There’s a reason why green living rooms are trending: this versatile shade works well for any mood you’re trying to create – whether it’s a calming zen space to relax in after work or a luxurious area you’re proud to host guests in.
The best part about green is that it goes with almost anything – from calming neutrals and natural wood textures to pops of bold colours – so you don’t necessarily need to get rid of your existing furniture if you’re planning to refresh your living room design.
Looking for a little inspiration? We’ve rounded up 12 of our favourite ideas below, plus top tips from the experts on how to make them work in your own home.
1. Carry the colour through to your woodwork
Don’t limit your green living room to just the walls – painting the doors and woodwork is a great way to carry the color through and blend everything together seamlessly. This approach works particularly well with darker shades, where a contrasting white door might appear too harsh against the walls. It also has the added benefit of making the room feel larger.
When painting a wooden door, never skip the undercoat, as this will ensure better adhesion and a smoother finish, advises Robin Antill, founder of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings. For panelled doors, always start with the edges, then the panels, followed by the verticals, and finally the horizontal strips.
Robin recommends choosing a semi-gloss or water-based satin paint, thanks to their fast-drying formula and ability to resist fingerprints, scuffs, and smudges. They also have less of an odour compared to other paints.
Robin Antill is the founder of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, with more than 44 years of experience in the homes and garden buildings industry.
2. Mix shades of green and blue in your living room
Since green and blue are next to each other on the colour wheel, they’ll work well together in your living room. However, to help them blend effortlessly, you’ll want to stick to the same tone, advises Faye Simons, Head of Interior Design and Trade at Olivia’s.
“If you like sage, keep it cool and mix it with a dusky blue,” she says. “If denim blue is your vibe, keep it warmer with a nice olive. Add natural and neutral textures to soften the look – light woods, linens and knits would work perfectly.
“If you want to create a high-impact, maximal look, use colour on the walls and furniture. But if you want a subtle nod to some colour, keep it simple with accessories, artwork and soft furnishings.”
Faye Simons is head of interior design at luxury interiors retailer Olivia’s. With over 20 years’ experience within the furniture and homeware industry, Faye has an eye for creating aspirational schemes tailored to each client’s lifestyle.
3. Paint wall panelling a soft shade of green
If you’re looking for wall panelling ideas, wooden designs pair beautifully with green, bringing a touch of nature into your living room and creating a cosy space – while also adding an extra layer of insulation.
Summa Costandi, Co-Founder at Panels by Sofia, says, “Heritage wall panels (such as tongue and groove, bead and butt, or Shaker style) are ideal for a traditional or country aesthetic, creating a timeless finish. Alternatively, ribbed and fluted designs are very on-trend and perfect for adding elegance to a room, using texture to achieve a sophisticated and stylish look.”
While you can buy pre-painted panels, you’ll save money by doing it yourself. Summa says that a matt, satin or gloss finish all work well, and recommends applying multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat to avoid drips and ensure a smooth result.
Summa Costandi
Summa Costandi is the co-founder of North Yorkshire-based decorative wall panelling company, Panels by Sofia. As well as heading up all marketing activity and helping to grow the brand, Summa provides practical advice on product installation and styling, enabling DIY enthusiasts to create their dream homes.
4. Add splashes of yellow to a green living room scheme
While some people want their living room to be a serene place to relax, others see it as a space for hosting and having fun. If you fall into the latter camp, mixing green with yellow or lime will be right up your street – it’s a great way to create a joyful, energetic interior, according to Faye Simons.
She says, “Use mustards and emerald greens for a jewelled maximal feel, or moss green with a soft gold hue for a sophisticated look.”
If you’re worried about the yellow being too overpowering, Faye suggests adding a touch of colour through your curtains or soft furnishings, such as cushions and rugs. You might also want to paint the interior of an archway to brighten up the space, as shown in the photo above.
5. Make a statement with green wallpaper
Choosing a beautiful wallpaper, like this Gilded Leaf Olive design by Graham & Brown, is a great way to add a bit of drama to your green living room. If you’re unsure what theme you want to go for, wallpaper can also be a good starting point to build your scheme around.
Feeling unsure how to wallpaper a feature wall and which colours to pick? Helen Ashmore, Head of Design at Laura Ashley, recommends a bold or large-scale pattern to draw the eye in and add depth to your space, or botanicals and painterly florals to bring in texture and movement.
If you decide to wallpaper everywhere, Helen suggests muted designs in softer shades to create a sense of calm and cohesion – think light, nature-inspired tones like sage, olive and moss. However, maximalists might prefer to layer bold prints with contrasting colours, furniture and accessories.
