Paint Colour Spotlight: Green

Jan 26

It’s the time of year that after the holiday decor gets packed away, many of us look around our spaces and feel the need for a little refresh. If you’re looking to update your space with a fresh shade of white paint or a softer neutral, I’ve got you covered here and here.

But if you’re leaning towards something a little more colourful, you’re in the right place! To kick off 2024, this month I’ll be sharing some colourful home inspiration and rounding up all my favourite paint colours, hue by hue. Find all the colour spotlights here: pink, yellow, blue, red and brown.

If you’re a lover of neutrals and nervous about incorporating colour into your space, I recommend starting with green. Considered “nature’s neutral” it’s a great way to incorporate colour in a way that doesn’t feel too over-the-top, especially when you stick with soft and muted shades of green.

Green pairs well with pretty much everything: pinks, oranges, burgundy, corals, blues, browns, yellows & blacks can all shine when paired with green. As with anytime you mix colour, remember to contrast the values of a tone (light, medium or dark) to avoid colours blurring into each other.

Sunroom with green walls and shiplap ceiling — Image Source: McGrath2

The colour green is calming and peaceful and represents security, abundance and growth. Studies have also shown it can induce creativity and feelings of optimism. Likely because green is seen so widely in nature, it’s a relaxing colour to the eye; humans see green better than any colour in the spectrum.

Dark moody green mudroom — Image Source: Tiffany Leigh Design

That being said, there is a huge variety of shades and tones within this colour family, from peppy and acidic yellow-based greens that will feel more energizing to smoky, de-saturated greeny-blues and greys that will feel more restful and soothing.

Green Living Room with wall of windows and games table — Image Source: Studio Day

An important consideration when choosing a green paint colour is the exposure of your room. Northern and east-facing exposures naturally feel cool, so choose a warmer green with a slight yellow undertone.

Remember that a colour will always feel lighter and brighter once on your walls compared to a one inch paint swatch so even if you’re wanting a warm and bright green, opt for the shade that is a bit more muted to avoid a Shrek-like look.

If you’re lucky enough to have a southern or west-facing exposure, you can easily try a green with cooler green-blue or green-gray undertones. These exposures naturally feel warmer so a cooler-toned paint colour provides balance and won’t feel cold or unwelcoming.