Goodbye, my white painted living room. Hello, my moody, comforting, forest green living room. We went from a light and bright living room to a dark green living room and I’m sharing all about that today!
You all know what our living room has looked liked. It’s been pretty yet it has never felt welcoming or quite right. Luke has always loved the living room painted white but I’ve been ready for a change. The living room faces north, so the light in the space is never overly bright and I just felt like the white never added anything to the space.
I can be a bit lazy when it comes down to actually doing a DIY job. Seriously, I can. I’ve put off painting the living room for over a year and then finally I just decided to do it. Let me let you in on a secret. When Luke goes on work trips, I get the biggest kick out of trying to surprise him with a project when we comes back. Ha! I’m sure he’s used to it by now, but it’s always a joke about what is going to change before he gets home. Well, he left a few weeks before Christmas and I set out to paint our living room green.
Forest Green Living Room
Can I be super honest and say that painting your living room green (or any type of painting in your living room) is not ideal when you have your living room decorated for Christmas. I had to move all the Christmas decor, broke a few ornaments, etc. I wouldn’t recommend doing that but I did it and now it’s done.
I’d been talking to Luke about dark colors for the walls for months. I got a few swatches and just couldn’t pull the trigger. Then, I had a lightbulb moment and knew that I wanted the same depth of shade as our kitchen cabinets but I wanted it to be a forest green paint.
Green Living Room Walls – Do you Love or Hate?
I love them much more than the white color that we had! Luke is indifferent; or actually, I think he secretly doesn’t like the green paint color but won’t say anything overtly negative.
Forest Green Living Room Paint Color
I ended up going with Fig Tree by Behr with two extra shots of black. I’ll give you a picture of the paint formula so you can get the same color if you are interested.
I think going dark on the living room walls was meant to be. It helps make the space in our living room more cozy. I’m not 100% sure that I picked the right depth of paint color though. I kinda wish I had gone even darker.
Let’s settle for baby steps in the right direction and chalk this up as a win. Also, see those bamboo blinds? I cut those a few years ago and they are still going great. If you are curious on how to cut bamboo blinds, definitely check in on that post to see. It’s an easy project!
So, tell me… do you like the new vibe of our living room? Overall, I love the direction but I do think it’s lacking character. As we go on, hopefully I’ll find my way in adding character.
Shop the Forest Green Living Room
Lauren says
January 28, 2019 at 6:58 amLove it so much!! I think it’s the perfect shade!
Ashley Mayes says
January 28, 2019 at 9:11 amThanks Lauren! I’ll be excited to see the shade with more decor up but I’m just taking one thing at a time!
Penny says
January 28, 2019 at 7:02 amI love the green. We just recently painted our living room green and I LOVE how cozy it feels. Also think the shade you chose is really beautiful and flows well with the rest of your decor. You could definitely go darker if you wanted, but as is, is stunning!
Ashley Mayes says
January 28, 2019 at 9:11 amWe are green living room twins! Glad your living room feels cozy with the paint color as well.
Charlotte says
January 28, 2019 at 8:17 amLOVE IT! I think it looks great.
Ashley Mayes says
January 28, 2019 at 9:10 amThanks Charlotte! It’s a big change but I think it’s a good one!
Ardith says
January 28, 2019 at 9:04 amCount me in as team forest green. You rocked this color choice; it really brings your living room together perfectly, Ashley. Cheers, Ardith
Ashley Mayes says
January 28, 2019 at 9:10 amyay! Glad you like the forest green paint color! I think it helps makes the room come together for sure.
Alison says
January 28, 2019 at 9:17 amIt looks great to me. Much more inviting than the white. I don’t think it should be darker. Great job.
Ashley Mayes says
January 28, 2019 at 9:43 amThanks Alison! The green paint is much more inviting, I definitely agree!
