What's replacing sage green in 2024? 5 on-trend variations of this nature-derived hue

Sage green, a serene and muted gray-green hue inspired by the popular herb, has gained significant traction in interior design, with experts labeling it 'the new neutral.' It is projected to be a leading color in 2024 due to its soothing qualities and versatility, adapting to various design themes from earthy to contemporary. Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene Paints, highlights its ability to introduce nature's tranquility and elegance into homes. Several prominent paint brands offer distinct sage green variations. Little Greene's "Sage Green" is noted for its rich, warm undertone, appealing to Victorians for its calming properties. It pairs well with neutrals like French Greys and Portland Stone, and can create a vibrant contrast with colors like Mambo blue or Book Room Green. Sherwin-Williams' "Evergreen Fog SW 9130," their 2022 Color of the Year, provides a calming ambiance and harmonizes with organic features such as wood. Its unique depth allows it to blend seamlessly while standing out, and it can be combined with dark brown-grey like Urbane Bronze or creamy neutrals like Woven Wicker. The cool blue-gray undertones are complemented by warm brass accents. This shade was a top-tinted interior color in 2023. Benjamin Moore's "October Mist 1495," the 2022 Color of the Year, is a gentle, nature-inspired sage with a silver-green quality that evokes freshness. This versatile shade pairs effectively with creams, soft violets, buttery yellows, and blues, making it suitable for connecting spaces like entryways and hallways. Farrow & Ball's "Mizzle," named after West Country misty skies, is a soft green-grey ideal for bedrooms due to its relaxing effect, aiding rest and calm. Its cool, gray notes give it a modern feel, and it can be layered with off-whites or contrasted with bolder colors like red. C2 Paint's "Verdeline #960" is a cool sage with a silvery blue undertone, perfect for counteracting warm, south-facing rooms. Its light, neutral, and timeless qualities make it suitable for various rooms, especially when paired with timber, darker blue-greens, or warm metals. HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams offers "Clary Sage (HGSW6178)," a warm sage with yellow undertones that creates a lush, soft warmth. It's suitable for both interiors and exteriors, including kitchens, where it can provide a retro flair. It pairs well with Creamy or Dirty Martini for a refined aesthetic. Behr's "Balance Green" combines pale greens, including celery, sage, and jade, to deliver stability. Its warm undertone makes it uplifting and energizing, fitting for kitchens, offices, and living rooms, and it effectively adds color to gray rooms while maintaining a neutral scheme. Lick's "Green 02" is a popular mid-tone sage with balanced blue and grey undertones. A color psychologist from Lick notes its association with balance and nature, promoting relaxation. It is recommended for kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, or home offices, as green is perceived as a restful color for the eyes. Sherwin-Williams' "Sea Salt SW 6204" is a light, airy sage with distinct cool bluish-gray undertones, often paired with white trim like Extra White or Natural White to brighten spaces or create spa-like ambiances in bathrooms. Valspar's "Green Trellis 5006-3C" draws on nature's calming hues, complementing modern decor and natural materials, creating a grounding effect for indoor and outdoor living. It can be a dominant color with minimalist furniture or combined with luxurious neutrals like Luxe Gray and Cherry Taupe. Farrow & Ball's "French Gray" sits between green and gray, inspired by 19th-century French decoration, and shifts character with light, creating a calm, tranquil environment. Its blue-gray undertone makes it particularly suitable for east-facing rooms. Finally, Benjamin Moore's "Salisbury Green HC-139" is a mid-tone green with prominent gray undertones and a hint of blue, resulting in a timeless hue. It is recommended for both interior and exterior use, pairing well with natural materials like wood and stone, and can enhance architectural details when used on trim or shutters. Its ability to complement landscapes and natural materials makes it a versatile choice. #SageGreen #PaintColors #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ColorTrends #DecoratingAdvice #BenjaminMoore #SherwinWilliams #FarrowAndBall

Sage green is emerging as a prominent and highly versatile color trend in home design for 2025, with designers touting it as the 'new neutral.' This soothing hue is gaining widespread popularity, appearing across various home elements from walls and cabinets to furniture and decor. Its appeal stems from its intrinsic connection to nature, offering a calming and cozy ambiance to any space it inhabits. Design experts emphasize sage green's neutral characteristics, highlighting its ability to seamlessly integrate with a broad spectrum of design aesthetics. Lisa Morton, a designer, points out that this softer green creates a nature-filled environment while promoting comfort and serenity. She also links sage green to Feng Shui principles, where the color represents the wood element, signifying balance, harmony, and rejuvenation. Micaela Quinton, director of design at Copper Sky Design + Remodel, reinforces the notion of sage as a soft neutral that can nonetheless make a significant design statement, noting its compatibility with