Choosing the right shade of green paint for your interior or exterior can be challenging. With so many options to pick from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But armed with the right knowledge, picking that perfect green paint color can be exciting. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to find the ideal green paint for your space.

Determine The Purpose Of The Green Paint

Before choosing a green, it’s important to consider where and why you want to use it. Here are some common uses for green paint:

Accent Wall

Using green as an accent wall adds a bold, lively pop of color to liven up a neutral room. Deeper greens like emerald or forest green create drama while lighter shades like sage green add subtle interest.

Full Room Color

Painting an entire room green makes it into a jewel-toned retreat. Lighter and brighter greens like mint, lime, or chartreuse work best for small spaces. Save deeper hues like hunter green for larger rooms.

Exterior Paint

On a home’s exterior, green evokes nature. From a cool forest green front door to a warm olive green house color, it pairs well with landscaping. Consider the style of your home before picking an outdoor green.

Furniture

Green is a trendy furniture color choice. Most green paints work well for upcycling thrift store finds or livening up kitchen cabinets. Pick a dusty, muted hue for a vintage look.

Kitchen And Bathrooms

Green is a great color for kitchens and baths. It evokes renewal and freshness. Pick a calming sage green or a crisp celery green for kitchens. For bathrooms, minty greens give a spa-like feel.

Choose The Right Green Undertone

Greens have undertones that range from warm yellows to cool blues. Identifying the undertone will help narrow your selection. Here are the most common green undertones:

Warm Greens

Warm greens have yellow, orange, or red undertones. They include:

• Citron
• Chartreuse
• Lime
• Avocado
• Moss
• Olive

These shades evoke warmth, vibrancy and energy. They pair well with reds, oranges, yellows, and brown tones. Warm greens work great in sunny rooms.

Cool Greens

Cool greens have blue undertones. Examples include:

• Seafoam
• Aquamarine
• Teal
• Forest
• Pine
• Jade
• Sage

Cool greens are calming and relaxing. They complement blues, purples, pinks, and grays. Use them in bedrooms, bathrooms or rooms with low light.

Neutral Greens

Neutral green tones have subtle yellow and blue undertones that balance each other out. These include:

• Celadon
• Pistachio
• Celery
• Spring Green
• Apple Green

With their versatility, neutrals greens work in any room. Decorating with contrasting tones help bring out their subtle complexities.

Gray Greens

Gray greens are muted with grey undertones. Varieties include:

• Lichen
• Olive
• Moss
• Fern
• Military

These sophisticated greens pair well with greys, blacks, and browns. Their natural earthy look helps create a calm, grounded feel.

Consider The Lighting In The Room

The room’s lighting impacts how green paint color is perceived. Here’s how different light affects green’s hue:

South-Facing Natural Light

With warm sunlight, green takes on a richer, deeper tone. South-facing rooms are ideal for testing paint swatches at different times of day.

North-Facing Natural Light

Cooler indirect light emphasizes green’s blue undertones. North-facing spaces are best for lighter greens. Darker shades can look dull.

Yellow Artificial Light

Standard bulbs cast a yellowish light that warms up greens and intensifies hue. Cool greens can shift towards chartreuse under yellow lighting.

White Artificial Light

Newer LEDs emit a pure white light that shows off the most accurate color rendition. Both warm and cool greens look vibrant.

Pick Saturations To Suit The Space

Green’s saturation or intensity of color also affects the look and feel. Here are some tips:

• Deeper, richer greens create an intimate, enveloping feel in large spaces.
• In small rooms, vivid bright greens foster energy and uplift moods.
• For a soothing sanctum, use muted seafoam or sage green with low saturation.
• Neutral pale greens work well in both large and small rooms.

Gather Green Paint Color Samples

Once you’ve determined the right green undertone and saturation, it’s time to get color samples. Here are some tips:

• Get samples in the finish you plan to use – eggshell, satin, semi-gloss etc. The sheen impacts the color.
• Paint large swatches on poster boards. Move them around the room at different times of day to see how light affects the hue.
• Paint a few colors directly on the wall in 3×3 foot sections. Live with them for a few days before deciding.
• Use painter’s tape to isolate sample sections. Compare colors side-by-side.
• Pick one lighter and one darker option. Lighter greens energize while darker shades ground the space.
• Coordinate with decor. Repaint a pillow or bring in a rug sample to match colors.

Find Green Paint Brands And Finish Options

Green paint is available in all major brands and finishes. Here are some top options:

Paint Brands

• Behr – Marquee Interior Paint has a huge green color selection like Back To Nature Green and Mountain Meadow.
• Benjamin Moore – Known for premium paints,choices like Laurel Green and Ivy Leaf bring depth.
• Sherwin-Williams – Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel comes in shades like Online and Greenblack.
• PPG – Timeless Interior Paint’s options like Patina Green and Fancy Fern are optimized for coverage.

Paint Finishes

• Matte – Flat, velvety texture hides imperfections. Ideal for darker shades.
• Eggshell – Soft shine resists scuffs. Great for hallways and family rooms.
• Satin- Low luster sheen works for any room. Middle of the road durability.
• Semi-Gloss – Brings nice sheen for trim. Resists moisture and washing.
• Gloss – High shine perfect for doors and cabinets. Reflective and durable.
• Enamel – Ultra glossy, hard finish excellent for cabinets and high-traffic areas.

Prep And Prime The Surface

Proper prep and priming ensures the green paint looks its best:

• Clean walls so they are dust-free. Remove any oil and soap residues.
• Fill small holes and cracks with spackle compound. Sand smooth.
• Use painter’s caulk to seal gaps and joints around trim, crown molding, and baseboards.
• Sand glossy areas to rough up the surface so paint adheres better.
• Apply drywall primer to new wallboard and let it fully dry.
• For color changes, tint the primer close to the green hue to improve coverage.
• Use bonding primers like Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 on slick surfaces like metal and tile.

