Over the past year, our homes became a place of sanctuary amid the stress and anxiety of a global pandemic, so it’s no wonder that many of us are gravitating toward decorating choices that help us feel calm and grounded.
Sage green’s versatility makes it an easy color choice for living areas, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. “How the color is paired with other colors, textures, and finishes will impact the mood that you create,” says Stephanie Pierce, director of design and trends at MasterBrand Cabinets.
As a mix between gray and green, this calming shade “satisfies both color minimalists and color lovers,” says Nivara Xaykao, color marketing and development associate manager at Benjamin Moore.
Sage green works beautifully when combined with darker greens in the same color family, says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr Paint.
“I especially love sage green in the kitchen-it’s a lively space in the home where people often gather, but it can also act as a retreat for those who love to cook or read a book in a kitchen nook,” Wadden says.
To maintain a mostly neutral color scheme, opt for creamy shades of white and metallics like rose gold to add richness and warmth to the coolness of sage green, suggests San Diego-based interior designer Susan Spath.
The right color scheme can make your bathroom feel like a tranquil retreat where you can unwind at the end of the day.
“Many hardwoods and natural stones also have natural green undertones and will work very well within a green palette,” says Roger Higgins, of the Nashville design firm R.
“If you pair sage green with a similar-toned taupe or gray, it can get lost, but paired with a charcoal gray or a white, it stands out on its own,” says Kirsten Krason, co-founder of the Utah-based design studio House of Jade Interiors.
“I would especially love to use it on all four walls in a bathroom to create the ultimate retreat,” Wadden says.
A lighter shade of sage like Juniper Breeze gives rooms a bright, airy look, especially when paired with plenty of white.
To brighten the dark shade, select warm brass finishes for accessories like cabinet hardware and light fixtures.
Krason recently used Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon to refresh a laundry room.
“Benjamin Moore’s Saybrook Sage gives just enough green for those who are not eager to commit,” Davis says.