I'm sharing my green living room walls, what colors go with dark green and more about my dark green living room journey.
While a crisp white living room is always beautiful, white walls in my living room just felt blah. Once I committed to a dark green room all my decor, furniture, art, etc., started to really come together.
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 white paint that I had on the walls.
White paint can be such a good color, but for this space, it just didn't work well. 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.
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Green Living Room with Forest Green Paint
Forest Green Color
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 dark green paint.
In 2018, I found the forest green color that I loved and, since then, I've slowly been finding my way in terms of style and function in our space.
Starting with Creating a Focal Point with Art
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 agree 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 did all of those things itself.
Slowly Curating Decor For Green Walls
In 2020, 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 post for intentional living 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.
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.
Around that time, I found 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 recently bought new fabric 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) and am excited to get that done next year. Guess what color fabric? I'm going with a slightly darker hue of orange than what I currently have on my chairs. Orange or rust are great colors that go with dark green.
A simple DIY that I did in the space was to buy paintable outlet covers (see the outlet below on the wall) and paint them to match my dark green wall paint. 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!
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
The Modern Green Living Room Walls are a custom mixed color that starts with Fig Tree by Behr. I had Home Depot go a bit deeper with the color by adding 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! It's worth trying to get the exact color because it's really the perfect forest green paint!
What Colors Go With Dark Green?
In my opinion, as you can see in my living room, I think tan, cream, black, and charcoal go really well with dark green walls. Orange or a deeper rust color are great accent colors for a dark green room. They brighten up the space a bit with a pop of interest.
Shop My Modern Green Living Room
I'm content with my space right now but I'm definitely looking forward to the new upholstery on the chairs. Eventually, I'd also love to have two round end tables but I'm in no rush. I've found that the slower I take a space, the happier I am with it. For me, slowly adding layers over time, is where the magic sauce is.
Lauren
Love it so much!! I think it’s the perfect shade!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Lauren! I'll be excited to see the shade with more decor up but I'm just taking one thing at a time!
Evelyn poole
love this dark green. going to one wall in my living rm. thanks e
Ashley Mayes
yay! Hope you love the green paint color in your living room as well.
Penny
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!
Ashley Mayes
We are green living room twins! Glad your living room feels cozy with the paint color as well.
Charlotte
LOVE IT! I think it looks great.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Charlotte! It's a big change but I think it's a good one!
Ardith
Count me in as team forest green. You rocked this color choice; it really brings your living room together perfectly, Ashley. Cheers, Ardith
Ashley Mayes
yay! Glad you like the forest green paint color! I think it helps makes the room come together for sure.
Alison
It looks great to me. Much more inviting than the white. I don’t think it should be darker. Great job.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Alison! The green paint is much more inviting, I definitely agree!
Create/Enjoy (@suzannahstanley)
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!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Suzannah! The large space just felt so overwhelming with the white walls. It definitely feels like a more usable, approachable space now.
Jesseca
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.
Ashley Mayes
I think a darker earthy color would be amazing! I may change it in a few months.
cassie bustamante
i just love it, ashley! the earthy drama is AMAZING
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Cassie! We needed a change and this seemed like a good choice.
Jillian
I think it looks great! So warm and inviting! But I may also be biased - I love dark green walls.
Ashley Mayes
Haha, thanks Jillian! I'm on board with green walls now too!
Megan
Love it! We just did the same in our dining room 🙂
Ashley Mayes
That's awesome to hear! Do you love them?
Linda
Love it. Have you considered painting the ceiling and the crown the same color?
Ashley Mayes
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.
Rhonda Loumena
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.
Ashley Mayes
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!
Kim Domingue
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.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Kim! I wish I would have gone a tad darker and may still do that!
Sue
Winner,winner chicken dinner. I love it.
Taylor H
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.
Lucinda
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.
Lucinda
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.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Lucinda! Totally borrow it and share if you do.
Brittany McGruder
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!
Ashley Mayes
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.
Kaitlyn
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.
Ashley Mayes
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.
Kaitlyn
No biggie. Thanks for all you do! Your house is so beautiful, and I’m happy you share it with us!
Cindy
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.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Cindy! I bet that will look so good!
Hannah
Hi! Wondering how the shag rug in living room is holding up?
Ashley Mayes
Hi Hannah,
It's doing great! Honestly the first few months, we had a lot of shedding. I would say to plan on 6-8 months of shedding but now, all is well! It's soft and cozy