From fresh apple greens to deep olives and delicate blue-greens, there are countless ways to introduce green into your home. Inspired by the natural world, green is one of the most versatile colours to decorate with, working beautifully alongside timber, stone, patterned fabrics and both traditional and contemporary furnishings. It’s also a particular favourite of Edward Bulmer, which is perhaps why our natural paint collection includes such a wonderful variety of greens. But with so many shades to choose from, where should you begin? We’ve selected five different types of green paint to help you find the right colour for your home, whether you’re drawn to something bright and uplifting or softer and more understated. Drab Green bedroom at Court of Noke 1. Bright and vibrant green paint colours Bright greens bring energy and freshness to a room. They’re particularly effective in spaces where you want to make a feature of painted walls, cabinetry or woodwork, and can be surprisingly versatile when paired with natural materials and softer neutrals. Olympian Green Olympian Green is a lively, yellow-toned green with plenty of warmth and vitality. Created using ultramarine and yellow pigments rather than a green pigment, it has a clear, fresh quality that makes it a wonderful choice for a confident interior. It works beautifully alongside natural timber and patterned fabrics, while softer colours such as Fawn provide a gentle contrast. As floral designer Chrissie Wiltshire explains: “Anyone who knows my love of moss and all things green will get my love of the freshness of Olympian Green – it reminds me of the first glimmer of spring when leaves are just starting to unfurl.” Olympian Green bedroom by Cote de Folk. Photography: Boz Gagovski Olympian Green bathroom at Court of Noke. Photography: Paul Whitbread Olympian Green living room at Strawtop Cottages Invisible Green Despite its name, Invisible Green is anything but inconspicuous. Inspired by the 19th-century practice of painting garden ironwork green to help it disappear into the landscape, it’s a vibrant grass green that brings a strong connection to the outdoors. A favourite of interior designers including Rita Konig, Invisible Green works beautifully across walls or as a statement colour on kitchen cabinets, doors and window frames. For a softer contrast, pair it with Milk White or Dove. For something bolder, consider introducing Dutch Orange through adjoining rooms, furniture or textiles. Invisible Green living room by Rita Konig Invisible Green bathroom by Home at Brookes. Photography: Matt Gamble Invisible Green kitchen leading through to Dutch Orange by Sean Anthony Pritchard Pippin Inspired by the many shades of green found in apples, Pippin is a fresh apple green with strong yellow undertones. Its lively colour is particularly appealing on painted furniture and woodwork, although it’s equally at home across an entire room. Pair it with warm whites, natural timber and earthy neutrals to balance its freshness. Pippin bedroom by Lorfords Pippin bathroom by Coal Cornwall Pippin living room by Lorfords 2. Darker green paint colours Deeper greens can make a room feel wonderfully inviting, particularly when used across walls and woodwork. Rather than trying to brighten a naturally dark space with white, a richer green can be an effective way to embrace its character. These colours also work beautifully with antique furniture, natural materials and warm accent shades. Drab Green Drab Green takes its name from the historic term drab, originally used to describe undyed cloth and later associated with brownish colours. Far from being drab, this earthy brown-green is a wonderfully adaptable choice for interiors, particularly on panelling, cabinetry and walls. It pairs beautifully with softer neutrals such as Stone White and Fawn, or richer contrasting colours including Sang de Boeuf. As Nicole Salvesen of Salvesen & Graham explains: “We love to use colours that are less ‘true’ as they work so well throughout the year, changing in tone with the seasons. It was this that drew us to Drab Green.” Drab Green doorway with Rose walls and Etruscan Brown panelling by Fiona de Lys. Photography: Rachael Smith Drab Green boot room by Strawtop Cottages Drab Green bedroom with Aquatic woodwork by That Rebel House Light Olive Green Light Olive Green is a strong mid-tone green inspired by the colour of Mediterranean olives. Its rich, velvety appearance makes it particularly appealing for walls and woodwork, while its earthy quality works beautifully with terracotta, timber and traditional furnishings. For a striking combination, pair it with Etruscan Brown or Sang de Boeuf. Alternatively, softer yellow-based shades such as Lute and Quaker offer a gentler contrast. Light Olive Green and Sang de Boeuf kitchen cabinets with Quaker on the walls Light Olive Green cabinets with Cuisse de Nymphe Emue walls by Thompson Bell. Photography: Jonathan Bond Light Olive Green bedroom by Elizabeth Hay Design. Photography: Jonathan Bond Flock For an even deeper green, Flock is a rich, confident choice that works particularly well on cabinetry and woodwork. Used alongside lighter walls, natural stone and timber, it creates a striking contrast without feeling disconnected from the rest of the scheme. Flock living room 3. Soft green paint colours If you prefer a more understated approach, softer greens offer a gentle way to introduce colour. From fresh, yellow-toned shades to muted grey-greens, these colours provide beautiful backdrops for artwork, textiles and furniture. Pea Green Pea Green draws inspiration from the fresh green of garden peas. Although the colour was widely used in the 18th century, historical recipes varied considerably, with some producing a bluer green and others incorporating more yellow. Edward’s interpretation captures the freshness of the vegetable itself, creating a lovely colour for walls, panelling and painted furniture. It works particularly well with natural materials and warm neutrals, while Granite Green provides a more grounded companion shade. Pea Green kitchen by Nels Eyre Interiors Pea Green dining room at Thyme Pea Green bedroom by Katharine Paravicini Ltd. Photography: Jonathan Bond Pomona Named after the Roman goddess of fruit trees and orchards, Pomona is a fresh apple green with a beautifully balanced combination of pigments, including viridian. One of Edward’s favourite greens, it features in the drawing room of his Herefordshire home. Pomona works particularly