Dark green is a versatile color that can work well with a variety of color palettes. When selecting colors to go with dark green, it’s important to consider the shade of green, the mood you want to convey, and color theory principles like contrast and harmony. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best color combinations that go well with dark green to help you make an informed choice for your design or decor needs.
Neutral Colors
Pairing dark green with neutral colors like black, white, gray, and brown is a foolproof way to allow the green to take center stage while still creating a cohesive and sophisticated look.
| Dark Green and Black | The combo of dark green and black has a very modern, elegant feel. Black heightens the intensity of the green. |
| Dark Green and White | White provides stark contrast against dark green, creating a bold, graphic look. |
| Dark Green and Gray | Different shades of gray complement a deep green without overpowering it. |
| Dark Green and Brown | Earthy browns enhance the natural vibe of green. |
Neutral colors allow the dark green to stand out while acting as a subtle, versatile backdrop. This makes them ideal for creating accessible and adaptable color schemes with dark green.
Metallic Colors
Metallic accents pair beautifully with rich, dark greens. The sheen of metals adds glamour and depth.
| Dark Green and Gold | The warm undertone of gold complements the cool green. |
| Dark Green and Silver | Silver has a cool undertone that mirrors the green for harmony. |
| Dark Green and Copper | The reddish glow of copper makes green pop. |
| Dark Green and Bronze | Bronze pulls out the brown notes in dark green. |
Metallics bring out the sophistication in the color green and give it an elegant, upscale look. Limiting metallics to accents prevents them from overpowering the green.
Earth Tones
Nature-inspired earth tones are fitting companions for green, which is considered a natural color. Earthy hues like terra cotta, sand, moss, and stone evoke a subtle feeling of being outdoors.
| Dark Green and Terra Cotta | Terra cotta’s reddish orange tone livens up dark green. |
| Dark Green and Moss Green | Mixing dark and mossy greens adds dimension while keeping a monochromatic vibe. |
| Dark Green and Sand | Sand lightens and warms up deep green in a natural way. |
| Dark Green and Stone | Cool-toned grays like stone gray complement forest greens. |
Earth tones add a casual, organic look to dark green color schemes. They work especially well for creating relaxing, nature-inspired spaces.
Vibrant Colors
While muted tones keep the focus on a rich green, vibrant shades make for eye-catching contrast. Pairing dark green with bright, saturated hues creates bold, lively palettes.
| Dark Green and Crimson Red | The bold pop of crimson excites the eye against dark green. |
| Dark Green and Royal Blue | Royal blue has enough depth to hold its own against rich green. |
| Dark Green and Mustard Yellow | The bright pop of mustard yellow energizes green. |
| Dark Green and Violet | Green and violet complement each other on the color wheel. |
Vibrant colors make dark green really stand out. Limiting these hues to accents prevents the scheme from becoming overwhelming.
Pastel Colors
While dark green can handle bold brights, pastels also offer a fitting complement. Soft peach, sage, butter yellow and powder blue create a soothing contrast against the intensity of dark green. Pastels add a touch of whimsy and lightness.
| Dark Green and Peach | Peach injects a cheerful springtime vibe into rich green. |
| Dark Green and Powder Blue | Serene blue soothes the vibrancy of green. |
| Dark Green and Butter Yellow | Buttery yellow lights up dark green in a subtle way. |
| Dark Green and Lavender | The softness of lavender balances out dark green. |
Pastel accents keep a dark green palette uplifting and playful. Use them sparingly against the bold green backdrop.
Harmonious Color Combinations
Some of the most pleasing and harmonious color combinations happen when you choose colors located next to each other on the color wheel. These analogous, complementary, and split complementary combinations naturally look good together.
| Analogous | Dark green with blue-green, yellow-green |
| Complementary | Dark green with red |
| Split Complementary | Dark green with orange and violet |
Understanding these color theory basics ensures you can form color palettes with dark green that align well to the eye. The colors share undertones and temperatures, creating unity.
Sample Color Palettes with Dark Green
Now let’s look at some complete dark green color palettes that pull together the concepts explored above.
Dark Green with Neutrals
This soothing, flexible palette features dark green with classic black and white, as well as gray and tan for an earthy feel. The neutral base allows you to layer in any accent colors.
| Dark Green | #013220 |
| Black | #000000 |
| White | #FFFFFF |
| Gray | #C0C0C0 |
| Tan | #D2B48C |
Dark Green with Metallics
Metallic touches of gold, bronze and silver glam up this elegant palette. The metallic sheen makes the dark green sophisticated.
| Dark Green | #015249 |
| Gold | #D4AF37 |
| Bronze | #855E42 |
| Silver | #C0C0C0 |
Dark Green with Earth Tones
Natural earth tones like sand, moss, stone and wood give this palette an organic, outdoorsy look that highlights the green.
| Dark Green | #0B6121 |
| Sand | #C2B280 |
| Moss Green | #7EA04B |
| Stone | #878789 |
| Wood Brown | #7A4E2E |
Dark Green with Vibrant Colors
Punchy brights like violet, crimson and mustard yellow make dark green pop in this lively, stimulating palette.
| Dark Green | #06430C |
| Violet | #780191 |
| Crimson | #9E1030 |
| Mustard Yellow | #FFDB58 |
Dark Green with Pastels
Soft powder blue and peach provide a cheerful contrast to the rich green in this uplifting palette.
| Dark Green | #054732 |
| Powder Blue | #B0E0E6 |
| Peach | #FFDAB9 |
Tips for Decorating with Dark Green
Now that we’ve explored complementary color combinations, here are some quick tips for effectively decorating with dark green:
– Use dark green as a bold accent against light neutrals like white or beige. This creates a soothing contrast.
– Add metallic touches like bronze or gold to give dark green an elegant, formal look. A little goes a long way.
– Pair dark green with natural wood and leather to give a room an earthy, masculine vibe.
– Add pastels or bright pops of color through accessories like throw pillows or art to prevent dark green from feeling too somber.
– Use dark green in energizing high-traffic spaces, then temper it with cool grays in bedrooms for a relaxing effect.
– Introduce dark green through paint, area rugs, throw blankets, accent walls or upholstery depending on the room and desired ambiance.
Conclusion
Dark green is a dramatic, versatile color that allows for many gorgeous color combinations. Neutrals, earth tones, metallics, brights and pastels all complement rich dark green beautifully. Consider the ambiance you want and select hues that coordinate harmoniously in terms of their undertones and intensity. With the right supporting palette, dark green can give any room a stylish, pulled-together look and feel. When decorating or designing with dark green, take color theory into account while also letting your personal taste guide you to creative, inviting color schemes.
