Laura Ellis
Muted and calming, sage green can transform your home into a peaceful haven for relaxation, can provide a neutral backdrop for artwork, and a lick of sage green paint can go a long way to freshen up tired white walls. In the kitchen, sage green brings a spring-like quality and lushness, reflecting the energy of a busy space.
In the living room, it can add warmth and atmosphere, encouraging you to retreat indoors and cozy up on the sofa. These 9 colors all go perfectly with sage green, from subtle, understated combinations to bold, unexpected pairings.
For a dramatic contrast, sage green pairs well with dark stone, making a statement without overwhelming the space. Interior designer Louisa Grey, and founder of the eponymous design firm, House of Grey (opens in new tab), invites serenity to this room in a London home and uses the combination to provide a sense of place.
‘To complement a sage green shade, I would combine it with an earthy brown or light ash neutral tone. These palettes work particularly well when we’re designing a city dwelling as it provides a grounding connection to the natural surrounding environment, and a sense of being outdoors in an organic landscape,’ she says.
Using remnants of naturally dyed fabrics, House of Grey worked with artist, Tessa Layzelle (opens in new tab) on a modern take on the patchwork quilt for the piece above the bedstead.
For a touch of industrial drama to your interiors, a jet black and sage green color combination makes for a dynamic space. In this South Austin townhouse, Cukerbaum has added this contrast subtly, including jet black bar stools and a painted beam that crosses the ceiling. The countertops are Calacatta Vagli Marble from Aria Stone and extend up the wall, creating a backsplash.
A slim horizontal window is featured between the countertops and cabinets, bringing in natural light to the space. ‘A bit of turmeric can go a long way to add some contrast and warmth’, says the interior designer Daniel Hopwood (opens in new tab). Sage green walls work to create a timeless and classic look when paired with bright white, bringing a calm and fresh feel to a space. This color pairing is an easy way to add interest to your walls without having to drastically overhaul your interiors and the scheme can go far to make a room feel brighter and lighter, reflecting light in the summer months. Working together as two bold colors, sage green and mustard yellow offset each other well, and can be used to highlight architectural features, such as painting above or below a dado rail, the ceiling roses and cornices, as seen in this example. Here, the golden hue, ‘Mortlake Yellow’ from Little Greene is used as an accent wall idea, highlighting the detail on the ceiling.
‘This shade of yellow works alongside the sage to bring warmth to a serene and natural scheme,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene (opens in new tab). Decorating with a neutral tone of the green can act as a great canvas for something dynamic to really shine. In this Atelier Davis-designed kitchen min a 1960s mid-century family home, the bright red of the stove really stands out against the pared-back sage green tile work. 'The red and sage are a really natural combination, even if initially it seems unexpected,' saysthe studio's founder Jessica Davis.
‘Turquoise energizes sage green and yet keeps it moody at the same time, says designer Daniel Hopwood. With strong ties to nature, sage green mirrors the newfound enthusiasm people have for greenery in their homes.
