5 best green paints that will always be classics, according to interior designers

Green is such a classic shade. There's a variant to suit and style, from super dramatic yet cozy forest greens to incredibly light and fresh apple greens. But how do you pick the best green paint from so many options?

There are of course rules to follow on certain tones that will work with certain aspects, how dark you should depending on the size of your room etc. etc. But one of the best ways to find the top paint colors is to ask those who have experience using them in many different forms. So, we spoke with interior designers to get their advice on the best green paints they have ever used and how to decorate with green in a way that works with your style and your space. 

5 green paints to try as chosen by interior experts

Green symbolizes renewal, positivity, and calmness which is why it's such a fabulous color trend to consider decorating with. It's also extremely versatile and goes looks great with white, black, blush, coral, and pink – to name but a few. 

‘Greens are often relatively neutral. They are neither too warm nor too cool – this makes them very versatile, they can be used in lots of different spaces regardless of the tone of light,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director, Little Greene. 

But how do you choose a shade for your home? We asked five top interior design experts for their best green paints and why they love them so much.  

1. Card Room Green, Farrow & Ball

'We designed this mudroom using Farrow & Ball's Card Room Green,' say Monique Cahill and Jessica Quezada, founders and principal designers, JM Foundarie.

'This color is the perfect shade of green with grayish undertones. It’s a moody, warm green that has a lot of depth to it, and it perfectly complemented the vintage runner we sourced for this space. Like all Farrow & Ball colors, it has a tendency to shift and change with the light, and the more we see it the more we fall in love with it. It has the same vibes as the darker greens, but without being too dark.'

Card Room Green was named after the study-like rooms from the Victorian times. As it's a mid-toned green it can work with both lighter and darker shades making it a versatile choice. 

Monique Cahill and Jessica Quezada

Our mission at JM Foundarie is to create a home that is a timeless reflection of your lifestyle. We serve clients throughout the Northeast and beyond, transforming homes with our signature sophisticated style, approachable process, and seamless functionality.

2. Bakehouse Green, deVOL

'Quite utilitarian and perfect for green kitchens, Bakehouse Green is a dark green that feels very old school, we love the way it instantly makes a piece of furniture feel very grown up and above fashion or trends. Mix with aged brass for a really classic look.' Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL.

Available in two finishes – furniture paint that has an authentic satin sheen, and a flat matt emulsion, both will give you a a depth of color that will enhance whichever space you use it in. 

3. High Strung, Sherwin-Williams

'We love High Strung – an acid green by Sherwin Williams because it adds a moment of surprise and because of its intensity, it feels fresh, referring to nature, though it’s a color we don’t see so often in nature,' says David Mann, president of MR Architecture + Decor. 

If you want to push the boundaries with a color this intense then make sure you balance it with something else – in this case, David's used black which looks really contemporary with the zesty shade. White would work well as a color to pair with green.

David Mann

MR Architecture + Decor is a New York City-based architecture and interior design firm with nearly three decades of experience creating exquisitely crafted environments that are both beautiful and functional.

Over the years, founder David Mann has assembled an extraordinary team of architects and designers with a passion for the built environment and a dedication to quality, artistry, and innovation. Driven by a spirit of collaboration, MR is committed to working closely with clients from the start of a project to completion, to achieve a result that elicits the uniqueness of each assignment and embodies the individuality of the people who inhabit it.

4. Rosemary, Sherwin-Williams

'As designers, we strive to always try new things and colors,' says Mollie Ranize, founder of DMAR Interiors. 'Going dark on all walls in a room can feel risky, but you can't go wrong when pulling a color from nature, like this cozy, saturated green. It's Sherwin Williams Rosemary, and in the semi-gloss finish on the fully paneled walls, the room almost twinkles depending on the time of day.'

Rosemary is a soothing organic green with a dark grey undertone, it looks great when decorating with antique pieces and crisp white woodwork, or give it a lift with a coral accent. 

Mollie Ranize

Mollie Ranize is the founder of Dmar Interiors, a nationally recognized design firm based in sunny Southern California. She has been known for her 3T Method for 20+ years: designing Tasteful, Tailored and Timeless interiors.  

5. Sage & Onions, Little Greene

'Olives and deep greens work wonderfully in bedrooms because of the serene calming mood they create, and they also work well in rooms that overlook gardens as it gives that outside inside feel, whilst vivid, lively greens such as ‘Sage & Onions’, a particular favorite, work well in rooms that are made for entertaining, or see a lot of activity, such as kitchens, dining and living rooms, naturally lifting the mood and reflecting the energy of the space,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director, Little Greene. 

This beautiful bright green really will lighten and brighten a room. It looks fabulous when teamed with crisp white for a very fresh and invigorating look. 

Ruth Mottershead

Ruth Mottershead, Creative & Marketing Director of Little Greene, has been working in her family’s business for 12 years. Her role as Marketing Director is diverse, which for her ‘is great as every day is different!’ She has learned her trade both ‘on the job’ through experience within the industry environment, and through marketing training – she has a Masters Degree in Digital Marketing. She is responsible for creating concepts and ideas for upcoming paint and wallpaper collections, choosing colours for new cards and browsing archives at the National Trust for new wallpaper collections.

Green is a really usable color to consider for any room of the house. Its cheerful nature is pleasing to the eye and its links to nature make it a calming color choice. Teaming it with corals and pinks will create a modern yet cozy feel, or go for a minimalist look with jet black, navy, or white.