both warm and cool tones, thereby enhancing any room effortlessly. For those considering incorporating sage green into their homes, designers offer practical advice, suggesting a gradual introduction for hesitant homeowners. Rebecca Merritt, a Florida designer, recommends starting with smaller applications such as built-ins, cabinetry, or individual furniture pieces, as sage green offers a fresh feel without overwhelming a space. She praises its soothing qualities, making it suitable for bedrooms and bathrooms, while still possessing enough personality to stand out. Kelly Sutherland, another designer, agrees on its suitability for bedrooms and kitchen cabinets, even suggesting it for laundry rooms as an ideal choice for those desiring color without an overly bold impact. She particularly recommends Sherwin-Williams Svelte Sage, known for its cool gray undertone, and Benjamin Moore Galapagos Green, a richer variant. Caron Woolsey, founder of CW Interiors, describes sage green as timeless, especially when paired with unlacquered brass or matte black hardware. For those unsure about its use, she advises incorporating it through textiles, artwork, or antique rugs with sage undertones to test the waters. Courtney Batten of Paige Studio highlights an unexpected application: using sage green for millwork and paneling as a refreshing alternative to traditional stark white, adding warmth and invitation. For enthusiasts ready to fully embrace the trend, color-drenching is presented as an impactful approach. Wendy Smit, a Nashville-based designer, favors Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green for this technique, suggesting complementary throw pillows and rugs with green accents. She also recommends Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon, a unique gray-blue-green shade, and Sherwin-Williams Retreat, a muted green with blue and gray undertones, for comprehensive green applications in kitchens, pantries, or playrooms. Palm Beach designer Victoria Meadows encourages maximalist use in living rooms by applying a lighter sage hue on walls and ceilings in a flat finish, such as Benjamin Moore High Park, and then painting doors, trim, and millwork two shades darker, like Benjamin Moore Backwoods, in a high-gloss finish. Batten adds that color-drenched sage in bedrooms creates a moody, cozy, and sophisticated atmosphere that is both timeless and inviting. Regarding palette pairing, kitchen designer Cyndy Cantley considers sage green one of the most multifunctional colors available. She notes its harmonious interaction with darker shades of green, creams, corals, and even lavenders, providing flexibility to refresh a space with simple accessory changes. Victoria Meadows attributes sage's adaptable nature to its ability to complement every color on the color wheel. She suggests pairing a cool-toned sage wallpaper with rich cognac-toned furniture and vibrant blue accents for a playful, nature-inspired aesthetic. Even busy patterns, when rendered in this earthy sage shade, can evoke a sense of calm and soothing tranquility. #SageGreen #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #PaintColors #ColorTrends2025 #NeutralPalette #DesignTips #HomeRenovation #ModernLiving

As 2024 progresses, interior design experts are forecasting key paint color trends that will dominate in 2025. These predictions highlight a shift towards certain palettes, with two color families, in particular, expected to be highly influential. Interior designers Callie Blanks, Taylor Fusco, Meghan Jay, and Margie Kaercher have identified five prominent shades and color families, offering insights into their appeal and practical application in home décor. Deep, moody greens are anticipated to gain significant traction, driven by a post-pandemic desire for cozy, nature-inspired living spaces that promote comfort, calm, and well-being. Margie Kaercher of Hearth & Honey Homes suggests that these greens, once considered bold, are now seen as sophisticated design statements. She recommends color-drenching an entire room in a deep green for a luxurious, cocoon-like effect, advising the incorporation of natural wood tones and varied textures to add depth and dimension to the space. Another emerging trend involves browns, rusty reds, and terracottas. Callie Blanks of Callie Blanks Interiors notes that these earthy hues are already appearing in unexpected and bold applications, such as color-drenched rooms. For these spaces, Blanks advises balancing the intensity with light, natural linen for drapery or bedding to soften the overall aesthetic. She also suggests using neutral furniture and accessories with intriguing shapes and textures, or embracing a tonal look with slight variations in shade for a dramatic or romantic atmosphere. Yellow is also making a comeback, with Meghan Jay of Meghan Jay Design observing a growing enthusiasm for this color among her clients. She specifically highlights Farrow & Ball's Dorset Cream as an ideal, subdued yellow that offers warmth without being overly saturated or citrusy. For those hesitant to commit to a full yellow room, Jay recommends integrating smaller accents like a yellow table lamp for vibrancy or a goldenrod throw blanket for an unexpected touch of warmth. Bright reds are also expected to see increased use in 2025, according to Meghan Jay. She points out that a "pop of red" can infuse a space with fun and vitality, likening it to a classic black and white outfit accented with a red shoe. Jay illustrates this with a recent project proposal where red trim was suggested for a powder room to highlight architectural details and create a playful, unexpected ambiance. Finally, limewash greens are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in response to a demand for more organic-looking paint colors. Taylor Fusco of Tay Fusco Design reports a surge in requests for green limewash and Roman clay finishes. She believes that 2025 will continue to feature various green tones, mentioning Sherwin-Williams' Evergreen Fog and Benjamin Moore's Scenic Drive as strong contenders. Fusco’s design approach involves layering complementary pieces, such as light oak furniture for contrast or blush and pink accents, to enhance the green shades. #InteriorDesign #PaintColors #ColorTrends #HomeDecor #GreenHues #EarthyTones #YellowAccents #RedAccents #Limewash

