Elegant but grounding, colorful but not so far from a neutral, versatile but interesting, it's no surprise that greens, in some form or another, are one of the most popular shades to decorate with. But with such a broad spectrum of green shades, deciding on the best green paints isn't always easy.
To make the sampling process a little easier, interior designer Emily Henderson has outlined her all-time favorite green shades, and to narrow down the process even more, they are all from the long-trusted paint brand Sherwin-Williams.
Selecting her six go-to colors, Emily shares a glimpse of the luscious green shades featured in her past projects. All rich and complex, Emily says they're the 'green paint colors we would use again and again'.
Emily's first post is the perfect example of green living room ideas. She opts for Sherwin-Williams' Mountain Road, a green shade with gray undertones. Using it on the wood paneling that encompasses the living room, Emily says, 'In this dark room, it just reads as warm and green, whereas, in a room with more natural light, you might see the yellow pigment come out more.'
The next shade in Emily's selection has a similar gray undertone but is much lighter in hue. An example of the best sage green paint, Emily explains, 'Evergreen Fog was Sherwin-Williams' Color of the Year three years ago and rightfully so. It’s so pretty and rich, with so many different wonderful undertones that change.' Emily has kept the white cornices and considered colors that go with green. She's used Evergreen Fog on the walls in the hallway, bringing some rich moodiness that feels balanced.
Laurel Woods is Emily's third favorite green paint shade from Sherwin-Williams. A room designed for relaxing, she used it on the walls in the snug to make the area feel warm and comforting. It's a deep dark green that she says is 'Dark, cozy, and moody, especially in a lower-lit room. This color really brightens up in natural light so if you want darkness in a well-lit room, go even darker.'
Mountain Road is a gray meets green combination, making it a neutral yet intricate choice for communal areas or kitchen cabinets.
With light gray undertones, Evergreen Fog is a less dramatic green shade that feels opulent yet subtle.
On the darker end of the spectrum is Laurel Woods. Emily uses this shade in a snug to make the room feel cozy and homely.
Embracing green kitchen ideas, Emily goes for three darker green shades from Sherwin-Williams and has used them on the kitchen cabinets in past projects.
She's used Pewter Green on not just the kitchen cabinetry, but has covered the kitchen island and dresser in the shade, going for a dramatic yet sophisticated look balanced with the white marble countertops. With blue undertones, but solidly green Emily says, 'If you are scared of going too “yellow” or olive, this is the right shade.'
Sherwin-Williams Rosemary is one of the best dark green paint colors. Paired with metallic hardware, it's a refreshingly vibrant yet muted choice. Emily says, 'This is a green with a little more warmth and pairs beautifully with brass or silver hardware. Soft and cozy!'
Rocky River is not quite as dark as Pewter Green but has that blue undertone that makes a room feel luxurious. It's another one of Emily's choices for dark green kitchens. She says, 'A color like this will look very dark (in a good way) if it were color-drenched in a room with little natural light. It’s bold and moody but still fun and bright when used as an accent color or in a lighter space.'
Emily opts for Pewter Green as the main kitchen color but ensures to balance it with lighter materials, like white marble.
Rosemary is the perfect middle ground between dark and light green. It's a universal shade that would work on furniture, cabinets, or as a feature wall in a hallway or living room.
Rocky River is definitely more on the blue side. It's rich yet vibrant, making it an easy choice for a room that's in need of some warmth.
Emily's selection of green Sherwin-Williams paints ticks every box as they work in every space in the home. Each shade is complex and rich and will make a welcome addition to a cabinet, wall or piece of furniture.
