The key to making this earthy shade feel vibrant is finding out what colors go with olive green. The rich tone is having a moment currently, finding its way into leading designer's interior schemes, with many considering it a new neutral.
'Olive green is such a versatile 'neutral' that can venture between modern and traditional quite easily,' says Allison Lind, design director at Allison Lind Interiors. 'The trick to using this hue is choosing the right finish — go flat/matte for a more modern look, and add a bit of sheen for a more classic or traditional interior.'
When paired with other tonal shades, it can create tranquil interiors you'll never want to leave. Alternatively, pair it with a bright pop and you'll find yourself in a space filled with energy and vibrancy. But finding the right colors that go with green isn't always so simple, so we consulted the experts who've shared these 11 perfect pairings.
1. Blue
Among the many colors that go with blue is olive green — a combination seen abundantly in nature. 'It's a pairing we often use as our neutral base,' say interior designers Jen and Mar, co-founders of Interior Fox. 'They are closely connected on the color wheel, so it's easy to introduce the two tones to create an illusion of more color without overpowering the space. Fresh, earthy, and completely versatile, you can't go wrong.'
'The trick is to tone up or down depending on the desired outcome,' say Jen and Mar. 'For a calming effect, opt for lighter colors offset by natural finishes, or for a more sumptuous scheme, choose darker shades. We find that darker hues add more shadows and different tones when the light hits and make the perfect backdrop for brass accents.'
2. Yellow
Maybe slightly more surprisingly, olive green is also a color that goes with yellow. It's works whether it's a warm and golden tone like mustard , or a vibrant pop of the cheery shade that stands out against the soothing backdrop.
'A warm yellow would be a beautiful accent pop against the soothing green,' says Allison Lind, design director at Allison Lind Interiors. 'It can influence the vibe of the space – classic, bold, mid-century interiors can make olive and yellow feel like the most perfect pair. While in a more traditional space, I could envision olive wainscoting with a colorful muted garden of floral wallpaper above.'
3. White
Decorating with neutrals is usually an easy job, but sometimes an all-white or cream scheme can feel a bit too clinical and cold. That's where earthy tones like olive green come in. This color can induce a slice of color while keeping the environment snug.
'Olive green and white can create a fresh and natural color combination,' says Ginger Curtis, founder and CEO of Urbanology Designs. 'Ensure there is enough contrast between the two colors to avoid a dull or washed-out look. The richness of olive green can be complemented by the crispness of white, creating a balanced and visually pleasing effect. I love this combo a lot. It can be done in so many creative ways.'
'Experiment with different textures and patterns to add visual interest to the olive and white pairing,' says Ginger. 'For example, you could incorporate a textured olive green accent wall and pair it with white furniture or vice versa. Additionally, consider introducing patterns like botanical prints or geometric designs to enhance the overall aesthetic.'
4. Brown
This olive green living room scheme by interior designer Bethany Adams of Bethany Adams Interiors feels warm and cozy thanks to the various brown tones and textures accented throughout. From the dark brown leather ottoman, to the timber frames on the armchairs and the rattan lampshades, the palette feels earthy, enveloping and grounding.
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5. Pink
Olive green is one of the most charming colors that go with pink. It's a pairing that crops up time and time again in modern interior schemes.
These two shades work so well because they create a sense of balance. Pink softens a green tone, while the warmer tones of olive green keep the palette feeling youthful and fun.
'When pairing olive green with pink make sure to avoid bubble gum pink as this pairing is already quite dated,' say Jen and Mar. 'Use moody or washed-out pinks if you want to pair the two together as it's a more timeless look.'
'Olive green and pink is a marriage made in design heaven,' says Julia. 'Think of olive green when selecting a sofa color because it will tonally ground your space, offering a hint of cool color then pair it with a soft blush wall color, like Farrow and Ball 231 Setting Plaster. Next, add pops of peaches and greens in artwork and other accessories like throw pillows and blankets. The result is a room that is anchored by olive green yet bright and vibrant with eye-catching pops of color.'
6. Orange
Orange is a great way to add a touch of warmth and depth to olive green. It provides a stark contrast, can be fun and playful, and encourages a retro vibe. Plus, olive green and orange can be used for color blocking walls. ‘We've recently been inspired by handcrafted modernism and pairing more organic colors and shapes with contrastingly strong, more brutalist lines,’ says interior designer Tanya Selway, co-founder of Stelly Selway.
‘Olive green is evocative of both the natural world as well as warmth and comfort, and makes for a statement-making background for oranges – particularly in complement to warmer tones in glossy or metallic finishes,’ says Tanya.
