The 10 Best Green Paint Colors to Brighten up Your House

Green paint is clearly making a comeback. When Pantone announced Greenery as its 2017 Color of the Year, it made sense to us: The bright, grassy shade tapped into our desire to connect our homes with nature. We took Pantone's recommendation as a jumping-off point and asked top interior designers to give us their go-to shades of green for any room. The good news? If you're not gaga for greenery per se, there's a multitude of green paint color options that are all so bright and fresh.

Color Family: Green
Complementary Colors: Red
Pairs Well With: Khaki, red, blue, gray, white
Mood: Calm, energizing, dramatic, earthy
Where to Use: Great for walls, cabinets, and trim

It's time to release your inner green goddess: Below, find out the go-to green paint colors from top interior designers.

01 of 10

Benjamin Moore Salamander

benjamine moore - salamander — Lindsay Salazar for Studio McGee

"Green is making a huge comeback, but it has always been my favorite color!" says Shea McGee of Studio McGee. "When selecting green paint, we start by determining what depth we want in the space—light, medium, or dark. From there, we're able to narrow down the color selections based on the overall vibe of the room." This shade from Benjamin Moore creates a formal and dramatic mood.

Benjamin Moore Salamander $11.00

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02 of 10

Paint & Paper Library Sobek

Designer Sophie Ashby of Studio Ashby opts for an earthy approach. "In selecting the perfect shade of green, I always prefer greens with a bit of muddiness, earthiness, or smokiness to them," she muses. "I love celadon green, as used in this project, as it reminds me of jade and Japanese pottery. It has a bit of blue in it, which stops it feeling too sickly."

Paint & Paper Library Sobek $7.00

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03 of 10

Farrow & Ball Green Smoke

Style maven and interior design star Emily Henderson recently renovated her kitchen with a fresh coat of green color (Farrow & Ball Green Smoke, to be exact). "I love this green because it's totally timeless yet still appropriate for something old world and classic," she tells us. "Using it on the island of my kitchen gives the room a fun, unexpected hit of color, while still keeping it traditional and allowing it to blend with the style of the home."

Farrow & Ball Green Smoke $110.00

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04 of 10

Sherwin-Williams Green Bay

Designer Jeremiah Brent focuses on the relaxing quality of deeper shades of green. "Traditionally, the color green represents growth and evokes a sense of relaxation and safety," he tells us.

Sherwin-Williams Green Bay $38.00

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05 of 10

Benjamin Moore Army Green

Portland-based interior designer Max Humphrey recommends a more unexpected approach. "My hot tip for selecting the right green for a room is to skip out on the wimpy celadon shades and go right for the gusto with army and olive greens," he notes. "It's keeping on trend with the 'olive is the new navy' philosophy, and I suggest favorites such as Benjamin Moore Army Green and Dunn Edwards Military Green."

Benjamin Moore Army Green $11.00

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06 of 10

Dunn Edwards Enchanting Ivy

Homepolish designer Orlando Soria doesn't shy away from saturated shades of green. "For a darker space that doesn't get a ton of natural light, I recommend going with a color that has a bit more pigment," he tells us. "This gives the space a purposeful, romantic vibe. I love a rich, forest-y green like Dunn Edwards Enchanting Ivy, which has enough blue and neutral tone in it to give a slightly more upscale, sophisticated look."

Dunn Edwards Enchanting Ivy N/A

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07 of 10

Benjamin Moore Antigua Aqua

Soria offers an alternative take to give brighter spaces a minty-fresh feeling. "If you're dying for some color but have a bright, airy space, I'd recommend going with a lighter, more ethereal green in a minty hue. This color gone wrong can look like it belongs in a hospital, so make sure to choose a color that has enough blue in it to start veering more toward aqua than straight-up hospital green," he suggests.

Benjamin Moore Antigua Aqua $11.00

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08 of 10

Fine Paints of Europe WC-60

Architect Reinaldo Leandro of the design firm Ashe + Leandro favors deeper tones. "I personally like deep greens, with a more grey undertone. They definitely carry a little more depth than bright or tropical greens," he shares. "We also tend to employ them more in back of the house spaces such as kitchens or mudrooms. Somehow these spaces seem more warm and earthy, devoid of pretension, so the connection to green is more natural."

Fine Paints of Europe WC-60 $15.00

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09 of 10

Behr Jungle Camouflage

For a more subdued approach, pick a shade of green paint that's not so bold. In this Scandinavian-inspired room, the green paint color works as a neutral element of the space and doesn't distract the eye. "Just remember to always follow your gut instinct," Decorist celebrity designer Jonathan Rachman says.

If you're not ready for bright colors, stick with what feels most aligned with your style.

Behr Jungle Camouflage $31.00

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10 of 10

Sherwin-Williams Electric Lime

Designer Mat Sanders of Consort Design loves to tailor his color selections to a space. He advises, "When choosing the perfect green for a room, really consider the vibe you want to evoke. Minty greens can sometimes come off as clinical feeling; grassy greens definitely feel more pop-prep; and darker greens will feel cozy and den-like."