Green has been trending in home decor for some time – but the reasons for its growth in popularity are perhaps a little more unusual than with previous colour trends. Pandemic lockdowns not only prompted a desire to be closer to nature, but also a growing focus on care for the environment, as well as our own health and wellbeing.

As a result, green has become one of the most popular interior design colours in recent years. In colour psychology, green is also associated with a number of qualities, depending on the particular hue. While they all have some association with the natural world, lighter, brighter shades like pistachio add optimism and vitality – while darker, more muted tones like forest green can help create a sense of peace and tranquillity.

The human eye can perceive millions of colours, including (most prominently) green. While Johnny Cash famously sang about there being “40 Shades of Green”, there are actually thousands – and while we can’t fit all of them into one article, we can give you eight of the best green kitchen ideas to use in your home.

Hunter

Jewel tones like hunter really come into their own with the addition of metallic accents such as brass hardware. Flashes of gold can help to elevate this beautiful shade of dark green through using brightness and contrast. It’s also very much in keeping with the regal aspect of richer hues like emerald green – as is the addition of a high-shine black marble kitchen island. A similar effect can also be achieved with lighter colours – hunter works especially well when paired with white.

Olive

Add a touch of serenity to your kitchen with a soft, muted pale green. Like duck-egg blue, olive is a “near-neutral” shade, making it one of the most popular green kitchen ideas for those seeking a versatile, low-key option. Olive greens can be applied to a number of styles of kitchens ranging from traditional to contemporary, and pairs well with other neutral shades such as grey – or you can opt for something a little more playful by contrasting this beautiful shade with brighter shades, such as blush pink.

Mint

Mouthwatering shades of mint green are made for kitchens – whether you opt for a retro-classic shade of spearmint (a slightly bluer shade often seen in 1950s-inspired kitchens), or this shade seen here. Another near-neutral colour, mint pairs well with other soft pastels – or contrast it with natural elements like wood finishes and wicker.

Teal

Somewhere between blue and deep green lies teal – one of the more unexpected yet classic green kitchen ideas that works especially well in spaces with a classic or period element to them. Lighter greens have more vibrancy to them – but the muted tone seen here is darker, meaning that (much like hunter green) it looks great when contrasted with lighter colours or metallic accents. Teal also looks lovely when paired with dark neutrals like brown or navy.

Sage

Soothing sage is another versatile near-neutral somewhere between grey and green. A woody, muted tone that brings the outdoors into your home, it contrasts well with a variety of hues including navy, pink and mustard yellow as well as other neutrals like grey or cream. While it leans slightly towards being a darker hue, sage green has the surprising ability to open up spaces, being a softer shade that doesn’t tend to overwhelm too much.

How To Introduce Green Into Your Kitchen

There is a tendency to avoid the use of colour in kitchens: white classic kitchens rarely need redecorating – and keeping things neutral is generally a good idea (especially if you’re considering selling your home). That said, if you enjoy decorating the rest of your home with colour, there are plenty of ways you can add it to your kitchen.

You can paint the walls (or a single wall if you prefer to use green to highlight focal points in your kitchen). Alternatively, you can use tiling, and if you’d rather not commit to traditional tiles or paint, there’s always the option of temporary changes such as removable wallpaper or tiling.

Most of the examples here are of kitchens where the cabinetry has been painted, leaving the walls neutral, so if you want to add colour to your kitchen but you’d rather not paint the whole room, this can be another good option – and you can also add in textural elements by using matte or gloss paint.

Colour Combinations With Green

Most shades of green tend to work well with metallic accents and natural elements such as potted plants or wood finishes. In terms of colour palette, most greens tend to suit white and earthy, nature-inspired neutral tones (as well as lighter or darker shades for a two-tone look). If you’re looking for something a little brighter, exploring the colour wheel is a good place to start: in general, yellows, blues, pinks and violets are all good options.

For more colourful kitchen design inspiration, why not call in at one of our showrooms today, where our kitchens Manchester specialists are ready to help you create a kitchen that you’ll love to come home to.