I’m sharing my green living room walls, what colors go with green in my space and how I’m slowly achieving that whole vintage-traditional, mid-centuryesque style.
Who would have guessed that a dark green living room would be what would make my home decor style sing?!
If you are a longtime reader, then you might know that five days before Christmas (while Luke was on a work trip) back in 2018, I decided to paint my living room walls green. I’m one of those people who likes to do projects when the mood strikes me. I’m motivated that way, for some reason. However, taking down all the extra Christmas decorations to paint my living room walls was quite the project! But, I did it and said goodbye to the Ultra White paint that I had on the walls.
I got asked about the white paint color all the time but, honestly, it never felt welcoming or quite right. The living room faces north so doesn’t get a ton of light and, although we love the white paint in the eat-in kitchen, it just never felt inviting to me in the living room.
Forest Green Living Room
Before I painted, 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. So anyways, I painted back in 2018 and then, I’ve slowly been finding my way in terms of style and function in our space.
A big part of finding the overall style to the space was the Korhogo art piece. I finally figured out how to frame the oversized textile and it really is the grounding piece for the space.
A friend of mine wrote an article about Creating Personality Without Chaos and I agreed with so many points. Adding texture, mixing styles and thinking about contrast in your space can really help make your space shine. I feel like the Korhogo piece kinda did all of those things itself.
Late last year, I knew that I wanted to invest a bit in the space and buy a few forever pieces. I’ve been on this kick of really thinking about each and every item I buy (see my #20in2020 highlight on IG for more of the backstory on this). I made a list of “would love to have in the living room” and have been slowly working on sourcing and intentionally adding those items to our space.
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Without going into the play-by-play of the pieces I’ve bought, moved or subtracted from the space (hit the #20in2020 for that), let’s just say that the space has come a long way over the past six months or so.
One of my biggest back-and-forth decisions in the green living room has been chairs for the space. I bought black leather chairs from Restoration Hardware and, when they got here, I hated them. The leather was, thankfully, not close to the swatch of leather that I ordered from them so I was able to get my money back on the custom chairs. That process was scary because I spent a lot of money and I made a bit of a mistake on the look and feel of the chairs for our space. For years, I’ve had my eye on the Field Lounge Chair from Blu Dot but have heard mixed reviews on the comfort level. I almost pulled the trigger on two for our living room back in April when they were running a huge sale but I didn’t end up doing it. I’d decided in April to just wait until we could take a trip and sit on one in person. Honestly, I’m regretting not buying them at this point though!
Around that time, I did find two orange velvet chairs on Facebook Marketplace. They were a good deal and I liked the lines on them so I scooped them up.
I bought mid-century replacement legs off of Etsy to help give the chairs a look that was more in line with my style. I sourced different fabrics to have the chairs recovered (you can’t see it well in the photos, but the arms and fronts of the chairs have definitely been scratched by a cat). Ultimately, I think they are pretty great chairs for what I’ve put into them, but I’m still really into those Blu Dot Lounge Chairs. So, I’m holding off on the reupholstery until I make a decision on whether to buy the other chairs.
Another recent DIY that I did in the space was to buy paintable outlet covers and paint them to match my dark green living room walls. Honestly, this was a great project. It’s super simple and if you have dark walls, like I do, with white outlet covers… it’s well worth your time to buy the paintable outlet covers so they blend in with the walls! If you look below the Korhogo Art piece in the next photo, you’ll see the outlet cover that’s painted the same dark green as the living room walls.
The only other DIY that I can think of that I did in this space (although it was years ago) is cutting the bamboo blinds to size. If you are trying to save money and love the look of layered curtains over bamboo blinds, then check out my post on how to cut bamboo blinds. I basically bought clearance bamboo blinds and cut them to make them work for my window size. It was an easy project and one that we’ve been happy with for years.
I put together a little walkthrough of our space. Enjoy!
I get lots of questions on the dark green living room paint color, so let’s talk about it as it’s a custom mix.
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.
If you take that photo of the paint color formula into your Home Depot, they should be able to recreate it. I’ve had a few people tell me that the associates at their store were confused, but other people, have said the opposite. Ask for a manager or someone with experience in the paint department, if you run into problems!
What Colors Go With Forest Green?
In my opinion, as you can see in my living room, I think tans and creams go really well with forest green. Black and charcoal also pair well. Accent colors to go with the green can be rust or more of a true orange.
Shop My Space
So, tell me… do you like where the vibe of our living room is going? I’ll be honest and say that I really think I’m headed in the right direction with the space. Eventually, I’d love to add different end tables, two new chairs and maybe a different art piece or two… but I really am happy with where I’m at right now.
Love it so much!! I think it’s the perfect shade!
Thanks Lauren! I’ll be excited to see the shade with more decor up but I’m just taking one thing at a time!
I 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!
We are green living room twins! Glad your living room feels cozy with the paint color as well.
LOVE IT! I think it looks great.
Thanks Charlotte! It’s a big change but I think it’s a good one!
Count me in as team forest green. You rocked this color choice; it really brings your living room together perfectly, Ashley. Cheers, Ardith
yay! Glad you like the forest green paint color! I think it helps makes the room come together for sure.
It looks great to me. Much more inviting than the white. I don’t think it should be darker. Great job.
Thanks Alison! The green paint is much more inviting, I definitely agree!
Oh 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!
Thanks Suzannah! The large space just felt so overwhelming with the white walls. It definitely feels like a more usable, approachable space now.
I 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.
I think a darker earthy color would be amazing! I may change it in a few months.
i just love it, ashley! the earthy drama is AMAZING
Thanks Cassie! We needed a change and this seemed like a good choice.
I think it looks great! So warm and inviting! But I may also be biased – I love dark green walls.
Haha, thanks Jillian! I’m on board with green walls now too!
Love it! We just did the same in our dining room 🙂
That’s awesome to hear! Do you love them?
Love it. Have you considered painting the ceiling and the crown the same color?
I 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.
Ive 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.
Hi 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!
The 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.
Thanks Kim! I wish I would have gone a tad darker and may still do that!
Winner,winner chicken dinner. I love it.
LOVE! 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.
Wow! 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.
This 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.
Thanks Lucinda! Totally borrow it and share if you do.
Hello i’m trying to get this paint color and they are saying it’s 2 extra ounces of black instead of just two shots. Is that correct or are they the same thing? Thanks!
Hi Brittany,
To be honest, I’m not sure if it’s ounces or “shots”. The person I talked to at the store called it extra shots but if you take that exact formula, they can always recreate it.
My Home Depot was confused about this as well, and said the same thing about two ounces. I showed them the exact formula, but they said that adding two ounces of black would be a lot, so they didn’t know if that’s what I wanted.
Love this color and the rest of your house. Thanks for all your photos and inspiration.
Hi Kaityln,
I’m so confused about this! I’m sorry. I’ll definitely head out to Home Depot to clear this up and ask more questions once it settles down out there.
No biggie. Thanks for all you do! Your house is so beautiful, and I’m happy you share it with us!
Absolutely loooooove! In a similar vibe, I painted my living room a deep teal and was seeking a cognac leather sofa and accents in the same palette you describe for the greenut also so small touches of soft pink. Blues and greens work well together.. I had been eyeing the teal for awhile but not long after I’d seen dramatic deep greens and it was hard to decide. I love the teal as it really changes colour in different light- truly moody blue. But now that I’ve enjoyed for a few yrs, I’m going green in the fall. We bought a dark blue leather sofa and I’m excited to see it in the green room.
I’m really digging this room and totally envious of the light fixture.
Thanks Cindy! I bet that will look so good!