Discover the complementary colors of green for an elegant, on-trend look
Green is a versatile color that can be combined with many complementary colors to create an elegant, on-trend look in your home. Whether you prefer a soft green, or a bolder, brighter green, there are complementary colors that will enhance and balance green in your home decor. In this article, we'll introduce you to the most popular complementary colors to green, and how you can use them to create an elegant, balanced look in your home.
Neutral colors complementary to green
For those who prefer softer, more neutral colors, there are many complementary colors that can enhance the natural beauty of green in interior design. Shades of beige, gray, white and black can help balance the intensity of green and create a harmonious, cohesive look in your home. Whether used as furniture, walls or accents, these neutral colors can provide the perfect backdrop for green and create a calm, relaxing atmosphere in your home.
Beige
Beige is a warm, neutral color that creates a soothing, relaxed atmosphere. Paired with green, beige can help balance the intensity of green and create a harmonious style.
How to use beige with green:
- Textiles: cushions, curtains, plaids in beige to soften a green sofa
- Walls: beige walls with green accents in accessories
- Furniture: light beige wooden furniture with green cushions
- Carpet: beige carpet to anchor a space with green furniture
This combination works particularly well in bedrooms and living rooms, creating a natural, relaxing ambience.
Gray
Gray is a versatile neutral color that can create a more sophisticated, modern look. When paired with green, gray can help soften the brightness of green while adding a contemporary elegance.
Recommended shades of grey with green:
- Light gray: with soft greens (sage, eucalyptus)
- Anthracite gray: with deep greens (forest, emerald)
- Taupe gray: with olive and khaki greens
Practical applications:
- Grey walls with green furniture for a modern living room
- Grey tiles in a kitchen with green elements
- Grey textiles to balance a bedroom with green walls
Brown
Brown is a warm, earthy color that creates a natural, comfortable atmosphere. Paired with green, brown can help anchor green and create a harmonious, nature-inspired style.
Types of brown that go well with green :
- Chocolate brown: with dark greens for a cocooning effect
- Caramel: with medium greens for a warm ambience
- Natural wood: with all greens for an organic look
- Terracotta: with olive greens for a Mediterranean style
Ideas for integration :
- Wooden furniture: tables, shelves, parquet flooring with green accents
- Brown leather: armchairs or sofas with green cushions
- Rattan accessories: baskets, lighting fixtures with green plants
White
White is a neutral color that creates a fresh, uncluttered look. When paired with green, white can help enhance the brightness of the green and create a livelier, airier look.
Advantages of white with green :
- Light amplification: ideal for dark rooms
- Cooling effect: perfect for living spaces
- Versatility: adapts to all shades of green
- Timeless: always an elegant combination
Recommended applications:
- White walls with green furniture for Scandinavian style
- White bed linen in a bedroom with green walls
- White kitchen with green plants and accessories
Black
Black is a more classic neutral color that easily creates an elegant, sophisticated look. Paired with green, black can help contrast green and create dramatic, modern compositions.
How to use black sparingly:
- Black frames: to set off green walls
- Black fixtures: pendant lights, lamps with green accents
- Black metal details: handles, fittings
- A black accent wall: to highlight green furniture
Remember, it's important to use these neutral colors in balance with green to create a harmonious, cohesive look in your interior design. By mixing and matching different shades and intensities of green and neutral color, you'll create visual interest and depth in your decor.
Bolder colors that complement green
If you're looking to add bold, vibrant colors to your interior design, there are many options that can complement green. From yellow to orange, pale pink and violet, these colors can help highlight green and create a "nature" look in your home. Whether used as accents or as the main color in a room, these bolder colors can help create a unique, elegant style that highlights green.
Pink
Pink is a popular complementary color to green, offering a soft, soothing contrast. Whether you choose a light, delicate pink or a brighter shade, this color combination is sure to add a touch of femininity and softness to your home decor.
