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How to match or make a couch look less green

6 years ago

I bought a taupe sofa that looked much more yellowy beige in the store, but now in my house it looks more grayish taupe with a strong green undertone. It looks almost olive in certain lighting. I want to find a light paint color for the walls that will not make it look greener. I have BM Dove Wing in the dining room right next to the living room. I believe this is a warmer white with a small amount of gray, so whatever color I do in the living room would have to complement this dove wing as well.

How do I go about complementing, but not bringing out more green in the couch? Do I need to find a yellowy color for the walls or do I need to stick with a green undertone to match the undertones of the couch? I need a quick 101 on undertones to find a paint color that will work.

I would appreciate any advice and names of paint colors.

This is the color I thought it was.

The cool gray pillow seems to make it look extra green.

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Comments (4)

allienc
6 years ago
That is a gorgeous sofa but I do see your point about it looking a little green in your room. This is the perfect question for the Home Decorating forum, so post this question there. The folks there will come up with excellent solutions probably involving new light bulbs, a rug and a new paint color. .
weety thanked allienc
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Lori A. Sawaya
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I need a quick 101 on undertones to find a paint color that will work.

One of the many problems with thinking about color in terms of undertones is the only thing you can do is subjectively "match" colors. The theory that you can color by undertones provides zero methodology for solving any kind of color conundrum past "matching" according to subjective undertones and/or not combining alleged undertones in unsavory combinations, like pink and yellow.

So, while a lot of people talk a lot about undertones, no one discusses any sort of framework about how you're actually suppose to use them to solve complex color dilemmas like yours.

Color Rule #1 is change the light and you change how the color looks. Color is light. Color and light are inextricably tied.

Before you move on to choosing paint colors, you first need to assess the lighting situation. Neodymium (like Reveal), halogon and LED could all contribute to exaggerating the greeness of the sofa. Incandescents could help the sofa look more "yellowy beige".

I would try changing light bulbs first and then move on to what can be done with wall color to help shift the sofa color more towards yellow and away from green.
weety thanked Lori A. Sawaya
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Sylvia Gordon
6 years ago
A subdued olive green paint and accessories will make the sofa look less green, more neutral.
weety thanked Sylvia Gordon
weety
Original Author
6 years ago
The paint I currently have on the wall has a green undertone. I used to notice that it, too, looked a little green in certain lights. I guess another question then, is should I go with a very light color paint, such as a grayish or creamy white? I have all dark wood furniture (entertainment system, bookcase, coffee table) so I'd be a little worried about going dark. The color I have now seems to be too close to the color of the couch to give any kind of contrast.

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