The green green walls of home

Summer has departed and we’re heading for the year’s wetter seasons but on the plus side of so much rain in the UK, our land is a truly green and pleasant one. The leafy flora and fauna outside provides a veritable feast of verdant shades that can influence how we decorate inside.

Using green as a colour in your home has many benefits. Not only is the breadth of shades available dazzling – from mint, apple and lime through to fern, sage and emerald – there are health benefits too. 

Physiological studies have found that surrounding yourself with green can lower your heart rate, reduce stress and prolong lives. Psychologists will also point out the colour can provide a soothing, calming environment in the home and at work. If you need any more convincing about why green is the colour for 2021, this article from Livingetc is a good place to start. 

Understanding shades of green

With a vast spectrum of greens to choose from, it can feel overwhelming when starting out. Although green paint is probably the go-to medium when decorating, the colours mentioned below can be used as inspiration when choosing wallpaper, soft furnishings, accessories, fabric and artwork.

Bold greens with blue undertones, such as Crown’s Exotic No. 343 and  Dulux’s Emerald Glade, can look cold in north facing rooms but they work well when paired with chalky whites and mustard yellows. Use in cloakrooms, dining rooms and home offices, or as a single feature wall for real impact.

Yellow-based greens are generally softer on the eye and can be used to paint an entire room without colour overkill, no matter its aspect. Options to try include Crown’s Gentle Olive or Farrow & Ball’s Churlish Green – shades that look fabulous in living rooms, bathrooms and kitchens. 

Vibrant & lush

If you want a pop of colour, Margarita from Benjamin More or Antibes from Annie Sloan are perfect and if the paint name contains the words Lime, Zest or Grass, you’ll usually be rewarded with bold, beautiful green. Pair with brilliant white for a year-round punch of tropical vibes or use to refresh accessories – you could repaint existing picture frames, candlesticks and bedside cabinets for an instant injection of colour.

‘On the border’ greens

There are other shades of green that dance on the border of other colours, making them ideal for those who still need convincing to go all-out green. Dulux’s almost-blue Peppermint Beach is a safe choice, while Green Stone Pale by Little Greene really is one shade away from cream. Pale Georgian is another option to explore – it’s a golden green from Paint & Paper Library with bags of sunny charm. 

Go easy with the lightest of greens 

If you’re hesitant about introducing green to your home, or are worried the colour will make your home feel dark, opt for paint names with aqua, glass, mist or pearl in the name, as they’re usually super-light shades with just a hint of green. Looking Glass from Crown is perfect for those transitioning away from grey, while Little Greene’s Aquamarine Pale and Paint & Paper Library’s Glass colour spectrum will add freshness and tranquillity.

If you’ve been inspired to get creative with the colour green and need a blank canvas in the shape of a new home, get in touch for our available properties.