How to Use Olive Green Paint Color in Your Home
With so many shades of green to choose from, it can often feel overwhelming knowing which color to use in your home. Olive green is a versatile and timeless color that can transform your home into nature-inspired and serene space.
This shade of green, with its muted and earthy undertones, brings a sense of calm and sophistication to any space and is currently a huge trend in interiors and fashion.
Whether you’re aiming for a modern, rustic, or classic look, using olive green paint colors in your home can provide a versatile background and can be incorporated in numerous ways.
Understanding Olive Green
Before diving into paint colors, it’s important to understand what makes this shade special. Olive green is a blend of green and brown, creating a color that is both warm and cool.
Its versatility lies in its ability to complement a wide range of other colors and styles. Olive green can be both a bold statement and a neutral backdrop, depending on how you use it.
Choosing the Right Shade
Olive green comes in a variety of shades, from light, yellow-tinted olives to deep, almost blackish greens. The shade you choose will depend on the mood you want to create and the other colors in your space.
- Light Olive: Perfect for creating a fresh and airy feel. It works well in kitchens and bathrooms where you want a clean and lively atmosphere.
- Medium Olive: A great all-rounder that can add warmth and coziness to living rooms and bedrooms.
- Dark Olive: Ideal for creating a dramatic and sophisticated look in dining rooms, studies, or accent walls.
My Favorite Olive Colors
Olive green is a popular choice and many well-known brands have numerous shades to choose from. These specific shades can help you visualize and choose the right olive green for your home.
1. Benjamin Moore
Tate Olive is a sophisticated and versatile shade of olive green that brings a sense of calm and refinement to any space. The tone is medium, not too dark or light, which provides flexibility in various lighting conditions and room sizes.
Louisburg Green is a classic and versatile shade of green that evokes a sense of timeless elegance and tranquility. It is a muted, medium-to-dark green with subtle gray undertones and is perfect for a bedroom.
2. Behr
Royal Orchard is a rich, deep olive green paint color that exudes elegance and sophistication. This particular shade combines earthy green with a hint of brown, creating a warm and inviting hue that can add depth and character to any space.
Truly Olive is a sophisticated and versatile shade of olive green that brings a sense of calm and elegance to any space. The tone is rich and muted, making it an adaptable choice that can work well in various settings and styles.
3. Sherwin-Williams
Palm Leaf is a vibrant and refreshing shade of green that brings the lush, tropical essence of palm leaves into your home. The tone is bright and vibrant, making it an energetic and uplifting choice for any space.
Leapfrog is a bright, saturated green with yellow undertones, giving it a lively and invigorating appearance. This shade is highly bright and vivid, ensuring it brings a lively and playful energy to a room.
4. Farrow & Ball
Bancha has to be one of the most popular olive green paint colors. It is a deep, earthy green with strong yellow undertones, reminiscent of the rich, leafy greens found in nature.
This shade is relatively dark, offering a cozy and intimate atmosphere while still maintaining enough brightness to avoid feeling too heavy.
Olive is a deep, muted green with strong brown undertones, giving it an earthy and natural appearance. Olive creates a serene and inviting atmosphere in living rooms.
It works well as a main wall color or an accent, paired with neutral or warm-toned furniture and natural textures to add depth and comfort.
5. Lick
Green 18 is a rich, mid-tone green with subtle undertones of gray and blue, giving it a cool, serene appearance. This shade has a moderate level of brightness, providing a sense of depth and tranquility without being too dark or overwhelming.
Green 05 is a light, sage-like green with subtle gray undertones, giving it a soothing and understated appearance. This shade has a light to moderate brightness, providing an airy and tranquil feel without being too stark or washed out.
Using Olive Green as an Accent Color
If painting entire walls in olive feels too bold, consider using it as an accent color. Here are some ideas:
- Furniture: An olive green sofa, armchair, or cabinets can become the centerpiece of your room.
- Textiles: Incorporate olive green through cushions, throws, curtains, and rugs.
- Artwork: Choose artwork with olive elements to tie the room together.
- Accessories: Vases, lamps, and other decorative items in olive green can add subtle touches of color without overwhelming the space.