Our favourite green wallpapers
Transform your living room into a tropical paradise with this banana leaf wallpaper, featuring shades of emerald and bottle green.
Superfresco Easy Sage Stripe Patterned Smooth Wallpaper
Elongate your living room with this striped wallpaper in calming sage green.
Gilded Leaf Olive Wallpaper
This gorgeous green print features an olive metallic leaf pattern on a khaki background.
6. Add subtle green accents
If you like the idea of a green living room but aren’t quite ready to commit to the full look, why not start by adding a few accents? Faye Simons recommends using the darkest green for skirting boards and door trims, but if you just want to dip your toe in, you could start with your shelves or bookcases.
When it comes to choosing the right finish for these details, Anna Hill, Brand Director and Colour Consultant at Fenwick & Tilbrook, says it all comes down to the look and practicality you’re aiming for.
If you’re debating eggshell vs satin, Anna advises: “Eggshell finishes, with their soft, low sheen, allow green tones to appear rich and layered, offering a subtle, refined look – especially suited to a muted, heritage palette. They’re ideal for creating a calm and sophisticated atmosphere.
“Satin is also perfect for highlighting architectural details such as window frames, skirting boards, mouldings and door trims, while offering excellent durability for busy areas.”
Anna Hill is the brand director and colour consultant for luxury, British independent paint brand, Fenwick & Tilbrook. The go-to for premium, pigment-rich paints, Fenwick & Tilbrook’s extensive palette of colours is available in six finishes, and is made-to-order using only the highest quality ingredients.
7. Add a feature wall to your green living room
Are feature walls out of fashion? The answer is no… as long they’re done correctly. Whether you opt for patterned wallpaper or a bold lick of paint, accent walls are an excellent way to spruce up your space – and it works particularly well for creating zones in open-plan living areas, explains Faye Simons.
“A popular option has always been to decorate a fireplace – this creates a centrepiece for the room without it being too overbearing,” she says. “A nice alternative is to choose to use the wall behind your sofa; it will create a great focal point and frame your furniture beautifully.
“My favourite option would be the wall opposite the main light source; if your accent colour is strong, the light will reflect the colour around the room and create a glow. I would steer clear of painting smaller alcove walls because they will make the room feel fractured and disjointed.”
Green paint inspiration
Mylands Burlington Arcade 216 Marble Matt Emulsion
Selected as Mylands’ Colour of the Year, this beautiful green-blue paint can be used on your walls and ceilings.
Dramatic and luxurious, this pine-needle shade from Dulux will look elegant in your living room and features a quick-dry formula.
Crown Retail Core Emulsion Matt Mellow Sage
If you want to evoke a sense of calm in your home, this soothing sage shade is the perfect choice – and it’s asthma- and allergy-friendly.
8. Bring your green living room to life with plants
They say plants have a calming effect on the mind, so what better way to create a peaceful, green living room than by bringing the outdoors in? Introducing botanicals into your space adds a subtle pop of color while also providing benefits like improved air quality and natural stress relief. If you’re struggling with condensation, you might want to check out these plants that absorb moisture.
Jordana Ashkenazi, Founder and Design Director of Element One House says, “Whether it’s a large fiddle-leaf fig in a corner or smaller potted greenery on shelves or side tables, plants add texture, freshness, and a natural vibrancy. They’re like a neutral in their own right as they go with everything and instantly make a space feel warm, organic, and complete.”
Don’t worry if you don’t have space for dozens of plants – you could opt for soft furnishings with leafy prints or create a nature-inspired gallery wall, as shown in the photo above.
This gorgeous areca palm is available in sizes from 30cm to 140cm and is non-toxic to pets.
Crewelwork Leaf Square Cushion Cover
Made from 100% cotton, this leaf-print cushion cover will liven up any sofa.
Don’t have space for a massive plant? These mini succulents are the perfect way to add a touch of green to shelves, windowsills, and tables.
Jordana has over a decade of experience working in interior design, buying, and homeware development, having established Element One House back in 2013.
9. Drench your living room with green
If you’re fully committed to a green living room, colour drenching is the best way to take the plunge. However, Matthias Silverton, Interior Design Consultant & Curtain Design Specialist at TheSnugCo.com, warns that to achieve the desired result, you must be all in with this paint trend.
He says, “As soon as you break the rule by leaving a contrasting white trim or ceiling, the desired effect falls apart. Avoid creating a flat, uninteresting room by alternating texture and sheen on the different elements. The walls, ceilings, and all architraves or skirting must be painted the exact same shade of green, but the sheen should change.
“Any elements that aren’t green will instantly become focal points. The power of colour flooding also has the added benefit of being able to hide undesirable elements too. Painting radiators can help them fade into the background.”
