Sage green has been a popular paint color for decades, and is still a go-to hue for designers and homeowners today. Its organic and serene coloring can give any room a timeless, relaxing feel, and it works with almost any other color you can think of. Not only is sage green a perfect choice for your interior, but it’s a classic option for your exterior, as well. Read on to discover 12 relaxing sage green paint colors that never fail, and be sure to download my FREE sage green paint color cheat sheet at the bottom of this post to take with you next time you visit the paint stores.

What color is sage green?

Before we start, let’s define the color sage green. Sage green can best be described as a gray-green, with a hint of yellow to it. If you dried the silvery-green leaves of a fresh sage plant, they would take on a slight yellow-brown tint, and you would have the perfect representation of a sage green paint color. Check out the image below to see what I mean.

fresh versus dried sage

Of course, there are tons of paint colors that are described as a sage green, and even use the word “sage” in their name. You’ll see sage green paint colors vary from being slightly yellow-green to more of a blue-green-gray. Is that a problem? No. It just means that there can be an overwhelming number of choices out there in the “sage green” family, and it can be difficult to narrow in on the best green paint color for your home.

If you’re searching for a true sage green color, however, it should be on the warmer side of the spectrum. This means that it will have a touch of yellow in it. Here’s a graphic that shows the difference between a true green (in the middle) compared to a warmer or cooler green. When you add some yellow to the green, you get a warmer green. On the other hand, adding some blue gives you a cooler green.

warm versus cool green paint colors

For this post, I’ll be sharing sage green paint colors that lean a little warmer (closer to the true definition of a sage), which means they will have more yellow in them than blue.  Now, on to the paint colors!

Farrow & Ball Mizzle

Farrow & Ball’s Mizzle (No. 266) gets its name from the weather – a combination of the words “mist” and “drizzle.” It’s a light, soft gray-green that can be a bit of a chameleon. In some lighting it will look more gray, and at other times of the day it could look more green. This is a great color for bedrooms, a nursery, or any room where you want to create a calm, peaceful vibe. Get a peel-and-stick sample of Farrow & Ball’s Mizzle HERE.

Benjamin Moore Soft Fern

Benjamin Moore’s Soft Fern (2144-40) is a pale yellow-green muted by gray tones. It has a bit of vibrancy to it, which gives it a cheerful, Spring-like quality. This is a great color to give your bedroom an elegant, soothing look. Buy a peel-and-stick sample of BM Soft Fern HERE.

 

Benjamin Moore Camouflage

Camouflage (2143-40) is a very versatile neutral that can look more like a sage or more like a gray, depending on the lighting conditions in your room. It’s a subtle, sophisticated color that has been a designer-favorite for many years. If you’re looking for just a hint of sage green on your walls, give Camouflage a try. It’s a great neutral for living rooms, and main areas of your home. Get a peel-and-stick sample of BM Camouflage HERE.

benjamin moore camouflage sage green paint color

Source: Shuler Architecture (also on Houzz)

Sherwin Williams Sensible Hue

Sherwin-Williams Sensible Hue (6198) is a light-to-medium green with a LOT of gray in it. It has much more gray than others on my list, so if you want a barely-there sage green that is absolutely gorgeous, give Sensible Hue a look. It’s an elegant choice for bathroom and kitchen cabinets, as well. Just take a look at the stunning bathroom by Studio McGee (below) to see how beautiful Sensible Hue can be with marble and brass accents. Buy a peel-and-stick sample of SW Sensible Hue HERE.

sherwin williams sensible hue bathroom sage green paint colors

Source: Studio McGee

Benjamin Moore October Mist

October Mist (1495) has become very popular over the last couple years, after being named Benjamin Moore’s color of the year for 2022. It’s a very nicely balanced sage green that is serene and relaxing. You can use October Mist anywhere from bedrooms, to bathrooms, and even the main areas of your home.  Get your peel-and-stick sample of BM October Mist HERE.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage

If you ask any designer to name a sage green paint color, they will likely mention Saybrook Sage (HC-114). This is a classic paint color that is part of Benjamin Moore’s historical collection. It’s a soothing, earthy green with a touch of gray to keep it mellow. You can use Saybrook Sage everywhere, from walls to cabinetry. Whenever you’re looking for a sage green, Saybrook Sage is a great place to start.  Buy a peel-and-stick sample of BM Saybrook Sage HERE.

saybrook sage living room sage green paint colors

Source: Luxe

Not only is Saybrook Sage a popular interior color, but it’s a fabulous choice for exteriors, as well. If you’re looking for a timeless, happy sage green for your exterior, be sure to get a sample of Saybrook Sage. 

Farrow & Ball French Gray

Farrow & Ball French Gray (No. 18) is a luxurious paint color that, despite its name, is more of a green than a gray. It’s beautiful paired with rich wood tones and brass accents, and can be used on walls or cabinets for a timeless look. Take a look at this beautiful sage green bedroom, painted with F&B French Gray. Get your peel-and-stick sample of F&B French Gray HERE.

Sherwin Williams Svelte Sage

If you want a sage green that feels like you’re surrounded by nature, take a look at Sherwin-Williams Svelte Sage. It has yellow-brown undertones, which can work really well to counteract cooler light in a north-facing room. It has a very grounded, earthy feel to it, and is beautiful paired with creamy off-whites. Get your peel-and-stick sample of SW Svelte Sage HERE.

