Decorating with bold accent colors has become a popular style in recent years as homeowners become more confident with color.
In fact, the recent frenzy around the unexpected red theory of this year’s color trend proves that homeowners are gravitating towards vibrant accent colors to liven up their interiors. While red continues to be a very popular color, lately we’ve noticed other hues coming to the fore, such as botanical greens and seductive blues.
Uplifting yet calming, incredibly versatile, and evocative of the restorative power of nature, it’s no wonder we’re increasingly using these natural hues as accent colors in our interiors. But don’t just take our word for it: we spoke to the experts to get their take on alternatives to red, and collected some tips for bringing some wonderfully fresh greens and blues into your home.
What color would replace red?
Bright greens and blues are quickly becoming popular accent colors for creating eye-catching interiors, and of course, red decor will always be popular among those looking for drama and warmth, but for now, these cooler hues are rivaling red in popularity.
“We’re seeing more and more clients turning to these fresh blues and greens for their uplifting, contemporary feel. They make a room feel larger and brighter, and being around them can be refreshing,” explains Tash Bradley, interior design director and colour psychologist at Rick.
“Green’s strong association with nature has led to its use as a striking accent color in interiors as people seek to reconnect with the great outdoors. Green is an incredibly versatile color that can be paired seamlessly with a wide range of colors, but is particularly effective when combined with earth tones such as browns, pinks, reds and oranges as we move towards warmer, more vibrant color and paint trends in interior design. This versatility allows green to create many ‘unexpected’, yet harmonious, color palettes across a variety of design styles.”
As interior design director and colour psychologist at home décor brand Lick, Tash Bradley uses her expertise in colour psychology and theory to help people all over the world find the colours that positively impact their spaces, lifestyles and health. As well as curating Lick’s unique colour collections, Tash provides colour consultations to decorators across the UK, EU and US, giving them the colour confidence they need to transform their homes into spaces they love.
10 Ways to Introduce Unexpected Green and Blue Tones
1. Highlight architectural features with green plants
(Image courtesy of Little Greene)
Bright green is a great way to enliven practical spaces like utility or laundry rooms, including on window frames, cabinets and sink skirts. For a playful, ‘unexpected green’ accent, pair it with a contrasting colour on the other side of the colour wheel, such as plaster pink or coral pop. The beauty of using green is that it’s impactful, yet also neutral and calming.
“Green tends to be a relatively neutral colour – not too warm or too cold, which makes it very versatile and can be used in a variety of spaces regardless of light tone,” explains Ruth Mottershead, creative director and marketing director at Little Green.
“There are lots of interesting ways to use green paint for living room ideas. It doesn’t have to be the wall that’s the focal point, it can be used to highlight architectural features such as painting above or below a dado rail, ceiling trim ideas, cornices, etc. Or, if you don’t have these details in your home, you can employ ceiling paint ideas that draw the eye upwards and give the illusion of height.”
2. Paint your furniture a fresh apple color
(Image courtesy of Benjamin Moore)
Why not breathe new life into your old furniture by giving it a fresh coat of green paint? As well as creating a unique character, painted furniture ideas also help prevent good quality furniture from ending up in landfill – meaning they’re environmentally friendly in more ways than one.
“As our theory on unexpected reds suggests, decorating with primary colours is a great way to add visual interest to any scheme. If colour is not your forte, incorporating a few bright accents can help create a fun, energetic space without feeling overwhelmed. Green is a great accent colour as it’s both fresh and muted,” says Helen Shaw, international marketing director for Benjamin Moore.
“Painting just one wall, ceiling or piece of furniture is a good way to ensure the colour isn’t too overpowering. If you’re lucky enough to have architectural elements in your home, such as a picture rail or cornice, using lots of green as a highlight is sure to enhance the space.”
3. Liven up your home office with bold blues and greens
(Image courtesy of Davide Lovatti)
Vibrant and fun, ultramarine is a great way to liven up a home office that can often become bland and boring.
“From vibrant blues to cerulean and deep navy hues, these refreshing colours are growing in popularity as they can add a dramatic touch to your living space,” says Kathleen Saunders, creative director at Earthborn. “Used as a subtle backdrop or as an accent colour on furniture or baseboards, they bring a sense of inviting style and security to your home.”
Why not highlight your bookcase ideas or cupboard doors with cobalt blue and turn them into a striking design feature?
4. Choose citrus green wallpaper
(Image courtesy of Kelling Designs)
British interior designer Emma Deterding, founder of Kering Design, is known for her bold use of color and has noticed a trend toward the color green in recent years.
“I think greenery has become even more important to people since the pandemic, especially for people who have been living indoors for so long with no green space,” she says.