well alongside soft pinks and warmer colours, including Mason Pink and Nicaragua. Pomona panelling with Fine White walls and Nicaragua bathtub by Lisa Kay Tea Green Tea Green is a subtle grey-green inspired by the colour of tea leaves. Five carefully balanced pigments give this shade its distinctive nuance. It has enough presence to work beautifully across walls, while allowing architectural details, artwork and furnishings to take centre stage. Particularly suited to period interiors, Tea Green works equally well in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian homes. Tea Green bathroom with Brunswick Green Deep cabinets by Thompson Bell. Photography: Jonathan Bond Tea Green bathroom at Thyme Tea Green bedroom at Thyme 4. Earthy green paint colours Earthier greens often contain grey, brown or yellow undertones, giving them a natural affinity with timber, stone and other traditional materials. These shades can be particularly effective in historic properties, although their versatility makes them equally appealing in contemporary interiors. Gladstone Gladstone is a subtle grey-green inspired by the muted colours sometimes described historically as sad colours. Far from being gloomy, these nuanced shades were valued for their ability to complement polished materials, textiles and architectural details. Gladstone is a lovely choice for creating a gentle backdrop, particularly in rooms with traditional proportions or natural materials. Gladstone living room Granite Green Inspired by the Regency interiors of Carlton House, Granite Green has a fascinating decorative history. Before Carlton House was demolished, artist William Henry Pyne recorded several of its interiors, including rooms painted in Granite Green alongside elaborate marble columns. Its combination of Prussian blue and yellow ochre gives it an earthy quality that continues to work beautifully with marble, stone, wood and terracotta. Granite Green is also available in lighter strengths, making it a useful choice for tonal decorating schemes. Milk White bathroom with Granite Green panelling at Thyme Granite Green Granite Green bathroom at Thyme Eau de Nile Eau de Nile is a wonderfully versatile, muted green created using yellow ochre, black and a touch of chrome yellow, without the need for blue or green pigments. Its subtle colouring makes it an appealing choice for walls and woodwork, particularly alongside warm neutrals and natural materials. For complementary colours, consider Quaker, French Grey or Cuisse de Nymphe Émue. Eau de Nile bathroom at Court of Noke. Photography: Paul Whitbread 5. Blue-green paint colours Sitting between blue and green, these shades can range from delicate celadons to fresher, more vibrant colours. Blue-greens are particularly versatile alongside pale timber, stone and warm neutrals, while their cooler undertones can provide a lovely contrast to earthy reds and pinks. Celadon Celadon takes its inspiration from the luminous green glazes of traditional Chinese porcelain. A soft grey-green with a gentle blue influence, it’s made using yellow ochre, Prussian blue and a touch of black. Celadon works beautifully as a backdrop to artwork, gilded frames and light wood furniture, making it a lovely choice for sitting rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. Celadon living room by @claudiainteriors. Photography: @mattclayphoto Celadon bedroom by Amy Eld. Photography: Kit Dixon Smith Celadon bedroom by Amy Eld. Photography: Kit Dixon Smith Verdigris Verdigris takes its name from the green-blue patina that develops on copper and bronze over time. Its Prussian blue base gives it a distinctive freshness, balanced by an underlying earthiness that makes it surprisingly adaptable. For a softer alternative, consider Roger, a delicate green inspired by the first signs of spring. Verdigris and Sea Green bedroom at Court of Noke. Photography: Paul Whitbread Verdigris bedroom at No.1 Bruton. Photography: Emma Lewis Roger children's room by Vaughan Design & Development. Photography: Chris Snook What colours go with green paint? One of green’s greatest strengths is how naturally it combines with other colours. The best pairing will depend on the undertones of your chosen green and the overall effect you want to achieve. Green and pink: Soft pinks such as Lilac Pink and Mason Pink work beautifully alongside fresh and earthy greens. For a stronger contrast, consider a richer pink or red. Green and warm neutrals: Colours such as Fawn, Stone White and Clove provide a gentle backdrop for both bright and muted greens. Green and red: Earthy reds and terracotta shades, including Sang de Boeuf and Etruscan Brown, complement deeper olive and brown-greens particularly well. Green and yellow: Yellow-based neutrals such as Lute and Quaker can bring out the warmth in olive greens, while brighter yellows create a more playful contrast. If you’re decorating several rooms, consider how the colours will relate to one another as you move through your home. You don’t need to use the same green everywhere, but repeating undertones or complementary colours can help create continuity. Brunswick Green Deep and Lilac Pink kitchen by Charlotte Boundy Portland bedroom with Invisible Green door by Amy Bannerman. Photography: Euan Baker Olympian Green walls with Fawn woodwork How to choose the right green paint When choosing between green paint colours, consider the amount of natural light your room receives, the materials already in the space and whether you want the colour to feel fresh, muted or more dramatic. A vibrant green such as Invisible Green will create a very different effect from the subtle grey-green of Tea Green, even when used in a similar setting. We always recommend trying sample pots or A5 colour cards in your own room and looking at them throughout the day, as changing light can significantly affect how a colour appears. For more practical inspiration, explore our guide to decorating with green in every room, from kitchens and bathrooms to bedrooms and sitting rooms. Alternatively, discover our green paint colours or explore our Colour Consultancy services for help finding the right palette for your home.
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Edward Bulmer Natural Paint wins the Conscious Award This July our team were thrilled to pick up ‘The Conscious Award’ from Country and Townhouse, celebrating our brand prioritising sustainable business models, responsibility and staying true to our ethos and brand mission.
