3 colours that go with green and how to use them in your home

We all have our favourite colours, some that we like to wear and some that we like to live amongst. But buying a new pair of shoes in our preferred shade doesn’t seem like such a commitment as decorating with it, which is why it’s great to know the 3 colours that go with green and how to use them in your home.

Verdant, Sage, Emerald, Aqua, Forest- whichever shade you feel drawn to most, it will have its own best colour combination to pair with. Whether you opt for a tonal marriage (different shades of one colour), a harmonious joining (colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel) or a contrasting scheme (colours that sit directly opposite each other on the colour wheel), knowing which colours go with green is like having your own at-hand cheat sheet, to guide your decorating designs.

3 colours that go with green

Whether you’re hankering after green bathroom ideas, have become obsessed with the idea of a green sofa, or are just keen for green to become a bigger part of your interior, here we talk through the top 3 colours that go with green so you’re safe in the knowledge before embarking on your next decorating project.

1. Powder Pink

Pair a tranquil green, such as sage with muddied pink for a calm and soothing marriage of colours

While sage green can often look dirty in the pot, once you get it on the walls, it makes for the perfect backdrop and has a quiet softness about it that is ideal for rooms both big and small. With its connection to nature, this mid-green has soothing qualities that are crying out to be married with a sweeter shade.

Next bring in a delicate pink. Dusky powder pink has the same undertones as sage green, and so it won’t compete when they’re paired together. Not as sickly as baby pink, its slightly weather appearance can turn a cool room a notch warmer, without overpowering the scheme.

When it comes to introducing patterns, small-scale examples of fabrics or wallpapers would work well with this combo, but keep the shapes fluid rather than angular or geometric. Muted florals or simple spots will bring a liveliness to your space without looking too busy.

While brilliant white will certainly pop against these shades, it could look a little harsh, so if you want to keep woodwork or flooring neutral, a warm off-white will be more sympathetic, especially in a more country-style interior.

Try it in a snug

Throw caution to the wind and use this pale green shade over walls, ceilings and woodwork, to create an immersive and cosy space. Lift the scheme by adding in soft pink accessories and textiles.

Try it in a dining room

In a dining room that’s flooded with natural light, opt for bold paint ideas - paint from floor to ceiling, covering skirting boards and woodwork as you go. Bring in a pretty shade of pink through upholstered dining chairs, but balance the look with striking black furniture to stop the room from becoming too ice-cream-shades sweet.

'Work in metallics to make this look more luxe, but stick to warm brass or copper and use sparingly yet with confidence,' says Heather Young, Editor of Ideal Home.

2. Eucalyptus green

Choose this grey-green shade if you hanker after a home that calm and classic

Pairing eucalyptus with sage green is a perfect pairing. They are the ideal base for a modern-country look, but can be styled as rustic or as polished as you like, depending on your choice of accessories. They’ll work best in bright rooms as otherwise they can look a little chilly.

Eucalyptus green is a classic country colour. Keep it traditional by teaming with brass accessories and darker shades of green such as forest, or give it a more contemporary vibe by mixing in smart striped fabric and wallpaper, plus highlights of sage and zingy yellow.

Channel laid-back living. These soft greens go with both brown-based and grey neutrals, so they’ll work well with most wooden flooring. Choose simple, unfussy furniture and rustic  textures such as wood, stone, sisal and linen to create an ideal modern-country mix.

For a finishing touch to bring your room to life,  you can’t go wrong with fresh eucalyptus, even in a small room that heavily features the colour. Arrange with bright florals if you want a contrast, or display on its own in simple white jugs for an understated look.

Try it in a bedroom

Eucalyptus and sage greens are wonderfully cool and fresh but will need warming up in your bedroom ideas with soft blush and nude tones. Avoid fabrics with a sheen- use matt-finish linens, cottons and velvets, or the scheme will become chintzy and less modern-looking.

Try it in a kitchen

These shades work brilliantly in a kitchen, especially if it looks out over a garden. Layer eucalyptus with similar hues-think dark pine for definition and mid-tone shade for a harmonious textural effect in a simple white kitchen.

'Green comes to life with plenty of natural light. In a dark room, pair it with mid-tone wood for warmth,' says Justyna Korcyznska, Colour Consultant at Crown 

3. Rust 

This jewel-toned duo lend contemporary opulence to a space. Emerald green is brimming with a vibrant richness and adds a sense of tranquillity and depth to any scheme. Bring this gemstone hue up to date by pairing it with contrasting rust. This stimulating yet cosy duo is ideal for a living area or snug. 

Bring about a retro reboot. While often associated with 1970s interiors, rust orange can still offer a contemporary look when combined with furniture and lighting in modern shapes. Choose tactile fabrics such as velvet showcased on minimalist or angular designs.

Use pink as a neutral. A background colour of plaster-pink acts as a pared-back neutral that provides a subtle base for rust and emerald furniture and accessories. A warmer alternative to white or beige, this elegant hue balances more vibrant colours and allows them to take centre stage.

Follow the curve. Dark wood grains and natural rattan offer a nod to retro styling and a welcome boost of texture in the absence of pattern. Curved shapes and simple lines bring softness so as not to fight with the generous use of colour.

Try it in a hallway

Update a pre-loved or low-cost chest of drawers by covering the fronts with wallpaper. It will add drama to hallway ideas without overpowering the scheme. Paint the rest of the piece with a coordinated furniture paint and seal the surface with matt varnish.

Try it in a living room

Cheat the look of oversized artwork by framing a statement wallpaper instead. It will create a striking focal point and may be cheaper than purchasing an art print. Paint the frame to match the wall to allow it to blend into the backdrop.

'Deep jewel tones are given a fresh new lease of life when teamed with soft plaster pinks and modern marble textures,' says Ginevra Benedetti, Deputy Editor at Ideal Home.