with caution in large doses.
– Avocado green – A yellow-based, medium green. Retro yet timeless. Compliments wood tones.
– Kelly green – A cheerful, vivid green. Youthful and lively. Best in moderation on accent walls.
– Mint green – A pale, cool green. Crisp and refreshing, perfect for bathrooms and kitchens.
Choosing an Earthy Green Paint Color
When selecting an earthy green paint color, consider the following:
– Room size – Darker greens like forest green can feel overwhelming in a small space. Stick to soft sage or celadon greens.
– Natural light – Rooms with lots of windows suit brighter greens like chartreuse. Low-light rooms need deeper shades like moss green.
– Mood – Olive green is tranquil, Kelly green is upbeat, limestone green is airy. Choose a shade that matches your desired feeling.
– Architectural style – Earthy greens suit rustic, cottage, or craftsman spaces. Avoid neon or bright greens in formal/traditional rooms.
– Existing features – Compliment wood furniture and floors with moss green. Celadon green accentuates cool grays and blues.
– Personal preference – Some love the vibrancy of chartreuse, others prefer the subtlety of sage. Choose a green you’ll enjoy living with.
12 Top Earthy Green Paint Colors
Here are 12 of the most popular and versatile earthy green paint colors to consider for your home:
1. Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter
A gorgeous, gentle gray-green. Calming and sophisticated. Works everywhere.
2. Sherwin-Williams’ Accessible Beige
A warm, inviting pale green. Subtly energetic. Great for living spaces.
3. Behr’s Silver Drop
A restful gray-green sage. Soothingly blended. Lovely in bedrooms.
4. PPG’s Chinese Jade
A pale celadon green. Zen and relaxing. Perfect for spa-like baths.
5. Valspar’s Heirloom Sage
A traditional, muted sage green with gray undertones. A safe, elegant choice.
6. Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal
A darker, moodier gray-green with depth. Stunning in dramatic spaces.
7. Sherwin-Williams’ Verdant
A rich forest green, like lush vegetation. Makes a bold statement.
8. Behr’s Golden Gate Green
A cheerful, vibrant chartreuse green. Uplifting in moderation.
9. PPG’s Laurel Wreath
A soft, airy green with hints of blue. Relaxed and laid-back.
10. Valspar’s Hippie Green
A retro, happy medium green. Playful bohemian vibe.
11. Benjamin Moore’s Turning Leaf
A versatile, flexible green for any room. Balanced and relaxing.
12. Sherwin-Williams’ Rainwashed
A pale seafoam green. Calm, cool, refreshing. Light and bright.
Tips for Decorating with Earthy Green Paint
When working with earthy greens, keep these decorating tips in mind:
– Use white or neutral trim to let the green walls pop. Avoid competing colors.
– Incorporate natural textures like wood, wicker, linen, jute, and stone. These complement the organic greens.
– Add cream, beige, or wood furniture. Avoid pairing bright whites and stark blacks.
– Bring in greens via plants, pillows, throws, and accessories for a cohesive look.
– Use light greens in dark rooms to create a soothing, airy feel with a soft glow.
– Pair deep greens with natural sunlight to prevent spaces from feeling too heavy and dark.
– Consider oak or maple wood floors to match the earthy tones. Pine can look too yellow.
– Accent with brass fixtures, hardware and lighting to contrast and elevate the green.
– Use deeper greens sparingly on accent walls. They can be overwhelming in large doses.
Green Color Schemes
Earthy greens are endlessly versatile. Here are some pleasing paint color schemes to consider:
Sage green + cream + wood
This timeless combo lends any space a relaxed, organic feel. The sage green reads as a neutral with warm cream trim and wood accents.
Olive green + light oak floors + white trim
Olive green has a natural, neutral quality. Pair with light oak hardwood floors and bright white trim for a light, organic look.
Forest green + dark wood + brass accents
Deep forest green makes a dramatic impact. Ground it with rich hardwoods and warm brass fixtures for a moody, welcoming space.
Moss green + medium wood + black accents
Moss green paired with medium toned woods and black hardware or accents feels intimate and cozy. Perfect for dens and studies.
Limestone green + sand + driftwood
This breezy combo evokes serene coastal cottages. Use limestone green on the walls, sand colored fabrics, and weathered driftwood accents.
Earthy Green Paint Color Ideas for Rooms
Here are some ways to incorporate earthy greens throughout your home:
Living room – Olive green walls with cream trim and a woodmantel create a natural living space. Add brass sconces for a warm glow.
Bedroom – A restful celadon green paired with white bedding and linen curtains makes a beautiful, zen retreat.
Bathroom – Mint or limestone green walls lend bathrooms a refreshing, spa-like feel. Contrast with white wainscoting.
Kitchen – Sage green cabinets or an accent wall balanced with cream counters and backsplash make kitchens cozy.
Home office – Forest green walls help focus the mind. Add natural wood built-ins and trim for a nature inspired workspace.
Dining room – Moss green dining room walls complement a farmhouse table. Add black iron fixtures for contrast.
Nursery – A pale green like Silver Drop creates a restful nursery for baby. Use white cribs and accessories.
Entryway – Welcome guests with olive green walls in an entry foyer, paired with wood trim and a jute rug.
Avoiding Clashing Colors
Some colors can clash with earthy green walls. Avoid pairing greens with:
– Bright, primary reds – these can make greens appear darker, muddier, and feel overly Christmas-y.
– Oranges – green and orange are opposite on the color wheel, so they inherently clash. Soft peach or terra cotta can sometimes work with the right tones.
– Hot pinks or bright purples – these feel jarring and high-energy next to earthy, tranquil greens.
– Too much yellow – yellow + green quickly feels dated, bright, and overwhelming. Pale creamy yellows can complement greens when used sparingly.
– Bright blues – vibrant blues make greens seem dull and muted. Soft powdery blues are safer. Navy can pair well with deep greens.
Stick to beige, cream, light gray, wood tones, and subdued blues and greens tend to remain most harmonious with earthy green walls.
Considering Lighting with Earthy Greens
Proper lighting ensures that earthy greens appear vibrant, yet soft and inviting:
– Natural light maximizes greens. They glow beautifully in bright, sun-filled rooms.
– Soft white lightbulbs keep greens looking fresh. Opt for 2700-3000K color temperature bulbs.
– Green takes on a sickly, cold appearance under fluorescent or blue-hued LED lights. Avoid where possible.
– Brass fixtures and lamps cast a warm, flattering glow over greens.
– Deep greens can absorb too much light and feel dark. Install abundant lighting such as wall sconces or overhead fixtures.
– Backlight greens walls with natural sunlight or accent lighting to make the color pop.
– Dimmer switches allow adjusting light levels to find the perfect ambiance.
Conclusion
Earthy green paint colors range from soft sage to deep forest green. Choosing the right earthy green depends on the room size, architecture, light, existing finishes and personal preference. Decorating with green walls works best when they are paired with natural wood tones, cream, white, gray and pale blue accents. Avoid clashing reds, oranges, yellows and bright purples. With abundant natural light and the right accents, earthy greens create a tranquil, welcoming retreat in any home.