7. Other greens
Think tonal and create an interesting scheme by trying green on green. Many colors go with sage green, mint, teal, and more. Plus, a scheme layered with more greens will look refreshing, welcoming, and always on-trend.
'If your room calls for a mix of cool colors, consider layering different greens, beginning with olive as the darkest than building lighter with other greens in the same tonal family,' says Julia Mack, founder of Julia Mack Design. 'Begin with an ‘anchor’ like a green patterned area rug then build upward in the room focusing on multiple green textures in the same space. Consider a textural green wall finish or wallpaper to envelop the walls then move to a lighter version in a soft khaki green for upholstered furniture. What you will achieve is a soft, textural room filled with elegance and design impact.'
8. Cream
Bring the depth of olive green to the fore by pairing it with a delicate cream tone. In this neutral bedroom, the combination looks calming and sophisticated. ‘Olive green is a very strong yet quite muted color,’ says Fanny Abbes of New York-based The New Design Project. ‘So you can decide to make it the star of the show as the main accent and keep the rest very neutral.’
In this rental development project in Queens, the brief was to make the units exciting for a young, professional market. 'We wanted to emphasize how the space, regardless of size, can be fun and used cleverly by creating moments of interest through blocks of color, shapes, and a muted yet fresh color palette,' explains Abbes.
9. Red
For a more dynamic contrast, olive green is a color that goes with red, burgundy, cherry, and coral – giving a room real zest and energy. ‘Being opposite sides of the color wheel, red and green are naturally complementary colors,' says internationally acclaimed interior designer Fiona Campbell. 'It’s important when decorating with complementary colors, particularly when using vibrant versions of them, that you allow one to dominate.'.
'When using red it's important to use the right shade of red, especially when pairing it with olive green,' say Jen and Mar. 'Otherwise it can look like a Christmas special, so we recommend using muted reds such as burnt sienna or even burgundy. If you love red and want to use it somewhere in the home, try a red picture frame or red paint inside of a cabinet or drawer.'
10. Black
In this example from Chicago-based design firm, PROjECT, olive green’s moody quality is harnessed and emphasized for a bold look, with black and white checkerboard flooring against the olive green. The overall effect is sleek and elegant, sophisticated and dramatic.
'Olive green is comforting, sultry, and bold on its own, yet plays nice with nearly every color,' says Aimee Wertepny of PROjECT. 'Layered with a monochrome pattern like the Kelly Wearstler tile in this entry, green can activate a space and set the vibe high. An immediate mood enhancer in my book.'
11. Taupe
Olive green also works well when paired with taupe, as in this example from House of Grey, where a dark olive green velvet bed looks all the more sumptuous against the wall. The shade on the wall is taken from the Visual Silence collection from House of Grey with Bauwerk.
'Olive green and taupe work together nicely as they are both neutral and earthy so there are many ways to use these colors together,' say Jen and Mar. 'Try using a taupe lime wash paint on the walls paired with olive green upholstery, such as a headboard or lounge chair. You can introduce a variety of wood tones with this pairing as well from framed artwork, furniture, and hardware.'
'Consider a soft taupe paint color for the walls like Benjamin Moore Silver Satin then add a light color palette of textural greens, focusing primarily on olive green for upholstery,' says Julia. 'Add light oak wood tones for flooring and furniture and textural white or khaki linen for window treatments which add lively interest, softness, and balance to the room.'
What colors go with olive green that you wouldn't expect?
Whether it's an olive green paint color, furniture piece or even through a plant, this earthy shade can make a beautiful addition to any color scheme. 'Green is one of our favorite colors to incorporate into projects,' says Britt Zunino, principal of Studio DB, who also has some suggestions for bolder color combinations with olive.
'Some of my favorite green color combinations include deep olive layered with pale lavender and a pop of acid yellow and/or cobalt blue,' she says.
'We recently covered the walls of a double-height living room in a soft minty blue-green,' Britt adds. 'The ceiling and crown molding were painted a few shades darker with the intention of creating a cozier space. I’m excited to incorporate poppy-red, deep forest green, and creamy accents to the room too.'
Do sage and olive green go together?
When you pair different shades of the same hue together, such as sage and olive green, you create what is known in color theory as an analogous color scheme. Best achieved when you select three to four shades that sit next to each other on the color wheel, these color schemes tend to be typically harmonious and soothing to the eye.
Sage and olive green look particularly fresh when paired together. Olive green tends to have a more yellow/brown undertone while sage green has gray/blue, and together the contrast of warm and cool creates depth and interest.
