Seeing Green: The Latest Colour Trend
These striking rooms prove why gorgeous greens, from lime to luxe emerald, are on everyone's radar
While ‘Rose Quartz’ and ‘Serenity’ (or blush pink and chalky blue) are Pantone’s top colour picks for 2016, they’re not the only hues that will be huge in the year ahead. If Houzz’s project gallery is anything to go by, green will also prove popular in interiors, an emerging trend Dulux predicted in its latest colour forecast.
Expect to see generous helpings of deep forest green; dirty, earthy olive; rich, decadent emerald; and bright, retro renditions of green pop up in homes this year, though don’t be surprised if mint and lime make cameo appearances too. Even when used in small doses, glorious greens will have a big impact and add punch and personality to any interior.
Expect to see generous helpings of deep forest green; dirty, earthy olive; rich, decadent emerald; and bright, retro renditions of green pop up in homes this year, though don’t be surprised if mint and lime make cameo appearances too. Even when used in small doses, glorious greens will have a big impact and add punch and personality to any interior.
Statement furniture
Dial up the drama in your home by punctuating your space with statement-making furniture in dazzling shades of green. For maximum impact, keep the rest of your scheme relatively simple in colour so the hero of your room can shine. Here, a chic monochrome palette creates the perfect backdrop for the emerald banquette.
Dial up the drama in your home by punctuating your space with statement-making furniture in dazzling shades of green. For maximum impact, keep the rest of your scheme relatively simple in colour so the hero of your room can shine. Here, a chic monochrome palette creates the perfect backdrop for the emerald banquette.
I’m completely smitten with the emerald sideboard that takes pride of place in this entry hallway. With a faceted form and high-shine finish, the gemstone-like storage piece oozes opulence and luxe appeal.
Diamond Emerald sideboard: Boca Do Lobo
Diamond Emerald sideboard: Boca Do Lobo
Fresh feature
Enliven your interior with a gorgeous green feature wall. Geometric or whimsically patterned wallpaper is sure to add oomph to rooms in need of a pick-me-up, but going back to basics and painting a bold shade of green on your wall will do the job just as well. For a personal touch, experiment with different painting techniques, such as the ombré effect used in this eclectic living room.
20 fabulous feature wall ideas
Enliven your interior with a gorgeous green feature wall. Geometric or whimsically patterned wallpaper is sure to add oomph to rooms in need of a pick-me-up, but going back to basics and painting a bold shade of green on your wall will do the job just as well. For a personal touch, experiment with different painting techniques, such as the ombré effect used in this eclectic living room.
20 fabulous feature wall ideas
Naturally green
Lush, leafy greenery will revive your room in more ways than one. Not only will plants improve the quality and circulation of air, they’ll also infuse your space with natural beauty and a dollop of uplifting colour. This vibrant ficus stands proud in its bathroom, but if you’d prefer a plant that’s more petite, try a fern, some succulents or mother-in-law’s tongue instead.
Our 10 hottest indoor plants
Lush, leafy greenery will revive your room in more ways than one. Not only will plants improve the quality and circulation of air, they’ll also infuse your space with natural beauty and a dollop of uplifting colour. This vibrant ficus stands proud in its bathroom, but if you’d prefer a plant that’s more petite, try a fern, some succulents or mother-in-law’s tongue instead.
Our 10 hottest indoor plants
One plant not enough? Go all out and install a full wall of greenery in your home. Regardless of where you position it and what plants you choose, it’s guaranteed to make a statement.
If you’re not too fussed on peppering live plants around your home, compromise and work a fresh botanical print into your scheme. It’s the perfect solution for decorators with black thumbs.
Rule breaker
They say blue and green mustn’t be seen, but this sophisticated living zone proves the clashing colours are a match made in interiors heaven. The key to pulling off this dymanic look is to use one colour as your base and the other as an accent, otherwise your scheme may look too overwhelming and chaotic. Although navy is the hero hue of this mid-century-style space, the moss green velvet sofa is the true star of the scheme.
