There's a reason that sage green paint is in high demand right now. 'Sage green is a beautiful muted green tone that can be versatile and visually interesting in just about any space,' explains Megan Dufresne, principal designer at interior design studio MC Design. It's a color that manages to be both on-trend and timeless at any given time.
It's a relaxing, peaceful color that can stand in for the likes of whites, grey and beiges without dominating a space. Not only has sage green been adopted as a near neutral, but there are also lots of colors that go with green in this muted, soft tone, making it a great backdrop to build your palette on.
So, now you're sold on sage green, but which of the many shades of sage green out there should you try for your walls? We asked designers and color experts for their favorite sage green paint colors to offer up some inspiration.
6 of the best sage green paint colors
What color do you think of when you think of sage green? For interior designers, it's a shade that runs quite a wide gamut of various green tones. From fresher, more yellow-toned greens to deeper, darker blue-green shades, the one thing they have in common is that they're on the muted side.
These designers have picked their own personal favorite shades of sage green paint across this range.
With a dash more yellow than many sage tones around, Dunn Edward's Floating Lily Pad is an interesting shade as it balances the soothing nature of sage with a slightly more energetic vibe.
'I will sometimes mix it with other green hues to create an expertly layered effect,' says MC Design (opens in new tab)'s Megan Dufresne, who used Lily Pad for this modern bathroom vanity. 'In this way the sage tone creates the perfect backdrop, without becoming overpowering.'
Undoubtedly one of the best Farrow and Ball paint colors from the archive, Pond Green is a deeper mix of green, blue and grey, offering a version of sage that's capable of making a statement, while retaining its calming superpowers.
'Our go-to sage shade is Farrow and Ball's Pond Green,' says Lauren Lerner, principal designer of Living with Lolo (opens in new tab). 'This green is invigorating, serene, and invokes a feeling of being in nature. It's also an easy neutral to incorporate through an accent wall or accessories, which makes it a great choice for any room in the house.
Proving sage green is both timeless and on-trend, Benjamin Moore named October Mist as its Color of the Year for 2022. It's the perfect mid-sage green - not too light, nor too dark, so a good starter shade for anyone dipping their toes in the sage green color pool.
'This Benjamin Moore shade gives just enough green for those who are not eager to commit,' says interior designer Jessica Davis of JL Design (opens in new tab). 'It's a very muted green with some grey undertones.'
Sage green might feel best suited to more rustic style homes, but this kitchen goes to prove it has a place in modern design too. With a low saturation of green, Farrow & Ball's Green Smoke can read as grey in some lights, but for the right room, it adds that slight vibrancy that makes a scheme feel verdant, rather than dull.
'This sage feels clean and fresh,' says Sara Cukerbaum, principal designer of SLIC Design (opens in new tab), who designed this sage green kitchen idea.
While a deeper shade, and rich with pigment, Ho Ho Green still has that near-neutral quality that makes it a choice that can suit all kinds of rooms and interior styles.
'We also find that darker sage green hues add more shadows and create different tones when the light hits,' say Jen and Mar of Interior Fox (opens in new tab). It works well with brass tones, and rust and tan tones are also colors that go with this sage green.
Sherwin Williams' Escape Gray feels like it best creates the balancing act between green and grey. At different times of day, your room might read like a soft warm grey, while at another those verdant green tones creep through.
'A mix with grey, this paint color combines a tone that brings a color like green into the updated neutral zone,' explains interior designer Jen Talbot (opens in new tab), who created this sage green bedroom with Escape Gray.
How do I decorate a room with sage green?
Try sage with another shade of green for a look that has more layers and depth. Green is at the centre of the colour wheel, so you can combine it with both warm and cool hues. ‘To create a calming effect, marry sage green with cool grey-whites for a soft Scandi feel,’ says Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore UK. ‘Or, for an earthier look, pair it with warmer off-whites or beige tones.’
‘For something bolder, think about adding red, especially at the browner end of the palette, such as oxblood,’ says Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball’s brand ambassador. ‘These are complementary hues on the colour wheel so will contrast effortlessly.’
‘Sage green almost glows when hit by the sunlight, so my preference would be to use it in a south-facing room,’ says Judy Smith, Crown colour consultant. ‘However, it’s light enough to brighten up a darker space such as a hallway.’
‘In north-facing rooms, look for a shade with yellow undertones to bring warmth. For other aspects, cool or warm shades will work, changing with the light of the day,’ says Carol Campbell, director at Isle of Skye Paint Company.
To add interest, use different sheen levels in the same shade of sage. ‘For example, if you have picture rails, you could use eggshell on one section and matte on the other,’ says Paula Taylor, colour and trend specialist at Graham & Brown.