If you look back at the many beautiful houses we’ve toured at Homes & Gardens so far this year, a particular color appears again and again: sage green.
While the hype around sage green paints subsided slightly after its rise to fame in 2021, interior designers are again returning to this timeless soothing shade in 2026, using it in all settings, from kitchen cabinets to bedroom walls and even staircases.
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Farrow & Ball’s Treron is the color of choice in this cozy lounge designed by Hollie Velten, founder of SPACES by Hollie Velten LLC.
(Image credit: Chaunte Vaughn)
While an all-green room could in theory be a little overwhelming, this relaxing family TV room makes a case for green in all its grounding glory.
Hollie Velten, founder of SPACES by Hollie Velten LLC explains, ‘We inherited the client’s green sofa and wanted to support it in a cohesive drench vs opposing it with contrast. This color has a soft undertone, so it feels calming instead of vibrant, which we wanted in this TV room, leaning into the low light for relaxing evening family TV and puzzle time, which will feel moody, vs trying to brighten it. I tend to use small repeat pattern prints, vs bold large scale in the window treatments and textiles here, to keep the softness.’
Sharing the colors that goes with sage green, Hollie adds, ‘I like this color with the trim and ceiling the same, avoid white whites and use warm off-whites if necessary. Blues and plums look good with it also, and browns and woods, as it can easily feel earthy.’
Pale pink and sage green bring this country style dining room designed by Marion Lichtig to life, beautifully contrasting with the darker wood furniture.
(Image credit: Charlton Brown / Marion Lichtig / Chris Everard)
While sage green works alongside almost every interior design style, it couldn’t be more complementary in period properties steeped in history.
Interior designer Marion Lichtig used it throughout this Arts & Crafts Hampstead Cottage, applying a dark sage green to the dining room’s walls, and bringing lighter variations of the color into the kitchen. She explains, ‘I used Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke in the dining room to pick up the color of the original tiles in the fireplace with Atelier Ellis Pollen in the living room, and Green Smoke in the library to mirror the dining room to give a balance to the space.’
Marion adds, ‘As Green Smoke is quite strong, I styled it with soft muted colors on natural fabrics and different textures with a jute rug so that the room would feel calm.’
A sage green-meets-gray wallpaper adorns the walls of this traditional bedroom designed by VSP Interiors.
(Image credit: Paul Massey / VSP Interiors)
Henriette von Stockhausen, founder of VSP Interiors, used sage green throughout this country home reimagined with color. She explains, ‘Sage green is one of my favourite colors to work with. It has a wonderfully calming quality and feels both timeless and versatile.’
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A color that couldn’t be more fitting in a traditional bedroom, Henriette explains, ‘In this project, we used it to create a soft, natural backdrop to the room’s scheme. The wallpaper is George Spencer Design’s Palm Stripe in Pearl Grey, which reads as a very soft sage-grey. It brings subtle movement and texture to the space without overwhelming it.’
She continues, ‘Sage green works beautifully when paired with warm, gentle tones. I particularly love it with blush pinks, as we used in the bedroom, where the lead fabric was an antique, softly coloured suzani.’
‘It’s an ideal choice for country house settings, as it effortlessly brings the outside in and creates a seamless, comforting transition between indoors and out. Layering it with natural materials and soft textiles enhances its warmth, making it one of the most soothing and inviting colors to live with.’
Dulux’s Silver Lichen sits on the cabinets of this colorful London kitchen, pairing beautifully with the green marble island and backsplash.
(Image credit: Astrid Templier)
While rich, earthy tones make up this elegantly colorful London townhouse, the sage green kitchen commands attention in the best possible way.
Lishan Tham, director and founder of Studio Shan explains, ‘The upper cabinets were in Atelier Ellis’ Tea & Toast, to match the ceiling color as well so that the units flow seamlessly in the space. We love her colors as they are rich but calming at the same time. The lower cabinets were in Silver Lichen (Dulux), chosen to go with the striking Cristalos Maestros deep ocean green quartzite worktop, which we found at the beginning of the project and fell in love with for its color and large-scale wave vein.’
Lishan adds, ‘We chose tone-on-tone colors with the barstools (green metal and ocean green leather); as well as using pops of yellows or orange in flowers, warm wood tones in cutting boards and ceramics to add contrast.’
A sage green painted staircase balances the cheery notes of the yellow paint in this eclectic entryway designed by Alice Palmer.
(Image credit: Alice Palmer / Astrid Templier)
While cheery yellow might dominate this eclectic entryway, the sage green staircase is the grounding touch that brings balance and tranquillity to the room.
Known for her love of color, interior designer Alice Palmer chose to bring in sage green to counteract the vibrancy of the yellow paint. ‘For gentle contrast, I chose a soft sage green for the staircase, which sits really naturally alongside the yellow walls. I kept the original floor tiles, and I love how its monochrome pattern anchors the space and gives everything a sense of balance.’
She continues, ‘While yellow and green might sound bold against a black and white floor, the muted tones and textured finish keep the look calm and inviting rather than overwhelming.’
Alice adds, ‘I love mixing color and pattern to create spaces that feel bold, unique and balanced. I try to incorporate color into all of my designs, drawing inspiration from my travels in India, Morocco and the West Indies. For me, color and pattern can completely transform a home into a layered space, full of personality.’
Rigby Daybed (Sage Velvet)
Covered in a sage green velvet, the Rigby Daybed is a relaxed choice that’s perfect in a living room or bedroom.
Addison Ross
Sage Green Small Round Scallop Tray
Perfect for a coffee table or bookcase, this Addison Ross tray is finished in a sage green lacquer.
Ruggable
Adeline Natural Sage Rug
This Persian-inspired rug is woven with dark sage and beige tones, perfect for grounding a living room or dining area.
Target
Performance Plus Hand Towel Light Green Floral
Add some subtle color to a bathroom with this floral hand towel from Target. Woven into a floral pattern, it’s best hung on a towel rack amongst other green towels.
Crate & Barrel
Casual Textured Fringe 23″x23″ Shadow Sage Green Throw Pillow Cover
Dark sage throw pillows will bring a sophisticated feel to a sofa or armchair, particularly when paired with a cream linen or earthy velvet.
Serena & Lily
Brooks Tapered Cordless Table Lamp
This muted sage lamp couldn’t be more charming. A cordless design, it’s perfect for cheering up a bookshelf or nightstand.
A deeply relaxing color that provides respite from bolder shades, designers rely on sage green to ground their schemes and provide that all-important sense of calm in the home.
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