6 best sage green paints that interior designers swear by

Decorating with green has been a prominent interior trend this year. Known for its ability to create a calming feel in the home thanks to its links to nature, green is a happy but serene color to embrace in home decor.

But which type of green is best? Sage green paint ideas are no doubt a strong contender – a more muted take on decorating with green, it's the perfect choice to create a restful and warm home.

'Sage greens are part of the most natural of all the color families due to their aged, earth-toned appearance, and affinity with calm and restfulness,' says Patrick O'Donnell, color expert at Farrow & Ball.

Perhaps the best part about opting for sage green in the home, is that it has an incredibly 'livable' feel that can almost feel like a fresh take on neutrals. ‘Greens are often relatively neutral,' says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene. 'They are neither too warm nor too cool – this makes them very versatile, they can be used in lots of different spaces.'

The best sage green paints

But what are the best sage green paints to consider using in your home decor? It can be difficult to know where to start when selecting paint colors, with so many to choose from. To help you on your way, we spoke to interior designers and color specialists to round up six of the most popular variations of this relaxing color trend to help with your green room ideas. 

1. Hollingsworth Green, Benjamin Moore

'My absolute favorite sage greens are from Benjamin Moore’s historical color collection,' says Nicole Cullum, interior designer and founder of Color Caravan. 'Colors like Hollingsworth Green have that serene mix of soft, natural greens with a neutral gray undertone to create a harmonious, balanced hue.'

When choosing which rooms in the home to embrace this soft sage green, Nicole recommends opting for green bedroom ideas and green bathroom ideas: 'Hollingsworth Green is gorgeous on bedroom or bathroom walls for a calming, organic feel.'

2. Pigeon, Farrow & Ball

Chicago-based interior designer Kate Marker recommends Farrow & Ball's versatile "Pigeon" to channel this popular paint trend. 'Pigeon by Farrow & Ball is a lovely sage with a subtle touch of gray to create a timeless color. This color softens black and white tile and finishes, and complements various wood tones, making it an ideal choice for a mudroom, laundry room, pantry, vanity cabinet, and more!'

3. Sage Green, Little Greene

‘Sage Green has been a staple of the Little Greene collection for many years,' says Ruth Mottershead. 'It is a calming and sophisticated shade of green with a very soothing effect, which will work particularly well in spaces like bedrooms or dining rooms creating an elegant and comforting feel. 

‘Sage’ pairs beautifully with other soft muted greens such as Green Stone Light and Green Stone. By using these traditional muted green tones in combination, you can create a scheme that emulates the natural environment, delivering a feeling of restfulness and wellbeing.’

Ruth Mottershead

Ruth Mottershead is a color and interior design expert who works as Creative Director at Little Greene, a brand renowned for its beautiful paint and wallpaper collections, many of which are inspired by nature.

4. Mediterranean Olive, Benjamin Moore

'We love Mediterranean Olive by Benjamin Moore, says interior designer Dan Mazzarini, Creative Director at ARCHIVE. 'We've used this on both walls and millwork and in different sheens. The color is bold – this is not for the timid – but I've found that the deep, earthy tone makes our rooms cozy and organic. It's a great backdrop for art, and as a glossy paint on millwork that adds a bit of old-world sophistication.'

5. Olive Sprig, Glidden

Ashley McCollum, color expert at Glidden suggests "Olive Sprig" as a calming sage green hue, specifically for green living room ideas. 'This is a soft and soothing green that can bring a sense of harmony and tranquility to your living room. This organic tone is a great choice for a living room given its ability to act almost as a neutral color and work in nearly any environment. Who couldn’t use a relaxing shade of green that evokes the feeling of aloe vera or a fragrant plant?'

6. Lichen, Farrow & Ball

'Choose the gentle shade of Lichen, a muted tone named after the subtle color of creeping algae, for a relaxing bedroom across both walls and woodwork,' advises Patrick O'Donnell. 'These soft shades also lend themselves beautifully to garden spaces, where they are sure to feel at one with nature,' he continues.

Patrick O’Donnell

Patrick O’Donnell is Farrow & Ball's color consultant & brand ambassador and has been with the brand since 2012. Patrick works with designers in the UK and North America, helping to bring their projects alive with the iconic, F&B color palette.

It's no surprise that sage green is widely embraced in home decor ideas, with the ability to create cozy and relaxing spaces that also feel sophisticated. Whether you opt for true sage greens or a more gray-toned variation of the color, it's guaranteed to look timeless. To help you complete the look, we've explained what colors go with sage green.