When choosing a color to match a green wall, there are a few key factors to consider. The shade of green, the purpose of the room, and color theory principles like complementary colors all come into play. With some thoughtful planning, you can select colors that will look beautiful alongside a green wall.
Consider the Shade of Green
Green paint comes in a wide range of shades, from soft sage to deep emerald. The exact hue will impact which additional colors look most pleasing. Here are some popular green wall colors and coordinating options:
Soft Green
For a pale green wall, such as mint, lime, or pistachio, opt for neutral and pastel accent colors. Soft greens pair nicely with off-whites, beiges, light grays, and pale yellows or pinks. These colors have a calm, airy feeling that complements the light green wall. Avoid using darker or brighter colors that will overpower the soft green shade.
Mid-Tone Green
When you have a medium green wall, such as jade or olive green, you can use both light and dark accent colors. Good options include off-white, cream, taupe, navy blue, slate gray, mustard yellow, and terra cotta. Mid-tone greens are versatile and fit with multiple design aesthetics from traditional to modern.
Deep Green
With a dark green wall like hunter green or emerald, make sure to balance it with plenty of light. Stick to neutral whites, tans, and grays, but you can bring in one brighter accent color like red, yellow, or sky blue. The deep green will anchor the scheme while the bright color adds a pop of contrast. Just take care not to use too many competing colors.
Consider the Purpose of the Room
The function of the room that has a green wall should guide your color selection. Here are ideas for choosing coordinating colors based on room purpose:
Living Room
In a living room, you’ll want a cozy, inviting look. Opt for warm neutral paint colors like beige or taupe on the other walls. Add accent colors with pillows, throws, curtains, and decor items in colors like yellow, blue, or deep red. These complimentary colors will make the green wall really stand out.
Bedroom
For bedrooms, peaceful colors are key. Pair a green wall with white, gray, or creamy walls. Use the green as an accent wall behind the headboard. Add tranquil accent colors like light blue, lavender, soft yellow, or pink. White bedding ties the whole scheme together.
Kitchen
In the kitchen, factor in appliances and cabinetry as you select accent wall colors. Stainless steel, white, or wood cabinets will look great with a green accent wall. Off-white, navy, yellow, or red make good second accent colors. Just avoid matching greens exactly. Simple is best to keep the kitchen looking clean.
Bathroom
Green is a classic bathroom color since it evokes nature. For a coordinating color scheme, use white tile as a neutral backdrop. Brass hardware and natural wood bring warmth. Add accent colors with towels, rugs, shower curtains and wall decor in blues, grays, and browns for a spa-like feel.
Dining Room
In formal dining rooms, green walls encourage conversation and interaction. Pair the green with white or black for stark contrast. Add accent colors with seat cushions, table runner, and centerpiece in colors like coral, yellow, purple or turquoise. The colors will make for a lively, elegant space.
Use Complementary Colors
Considering the color wheel is another great way to identify colors that will coordinate beautifully with a green wall. Green’s complementary colors—those opposite it on the wheel—include:
– Red
– Pink
– Burgundy
– Orange
These offer high contrast and really make the green pop. Analogous colors adjacent to green can also make pleasing combinations:
– Blue
– Yellow
– Aqua
You can even use several complementary or analogous colors together for a vibrant, saturated look. Just be sure to balance them properly so no one color dominates.
Consider Tones and Saturation
Don’t just think about hue when coordinating colors with a green wall. The tone (light vs dark) and saturation (dull vs bright) are also important. Generally, you’ll want a mix of light, medium and dark tones for visual interest. Combining muted, pale colors with bright, saturated hues creates pleasing contrast. Here are some examples:
– Soft sage green wall with cream, navy blue, and bright red accents
– Deep emerald green wall with beige, charcoal gray, and vivid yellow accents
– Pale mint wall with dove gray, light pink, and sky blue accents
Aim for a blend of tones and saturation levels when putting together a full color scheme.
Use Green as an Accent
Sometimes a full green wall feels overpowering. You can still incorporate green to accent neutral walls. Use it strategically on certain architectural elements:
| Green Accent Area | Description |
|---|---|
| Trim/Molding | Green trim frames neutral walls and adds subtle color |
| Doors | A bold green front door makes a fun statement |
| Built-ins | Green bookshelves or cabinetry adds a pop of color |
| Ceiling | A green ceiling creates an enveloping effect |
This allows you to easily pair green with light neutrals like white, ivory, or tan. The colorful accents provide just the right amount of vibrancy.
Create a Balance
Whatever colors you choose to go with a green wall, creating a balanced, harmonious look is key. Follow these general guidelines:
– Use 60-75% neutral colors like white or beige to create a restful foundation.
– Add in 20-30% green as the main colorful accent.
– Use another vivid color or two for 5-10% pops of contrast.
– Limit the color scheme to 3-5 total colors for unity.
– Combine light, medium and dark values for visual interest.
– Mix softer muted tones with brighter hues.
Keeping these principles in mind will lead to color combinations that are both lively and soothing alongside your central green wall.
Test Colors Beforehand
When finalizing a color scheme with a green focal wall, invest time in testing your options before fully committing. Paint large swatches of the colors on posterboard or directly on the wall. Move the samples around to different spots and observe at different times of day. This allows you to judge colors accurately before settling on the final combination. While green as an anchor provides flexibility, testing helps ensure your accent colors coordinate perfectly.
Conclusion
The key to choosing colors to pair with a green wall is thoughtfully considering the green’s shade, the room’s purpose, color theory principles, tone and saturation. When used strategically, colors like white, gray, blue and red beautifully match green walls in any space. With testing and a balanced approach, you can confidently create a stylish, welcoming room designed around your stunning green wall. Correctly coordinating colors allows the green to take center stage while the space stays cohesive. For a put-together, harmonious look, take the time to find the perfect color matches.