Shades of pink that work with green :
- Powder pink: with sage green for a romantic ambience
- Coral pink: with olive green for a modern look
- Fuchsia pink: with dark green for a bold contrast
- Nude pink: with eucalyptus green for natural softness
Ideal rooms for this combination:
- Bedroom: green walls with pink bed linen
- Bathroom: green tiles with pink towels
- Living room: green sofa with pink cushions
- Office: pink accessories on a green wall
Yellow
Yellow is another complementary color to green, offering a sunny, energizing contrast. Whether you choose a light yellow or a bright yellow, this color combination is sure to add a touch of happiness and vitality to your interior design.
Types of yellow recommended:
- Mustard yellow: with forest green for vintage style
- Lemon yellow: with lime green for an energizing effect
- Ochre yellow: with olive green for an earthy feel
- Pastel yellow: with mint green for springtime softness
Creative applications:
- Kitchen: green tiles with retro yellow appliances
- Dining room: yellow chairs around a table with a green table runner
- Living room: green accent wall with yellow cushions
- Children's bedroom: green furniture with playful yellow accents
Blue
Blue is a classic complementary color to green, offering a soothing, refreshing contrast. Whether you choose a soft blue or a bright blue, this color combination is sure to add a touch of tranquility to your home decor.
Recommended blue-green harmonies:
- Navy blue: with emerald green for a sophisticated look
- Sky blue: with mint green for summer freshness
- Turquoise blue: with tropical green for exotic style
- Petroleum blue: with sage green for modern elegance
Perfect spaces for this combination:
- Bathroom: blue and green mosaic for a spa effect
- Bedroom: blue walls with green bedding for a peaceful sleep
- Living room: blue sofa with abundant green plants
- Office: oceanic inspiration with these two soothing colors
Orange
Orange is an energetic complementary color to green, offering a vibrant, dynamic contrast. This combination creates a warm, stimulating ambience, perfect for active living spaces.
Shades of orange with green :
- Burnt orange: with khaki green for autumnal style
- Coral orange: with sage green for soft modernity
- Mandarin orange: with dark green for a bright contrast
- Terracotta: with olive green for Mediterranean style
Suggested uses:
- Kitchen: green island with orange stools to energize the space
- Dining room: green walls with orange tableware and accessories
- Living room: orange armchairs with a green sofa to create contrast
- Work area: creative stimulation with these energizing colors
Violet and lavender
Violet and softer shades such as lavender create sophisticated harmonies with green, evoking English gardens and the fields of Provence.
Successful violet-green combinations:
- Lavender: with sage green for romantic softness
- Deep violet: with emerald green for intense luxury
- Parma: with eucalyptus green for delicate freshness
- Plum: with forest green for autumnal richness
Tips for successful color combinations
The 60-30-10 rule
To create a perfect balance in your spaces:
- 60%: dominant color (often green or a neutral color)
- 30%: complementary secondary color
- 10%: accent color for finishing touches
Adapt intensity to suit the room
- Bedrooms: opt for soft, soothing tones
- Living areas: dare to be more contrasting and dynamic
- Kitchens: balance energy and functionality
- Bathrooms: focus on freshness and serenity
Test before you commit
Before repainting or buying furniture:
- Samples: test colors on large surfaces
- Lighting: observe colors at different times of the day
- Accessories: start with small, easily modifiable touches
- Graduality: integrate colors gradually
Mistakes to avoid with green
Chromatic overload
- Too many bright colors: limit yourself to 2-3 main colors
- Lack of neutrals: always include areas of visual repose
- Unbalanced proportions: respect the 60-30-10 rule
Neglect of lighting
- Cool colors: can appear dull without good lighting
- Dark greens: need sufficient lighting to avoid darkening
- Light variations: test in different conditions
Creating moods with green
Natural, biophilic style
- Palette: natural greens + beiges + browns + white
- Materials: wood, stone, natural fibers
- Plants: abundant to enhance the effect
Modern, graphic style
- Palette: emerald green + black + white + gold accents
- Lines: clean, geometric
- Contrast: strong for a contemporary effect
Soft, romantic style
- Palette: sage green + powder pink + off-white
- Textures: velvet, linen, soft materials
- Atmosphere: subdued and cocooning
Remember, when using bold colors with green, it's important to use them sparingly to avoid overwhelming the space with color. You can use these colors as accents or as the main color in a room, but be sure to balance them with neutral colors to create a harmonious, balanced look that enhances the natural beauty of green.