The Soothing Power of Sage Green Living Rooms
Do you long for a living room that provides a soothing retreat from the stresses of everyday life? Look no further than sage green walls and decor. This rich, earthy green has gained popularity for good reason - psychological studies show it actually has calming properties that can lower heart rate and blood pressure. Paired with natural wood tones and textural fabrics, sage green transforms living rooms into serene sanctuaries.
Keep reading to learn all about decorating with sage green to create a relaxing living room oasis.
Sage Green's Calming Properties
Sage green sits alongside shades like sky blue and forest green that are known to have a stabilizing and peaceful effect on mood. As a color found abundantly in nature, sage green is strongly associated with feelings of relaxation and tranquility. Unlike brighter greens that stimulate and energize, the muted softness of sage evokes images of misty mornings in the woods - a vibe that is perfect for downtime at home.
Studies demonstrate that being surrounded by green can result in measurable changes like lowered blood pressure and heart rate. This makes sage walls ideal for spaces devoted to entertainment and quality time with loved ones. The soothing ambience enables deeper conversation and more mindful relaxation.
Versatility
One of the best aspects of sage green is its incredible versatility. It pairs nicely with a wide range of furniture finishes and accent colors. For traditional living rooms, try offsetting the green with warm wood tones like oak or walnut. Or pair it with creamy neutrals and bright pops of yellow for a contemporary twist. Sage green can be adapted to suit personal style preferences.
The versatile, neutral backdrop also allows other furniture and fabrics to shine. Vibrant pillows, rugs and art feel energized against sage walls. This earthy green provides a harmonious bridge between the two realms many living rooms occupy - lively hangouts and peaceful sanctuaries.
Using Sage Green Paint
Painting your living room walls sage green is one of the most transformative ways to unlock this color's soothing magic. But with so many paint options out there, how do you choose the perfect shade?
Choosing Paint Colors
Popular sage green paint colors include:
- Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue
- Sherwin Williams Rainwashed
- Behr Silver Drop
- Valspar Hippie Green
Aim for green with subtle blue undertones rather than shades with yellow, brown or olive hints. And consider the size and lighting of your space - darker sage greens can feel rich and enveloping in bright, airy rooms but may overwhelm small dim spaces. Lighter tones keep things airy.
Paint Entire Room or Accent Wall?
Another choice is whether to paint all four walls sage green or use it strategically on one accent wall. Going all-in with full sage walls provides complete immersion in this peaceful hue. But painting just one focal wall in sage green warms up any living room with a hit of organic color, without dominating the whole space.
This works especially well in open floor plan homes, allowing adjoining rooms to retain their own vibes. Try using sage green on the wall behind a TV or sofa to evoke a feeling of being wrapped in nature.
Paint Finish
Most designers recommend a matte or eggshell paint finish for living room walls. The subtle texture enhances the calming ambience sage green evokes. Glossy paint would create too much contrast and glare from light fixtures.
Be sure to apply a primer before painting for the best color payoff. Choosing the perfect sage paint color for your living room is the first step in creating a relaxing retreat.
Decorating with Sage Green Furnishings
Paint is just one way to deck out your living room in soothing sage. Complementary furnishings in this muted green hue can enhance the Zen vibe.
Wood Furniture
Natural wood furniture looks fantastic paired with sage walls. Oak finishes with brownish-orange undertones add warmth that balances the cool green. Or try washed oak coffee tables and sideboards for a beachy twist.
Unfinished teak or walnut side tables also coordinate nicely, letting the wood's natural grain shine. A rustic wood ladder bookshelf or trunk accent table would suit a farmhouse sage theme.
Upholstered Pieces
For plush coziness, choose upholstered furnishings like couches, chairs and ottomans in sage green linen, velvet or microsuede. Tufted sage sofas or relined wingback chairs make stress-melting additions to living rooms.
The soft, cushy textures combined with the serene color create an irresistible appeal. Toss on some sage green throw pillows to tie everything together.
Wicker Accents
Finally, don't overlook wicker when planning sage living room decor. A vintage wicker rocking chair or standing lamp injects lightweight brightness. For small spaces, wicker accent tables open up the room instead of overwhelming it.
Natural textures like wicker, with its connections to outdoor living, enhance the calming properties of sage green.
Accessories to Complete Your Sage Green Living Room
Paint, furniture and wicker provide blank canvases for sage green's peaceful powers. But it's the accessories that truly breathe life into the space. Here are some ideas for complementing main furnishings with decor accents:
Textiles
Nubby wool area rugs, cozy cotton throw blankets and accent pillows featuring organic prints or patterns in sage green and blue tones enhance the laidback vibe. For window treatments, try flowing linen curtains in solid sage or natural prints.
Plants and Greenery
What better way to connect to the essence of sage green than incorporating lush plants and greenery? Potted snake plants, aloe vera, ferns or succulents accent sage spaces nicely. Consider a vertical garden wall behind the sofa for a bold green focal point.
Metallic Accents
Warm up those cool sage tones with metallic gold and silver accents. Aged brass picture frames, antique gold table lamps, mirrored furniture or silver candle holders all pop against green. Metallics add a glam element to nature-inspired sage.
Achieving Different Moods with Sage Green
Within the overarching serene qualities of sage green lie many possibilities for living room moods. Here are some ideas for variations:
Rustic and Relaxed
Channel laidback weekends in the country with distressed wood floors, natural jute rugs in creamy ivory and oversized wicker furniture. A rustic wood trunk doubled as a coffee table and storage adds functionality. Floating shelves displaying earthenware pottery make great wall accents. Finally, complete the cozy vibe with woven cotton throws in green and natural hues.
Modern and Sleek
For contemporary cool, pair sage walls with concrete or dark wood floors, a modular sage sectional and cowhide rugs in contrasting patterns. Large format artwork makes a bold statement, as does a sleek metal and glass coffee table. Sage green velvet chairs or a curvy green lounge create sculptural elements.
Glam and Sophisticated
Make a sage green statement glamorous with luxe finishes like velvet, mirrored furniture and metallics. Gray walls temper the green, while a plush sage velvet sofa pops. A glass-topped marble coffee table elevates the look along with a sparkling modern gold and glass chandelier. The overall effect is indulgent, yet still relaxed.
Sage green's soft, organic vibe has profound power to transform living rooms into sanctuaries. Strategically applied to walls, decor and furnishings, this muted green rewards homeowners with reduced stress and enhanced relaxation. With so many ways to implement sage tones, from farmhouse rustic to sleek and modern, any space can benefit from this adaptable color's soothing properties.
Looking for the perfect peaceful hue to unwind in your living room? Explore the possibilities of sage green paint, furniture and decor accessories to cultivate everyday tranquility right at home.