Emerald green is a rich, deep green color that gets its name from the shade of the precious gemstone. It’s a popular color choice for home interiors, especially for accent walls, front doors, and decorative trim work. However, emerald green paint can be difficult to find and tends to be more expensive than other green paint options. If you’re looking for an affordable substitute for emerald green paint, there are a few alternative shades to consider that create a very similar look.
Understanding Emerald Green
True emerald green sits right between green and blue on the color wheel. It has a touch of blue added to a vivid leafy green to create a jewel-toned hue. Emerald greens are deep and saturated rather than dull or olive-toned. They are bold and striking colors that make a statement in any room.
Emerald green first became popular during the Victorian era. At that time, synthetic pigments had not yet been invented, so achieving a vibrant emerald shade required a large amount of the rare, expensive mineral pigment verdigris. As pigment technology advanced, emerald green paint became more accessible. It grew in popularity again in the 1950s and 60s before falling out of fashion in the earth tone dominated 1970s.
Recently, emerald green has seen another resurgence, partly thanks to Pantone naming it the color of the year in 2013. This complex, luxurious color works well in spaces inspired by Art Deco, Victorian, or mid-century modern style. It’s ideal for adding a pop of color and visual interest to any room.
Challenges of Emerald Green Paint
Genuine emerald green is notoriously difficult for paint manufacturers to produce. The pigments required don’t lend themselves well to paint, which is why emerald green is not commonly found premixed at most hardware stores or paint specialty shops. It may only be available by special order or in limited colors from high-end paint brands.
When you are able to find emerald green paint, it tends to be significantly more expensive than common hues like yellow, blue, or grey. For example, a gallon of Behr premixed emerald green paint costs around $100, while many of their other premixed colors are between $25-50 per gallon. This is because it contains harder to produce pigments.
The emerald green shades that are available also tend to lack the vibrancy and depth of a true emerald color. They may appear a bit dull or muted. Achieving the right balance of blue and green for a vivid emerald paint typically requires custom color mixing, which requires expertise that not all paint stores possess.
Emerald Green Paint Alternatives
Because genuine emerald green paint can be so tricky to acquire, you may need to explore some alternative hues. Here are some paint colors that can substitute for emerald green:
Forest Green
Forest green is the most direct color substitute for emerald green. It sits adjacent to emerald on the color wheel. Forest greens have more yellow and less blue than emeralds, creating a very slightly warmer and lighter tone. But the overall look is quite comparable. Forest green is easier for paint manufacturers to produce, so it is affordable and widely available. Brands like Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Behr all offer forest green paints for under $50 per gallon.
For a color-matched forest green, look for Sherwin-Williams Sharpshooter Green. Benjamin Moore’s Green Frolic or Behr’s Celtic Green are also excellent forest green options for walls, trim, and doors in place of emerald green.
Dark Green
Deeper, darker green paint colors can also work nicely as an emerald green alternative. Look for hues with names like jewel, jade, tropical, British racing, or malachite green. Avoid lighter or muddier greens. Dark hunter greens, pine greens, or artichoke greens may read too brown. Stick to a dark green with vibrant blue or cool yellow undertones. These deep shades have intensity like an emerald green, without the rarity and expense.
Some specific dark greens to consider are Behr’s Nightwatch Green, Benjamin Moore’s Deep Forest Green, Sherwin-Williams Jade Glow, or Valspar’s English Holly Green. Sample a few deep greens to find one with an emerald-like look in your lighting.
Teal or Aqua Green
For a bolder departure from a true emerald tone, consider a bluer-green paint like a teal, seafoam, or aqua color. These paints have more blue and less yellow than emerald green, creating a cooler, bolder effect. The vividness of teal green makes it a great alternative for accent walls, front doors, and other areas you want to make a statement.
Some high quality teal paint options are Sherwin-Williams Passaic Green, Behr’s Blue Grotto, Valspar’s Waterfall, and Benjamin Moore’s Atlantis Green. None will be an exact color match for emerald, but they give a similar striking pop of color.
Custom Mixing
If you have your heart set on true emerald green, custom color mixing is the way to go. Most major paint retailers like Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore offer this service. Bring in a swatch of your desired emerald green shade and they can scan the color and formulate a precise matching paint. This option will still be pricey since emerald green pigments are used, but likely cheaper than ordering premixed emerald paint. A custom mix also allows you to adjust the tone and vividness as needed.
Key Characteristics of Emerald Green Paint
When evaluating paint swatches and choosing an emerald green substitute, keep these key color characteristics in mind:
– Deep and vivid rather than pale or olive-toned
– Cool in tone rather than warm – should have blue rather than yellow undertones
– Intense color saturation – aim for high chroma rather than dull or muddy
– Dark valued – stay in the range of medium to dark greens rather than light greens
– Sense of luxury and gem-like quality from a striking, intense shade
Paint colors that capture these traits will have a similar allure and presence to genuine emerald green, even if they aren’t a perfect color match. Trust your eye over the exact hue – an intense teal green may give the same effect in your space as emerald.
