Palatable Palettes: Green Goodness for Bedrooms
As ripe as a summer garden, green shades and tones help bedrooms show off their freshest face
Green is a much-loved hue by designers because of its versatility. It has a warm side via yellowy chartreuse and lime greens, or it can run cool with minty or watery greens. Lighten it up and add some gray to it, or use sage green as a nice alternative neutral to beige. Green has a level of pep to it, the way certain shades of yellow or orange might. We associate green with nature — it reminds us of running through the grass barefoot during the summers of our youth, or eating fresh vegetables at their peak of ripeness.
Check out a selection of bedrooms that take advantage of the beauty and versatility of the perfect shade of green, along with examples of color and material palettes inspired by each room.
Check out a selection of bedrooms that take advantage of the beauty and versatility of the perfect shade of green, along with examples of color and material palettes inspired by each room.
Example palette: This is an intense green, so you may want to limit it to one wall (or a partial wall) in your bedroom. The various shades of gray are soothing, perfect for catching some Zs. Clockwise from top left (all from Sherwin-Williams): Gecko SW 6719, Essential Gray SW 6002 and Mink SW 6004, with walnut-stained bamboo.
Green and Gray (Contemporary)
Here we have a nice contemporary spin on green and gray. This shade of green has more yellow in it, making it a bold choice for this slick bedroom. The chartreuse wall and the print on the bed cover are balanced out by the cool gray fabrics and metal-edged wardrobe doors. The effect is sublime against the white backdrop of the floor, ceiling and walls.
Here we have a nice contemporary spin on green and gray. This shade of green has more yellow in it, making it a bold choice for this slick bedroom. The chartreuse wall and the print on the bed cover are balanced out by the cool gray fabrics and metal-edged wardrobe doors. The effect is sublime against the white backdrop of the floor, ceiling and walls.
Example palette: Bold yellow greens look fantastic with grays and white. If you are nervous about adding such a bold color to your bedroom, consider using it in ways that are easy and affordable to change on a whim — such as through paint, fabrics and accessories. Clockwise from top left (all from Mythic Paint): Slip of Silver 139-3, Avalone Lime 073-3 and Florentine Flash 075-5, with a white painted wood floor.
Minty Fresh
This modern bedroom with shades of soft, cool greens is a relaxing place for reading the newspaper from cover to cover on a lazy Sunday morning.
This modern bedroom with shades of soft, cool greens is a relaxing place for reading the newspaper from cover to cover on a lazy Sunday morning.
Example palette: Transform your bedroom into a relaxing sanctuary with shades of cool greens. Clockwise from top left (all from Behr): Winter Fresh 470C-2, Water Mark 470E-2 and Athenian Green 440F-4, with maple.
Green With Wood
Perhaps because it reminds us of nature, green plays well with wood. If you have a bedroom with lots of dark wood in it, consider adding touches of a bold green hue, such as this happy shade of green apple, to brighten it up.
Perhaps because it reminds us of nature, green plays well with wood. If you have a bedroom with lots of dark wood in it, consider adding touches of a bold green hue, such as this happy shade of green apple, to brighten it up.
Example palette: Clockwise from top left (all from Glidden): Elegant Lace GLC28, Pebble Grey GLN50 and Granny Smith Apple GLG02, with walnut.
Green and White
If you are fortunate enough to have a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows in your bedroom, and with a killer view to boot, you almost don't need to gild the lilly with lots of color. But I love this bedroom with its bright olive-green walls, rustic wood floor and fluffy white bedding. I would never want to get out of bed!
If you are fortunate enough to have a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows in your bedroom, and with a killer view to boot, you almost don't need to gild the lilly with lots of color. But I love this bedroom with its bright olive-green walls, rustic wood floor and fluffy white bedding. I would never want to get out of bed!
Green and Coral
You could never wake up on the wrong side of the bed in this room. The unexpected palette of citrusy greens and coral pinks is fun, and the tropical vibe makes you feel like you are always on vacation.
You could never wake up on the wrong side of the bed in this room. The unexpected palette of citrusy greens and coral pinks is fun, and the tropical vibe makes you feel like you are always on vacation.
Example palette:Transform your bedroom into a tropical getaway with a heavy dose of lime greens and dashes of coral. Clockwise from top left (all from Benjamin Moore): Smashing Pink 1303, Apples and Pears 395, Electric Slide 404 and Birds of Paradise 1305.
Green With Neutrals
Toned-down greens — those with a touch of gray in them — are elegant when paired with other rich hues, such as soft, buttery yellows and rich burgundies. If you prefer muted colors to bolds, pick a light mushroom color for the walls and use the more dominant colors as accents.
Toned-down greens — those with a touch of gray in them — are elegant when paired with other rich hues, such as soft, buttery yellows and rich burgundies. If you prefer muted colors to bolds, pick a light mushroom color for the walls and use the more dominant colors as accents.
Example palette: You don't need to use bright colors to make an impact. This palette is rich and sophisticated — perfect for a calming, restful space. Clockwise from top left (all from Farrow & Ball): Hound Lemon No. 2, Elephant's Breath No. 229, Eating Room Red No. 43 and Olive No. 13.
Green as a Neutral
Not only does green work well with neutrals, but it can also serve as a neutral itself. Instead of painting your bedroom walls beige or white, consider a sage or celery green. These hues have a lot of white and a touch of gray in them, making them soft and mellow, but in no way boring.
Not only does green work well with neutrals, but it can also serve as a neutral itself. Instead of painting your bedroom walls beige or white, consider a sage or celery green. These hues have a lot of white and a touch of gray in them, making them soft and mellow, but in no way boring.
Example palette: This pretty palette features a soft shade of celery green as the backdrop for smaller bits of light aqua and terra-cotta. Clockwise from top left (all from Valspar): Aqua Glow 5007-9B, Macadamia Nut CI164 and Morning Zen CI170.
Tell us: What are your favorite colors or color combinations for a bedroom?
Tell us: What are your favorite colors or color combinations for a bedroom?
This is how to do a bold shade of green for an elegant bedroom. The bright leafy-green wallpaper is grounded by the gray-colored bedding. The effect is eye catching and luxurious.