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Why leave your love for Mother Nature outside? Sourcing the best green paint colors for kitchens, bedrooms, and cozy nooks can be a fitting tribute to the great outdoors. It’s been less than a year since several paint companies dubbed a sage-like hue 2022’s official Color of the Year, and we’re already seeing this It color incorporated virtually everywhere—from the kitchens of Catskills retreats to the built-ins of historic brownstones.
And despite what you may have heard to the contrary, it’s actually quite easy to be—or go—green. But first, it’s critical to choose the ideal shade for the space by considering the area’s size, function, and natural lighting conditions. Once you’ve established the basics, take a look at the nine designer-approved paint shades below, including inky emerald, earthy moss, and eye-catching teal. Pick the right one, and you’ll be sure to leave other designers—you guessed it—green with envy.
Vintage Vogue by Benjamin Moore
“I mean first of all, the name is fantastic: Vintage Vogue. Need I say more? It’s such a magical color! It’s warm, saturated, impactful, and vibrant. On top of all of that, I’d argue that it is also neutral—well, my version of a neutral. Vintage Vogue is the best supporting actress; she plays well with others. The type of friend you can introduce to anyone. She provides the perfect base for this gallery wall, uniting otherwise disparate pieces.The glue of the group!” —Carmen René Smith, Aquilo Interiors
Verdigris by Benjamin Moore
“Verdigris is one of my favorite greens; it’s a unique bluish green that results from the process of oxidation on copper and brass. We found it was the perfect compliment to the wall covering, which is Extra-Fine Arrowroot, Key West by Phillip Jeffries. It really emphasized the architectural trim work and is still soft, but also a little out of the box. While this room is not in a beach home, I also love it for coastal projects. It’s less predictable than nautical blues, but still gives context to the setting.” —Heather Hilliard, Heather Hilliard Design
French Gray by Farrow & Ball
“We coated everything at this Park Slope apartment in a matte yet cleanable French Gray by Farrow & Ball (which, despite its name, is really more of a very soft green). We proceeded to bathe all of the residence’s walls, baseboards, window frames, interior shutters, and even radiators in the color, so that multiple architectural elements now read as a textured plane.” —Stefanie Brechbuehler, Workstead
Studio Green by Farrow & Ball
“For this powder room, I wanted to create a dark environment because the room didn’t have any natural light. When a small space is dark, it creates a sense of depth, and the plaster finish sets the soothing tone of the room. I wanted to work with the soapstone sink to create a monochromatic environment. I chose Studio Green by Farrow & Ball because of its perfect pairing to the material, so it complements the soapstone.” —Clive Lonstein, Clive Lonstein, Inc.
Largo Teal by Benjamin Moore
“I love the Largo Teal from Benjamin Moore because, while it is a bolder color, it still has a calming undertone, and it can be used in various rooms of the house. We chose to use it in this primary bedroom to balance off the delicate patterns on the wallpaper.” —Rozit Arditi, Arditi Designs
Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball
“Green Smoke has a very soft, tranquil quality. I loved using it in this powder room, because it brought in some of the natural elements from outside without feeling ‘woodsy.’ I love this perfect green because it can act as a neutral, so other elements can stand out in a room, but can also complement other colors such as gold, black, ivory, brown, mustard, plum, navy, and more.” —Linda Hayslett, LH.Designs
Bancha by Farrow & Ball
“We love the pop Bancha provides. It is a bright enough green that it makes a ‘wow’ impact, but doesn’t blind you. Our client wanted something dramatic for this entryway, but with limited natural light in the space, we didn’t want it to feel too dark. We decided to make the paint lacquered, which extends an extra sheen to lighten up the color, but still gives that dose of drama.” —Katie Davis, Katie Davis Design
Shady Lane by Benjamin Moore
“I’ve always been a proponent of olive green and find that it adds warmth and depth to almost any space. For this kitchen, we tried out about five different olive greens, including Benjamin Moore Avocado and Benjamin Moore Guacamole. Ultimately, we landed on Shady Lane, because it provided a subtle depth that we believed would age well and looked pleasantly serene from dawn to dusk.” —Cathie Hong, Cathie Hong Interiors
Pigeon by Farrow & Ball
“This is one of the most versatile paint colors I’ve ever worked with. It reads differently, depending on the room, which can make it a bit tricky to use. But if the room has plenty of natural light, you’re essentially guaranteed to have a beautiful result.” —Sarah Fultz, Sarah Fultz Interiors