Create/Enjoy (@suzannahstanley) says
January 28, 2019 at 9:51 amOh my gosh, it’s perfect! You had a vision and it totally works! I’ll admit I wasn’t picturing it before but now I think it makes that large space have more personality, and it looks so good with the pieces in there, including your gorgeous dream light fixture. Darker would have worked too but I think the color you chose is so definitely GREEN it’s a little more unique and bold in that way. Great job!
Ashley Mayes says
January 29, 2019 at 10:45 amThanks Suzannah! The large space just felt so overwhelming with the white walls. It definitely feels like a more usable, approachable space now.
Jesseca says
January 28, 2019 at 9:59 amI like the dark walls Ashley! I think I agree that a bit darker (maybe even a bit more earthy) might work a tad better, but honestly it looks great as is.
Ashley Mayes says
January 29, 2019 at 10:46 amI think a darker earthy color would be amazing! I may change it in a few months.
cassie bustamante says
January 28, 2019 at 12:11 pmi just love it, ashley! the earthy drama is AMAZING
Ashley Mayes says
January 29, 2019 at 10:46 amThanks Cassie! We needed a change and this seemed like a good choice.
Jillian says
January 28, 2019 at 8:32 pmI think it looks great! So warm and inviting! But I may also be biased – I love dark green walls.
Ashley Mayes says
January 29, 2019 at 10:46 amHaha, thanks Jillian! I’m on board with green walls now too!
Megan says
January 29, 2019 at 6:18 amLove it! We just did the same in our dining room 🙂
Ashley Mayes says
January 29, 2019 at 10:47 amThat’s awesome to hear! Do you love them?
Linda says
January 29, 2019 at 8:21 amLove it. Have you considered painting the ceiling and the crown the same color?
Ashley Mayes says
January 29, 2019 at 10:45 amI considered doing all the trim and the crown! I’m still on the fence on that. Our ceiling has asbestos, so it can’t be painted over.
Rhonda Loumena says
January 30, 2019 at 4:18 amIve looked all over the internet and multiple people includung ” this old house” says you can paint asbestos ceilings. You can even use a paint with primer in it to do 2 jobs in 1.
Ashley Mayes says
February 4, 2019 at 10:49 amHi Rhonda,
I’d do a bit more digging! Each state has published laws for asbestos and once you read that, you can make your own determination for how to proceed. For us, we feel like it’s better to be more cautious but I know now everyone has that mindset. Happy hunting!
Kim Domingue says
January 29, 2019 at 10:10 amThe green is quite lovely. North facing rooms can present a bit of a challenge depending on where you live. In some regions the quality of light coming through a North facing room renders white walls cold, flat and unappealing. The green color you chose adds depth and coziness to the room as well as a bit of drama/flair. The white woodwork really pops now against the dark green. Very nice. Were it me, I probably would have gone just a tad darker but that’s just me. The room is lovely and very inviting.
Ashley Mayes says
January 29, 2019 at 10:47 amThanks Kim! I wish I would have gone a tad darker and may still do that!
Sue says
January 29, 2019 at 11:22 amWinner,winner chicken dinner. I love it.
Taylor H says
January 29, 2019 at 12:49 pmLOVE! We’re moving in March and I plan to paint our office a vibrant jade green. It’s a smaller space and I hope the brighter tone opens the room up while still offering all the relaxing qualities green possesses.
Lucinda says
February 15, 2019 at 2:09 pmWow! Just love the green! There’s a possibility I will borrow your color as an option for our kitchen cabinets. I’ll have to be sure to send you pictures if we decide to go with this green. Love your style. Keep up all the work. I really enjoy following you on IG and reading your blog.
Lucinda says
February 15, 2019 at 2:14 pmThis is green is on point! I love it. I may have to borrow it for an option for our kitchen cabinets. I’ll be sure to send you pictures or tag you in one so you can see how they turn out if we decide to go with this color. I just love your style and watching as it evolves. Keep up all the work. I enjoy following you on IG and and also reading your blog.
Ashley Mayes says
February 20, 2019 at 4:21 pmThanks Lucinda! Totally borrow it and share if you do.