They say blue and green mustn’t be seen, but this sophisticated living zone proves the clashing colours are a match made in interiors heaven. The key to pulling off this dymanic look is to use one colour as your base and the other as an accent, otherwise your scheme may look too overwhelming and chaotic. Although navy is the hero hue of this mid-century-style space, the moss green velvet sofa is the true star of the scheme.
Neon light
Take cues from this contemporary bathroom and install green LED strip lights under your vanity or wall cabinets. As you can see here, they’ll instantly add punch to rooms that are otherwise plain. Plus the lighting strip will gently illuminate the space so you can navigate the area safely and with ease in the middle of the night.
Take cues from this contemporary bathroom and install green LED strip lights under your vanity or wall cabinets. As you can see here, they’ll instantly add punch to rooms that are otherwise plain. Plus the lighting strip will gently illuminate the space so you can navigate the area safely and with ease in the middle of the night.
Doorknock appeal
Give your home a playful edge by forgoing plain white (read: dull) interior doors in favour of ones decked out in brilliant green. If you’re not too keen on having green doors throughout, treat one of your doors to a fresh, zingy makeover. Choose a door in a prominent position, such as your entrance or in your hallway, to ensure it leaves a lasting impression.
Sliding doors in ‘Lime Green’ 2026-10: Benjamin Moore
12 interior doors with a difference
Give your home a playful edge by forgoing plain white (read: dull) interior doors in favour of ones decked out in brilliant green. If you’re not too keen on having green doors throughout, treat one of your doors to a fresh, zingy makeover. Choose a door in a prominent position, such as your entrance or in your hallway, to ensure it leaves a lasting impression.
Sliding doors in ‘Lime Green’ 2026-10: Benjamin Moore
12 interior doors with a difference
High intensity
Step up the look of your tired and tatty staircase with a slick of fresh green paint. Paint the banisters, handrails and spindles or even feature panels in the stairwell. Alternatively, take a leaf out of this staircase’s playbook and paint a zesty green runner on the treads and risers. Bonus points if you hang art or decor in a coordinating hue on the walls of your stairwell, as these small touches will help tie the look together.
Add pizzazz to your staircase
Step up the look of your tired and tatty staircase with a slick of fresh green paint. Paint the banisters, handrails and spindles or even feature panels in the stairwell. Alternatively, take a leaf out of this staircase’s playbook and paint a zesty green runner on the treads and risers. Bonus points if you hang art or decor in a coordinating hue on the walls of your stairwell, as these small touches will help tie the look together.
Add pizzazz to your staircase
Appetising accent
Cook up drama in your kitchen by working a scene-stealing green benchtop or splashback into the space. Whether your colour of choice is zesty lime or ultra-chic emerald, the lively focal point will give any humdrum kitchen a hearty dose of personality. To make the scheme even sweeter, introduce generous helpings of timber, concrete and other natural materials, all of which work wonderfully with the spectrum of greens. These earthy materials will add another layer of warmth and contrast to your kitchen too.
Cook up drama in your kitchen by working a scene-stealing green benchtop or splashback into the space. Whether your colour of choice is zesty lime or ultra-chic emerald, the lively focal point will give any humdrum kitchen a hearty dose of personality. To make the scheme even sweeter, introduce generous helpings of timber, concrete and other natural materials, all of which work wonderfully with the spectrum of greens. These earthy materials will add another layer of warmth and contrast to your kitchen too.
Playful touch
Here, a Kermit-green chair adds a jolt of playfulness to this charming bedroom. Notice how it zings against the pastel lavender palette, and stops the scheme from looking too girly and sweet.
Here, a Kermit-green chair adds a jolt of playfulness to this charming bedroom. Notice how it zings against the pastel lavender palette, and stops the scheme from looking too girly and sweet.
Industrial strength
Lashings of chalky green will offset the cool, edgy look of industrial-style schemes and make them feel more homey and inviting. Throw some metallic touches into the mix (copper, rose gold and brass are the go-to finishes this year) to add a hint of luxe appeal to the space.