Sherwin Williams Clary Sage

Clary Sage is another paint color that is well-known in the design world. It has a lovely softness to it, and just seems to work everywhere it’s used. While Svelte Sage and Clary Sage have the same light reflectance value (LRV), which is a measure of how light or dark a color is, Clary Sage leans more green than Svelte Sage.  Clary Sage is also a great sage paint color for kitchen cabinets. Get your peel-and-stick sample of SW Clary Sage HERE.

Have you ever considered a sage green front door? A nice, earthy sage green is a fantastic color for a front door, especially when paired with red brick, or a creamy white exterior. This next picture of a patio door, painted with SW Clary Sage, might just convince you.  The brick is painted Sherwin Williams Alabaster.

clary sage door

Source: @dailydigs

Farrow & Ball Lichen

According to Farrow & Ball, Lichen (No. 19) represents the subtle color of algae creeping over aged stone. That’s a pretty great visual to describe this color. Lichen is a relaxing, muted, medium shade of green that feels like you’ve invited nature into your home. It looks beautiful with creamy whites and deep blacks, and all wood tones, as you can see in the cozy living room below. Lichen is a great color if you want to make a little more of a statement with your sage green.  Buy a sample sheet of F&B Lichen HERE.

Benjamin Moore Louisburg Green

Louisburg Green (HC-113) is a medium sage green with gray undertones, and is part of Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection. It’s a timeless color for exteriors, especially if you have a Craftsman or Victorian and want a historically appropriate color  Louisburg Green has a traditional vibe to it, and is perfect as a den or office color, paired with dark wood and leather.  Get your peel-and-stick sample of BM Louisburg Green HERE.

 

Benjamin Moore Oil Cloth

The gorgeous kitchen you see below quickly became an Instagram sensation. The sage green cabinets, painted with Benjamin Moore’s Oil Cloth (CSP-760), pair perfectly with brass hardware, black countertops, and terracotta floors. Oil Cloth is a muted green with gray undertones, and has a very relaxing, soothing quality to it. If you like the look of Oil Cloth, but want to go a smidge darker, try SW Evergreen Fog. Evergreen Fog was SW’s color of the year in 2022, and is a beautiful dark gray-green. Grab your peel-and-stick sample of BM Oil Cloth HERE.

 

What colors go with sage green?

Sage green is a very versatile color, and works with a wide range of colors. It looks particularly great when paired with other earthy colors, like browns, golden yellows, warm beiges, dark blues, and terracottas. When it comes to materials, sage greens look absolutely amazing with wood (both dark and light), leather, brass, and copper accents. Neutrals, like black and white, can really showcase your sage green in a sophisticated way.

Here are the best colors to coordinate with your sage green paint:

  • Warm whites (creamy whites will enhance the look of sage green better than a crisp white)
  • Black
  • Warm grays
  • Browns
  • Navy blue
  • Beiges
  • Blush, pinky-beiges, corals
  • Rust, terracotta

How do I choose the right sage green paint color?

The best and right way to choose any paint color is to sample it in your home! You simply cannot choose a paint color based on a picture, no matter how beautiful it looks.

To find the perfect sage green paint color for your home, you need to take the following steps:

First, get samples of the tried-and-true colors in this post, or other sage green paint colors that appeal to you. My favorite source for paint samples is Samplize. Their peel-and-stick sample sheets are large, inexpensive, and super easy to move around the room. Order several samples today, and they’ll arrive on your doorstep the next day. Why not save yourself a trip to the paint store, and get your samples delivered?

paint sample sheets from samplize

Next, place the samples in your room and look at them throughout the day (in the morning, at noon, and again at night with lights on). Based on how the color looks in your space, you will either find a winner, or you may need to go back and get new colors to sample.

For example, if your sage green sample color looks too yellow, you’ll need to find a similar color that leans more green or even has a bit of blue to it. If the sample looks too gray, you may need a more saturated green. And, if the color looks too green for your taste, you’ll want to find a color that is more muted (has more gray in it).

In general, if you have a north or east facing room, you may want to go with a warmer green to counteract the cool light that streams in. If your room faces south, almost any green color will work. West-facing rooms could benefit from a green that is neutral or leans slightly cooler, since warm afternoon light can amplify yellow undertones. 

Sage Green Home Decor Favorites 

Once you’ve found the perfect sage green paint color for your room, you’ll need some furniture and accessories to tie everything together. Here are some of my favorite sage green home decor products to get you started:

Sage Green Paint Color Cheat Sheet

There are tons of beautiful sage green paint colors out there, but hopefully this list will help you narrow in on the best ones to try, rather than searching through hundreds of mediocre colors. To make your paint selection journey easier, I created this handy little cheat sheet of my favorite sage green paint colors for you to print out next time you’re headed to the paint store. Just click here or on the image and print your FREE guide!

best sage green paint colors welsh design studio

 

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What other paint colors do you recommend?

For more paint color ideas, check out my Favorite Paint Colors eBook. It’s filled with all of the best paint colors in every color family from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams, plus my exclusive list of the best colors for specific spaces like primary bedrooms, kids rooms, and kitchen cabinets. Never again will you have to waste time searching the internet for the best colors…just imagine the time (and stress) you will save yourself! Get your copy HERE.

best paint colors