To work out the colors that go with green, you just have to look outside. The shade is ubiquitous in the natural world, complementing everything from the russet tones of fall to the cool grays that make up our cities. It’s one of the reasons why green is a go-to for designers — inside our homes, it offers a connection to the outdoors, and carries with it the same sense of calm and clarity.
"Consider green to be nature's neutral," says Hannah Yeo, the senior manager for color marketing at Benjamin Moore. "Its calming and refreshing qualities make it incredibly versatile, allowing it to fit seamlessly into any space."
Where it often becomes tricky to determine what colors go with green, is when you start to consider their undertones. While some lean gray or blue, other shades are closer to warm yellows, and even browns. But don’t stress — whether you’re trying to find colors that go with sage green, forest green, khaki or pistachio, we’ve done the research, and asked interior designers and color experts for the best complementary colors for green. Here’s what they had to say.
1. A MIX OF GREENS
It might seem like an obvious place to start, but with so many different hues, combining green with its other shades makes for an easy and complementary color palette. When it comes to colors that go with mint green, for example, a deeper forest green can help give the pairing depth.
It's also a restorative palette. "Wellness can be created through design," explains Barbara Reyes, director of design at Frederick Tang Architecture, of the hallway at a wellness center above. "A rich forest green offsets the pale green in the barrel-vaulted hallways to cradle a user before heading into treatment. We wanted the dweller to experience the space through color symbolism and strategic use of light, making it feel like a treatment; a transition from darkness to lightness."
Price: from $55.99/gallon
Price: from $55.99/gallon
Price: $70/gallon
2. FOREST GREEN AND BLACK
Many colors go with black, as this deep, dark shade has the natural ability to lift other hues, while adding a subtle touch of theatrics. If you're choosing to style black and green together, it's best to use each color in moderation; perhaps one as an accent tone, and the other as a neutral, as seen in the scheme above, which features a verdant forest green.
"Drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscape, we designed an atmospheric dining room that exudes a sense of drama," says Le Jean, founder of Le Jean Design, describing the space that looks out over a panoramic view of lush treetops. "We selected a rich set of patterns and textures to showcase the dynamic range and depth of greens."
3. MINT GREEN AND BRIGHT PINK
Green is also a color that goes with pink, and it's a combination that is gaining popularity as of late. "It doesn't take much skill to pair pink with green successfully, as they exist together in nature in so many flowers," says color consultant Amy Krane. "Both warmer yellow-pinks and cooler blue-pinks work with greens well."
In the scheme above, interior designer Hélène Rebelo, founder of Cool Machine, wanted to create a "cheerful green bubble" in a "retro-futuristic style with pops of pink" as an ode to her childhood in the country, surrounded by nature and fields of flowers. The space is filled with a sense of joy, and demonstrates how pink definitely is a color that goes with green.
4. GREEN AND WHITE
Decorating with neutrals is one of the easiest things to do in design, especially if you're looking for colors that go with green. From deep forest greens to vivid limes — any shade will instantly add contrast to a white or cream backdrop, and add a sense of freshness to the scheme.
As a rule of thumb cooler-leaning greens and yellow-toned greens like lime, fern greens, jade greens, and emerald greens work best with crisp true whites. You have more choices with more muted, dusky greens like sage and pistachio. They will usually work both with a bright white to add freshness to these more muted tones or an off-white for a more warm, cocooning feel.
"Cream or white makes for a great base color to lift other tones," says interior designer Noorein Kapoor, founder of Noorein Kapoor Design. "Along with varied colors such as greaan, you can also build on various materials and finishes, and add textures to a neutral room. Use a white or cream as a backdrop and lift the secondary color with confidence."
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5. GREEN AND ORANGE
If you like warmer tones in your home but want a color combination that still feels fresh and interesting, try pairing a dark green or olive green paint color with a muted orange. There are many colors that go with orange, but greens with a warmer undertone layer beautifully with the zesty hue. The pairing has clear contrast while not overwhelming, and mimics the slowly transitioning leaves come fall.
"Green and orange will create a dynamic balance in the room," says color consultant Amy Krane. "The brighter the combination, the more sizzle. But if it's a warmer interior you wish, then consider a burnt orange or ochre with a deep-toned green."
There are, of course, more punchy versions of this complementary color to green, if you want to go bold — tangerine hues with chartreuse, emerald with bold terracotta, for example.
6. FOREST GREEN AND YELLOW
If you're not afraid of going a bit bold, a darker green can be a surprising color that goes with yellow. When carefully clashed, these two contrasting shades can uplift the look and feel of a room, filling it with personality and a cheerful vibe. Plus, as both colors reflect light well, they can actually work to make an interior feel more open and breezy.
"The color palette of the house reflects the energy of the young family living there," says MDDM Studio founders Margret Domko and Momo Andrea Destro, of the scheme above. "The yellow walls give an energetic environment to the house, while the green kitchen echoes the colorful sparkles of the terrazzo."
7. EMERALD GREEN AND PURPLE
Colors that go with purple may seem few and far between, but when you look to nature, it's clear that green is one of them. It's a charming pairing, and a particularly complementary color to green in smaller rooms where you want to make an impact and embrace a cozy feel. Botanical-inspired and jewel-toned emerald greens look particularly pretty alongside purple — a wonderful foil for each other.
Purple is known for its invigorating and calming qualities, and embraces the power of both warm and cool colors. "Choose natural shades like green for a more grounded effect, especially for those who fear overly saturated spaces while looking for the positive feelings of joy and calm purple can offer," recommends interior designer Sarah Barnard.