The article highlights the early announcements of the 2026 Colors of the Year from various paint brands, offering insights into upcoming home decor trends. These early revelations provide inspiration for homeowners looking to refresh their living spaces, whether through comprehensive room makeovers or subtle seasonal adjustments. The selection of a new paint color is presented as one of the most impactful and accessible ways to update a home's aesthetic. Dunn-Edwards introduces "Midnight Garden," an earthy green reflecting a desire for wellness and grounding in home environments. This versatile shade is suitable for various applications, including cabinetry, walls, accents, and exteriors, and pairs well with natural textures, warm neutrals, and minimalist designs. Clark + Kensington's "Hazelnut Crunch" signals a trend towards brown-maroon tones, offering a rich, deep hue that promotes restoration, comfort, and calm. This color integrates seamlessly with both natural textures and modern design elements, appealing to homeowners seeking a relaxed atmosphere. Graham & Brown presents "Divine Damson," a bold burgundy that emphasizes personality-driven design. This luxurious color, a British institution's pick, adds sophistication and a contemporary edge to whimsical designs. The brand also unveiled a Design of the Year, Eternal Weave, and a Mural of the Year, Eternal City. Sherwin-Williams and HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams collaborate on "Universal Khaki," a versatile neutral that blends familiarity with freshness. This color is inspired by enduring elegance and rejuvenating resilience, forming a sophisticated yet simple backdrop. It is also featured in Sherwin-Williams' Colormix Forecast 2026, Anthology: Volume Two, which includes four distinct color palettes. Krylon's "Matte Coffee Bean," an almost-black brown, is intended as an accent color for spray paint applications. This shade adds dimension and a grounded allure, aligning with the appeal of organic minimalism. It draws inspiration from natural elements like clay, wood, and stone, providing a timeless and sophisticated choice for elevating everyday spaces and fostering harmony. It is suitable for updating furniture pieces, planters, and vases. C2 Paints' "Epernay" is a sophisticated ochre yellow, offering a richer and more timeless alternative to the butter yellow trend. This color is associated with European influences and contemporary design, evoking connections to art, history, and nature. It encourages appreciating the individuality of homes and the stories they hold. "Epernay" is part of C2's 2026 En Terre palette, which includes complementary shades like Parador, Spearmint, Potato Leek, Snowsky, and Blueberry. Glidden's "Warm Mahogany," a rich, burnt red with an almost-brown undertone, marks a departure from recent neutral palettes. This color has a nostalgic, retro, and mid-century modern feel, yet remains current. It functions effectively as both an accent and a primary color, and is also suitable for trim. Ashley McCollum, Glidden paint color expert, describes it as a classic and timeless color. Minwax, a wood stain brand, selects "Special Walnut" for 2026, reflecting a renewed appreciation for wood's natural character in interior design. This classic, dimensional tone is versatile across styles and applications, ideal for restoring vintage pieces or finishing new projects. Behr introduces "Hidden Gem," a green-blue that encourages the integration of more color into homes after a period dominated by neutrals. This bold yet approachable shade is connected to nature, promoting confidence in its enduring appeal. It can be used for color-drenching a room or as an accent. Valspar's "Warm Eucalyptus" is a cooler, earthier green, offering a comforting and serene option that adds color without being overly bold. It has a spa-like quality and is suitable for various rooms, including bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, and exteriors. Sue Kim, Valspar's Director of Color Marketing, notes its adaptability as both a statement and a subtle anchor. Dutch Boy Paints' "Melodious Ivory" is a creamy-beige neutral that aims to transcend trends. It provides a classic backdrop that supports various textures, elements, and personal touches, emphasizing comfort, quality, and connection in the home. These selections reflect a collective movement towards more personalized, comforting, and nature-inspired palettes, indicating a shift from purely neutral aesthetics to richer, more expressive tones in home interiors. #ColorOfTheYear #PaintTrends #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #PaintColors #DesignInspiration #HomeTrends #ColorPalettes