Complementary Colors and Pairings
The above olive green paint color ideas should help you get started in choosing the right color for your home. However, you’re probably wondering, if you are using such a bold color in your home, how do you decorate the rest of the room?
To make the most of this shade, pair it with complementary colors that enhance its natural beauty.
- Neutrals: Whites, creams, and beiges create a classic and timeless look when paired with olive green. These colors keep the space light and balanced.
- Warm Colors: Terracotta, mustard yellow, and burnt orange add warmth and richness to olive green, making the space feel inviting and cozy.
- Cool Colors: Blues and purples can create a striking contrast, adding depth and interest to your space.
- Metallics: Gold and brass accents pair beautifully with olive green, adding a touch of glamour and elegance.
Olive Green in Different Rooms
Each room in your home can benefit from the unique qualities of this beautiful shade. Here’s how you can use this versatile color in various spaces:
Living Room
Georgette Round Footstool in Olive 
Plushpad Wool Rug in Olive 
The Hackney, 3 Seater In Olive Green 
Alderney Armchair In Olive 
Papaver cushion olive 
Olive Green Twill Cotton Linen Curtains
Olive green can create a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere in the living room. Consider painting all the walls in a light olive shade for a soft and cohesive look.
Alternatively, use a darker olive green on one accent wall to create a focal point. Pair the walls with neutral furniture and add pops of color through accessories like cushions, rugs, and artwork.
However, if you want to go all in with olive green, paint your walls a lighter shade and introduce darker olive green in your furnishings such as a velvet sofa and plush curtains.
Bedroom
French Bedroom Love Story Olive Velvet Finial Bed 
Hadano Wall Light Brass With Olive Green Shade 
Lexington Olive Green Bed Linen 
Beaumont in Olive and Sage Green on Ecru 
Olive Green Full Length Wave Mirror 
Aviator Armchair In Olive Green Velvet
In the bedroom, olive green can promote a sense of tranquility and restfulness. Opt for a medium olive green on the walls and pair it with natural wood furniture for a rustic yet sophisticated look.
Soft white or beige bedding will keep the room feeling light and airy. For a more dramatic effect, use a dark olive green on the walls and complement it with gold or brass accents.
Kitchen
Large Olive Green Pantry 
Romy Adjustable Stool 
Midi Drinks Cabinet Locker In Olive 
Aspen Chevron Olive Planter 
Hadano 3 Light Brass Suspension With Olive Green Shades 
Sophie Allport Olive Stoneware Side Plate
Olive green is an excellent choice for the kitchen as it evokes freshness and cleanliness. Light olive green on the cabinets or walls can brighten the space, while darker shades can add depth and character.
Pair olive green with white subway tiles and wooden countertops for a modern farmhouse look. Stainless steel appliances also work well with this color.
Bathroom
Petite Porcelain Olive Green Gloss Tiles 
Green Scalloped Wall Storage Shelf 
Green Freestanding Vanity Unit with Basin
In the bathroom, olive green can create a spa-like atmosphere. Use a light olive green on the walls to make the space feel larger and more open.
Pair it with white fixtures and natural stone or wooden accents. For a bold statement, consider a dark olive green vanity or tiles.
Tips for Painting with Olive Green
- Test Samples: Always test paint samples on your walls before committing. Observe how the color looks in different lighting throughout the day.
- Prep Your Space: Ensure your walls are clean and primed before painting to achieve the best results.
- Quality Paint: Invest in high-quality paint for better coverage and durability.
- Balance: Balance olive green with lighter colors and neutral tones to avoid making the room feel too dark or heavy.
Olive green is a versatile and timeless color that can enhance the beauty and comfort of your home. Whether you use it as a main wall color or as an accent, olive green brings a sense of tranquility and sophistication to any space.
Disclosure:Â Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a very small commission if you click through and make a purchase. These links help to pay the editorial costs of writing a blog. For more information, please read my full affiliate disclosure here.
I also use Artificial Intelligence Image generators to create some of my images. These are to show you examples of my ideas and inspiration when I cannot produce the real images myself.