Testing Potential Emerald Green Substitutes
When trying to match a bold shade like emerald green, paint samples are your best friend. Here are some tips for using samples during the selection process:
– Test multiple potential colors – get a few samples in emerald-like greens and teals that catch your eye.
– Paint larger sample patches, rather than just swiping strips. It’s hard to visualize the full effect from a tiny swatch.
– Check samples in different lighting. Green can shift color drastically in cool vs. warm light. Make sure it works in all your room’s lighting conditions.
– View samples on vertical surfaces. Green tends to look different horizontally vs. vertically. Paint samples on poster board or directly on your wall for the most accurate view.
– Compare samples next to finishes and fabrics in the space. You want the green to complement your existing palette.
– Check that the color fits the room size. Dark emerald greens work best in small to medium rooms – they may get overwhelming in a large space.
Take your time sampling. The investment up front will pay off to ensure you love the emerald green alternative you choose.
Application Tips for Emerald Green Paint
Emerald and emerald-like greens make bold style statements. Follow these tips when applying your chosen substitute shade:
Prep the surface. Greens reveal any imperfections. Fill cracks, sand smooth, and prime before painting for best results.
Opt for higher sheen. Satin, semi-gloss or high-gloss sheen helps intensify greens. Matte and flat finishes can look dull.
Use high quality brushes. The dense bristles needed to apply deep paint evenly will give a professional finish.
Roll in one direction. Rolling in a ‘W’ or ‘M’ pattern creates blotchiness on darker paints. Roll vertically in a smooth, consistent direction.
Use color-tinted primer. Have your paint store tint primer close to the emerald green color for better coverage.
Patience is needed for a flawless emerald green paint application. But the time and care taken will be worthwhile for this head-turning hue.
Troubleshooting Emerald Green Paint Challenges
Emerald and similar greens can present some unique painting challenges. Here are solutions for common issues:
Problem: Paint appears inconsistent or blotchy.
Solution: Ensure wall is properly prepped and primed. Roll in a consistent direction without overlapping.
Problem: Paint seems dull or muddy, not rich.
Solution: Add a compatible glaze over thoroughly dried paint to increase depth and color saturation.
Problem: Hue is shifting noticeably between paint cans.
Solution: Remix all cans together before use to avoid variance in hue.
Problem: Color looks much lighter or greener than expected.
Solution: Emerald green can shift in appearance significantly between lighting conditions. Confirm color in the room’s actual lighting.
Problem: Coverage is poor even after multiple coats.
Solution: Priming with tinted primer helps. Also have store adjust base to increase opacity.
Don’t be afraid to get help from a paint expert if you run into difficulty achieving the emerald green look you crave. Specialty paint stores are excellent resources when working with tricky high chroma paint colors and applications.
Maintaining an Emerald Green Painted Space
Once your emerald green paint is successfully applied, ensure it retains its eye-catching color by:
– Denting and gently washing painted walls as needed. Clean gently to avoid stripping the color.
– Touching up any nicks and scrapes promptly to avoid visible damage.
– Applying new coats as needed to renew the vivid color. Dark greens may need repainting more frequently than lighter hues.
– Using soft yellow or LED light bulbs. Green pigments fade faster under harsh white lighting.
– Keeping humidity moderate. Very damp conditions can affect emerald green over time.
With proper prep, application, and maintenance, a substitute emerald green paint can look bold and luxurious for years before needing a refresh.
Safety and Environmental Considerations
All paints require proper safety precautions, but deep emerald greens warrant extra care:
– Open windows and use fans to ensure good airflow and ventilation.
– Use protective equipment like gloves, glasses, and masks to avoid contact with skin and eyes.
– Keep children and pets away from wet paint due to toxicity concerns.
In terms of environmental impact, many brands now offer emerald green paints with low or no VOCs. Water-based latex paints are more eco-friendly than oils or solvent-based options. Dispose of leftover paint according to local hazardous waste guidelines.
Conclusion
Emerald green paint makes a stunning, jewel-toned statement, but can be costly and tricky to locate. Alternatives like forest green, dark green, teal, or custom mixing offer more accessible ways to capture the look. Carefully sampling green paint options and applying them properly allows you to achieve an emerald effect without the challenges of pure emerald paint. With some creativity and patience, you can find the perfect emerald green substitute to suit your space and style.
Summary Comparison
| Paint Color | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Genuine Emerald Green | – True, vibrant color – Luxurious look |
– Expensive – Limited availability |
| Forest Green | – Easy to acquire – Affordable – Close color match |
– Slightly muted than emerald |
| Dark Green | – Deep and vivid – Readily available |
– Not an exact emerald match |
| Teal Green | – Striking, intense color – Distinctive look |
– Bolder and brighter than emerald |
| Custom Mix | – Presice color match – Adjustable tone |
– More expensive than standard colors |
