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12 of the Best Dark Green Paint Colours for Every Interior
Green is —if you’ll pardon the pun— an evergreen favourite for interiors. And when it comes to dark green paint colours the choice, these days, is varied and endless. From forest green to deep sage green paint colours, there will definitely be a dark green to suit you.
A favourite with designers, using green in the home is a way of including the principles of biophilic design, as it calms and soothes.
Here are 12 of my favourites, that will suit practically any interior space.
How to Choose The Best Dark Green Paint For Your Space
When it comes to selecting the perfect dark green paint for your space, there are a few considerations to remember. Bear these in mind to ensure that the paint colours you choose will work well in your home.
What is the room’s function and purpose?
Take into account the room’s size and its function.
As a general rule of thumb, dark colours tend to make spaces feel smaller and cosier. If you’re painting a small room —or one with minimal natural light— you might want to opt for a lighter shade of dark green to prevent the room from feeling too cramped. Or embrace the darkness and go all in with a full colour-drench of every surface; walls, ceiling and woodwork.
Think about the room’s function as well; for example, a deep, moody green might be perfect for a cosy bedroom or sitting room but might feel distracting or claustrophobic in a small office space.
Decide on the mood you want to achieve
Dark green can evoke different moods depending on its undertones. For example, warmer greens tend to feel cosy and inviting, while cooler greens can create a more serene atmosphere. As well as undertones, lighting plays an important part in how a paint colour can look in situ. Which brings me nicely onto the next point…
Assess the lighting
Is the room you plan to paint north-facing? Or does it enjoy lots of natural daylight? Artificial lighting can significantly impact how a paint colour appears in a room. Have a look at your chosen paint swatches in various lighting conditions throughout the day to see how they look under different lighting.
I’ve found that the best way to do this is to paint a large sheet of paper with the chosen colour and stick it to the wall with masking tape.
See how the light changes throughout the day and how the colour is affected. And see how the paint works with other colours in your space.
Also, remember the gloss level of paint can affect its appearance and durability. Matte or eggshell finishes can create a softer, more understated look, while semi-gloss or gloss finishes can add depth and richness to the colour but may also highlight imperfections — especially if the paint is to be used in a bright or south-facing room.
What undertones does the paint have?
Dark green paint colours can have undertones of blue, yellow, grey, or brown. Pay attention to these undertones as they can influence how the paint looks on the wall.
For instance, a green with blue undertones might complement cooler colour schemes, while a green with yellow undertones might work well with warmer tones.
Consider your overall colour scheme
Also take into account the other colours in the room you plan to use dark green paint in, including furniture, fabrics, and accessories. Ensure that your chosen dark green paint coordinates with everything else you plan to furnish the room with to create a cohesive look.
Which paint brand is the best?
Now that’s the million dollar question isn’t it? Review all your options before you buy. Read reviews from other homeowners to gauge durability and coverage, for the specific dark green paint colours and paint brand you’re interested in using.
Take the time to try different tester pots, to feel confident that you’ve chosen the best paint for the job.
What Colours Go Best With Dark Green?
Dark green is such a nature-inspired colour, as in nature, it offers a variety of pairing options. Here are some combinations to consider.
Neutral Tones
Create a calming and earthy feel with neutrals like beige, taupe, grey, or white. These lighter colours will balance the boldness of dark green.
Black or Navy
It may seem odd to pair a dark shade with another deep, moody colour but black or navy work beautifully when paired with dark green. They both offer a bold and sophisticated combination that gives a real sense of modern luxury.
Add some brass or gold accents to add interest and give a touch of sparkle and glamour.
Contrasting Shades
Pair dark green paint shades with vibrant pops of colour such as mustard yellow, dusky pink, or terracotta. These contrasting colours add energy and can really lift the overall look and feel of a room that’s been painted in a very dark shade.
Green Tones
For a dramatic effect, go monochrome and layer shades of green together. Lighter —or cooler— greens can create a tonal, luxurious look.
12 of the Best Dark Green Paint Colors
Here are 12 of my favourite dark green paint colors to suit every interior. From the deepest darkest — almost black— to yellow-toned verdigris inspired greens.
1. Green 05 Rome House Matt by Lick
‘A dusky olive green paint with warm golden undertones. Green 05 Rome House has an energising quality.’ According to Lick, if you use this colour in the smooth matt finish, Green 05 will make your space feel restorative and uplifting.
Inspired by an olive green car and the artistic San Lorenzo district that Rome House calls home.
Such a beautiful shade when paired with earthy neutrals, it’s a great way to add a dark green paint to your interior without it feeling too heavy.
2. Poison by Zoffany
Zoffany says: ‘Inspirited by the exquisite patination of oxidised copper verdigris, ‘Poison’ is a striking green hue. The name derives from the historical Verdigris pigment paint, which — at the end of the 18th century — was a popular paint colour and appreciated by many. Fans included George Washington but it was found to be poisonous due to the white lead within its mixture.
I’ve used this in my own home and can vouch that Zoffany is a gorgeous paint to work with. Poison is the perfect punchy green if you want to make a statement. I love how it looked on our shelves.