Apply Green Paint Like A Pro

Follow these best practices when applying the green paint:

• Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the can.
• Use high-quality applicator tools – microfiber mini rollers, nylon polyester brushes, pad painters etc.
• Maintain a wet edge and move methodically from one end of the wall to the other.
• Keep a consistent stroke and overlap each pass to ensure even coverage.
• Cut in edges first with a brush, then roll center areas. Work top to bottom.
• Roll in directions parallel to the light source to minimize lap marks and sheen variations.
• Use painter’s tape for clean edges and to protect adjacent surfaces. Remove before it dries.
• Apply two coats allowing proper drying time between each application for best durability.

Maintain The Finish

Caring for the green paint helps keep the color vibrant for years:

• Allow at least 2 weeks to fully cure before cleaning painted walls.
• Use a mild soap and water solution with soft microfiber cloths to gently clean walls.
• For a deeper periodic clean, add a small amount of vinegar to mildly cut stubborn dirt and grime.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners, scrub pads, and steel wool as they can mar the painted surface.
• Vacuum dust and wipe down painted trim weekly to prevent buildup.
• Repair chips immediately with touch up paint to prevent peeling or damage.
• Evaluate walls yearly and repaint high-traffic areas like hallways as needed.

Get Inspired By These Gorgeous Green Paint Colors

Here are some stunning shades of green paint perfect for trying in your home:

Peaceful Greens

• Whispering Springs by Behr – Pale spring green
• Tradewind by Sherwin-Williams – Airy green with grey undertones
• Rainwashed by Behr – Soft seafoam green

Vibrant Greens

• Lively Green by Behr – Zingy lime green
• Emperador by Sherwin-Williams – Lush tropical green
• Chartreuse by Farrow & Ball – Electric bright green

Retreat Greens

• Quiet Moments by Behr – Light misty green
• Ludlow Green by Farrow & Ball – Muted dark green
• Lucerne by Sherwin-Williams – Olive green with sage tones

Antique Greens

• Bordeaux Green by Benjamin Moore – Deep gray-toned green
• Renwick Rose Green by Farrow & Ball – Dusty vintage green
• Verde Green by Behr – Aged olive green

No matter which shade you choose, incorporating green paint into your home decor ushers in renewal, balance, and vitality. Follow these tips to easily find your perfect green from calming neutrals to bold brights. With so many gorgeous options, you’re sure to discover a green paint color that brings new life into your living spaces.

How To Pick The Right Green Paint: FAQs

Green paint colors are popular in home interiors. But with so many shades and options, picking the perfect green can be tricky. Here are answers to common questions to help you choose right.

What green goes with brown furniture?

Earthy olives, mosses, and forest greens work well with brown wood furniture. Shades like Behr’s Retro Olive or Benjamin Moore’s Essex Green complement mahogany and walnut tones.

What green compliments orange?

Opposite colors on the color wheel accent each other beautifully. For orange, pick vibrant greens with yellow undertones like Behr Mosaic Green or Sherwin-Williams Green Apple.

What green goes with dark cabinets?

Deep green paint can make dark cabinets disappear. Try rich shades like Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green or Behr’s Nightwatch for a sophisticated moody look. For more contrast, use lighter greens like sage or celery.

What green matches yellow?

Pair yellow walls with greens that have yellow undertones like lime, chartreuse, or dill to tie the palette together. Behr colors like Chablis Green and Pistachio Cream work well with yellow.

What color green represents renewal?

Yellow-based greens most represent the emotion of renewal because of their associations with nature, growth and vitality. Pastel spring greens like Behr’s First Dawn or intense chartreuses signal new beginnings.

What green means calm?

Cooler green tones with hints of blue naturally create a sense of calmness. Try serene gray-greens like Otho Gray Green by Farrow and Ball or muted seafoam shades like Oceanside by Sherwin-Williams to evoke tranquility.

What room does green go best in?

Green is versatile enough for any room but it’s most popular for dining rooms, libraries, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Earthy olives suit formal dining rooms. Bright limes and mints energize kitchens and baths. Light greens help bedrooms feel soothing and relaxing.

What green color makes a small room look bigger?

Lighter greens with low saturation make small rooms feel more expansive. Try soft colors like Behr’s Aloe Vera or Benjamin Moore’s Misty Green to visually open up the space. Deeper or brighter greens can feel dark and intimate.

What are the most popular green paint colors?

The top green paint choices are:

• Sage – A soft gray-green that works anywhere
• Olive – An earthy, natural green for bedrooms and libraries
• Emerald – A dramatic jewel-tone for dining rooms
• Avocado – A retro green great for furniture like cabinets
• Lime – A zesty bright green that adds pop in any room

What green goes with blue?

Blue and green are analogues on the color wheel, meaning they naturally pair in harmonious ways. Try seafoam greens like Behr’s Restful Sea or aquas like Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed pairing with periwinkle, navy or robin’s egg blue.

Picking out that perfect shade of green paint comes down to the mood you want and the room you’re working with. Keep these common questions in mind, get inspired and have fun with green to breathe new life into your living spaces.

Conclusion

Green paints offer a lively, verdant and tranquil palette for home interiors and exteriors. When searching for the ideal green, carefully consider the space, lighting and purpose. Identify warm, cool or neutral undertones and test samples at different times of days. Prep surfaces properly and apply the paint correctly for flawless results. Invigorate rooms with inspiring shades like soft misty greens, dramatic emeralds or retro avocados. With the right approach, bringing home a beautiful new green paint color is easy, exciting and transformative.