Green With Envy: Your Guide to Interior Green Paint

Green has come a long way from the basic primary color we learned about in school. Even our Crayola box taught us that green is not simply just green, there are infinite hues from yellow-green, blue-green, teal, brownish-greens and gray-greens ranging from cool tones to warm tones and with the power to evoke a different mood and emotion.

Green paint, particularly for interior projects, brings the verdant tones of nature inside. Earthy and lighter green hues have a soothing, calming effect while deep, darker shades provide a sense of elegance and have almost a regal effect on a space. No matter which end of the spectrum, green is one of this year’s go-to paint trends. With so much versatility, and endless shades–there’s mint, lime, kelly, hunter, juniper, emerald, spring, moss, olive, and countless others to choose from–green is the perfect paint for walls, accents, trim, furniture, and more.

So how to choose a shade, and use green in a way that will make your guests go green with envy? This simple guide will show you how to use green paint and designers’ favorite green hues of 2021.

Why You Should Go Green

Our virid friend Kermit the frog once said, ‘it’s not easy being green,’ but we beg to differ. The fact of the matter is, green hues are incredibly versatile. Whether you want the softness of mint or sage, or the bold richness of emerald or jade, green brings refreshing energy to a room. Viridescent hues are lifted straight from the earth and can be used to brighten kitchens, living areas, and bedrooms or breathe new life into old furniture. Shades of green pair exceptionally well with bright, crisp whites, off-whites, and creamy neutrals for a striking look, but can also pack a punch when paired with other vibrant colors such as pinks, blues, and more.

Green is almost universally interpreted as being positive and uplifting, inspiring feelings of nature, energy, youth, freshness, and spring.

The Rules: How to Use Green Paint in 2022

The rules to using green paint? There are virtually no rules, the sky’s the limit (move over blue). While it does pair better with some colors and decor than others, green is one of those colors that can be used virtually anywhere and anytime. Green paint doesn’t have to be on the walls (although it works really well there), in fact, the latest trends show green used as an accent on everything from trim and cabinets, to interior doors, and even furniture. Choosing and styling green paint can be overwhelming so here are a few expert tips:

• Dark Green-Deep forest, rich olives, hunter green, and more. Dark green makes a bold impact on walls, giving a room a cozy, soothing feeling. For this reason, use dark green in spaces where you seek comfort such as a living area or bedroom. However, the adventurous, bold depth of character of a deep green is versatile enough to be used across the home and provides a wonderful alternative to navy.
• Green Gray-A modern and uplifting twist on a neutral. Gray greens mimic calming gardens and natural stone offering a restful space with a stylish freshness that goes beyond gray and white paints. These rich, earthy colors work well in well-lit spaces, bringing the outdoors inside. These almost meditative hues can be used in any space, but work particularly well for bedrooms, baths, or as an accent on interior doors, cabinetry, or trim.
• Mint Green- Trendy, somewhat retro, and completely livable, mint greens are soothing and work in many different combinations. Mint is a vibrant, happy color that works best in a room that gets a lot of sunlight.
• Yellow- Green- These hues offer a more lively effect than their sage and mint counterparts which tend to be a bit more subdued. Vibrant and springlike, even the most subtle shade has a happy, energetic kick to it. A bright green such as this will add a bright, cheerful feeling to the space. Use it as an accent wall, on flooring, or to bring new life to furniture. These pair well with crisp whites, pinks, and blues to really bring the feelings of spring inside.

Green works well layered with different shades within the same family to give depth and interest to a project.

Fifty Shades of Green and Beyond

With so many combinations and shades, and endless possibilities, we have compiled a list of favorite green paint shades trending in 2021:

• Farrow & Ball (No. 47) Green Smoke- a medium-dark smokey green, Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball is one of the most popular green paints this year. This versatile, calming shade works well in numerous spaces and with a variety of decors.
• Benjamin Moore Aegean Teal- The 2021 Benjamin Moore color of the year, this elegant shade of teal creates balance and natural harmony in any room.
• Sherwin Williams Sea Salt- A lighter green, and more of a neutral, this shade will work well in rooms with varying amounts of light.
• Sherwin Williams Rainwashed- A medium-light green tone with a slight bluish base may appear slightly more teal in certain lighting. A subtle, but powerful green vibe becomes striking against crisp white, or calming and subdued with creamy ivory.
• Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme- A medium-dark olive, this shade is a great accent color for cabinets, doors, or accent walls. It looks vibrant paired with whites for a clean, crisp look. However, it also stands strong with more subtle neutrals, beiges, grays, and stone for a relaxing aesthetic.
• Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay- This neutral green works well everywhere. This “almost gray” shows its true color best against stark whites for a strong, but not overwhelming pop of green.
• PPG Paints All About Olive- A darker olive paint color with a viney undertone. An ideal choice as an accent for the exterior of your home or front door. As an interior paint, this shade pairs well with rich jewel tones.

Choosing the Green for You

Of course, there are many, many other options of green paint to choose from, the possibilities are truly endless. When choosing what green to use, first, decide on the mood and tone you want to project in your space. How do you want the green to appear? Is it the focal point or an accent? Where is green being used?

• Exterior- Greens are a great way to connect and manage spaces between buildings and the environment. Play with tonality to bridge the gap between building walls and their surroundings.
• Bedroom- Choose a hue that you’re drawn to. Soothing shades work well in this setting, especially more pastel colors that can be motivating and help encourage restfulness and reduce anxiety. Avoid bold, dark colors that make the room feel confined.
• Kitchen- Springlike yellow-greens work well in the kitchen. Paired with crisp, clean white or complementary blues a vibrant yellow-green can bring freshness and energy to your kitchen. Sea glass, teal, mint, and neutral greens such as sage are also great options for a kitchen aesthetic.
• Living Room- Green paint can bring a lively energy to your living space. Choose a tone based on the feelings you want to bring out in this space. For a more calm, relaxing setting choose more subtle, subdued greens, gray-greens, or neutral tones. To inspire energy or richness head for deep olives, dark green, and jewel tones.

Tools like Sherwin Williams ColorSnap® can help narrow the search further, preview the finished space using the room visualizer tool to help you decide on the perfect shade. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few selections, bring samples home to test on the actual walls or cabinets to make sure the undertones work well with your natural lighting and fit well with your existing furniture and decor.

Next, buy your paint. Visit a trusted paint retailer to discuss your project. A consultation with the professionals can help you determine the right sheen, product, and how much you’ll need to complete the job. If you’re not the do-it-yourself type, a professional residential painting service, like Flowers Painting can work with you to provide professional painting services. Book your free consultation with Flowers Painting or use any of our online tools to begin your journey with green paint.

About Flowers Painting

Flowers Painting is a full-service interior painting company that services the entire Charlotte metro area including Mooresville, Huntersville, Davidson, Concord, Rock Hill, and more. We recently added our second location in Winston-Salem, NC, and service the entire Winston-Salem area, including Kernersville, High Point, Clemmons, Rural Hall, Tabaccoville and more. Flowers Painting provides full painting services including color consulting, interior painting, faux finishing, textured walls, cabinet refinishing, interior stairs, handrails, and more. To see pictures of our finished work be sure to visit our website gallery.