3. Marshwood Green by Fenwick and Tilbrook
Marshwood Green is a very deep green with an undertone of yellow oxide.
This gorgeous colour was created by the team at Fenwick and Tilbrook for the windows of Marshwood Manor in West Dorset. The colour needed to sit happily in the rural environment of the very special Marshwood Vale, a rural area, where the small fields still retain much of their layout from Iron Age times.
The Vale is steeped in superstition, myth, and legend, and its verdant beauty is a remnant of ancient English countryside.
4. Pleasure Gardens Green by Mylands
Pleasure Gardens Green by Mylands is another of the very dark green paint colours in my line up. This dark green contains red with a drop of violet to deepen the tone. It is named after the leafy Vauxhall gardens on the south bank of the River Thames and just a stone’s throw from Mylands’ original store.
If you’re using this shade, Mylands recommends using a dark grey primer and undercoat.
5. Bottle Green by Dunelm
I’ve included Bottle Green by Dunelm in this round-up as it’s one of the more affordable dark green paint colours I’ve found. I’ve never used Dunelms paints, so I can’t vouch for the coverage or quality, but I love this shade and thought it was worth including just because of the amazing price point: just £20 for a 2.5L tin, which I think is great value. To be honest, even if you have to give three —or even four— coats, to get this inky dark finish, it’s still a great price.
Dunelm say, it’s ‘Perfect for creating a cosy, luxurious atmosphere’; this bottle green paint ‘boasts rich tones, making it ideal for bringing a rich and refined look to your home décor.’
6. Studio Green by Farrow and Ball
Studio Green was the first dark green paint that came to mind when I began putting this selection together.
Although there are now darker shades on the market, this was the first very dark, inky green paint that had ever caught my eye.
Up until that point, the darkest green paint colours available were more of a forest green. In some lights, Studio Green can look almost black—it’s such a chameleonic shade. This is also the colour used on the exterior of the original studio at Farrow & Ball, where many of their very first colours were mixed.
I think it looks so beautiful when paired with black and white, as shown in Vincent The House’s perfect bathroom.
7. Ditch The Tie by Coat
When I think of the dark green paints in stately homes and grand country houses, this is exactly the colour that springs to mind.
Of ‘Ditch The Tie,’ Coat says this is a timeless dark green that brings a touch of grandeur—the perfect timeless statement for modern and period homes alike.
8. Invisible Green by Edward Bulmer
9. Livid by Little Greene Paint Company
I have featured this shade before in the sage green paint colour round-up. Even when it’s used in a south-facing space, like our boot room, shown above, it’s quite a dark shade of green. But it’s so soft and cocooning — it doesn’t feel heavy or oppressive. I absolutely love it.
According to Little Greene, ‘This Livid paint shade is a deep, moody yet restful colour, sitting somewhere between blue, green and grey.’
For me, it’s just perfect.
Now, it’s worth mentioning that Little Greene also has a paint shade named ‘Invisible Green’ but that — and this beautiful shade shown above — couldn’t be more different.
Whereas the Little Greene version is almost a dark brown shade, this gorgeous deep green by Edward Bulmer is unquestionably green. Of course, such a strong colour is hardly invisible, but they have taken the 19th century idea of painting ironwork in the landscape to ‘vanish’ it. As a result, this beautiful green grass was born.
This is a really striking colour firmly planting the outside in. Edward Bulmer say it looks particularly incredible in a conservatory/garden room, hallway or sitting room.
10. Wilkes Green by DeVOL
I fell in love with DeVOL kitchens when we were planning our house renovation and visited their legendary kitchen at Cotes Mill. Their kitchens are traditional, simple and effortlessly stylish. I love the painted finishes and DeVOL now sell these paint colours for you to use in your own homes.
The description of this beautiful shade of green perfectly sums it up.
DeVOL say, of Wilkes Green:
It’s ‘that old-fashioned sort of green that was used everywhere in old Victorian homes, especially on the panelling and woodwork, giving a drab sort of look which evokes a perfectly authentic interior’.
And I couldn’t agree more. I think it’s the perfect vintage green.
11. Deep Adam Green by Craig & Rose
The description Craig & Rose gives of their Deep Adam Green paint is ‘A strong and subdued green with a decadent history.’
‘Deep Adam Green is inspired by the 18th-century style stalwarts, the Adam brothers, whose love of Greek architecture epitomised the neoclassical style of the era. This charcoal green is a celebration of such elegance and style. Compliment dark wood grains with full wall coverage or team up with a neutral scheme for an elegantly minimalist feel.’
This paint colour works just as well a backdrop for teak, mid-century modern furniture, as it does for country, cottagecore styles.
12. Backwoods by Benjamin Moore
Finally, a shade that I’ve had my eye on for a while and —at some point— will definitely be using in our home.
‘A blackened shade of forest green that bares a hint of welcoming warmth.’
I remember seeing this room on Instagram a few years ago. I love how Angela Wheeler has paired the deep, dark green with the limed oak doors. And also love how she’s continued the colour on the window frame. See that beautiful colour pop with the pink flowers in the sink? Backwoods is a glorious deep, dark green that will make other colours it’s paired with sing.
Pin & Save These 12 Dark Green Paint Colours For Later
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
