This article was co-authored by Katherine Tlapa
and by wikiHow staff writer, Finn Kobler
. Katherine Tlapa is an interior designer, currently working as a Design Specialist for Modsy, a design service based in San Francisco. She also runs her own DIY Home Design blog, My Eclectic Grace. She received her BFA in Interior Architecture from Ohio University in 2016.
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cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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If you’re trying to incorporate green into your home design or wardrobe, you’ve made a great choice. Green is arguably the most versatile color in the entire spectrum. Directly in the middle of the color wheel, its hue can be used to soften or emphasize whatever it’s paired with. But that doesn’t mean green coordinates perfectly with everything. In this article, we’ll break down some foolproof strategies for pairing green with other colors. Plus, we'll offer plenty of example palettes that’ll make those around you green (pun intended) with envy!
Things You Should Know
- Green and red are on opposite sides of the color wheel, so they complement each other. Just avoid matching super vibrant shades, as that combo can be harsh.
- Use neutral colors like white and beige to make green stand out.
- Blue and yellow are next to green on the color wheel, so the three make for an analogous and calming palette in any space.
- Neutral greens can make difficult colors like orange and purple shine, as long as the shades are deep enough.
Steps
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Green and brown plus gold looks more rustic. Adding a spruce of gold to the mix can change the tone of green and brown. Unlike the richer, more woodsy feel of deep green on deep brown, choosing more gold accents can keep a space’s pastoral vibe without feeling overwhelmingly outdoorsy. [1] X Research source
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A salmony coral hue and green are complementary. Because red is the opposite of green on the color wheel, these two colors balance each other well. While pairing a primary, vivid red with green may feel too flashy, using lighter red shades like bay coral are extremely visually appealing. [3] X Research source
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These colors are analogous, which makes them pleasing to the eye. Because teal blue , yellow , and green are situated directly next to each other on the color wheel, they make for a unified color combination. When you look at them side by side, you'll see how nicely they flow together to create a lively, sweet aesthetic (perfect for a bright breakfast nook!). [4] X Research source
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Pair peach and lime green together to create a beachy look. This tropical color combination offers a laid-back, coastal take on the traditional complementary colors. Lime green is both fresh and playful while peach is equally citrusy and offers a sort of sandy backdrop. [5] X Research source
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Soft greens are perfect accents to brighter colors, like gold. Because green is so diverse, it makes for a great secondary shade to royal yellows and colors with more brightness and saturation. Use this color combo when you're designing any room , and you'll love the results. [6] X Research source
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Dress up a cozy living room with true green, warm orange, and violet. Because the vibrance of a true red and green pairing can feel a little over the top, you can "split the difference" so to speak. Skip the red, and instead choose one hue that's a little brighter (warm orange) and one that's a little darker (violet). This'll create the same complementary effect, but without the garish side effects.
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Match pink and sage for a luxurious aesthetic. Because soft pink and sage are both shades of red and green, their combination will be less obvious, but just as flattering as their primary counterparts. These two colors together invoke a sort of floral elegance and would make for a graceful bedroom palette. [10] X Research source
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Pair green with other greens for a monochromatic look. Color theory advises using different shades of the same color to make that color pop. Pairing a deep green with other, lighter values of green creates a harmonious, pleasing, and modern aesthetic. [11] X Trustworthy Source University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Division of the University of Georgia focused on research and community education Go to source
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Use pale yellow and pastel green for a summery sunroom. If you want to complement the gorgeous view or plentiful sunlight in your room, pastel greens and soft yellows are the optimal choice. Putting these two side-by-side offers a subtle yet dynamic variance in shade and, because they’re next to each other on the color wheel, they’ll reflect light similarly.
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Using one bright shade and one dark can be striking (in a good way). By choosing a dark shade of blue , you’ll bring sophistication and depth to whatever room your painting . The brighter green accents then balance this color out with vibrance and levity. [12] X Research source
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Triadic colors can create a balanced palette in your home. When three colors make a perfect triangle on the color wheel, it means they're "triadic." By drawing two sixty-degree lines from one color (in this case, green ) to its two its opposites ( orange and violet ), you’ll create a gorgeous balance of warm and cool tones, which is both exciting and soothing to the eye.
- Use triadic paint to expertly coordinate colors when decorating your bedroom or office! [13] X Research source
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Pair green with white to make a space feel bigger. White complements just about every color on the wheel. Its neutrality is perfect for making shamrock and other deep shades of green less sharp and striking. Cream and off-whites can also be paired with warmer greens to make rooms feel larger and more open. [14] X Research source
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Greens and dark reds are a classic duo. While bright red and green together are forever associated with Christmas, softer greens with more violet-red accents give rooms a vintage, even sultry flavor. [16] X Research source
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Lighter blues add gentleness to green. Worn, flatter blues against a green backdrop provide a sense of sentimental nostalgia. While pale green walls are better for rooms with lots of light, dark greens make studies and quieter spaces feel more relaxing and homely. [18] X Research source
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Let purple warm up your neutral green. Just like green is the epitome of earthy, purple is completely majestic. When paired with pale green , it purple shades really shine. Specifically, fuschia and magenta-ish accents do a great job of making a room pop while still keeping the feel cool and calming. [19] X Research source
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References
- ↑ https://www.21oak.com/inspiration/colors-that-go-with-green/
- ↑ https://www.21oak.com/inspiration/colors-that-go-with-green/
- ↑ https://pavilion.dinfos.edu/Article/Article/2305097/color-theory-basics/
- ↑ https://www.sessions.edu/color-calculator/
- ↑ https://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/colors/g32052064/beach-color-ideas/?slide=5
- ↑ https://pavilion.dinfos.edu/Article/Article/2305097/color-theory-basics/
- ↑ https://artincontext.org/what-colors-go-with-green/
- ↑ https://artincontext.org/what-colors-go-with-green/
- ↑ https://artincontext.org/what-colors-go-with-green/
- ↑ https://www.architecturelab.net/what-color-goes-with-purple-and-green/
- ↑ https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1396#Value
- ↑ https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/color/g40169887/colors-that-match-green/
- ↑ https://artincontext.org/what-colors-go-with-green/
- ↑ https://www.architecturelab.net/what-color-goes-with-purple-and-green/
- ↑ https://artincontext.org/what-colors-go-with-green/
- ↑ https://www.21oak.com/inspiration/colors-that-go-with-green/
- ↑ https://artincontext.org/what-colors-go-with-green/
- ↑ https://www.21oak.com/inspiration/colors-that-go-with-green/
- ↑ https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/color/g40169887/colors-that-match-green/