If you want a softer look, introduce neutral tones like soft grays and whites to ensure your scheme doesn't read too much like Halloween.
8. GREEN AND GRAY
Some subtle shades of green are completely interchangeable with gray, making the color pairing a soothing and cohesive one. "The soothing gray undertones [of such greens] create a relaxing environment, making them perfect for bedrooms or spa-inspired bathrooms, where you can unwind and rejuvenate," says Benjamin Moore's Hannah Yeo.
In particular, if you're looking for what color goes with green, she recommends pairing Benjamin Moore's 'Camouflage' and 'October Mist' shades with neutrals like 'Halo' or 'Briarwood'.
The key to a harmonious pairing is to look at the green's undertones. Modern interiors tend to skew towards cooler undertones for a more 'subtle gray'. "Cool grays show hints of their blue, green or purple beginnings," says color consultant Amy Krane. "Gray with green is a modern pairing that can skew a little towards neutral, but still look and feel warm."
9. GREEN AND BLUE
We've all heard it: 'blue and green should never be seen...' but if you look at color theory, the two shades sit next to each other on the color wheel, suggesting blue would, in fact, be one of the colors that go with green. And it does. Quite harmoniously.
While blue and green work together when both used in vibrant and rich jewel-like tones, they also work as softer pastels in the right scheme. The key to making this combination work according to interior designer Cortney Bishop is to ground the pastel palette. "Be thoughtful to pick colors you can thread through the home in fabrics and other home accents — cabinetry, trim work, etc." she says.
10. GREEN AND BROWN
It's another complementary color to green picked straight out of nature — green goes with brown ever so organically. The two tones ground each other, creating a scheme that feels relaxed and calming.
"Elegant combinations such as green and brown evoke the sophistication of nature, creating an earth-tone color palette that conveys calmness and serenity," says Talita Nogueira, founder to TN Arquitetura. "This harmony of natural tones is perfect for cozy and elegant environments, bringing the feeling of connection with the soil and with the calmness of the countryside closer to the bustle of the city."
11. GREEN AND BLUSH PINK
As a subtle, nearly-neutral color, blush pink is also a complementary color to green, demonstrated with the green couch living room scheme by LALA Reimagined, shown above.
"Dusty greens mixed with soft blush tones complement each other beautifully," says Benjamin Moore's Hanna Yeo. "As opposites on the color where, colors like 'Wind Chime' and 'Head Over Heels' evoke a nostalgic feeling, bringing a sense of familiarity and security to the space."
12. GREEN AND RED
Do green and red go together? Definitely at Christmastime. But when done right, the controversial color pairing can last well beyond the holiday period. "When using colors like green and red, you're approaching the design with the intent to make a statement," says interior designer Katie Paulsen, the director of interior design at Texas-based Maestri Studio.
The most interesting way to make green a color that goes with red is to introduce unexpected shades of each hue. Take this dining room by Maestri Studio, for example, where an emerald green boldly clashes with a vibrant red.
"In this case, the space needed to be exciting but also needed to have a soothing quality that the family could always enjoy," explains Katie. "We did this by softening the brighter values of the red and green by pulling in wood tones, and by adding warmth with the metal finishes."
FAQs
What colors don't go with green?
It's hard to choose colors that don't go with green, as it's such a versatile shade. But they do exist, and it mostly comes down to the specific shade of green you're pairing. This tends to particularly apply to green shades mixed with primary yellows and blues. And then, of course, you need to consider the connotations around certain color combinations.
With orange and purple, it can be hard to avoid creating a color scheme that doesn't scream 'Halloween', while primary red and green can struggle to escape the trappings of Christmas.
"The one color I would say is not my favorite is light gray," says color expert Dabito. "A deep, rich, warm charcoal gray is different, but I don't ever use a light gray, it reminds me of air pollution and smog."
What is the psychology of green in interior design?
It's well documented how using certain colors in our homes can impact our mood and mental wellbeing. Color psychology in interior design helps explain the colors that can lift our moods, soothe, energize and even anger. So what does green sit in all of this?
Apart from being a calming and relaxing influence, green is also a color often associated with responsibility (there's a reason it's often used in hospitals). Lighter shades of green can also help us sleep better, reduce anxiety, and even accelerate a child's development.
What is the most popular shade of green paint?
Benjamin Moore's Hannah Yeo says the brands former Color of the Year 'October Mist' is still a highly sought after shade. "This delicately shaded sage seamlessly connects various colors, making it a versatile choice for you home," she explains. "When paired with creams and off-whites, the green undertones are beautifully accentuated, while it can also serve as a neutral backdrop against more vibrant hues."
If you're after a more vibrant shade of green, Hannah recommends 'Salamander'. "This rich, handsome shade works beautifully across a variety of surfaces including walls, built-ins, furniture and even exteriors," she says. "Whether used in small or large applications, this deep color grounds the space with an air of intrigue and sophistication."
What color green is in style in 2024?
Green doesn't have to just be about soothing and softening. There are shades that can add energy and vibrancy into a scheme. Take 2024's new breakout shade "Brat" green for example. The acidic, slime-like shade has been described as "purposefully ugly" but is a surefire way to add a bold sense of playfulness and joy into a space.
There are plenty of colors that go with green, it all depends on the shade you're choosing to complement it with. Whether you want to make a statement in your space, or use a softer shade as an almost-neutral-but-not, just remember: to work out what colors go with green, start by looking outside.