“I personally find myself tending to use more UV rays, especially in cities. It may be a subconscious desire to bring the outdoors inside. Not surprisingly, I love bold and citrus colours,” she added.
“For the dining room in our London studio and showroom, we used a beautiful citrus green wallpaper that I absolutely love. Philip Jefferies’ Green Grass 5268 Grass Cloth is the perfect colour to display artwork on, plus all the other colours work so well with it. We also covered the doors and added stud details in Wemyss faux suede, which is another fresh, beautiful green that really makes you feel like you’re in a garden.”
British interior designer Emma Deterding is the founder and creative director of interior design studio Kelling Designs and home brand KDLoves. Known for her expert use of colour and pattern, she has worked on numerous domestic and commercial projects in London and abroad.
5. Wallpaper the ceiling
(Image courtesy of Farrow & Ball)
Playful ceiling wallpaper ideas are becoming increasingly popular as a way to introduce an element of wow into a space, so why not try some bold green stripes? A decor staple, stripes never go out of style.
“Ceilings are a great place to get creative, and stripes have a natural affinity for them, as they’re both playful and on-trend. While it’s not necessarily a decorating task for the faint-hearted, tented stripes or simpler straight lines can add a great, unexpected design note,” she explains. Farrow & Ball brand ambassador Patrick O’Donnell.
6. Electric Blue to Highlight Woodwork
(Image courtesy of Little Greene)
The bold blue pairs beautifully with on-trend earthy browns, adding an unexpected touch to a sophisticated, dark color scheme.
“To give a neutral colour scheme an unexpected and contemporary twist, add an unexpected highlight colour – for example, add a splash of vibrant blue to the pale taupe ‘Joanna’ or use a deep ‘Chocolate Colour’ as a highlight to the bold and vibrant ‘Mambo’,” suggests Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Green. “Deep neutrals and earthy browns act as a stunning, sophisticated backdrop to this explosion of fun, intense blues.”
We will cover what colour you should paint your woodwork in another feature.
7. Get a bold emerald headboard
(Image courtesy of Barlow & Barlow)
Decorating your bedroom with neutrals is a timeless choice, plus they’re a great base for layering on bold colors and unique artwork, as demonstrated in this eye-catching scheme by Barlow & Barlow.
“Green is an incredibly versatile colour, with beautiful tones to suit any mood or occasion. Here we use a deep emerald green in our headboard ideas and bedroom rug ideas to focus the eye and tie in green accents that are both playful and sophisticated,” says Lucy Barlow, co-founder of Barlow & Barlow.
8. Add some greenery to your bathroom
(Image courtesy of BC Designs)
Green is a soothing yet uplifting color that evokes the nourishing power of nature, making it perfect for bathrooms and rooms that focus on self-care and wellness. Green tiles and paint are popular ways to incorporate the color, but if you have the space, why not make a statement with a green freestanding bathtub?
“Surprisingly, green can be used in many different ways, and one way to bring green into your bathroom is through colored ceramics,” says Barry Kutchey, design director at BC Designs. “Freestanding bathtubs are on many wish lists, but this imposing bathtub, a true work of art, stands out from the crowd. Opting for the green version only adds to the impact.”
9. Brighten up your shower with vibrant green and blue tiles
(Images courtesy of: Interiors: Brooke Copp-Barton; Photography: Megan Taylor)
Infusing personality and fun into a small bathroom or shower can be tricky, but choosing vibrant green and blue tiles is sure to add instant vibrancy. For even more fun, choose patterned bathroom tiles, or lay the tiles in a playful arrangement to keep the space from feeling flat and cold, as interior designer Brooke Kopp Burton does here.
Although the saying goes that “blue and green should never be seen together,” the two colors actually work beautifully together, making them a popular combination among interior designers — after all, we’re surrounded by this combination all the time in nature.
“The vibrant blue of this splashback tile is perfect for energising first thing in the morning, and adding Bert & May’s green Santana tile in the shower really livens up the space – it happens to be one of my favourite colour combinations,” says Brooke Kopp Burton.
10. Add a wow factor to your bathroom with cobalt blue
(Image courtesy of Drummond)
Bright cobalt blue is expected to be a big trend in interior design from 2024 to 2025. Why not try using cobalt blue on an entire wall in your restroom to create a fun conversation starter with your guests?
In this beautiful scheme by Emil Eve Architects, unique glazed zellige tiles bring shimmering texture, while playful Lioness & Palms wallpaper in the Common Room lends a sense of curiosity and adventure. Classic décor by Drummonds completes the look.
For more amazing green and beautiful blue decor inspiration, in our separate features we explore the forest green trend and how to decorate with ocean blue, two of the biggest hues that will dominate 2025 color trends.