Matthias Silverton is an interior design consultant and curtain design specialist at TheSnug. Drawing on extensive experience advising private clients, they now focus on the crucial role of made-to-measure curtains and soft furnishings as the foundation for a cohesive, luxurious home design.
10. Introduce green window treatments
Whether it’s soft sage and olive tones to create a nature-inspired space or deep forest greens to add drama and sophistication, Yvonne Keal, Product Management Specialist at Hillarys, says this colour is incredibly versatile for curtains and blinds.
If you’re aiming for a neutral colour scheme, Yvonne recommends choosing a rich green to serve as a bold focal point; for rooms that already feature a strong colour accent, she suggests opting for a muted green.
Simon Browne, Product Expert at Luxaflex, says, “In smaller rooms, plain fabrics can help create a sense of openness and flow, especially when you’re using lighter shades. Don’t shy away from subtle patterns, though – vertical stripes, for example, can elongate the space. In larger rooms, patterned blinds or curtains can add depth and interest, breaking up expanses of wall and drawing the eye. It’s all about balance and how much visual texture the room can comfortably carry.”
Yvonne is a product management specialist with over 20 years’ experience in the interiors industry and joined Hillarys in 2003. Yvonne has successfully launched many window dressing collections, including vertical blinds, roman blinds, roller blinds, curtains and voiles.
With over 27 years’ experience, Simon Browne is an award-winning training expert and a leading authority in the UK window blinds market. As product specialist at Luxaflex UK, he has helped shape the industry’s approach to smart shading through dealer training, product launches, and customer-focused strategies.
11. Paint your living room ceiling green
If you’d prefer to keep your walls fresh and bright but still want to incorporate green into your living room, consider painting the ceiling instead. Extending a light shade onto the upper section of your walls can also make the room feel larger.
“Painting your ceiling a dark colour is a real fashion statement at the moment and I love it!” says Faye Simons. “Darkening your ceiling transforms the room, creating an intimate and atmospheric space. It’s great in living rooms for the winter months, but make it an all-year-round addition by keeping your walls lighter ready for the spring and summer months.”
Or for something a little more dramatic, Helen Ashmore says, “More often being referred to as the ‘fifth wall’, wallpapering the ceiling will create a really bold design statement, adding depth and drama especially when combined with walls that have been colour drenched in green.”
12. Add a pop of orange to lift your green living room
There’s nothing better than the green and orange hues of autumn, and you can enjoy this beautiful combination all year round by mixing them in your living room scheme. This perfect pair are neighbours on the colour wheel and share a common hue (yellow), which means they blend effortlessly together.
Faye Simons says, “Orange and green can create a fantastic, bold mid-century modern scheme. Terracotta or rust paired with sage or olive adds richness; use deep brown, charcoal, and black to ground the space.”
Whether you drape a rust throw over a green sofa or hang green artwork on a terracotta wall, Faye says the secret to making it work is layering. You could also try introducing an orange-tinged lamp to ease your way in.
Chenille Weave Throw
This chenille weave throw comes in the perfect shade of rust, and reviewers rave about how cosy it is – and how well it drapes across furniture.
FAQs
Is green a good color for a living room?
Yes, green is one of the best colours for a living room. According to Melissa Denham, Interior Design Expert at Hammonds Furniture, it’s a wonderful way to breathe calmness into your space and shades like sage, pistachio, and mint have become very popular.
She says, “Representing nature and harmony, green is known to have a healing effect on the mind, and is often associated with balance and stability, which are things that the majority of us try to improve in our day-to-day lives.”
With over two decades of experience designing and delivering interior projects, Melissa creates stunning interiors for residential projects as well as events, workspaces and showroom staging. She aids clients in creating their vision of a dream space through her interior design expertise and creative eye.
What style of furniture goes best in green rooms?
If your green living room is a lighter shade, Melissa Denham recommends natural elements like pine furniture, rattan, wicker accessories, and skylights to “reinforce the earthy feel of the colour and add tactile interest”. To create a more luxurious feel, finish the room with brass or gold hardware.
As mentioned previously, adding plants to a green living room is always a good idea. Melissa explains, “These natural air purifiers will help to embody the connection to nature, as well as having a variety of mental health benefits, such as improving your mood and reducing stress levels.”
Sara D’Souza, Content Strategist & Creator at Frenchic Paint, concludes, “Green is the perfect colour for a living room, as it gives the feel of bringing the outdoors in and taps into the ongoing trend for biophilic design.
“Depending on what kind of atmosphere you want to create, green can bring a sense of calm, an inviting cosiness, vibrancy, or an elegant feel if you go for a darker hue.”
Still not sold on green? Take a look at these living room paint ideas for more inspiration.
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