Lashings of chalky green will offset the cool, edgy look of industrial-style schemes and make them feel more homey and inviting. Throw some metallic touches into the mix (copper, rose gold and brass are the go-to finishes this year) to add a hint of luxe appeal to the space.
Punch and personality
Bathrooms can sometimes look sterile and lifeless, especially when they’re decorated in an all-white or neutral palette. Adding a splash of green is a simple remedy that will instantly enliven any bland bathing space.
For a daring look, introduce a blast of bright lime to your scheme; try forest green for a look that’s cosy and cocoon-like; or opt for a dreamy pastel if you desire a calming, tranquil ambience.
Bathrooms can sometimes look sterile and lifeless, especially when they’re decorated in an all-white or neutral palette. Adding a splash of green is a simple remedy that will instantly enliven any bland bathing space.
For a daring look, introduce a blast of bright lime to your scheme; try forest green for a look that’s cosy and cocoon-like; or opt for a dreamy pastel if you desire a calming, tranquil ambience.
Another way to work green into your bathroom is by way of coloured bathware. Or if you’re worried that your love affair with green will fade, nix the idea of splashing out on tinted tiles and fixtures, and introduce green towels and decor that are easy to replace when you’re ready for a change.
Go green in the bathroom
Go green in the bathroom
Pop star
Even the tiniest touch of green has the power to recharge a lacklustre space. While refined good looks are undeniable in this house, it’s the decadent emerald glass vase that brings the space to life.
Even the tiniest touch of green has the power to recharge a lacklustre space. While refined good looks are undeniable in this house, it’s the decadent emerald glass vase that brings the space to life.
Meanwhile, in this delightful open-plan kitchen and living room, small dollops of green deliver visual contrast and depth, and help cut through the sun-kissed summer palette. Remove these lively touches from the scheme and the space would lose some of its appeal.
Military greens
If you’re not a fan of radiant renditions of green, slightly dirty shades like olive and khaki may be more up your alley. Pair them with other deep hues such as midnight blue, dark purple and ruby for a luxe, decadent look; or team them with acid brights for a more modern and uplifting vibe. And, of course, murky military greens also work a treat in neutral spaces. Throw some high-shine metallic accents into the mix to create a glam look.
If you’re not a fan of radiant renditions of green, slightly dirty shades like olive and khaki may be more up your alley. Pair them with other deep hues such as midnight blue, dark purple and ruby for a luxe, decadent look; or team them with acid brights for a more modern and uplifting vibe. And, of course, murky military greens also work a treat in neutral spaces. Throw some high-shine metallic accents into the mix to create a glam look.
Artistic licence
Another way to work green into your interior is by way of conversation-starting works of art. To make a bold statement, choose a painting or print in an eye-popping palette and with a quirky subject matter – here, a colourful fashion advertisement-inspired oil painting does the job nicely.
Painting: ‘Lighter Color Combinations’ by James Rieck
Another way to work green into your interior is by way of conversation-starting works of art. To make a bold statement, choose a painting or print in an eye-popping palette and with a quirky subject matter – here, a colourful fashion advertisement-inspired oil painting does the job nicely.
Painting: ‘Lighter Color Combinations’ by James Rieck
Or if your design aesthetic is more restrained in style, opt for art with a more subdued scheme and theme, like the abstract moss, pink and white painting in this Scandi-style dining room.
TELL US
What’s your favourite shade of green, and how would you work it into your interior? Tell us in the Comments.
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What’s your favourite shade of green, and how would you work it into your interior? Tell us in the Comments.
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For a richly layered look, pair different shades of green together. This cool, contemporary living zone is a study in how to pull the dynamic look off with aplomb. While forest, apple and lime green are the heroes of this wall of zesty cabinetry, notice how licks of a chalky, less saturated green have also been brought into the scheme to add dimension and deliver an extra element of visual drama.