It’s so easy being green

From the Resene decorating blog

Kermit the frog may have famously found it “ain’t easy being green”, but maybe it was because he was talking about that particularly vivid shade of bright, yellow-toned green.

Today’s favoured greens are smooth, muted, and subtle. They are versatile enough, with greyed or beige edges like Resene Nirvana or Resene Rainee, to veer toward neutrals, while being warm and bold enough, like Resene Field Day and Resene Paddock to add modern sophistication to any room.

These olive and sage-toned greens are an evolution from our fondness for biophilic greens, into earthier, more mossy notes that keep us connected to nature – with a little extra attitude.

Green goodness

Resene Colour Expert Meryl Southey says these deeper, moodier greens are popular for interiors and exteriors because they create a sense of calm and serenity. “The deeper hues like Resene Seaweed or Resene Off The Grid, create drama without being overwhelming.

“They have that direct connection to nature, laying a foundation for all other colours. That means they are naturally versatile and are easy to pair with other shades.

“Most of these greens have a greyed or muted edge to them,” Meryl says. They’re less colour saturated or bright than some other greens, which can make them work well as a neutral while adding just enough colour to be unexpected and interesting.

For a layered neutral effect based on muted greens, try a background wall colour in Resene Eighth Lemon Grass with off-white trim in Resene Merino. Add layers of deeper complex greens in Resene Lemon Grass, Resene Double Lemon Grass and darker Resene Camouflage as an accent. Resene FX Metallic Gold on a light fitting or picture frames also adds elegance and polish.

There are also several shades within the Resene Whites and Neutrals range that have quite a muted but noticeable green hue that can work well as the foundation of a sophisticated green palette. Try shades like Resene Secrets, Resene Kangaroo and Resene Ash, layered with Resene Flax, Resene Paddock, Resene Rivergum and Resene Forest Green, which will bring out the base green tones in your neutral.

These neutrals also provide a good balance for other bold shades such as dark blue Resene Avalanche, dark red Resene Persian Red and khaki Resene Kokoda.

While you’re thinking about neutrals, a rich olive or smoked green can make an interesting alternative to black. Try deep Resene Log Cabin or subtly bronzed Resene Turtle Green for a finish that offers a little more visual surprise than standard black. Double down on the impact by adding a complex but bold accent like Resene Pirate Gold or Resene Red Berry. Alternatively, add some subtle freshness with a muted pink like Resene Soothe.

For a luxurious suede-like finish use these deep greens on walls in a matte or low sheen finish such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene SpaceCote Flat.

Within the idea of these versatile and sophisticated greens, there are still plenty of different hues to play with and plenty of other colours that will work well in your overall palette, Meryl adds.

For example, try the delicate tranquillity of Resene Eau De Nil layered with the fresher leafiness of Resene Norway and the rich lushness of Resene Palm Leaf. Finish with a pop of heady tropical yellow Resene Bird Flower for an uplifting retreat space you can immerse yourself in.

Olive greens like Resene Contour work well with the burnt lime tones of Resene Saratoga, and green-edged whites like Resene Travertine. This time, try a contrast accent in the sun-baked earth tones of Resene Wild West.

Meryl also suggests trying murkier, primordial greens such as Resene Raptor with herbaceous sage greens like Resene Bud and reddish tans like Resene Half Hairy Heath. Add a note of freshness with trim in Resene Eighth Tea.

Cool sophistication; or warm elegance

As with any colour scheme, working with a palette based on sophisticated, muted greens will work best if you choose all cool or all warm colours. Which end of the temperature scale you choose could depend on a range of things, from your personal taste, to the aspect, light levels and natural feel of the room you are redecorating.

Cool colours in a south-facing or dark room may make a space feel cooler and less inviting, while warm colours in a sunny, light north-facing room may feel too bright and intense. Each space is different, particularly when combined with your personal taste and the vibe you want to create.

Try different shades out using Resene testpots and Resene A4 drawdown paint swatches so you can experiment before committing. Staff at your Resene ColorShop will also be able to make suggestions on what colours will work well together to create the look and feel you want based on the details of your room.

Meryl’s advice for how to spot complex greens that are cool or warm is to look for yellow or blue undertones. One simple way to do this is to place a sheet of white paper between your A4 swatches, which will mean your view of your colour samples won’t be influenced by colours around them, making it easier to see their true undertones.

“Generally speaking, warm greens have more yellow in them, like shades of olive or chartreuse, while cool greens have more blue undertones, like peppermint and aqua,” Meryl says.

“Deeper shades of green are warmer no matter the undertone because they have less white, and greens which present a grey undertone such as sage greens are warmer because they are muted and not fresh and clean.”

Green remains one of the most versatile and timeless colours to work with. That and its natural connection to nature are why it remains hugely popular as a design choice. These smart and sophisticated greens open up a whole new range of colour combinations to give you a classic and elegant look.

Colours mentioned in this article

Products mentioned in this article

May 21, 2025

If you need help finding just the right green for your decorating project, come in and visit your local Resene ColorShop, Ask a Resene Colour Expert free online or book a Resene Colour Consultation free instore or virtually or a paid home visit in selected areas.

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