The Best Colors to Pair with Green, According to a Designer
Designer, color expert, and founder of Clare paints Nicole Gibbons explains why she thinks green is the new neutral.
Have you gone green yet? It's been called the color of the year by countless color authorities, the headliner of numerous interiors by renowned designers, and stolen the hearts of VERANDA editors time and time again. It's easy to why green has become decorating's "it" color: The verdant hue immediately ushers in the calming presence of nature and feels oh-so refreshing. But if you're wanting to swipe some emerald or seafoam paint on your walls, but aren't sure about the colors that go with green, we've got you covered.
Nicole Gibbons, an acclaimed interior designer and founder of Clare, loves using green in homes. The brilliant mind behind the paint company notes that because of an increased interest in verdant hues, Clare actually launched two new shades of green this year: High Vibe and Extra Virgin. For Gibbons, the renewed love for all things green stems from its innate connection to nature and its versatility.
"When you think back to nature and colors that we see in the environment, everything pairs flawlessly with green," says Gibbons. "Our eye has been trained to appreciate the colors of nature and how they work together, and I think that same attraction or draw can exist in interiors, as well."
Depending on its undertone and its pairings, green can evoke a sense of serenity just as easily as it can feel edgy and add drama to a room. Nailing the perfect green color scheme all comes down to understanding what shades most call out to you and deploying them fearlessly. To help ease your journey down the green path, Gibbons has revealed need-to-know decorating tips along with her favorite colors to pair with green.
Treat Green as a Neutral
With so many different undertones to pick from, Gibbons often suggest people start by looking into mid-tone greens, such as Clare's Dirty Martini, as they tend to add just the right amount of colorful energy to a space without feeling intimidating.
"I think that they are very versatile and can kind of work almost like a neutral." The ease of these greens allows them to adapt to almost any decorating style and flawlessly pair with the colors already in your home. When in doubt, varying shades of warm neutrals always make for an elegant atmosphere.
Take Notes from Nature
While you can turn to the pages of VERANDA for inspiration or even scroll through social media, Gibbons implores people to look outside their own windows to find color inspiration from the world around them.
"There are so many beautiful shades of green in nature that you could pull into your space graciously." Take notice of which colors are naturally working well with verdant tones catching your eye. Entranced by a fluffy magenta dahlia with rich green leaves? Try working that unexpected color combination into your own living room or study.
Feel Blue—and Green
For those wanting to step out of the neutral color scheme, Gibbons recommends pairing your favorite green shade with a soothing blue. The chic color combination feels utterly serene while inherently asserting a more elevated appearance to a room.
"I think blue and green are like black and white," says Gibbons. "It all goes back to nature. The green treetops never look out of place against the blue sky."
Pair Green with...More Green
After falling for a certain shade of green, you may feel inclined to incorporate that exact tone everywhere from the walls to the fabric adorning your furnishings. Gibbons recommends avoiding the extensive use of one particular hue because it can fall flat.
"Instead of having all monochromatic tones of the green shade, switch them up by having a mix of midtones, lighter tones, and dark tones," says Gibbons. "This creates more variations in the shades of green that you're bringing in and stops the room from feeling one-dimensional."
It's Time to Go Bold
While it may be a bit intimidating at first, Gibbons always encourages her clients to step out of their comfort zones and opt for the vibrant shade that's consistently drawing them in. The key is tempering those bold shades with reliable staples to keep the room from feeling overwhelming.
"My philosophy on color is to either go bold on your walls and neutral on your furnishings or vice versa," says Gibbons. "Either pepper pops of color throughout your space with a neutral foundation or embrace color as your foundation and keep your core furnishings and accessories more relaxed."
Sarah DiMarco is the Assistant Editor at VERANDA, covering all things art, design, and travel, and she also manages social media for the brand.
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