Shades of Chroma Harmonizing with Green: Hues Favored by Interior Designers Currently
Green, a color synonymous with nature and tranquility, is a versatile choice for interior design that seamlessly harmonizes with various color schemes. Its calming yet vibrant character makes it an ideal choice for a wide array of environments, be it traditional or contemporary.
According to Laetitia Laurent, founder and principal at Laure Nell Interiors, green is one of those colors that never appear contrived. Its natural connection to nature imparts an effortless balance that allows it to be adaptable across various styles and moods. The appropriate pairing can create an atmosphere that ranges from refined and moody to fresh and energetic.
Hannah Yeo, the senior manager for color marketing at Benjamin Moore, echoes Laetitia's sentiments, saying, "Consider green to be nature's neutral." Its calming and invigorating qualities lend it remarkable versatility, making it an excellent fit for any space.
For those seeking inspiration for their green-themed living room or kitchen and unsure about other design elements, a selection of 12 color combinations might provide a suitable starting point, whether it's for sage, forest, khaki, or pistachio green. These combinations have been vetted by experts and professional designers, giving confidence in their suitability for a range of preferences and styles.
- Brown: Green and brown share the appeal of featuring in nature, making them aesthetically pleasing in indoor spaces. Laetitia Laurent explains that green and brown combine to create a grounding effect: "It pulls from nature in a way that feels effortless. I love the way deep greens contrast with rich wood tones, accentuating their warmth." Additionally, Alexandra Peck of Alexandra Peck Design suggests that pairing green with warm beiges, tans, caramels, or espresso tones creates a harmonious atmosphere while allowing the green to shine.
- Black: Matching forest green with black results in an exquisitely elegant ensemble. To avoid overly bright greens, select a shade featuring blue, black, or gray undertones for a sophisticated and dramatic aesthetic.
- Navy:Green and navy blue pair well together due to their common occurrence in nature. This combination, preferred by interior designers, creates a classic and subtly surprising aesthetic.
- Yellow: The proximity of yellow, warmer and further along the color wheel, to green suggests that they complement each other nicely, resulting in a lively and dynamic atmosphere.
- Pink: While lime and Barbie pink may initially seem incongruous, using muted shades of sage and salmon can create a playful yet elegant ambiance. This contrast mixes modernity and tradition successfully.
- Gray: Due to its neutral nature, gray should harmonize with any color; however, it works particularly well with green, especially if the green leans toward liveliness.
- Orange: Initially appearing the least likely pair, green and orange work together beautifully, especially in deeper shades like sage and burnt orange. This combination adds richness and depth to a room.
- White: Green and white enable the former to maintain a striking presence amidst the absence of color. Selecting the proper white paint is crucial for incorporating this minimalistic combination into your design effectively.
- Purple: Green and purple, while not traditionally considered complementary colors, often appear together in nature through hydrangeas, lilacs, and lavender. In the home, using botanical-inspired and jewel-toned emerald greens as the foundation of the pairing creates a harmonious and calming effect.
- Light Blue: Light blue and green work well together, provided that the blue is not overly bright but rather a softer pastel. This combination contributes to a cooling and tranquil atmosphere.
- Red: Unusually vibrant and striking, red and green work well together when used judiciously. The contrast creates an eye-catching design, especially during the holidays.
- Green: Employing different shades of green engenders a color-drenched look, creating a cohesive and inviting environment.
For a look at shades of green predicted to be trending in 2025, consult our FAQs section. While avoiding colors that don't work with green, such as overly saturated pinks and the light gray associated with air pollution, gamble on finding suitable pairings and embrace the timeless adaptability of green in interior design.
- Green, with its natural connection to nature, imparts an effortless balance that allows it to be adaptable across various styles and moods in interior design.
- Incorporating brown into a green-themed living room or kitchen creates a grounding effect, as brown shares an appeals of featuring in nature with green.
- Matching forest green with black results in an exquisitely elegant ensemble, with a sophisticated and dramatic aesthetic.
- Green and navy blue pair well together, creating a classic and subtle surprise in interior design.
- The proximity of yellow and green on the color wheel suggests that they complement each other nicely, resulting in a lively and dynamic atmosphere.
- The contrast of sage and salmon can create a playful yet elegant ambiance when using muted shades of pink in a green-themed space.
- Using different shades of green engenders a color-drenched look, creating a cohesive and inviting environment.
