Color Watch: Green Tones for the Home
See Why Green's an Ideal Color for Backdrops and Home Decor
Just as it does in nature, green brings life to a home. Green is second only to blue as a favorite color, studies say. It's the pervasive color in the natural world, and because we are so used to seeing it everywhere, it's an ideal backdrop in interior design. And as we transition between seasons, green is an easy color to incorporate as an accent without transforming your entire space.
The natural greens, from forest to lime, are seen as tranquil and refreshing, with a natural balance of cool and warm undertones. Green brings us soothing sensations and relaxing feelings. It helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety and offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony.
Whether you choose to purchase a pillow, glass piece, paint a wall or bring the outdoors in, green can freshen your look all year long. Some great examples:
The natural greens, from forest to lime, are seen as tranquil and refreshing, with a natural balance of cool and warm undertones. Green brings us soothing sensations and relaxing feelings. It helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety and offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony.
Whether you choose to purchase a pillow, glass piece, paint a wall or bring the outdoors in, green can freshen your look all year long. Some great examples:
Shots of emerald green accents and accessories bring life to any neutral space. The vibrancy of green provides a perfect transition from season to season.
Green glass is a subtle way to introduce this color to your home. The translucency of glass gives a taste of the color without the intensity.
Hotel-style bedding allows a homeowner to easily add green throw pillows to a natural headboard. Without the green touches this room would appear lackluster. But with the green, we experience a touch of whimsy and the unexpected.
Tip: Pillows are an inexpensive design element. Put zippers in your pillow covers so they are easy to clean and change out all year long.
Tip: Pillows are an inexpensive design element. Put zippers in your pillow covers so they are easy to clean and change out all year long.
A more subdued green gives homeowners confidence to paint an entire room. This gives a fresh feel for teenage spaces that don't want to be too girly or boyish.
Bold zigzag green draperies cut with a crisp white give this room a chic backdrop for tonal furnishings. Surrounded by white walls, these pumped-up drapery panels can serve as the artwork of the room.
More gutsy homeowners may accent a wall in green tile. As long as the classic mosaic 1"x1" tile style offsets the color trend, you can achieve a timeless look for a bathroom space.
You can bring life to an all-white bathroom by simply adding green towels. The introduction of green also pulls in the colors of nature through the window above the tub.
For some, the addition of the green chair would have been enough. For the more daring, go for painting the walls!
Tip: If you really want to show the intensity of a paint color, use eggshell or satin finish paint. Flat paint will show a more chalky coloration and will not be as easy to clean, especially in a wet area.
Tip: If you really want to show the intensity of a paint color, use eggshell or satin finish paint. Flat paint will show a more chalky coloration and will not be as easy to clean, especially in a wet area.
An accent wall layered into the back of an all-white room can draw visitors through your space.
Tip: Paint is the least expensive way to update your home. Let an accent wall change with your mood.
Tip: Paint is the least expensive way to update your home. Let an accent wall change with your mood.
If you are unsure of the commitment to green, subtle tones can safely can play as a neutral backdrop.
Wallpaper with green fretting can quickly turn a simple powder room into a jewel box of the home.
Inexpensive sconce shades freshen a mostly white space and can be easily changed.
Plants introduce life to a space quickly. Add a floor plant and a few small arrangements to bring the green theme indoors.