Designers are gravitating towards deep green as the new neutral color for 2026, as evidenced by Cliff Richard's lush green sofa. Beige and greige take a backseat this year.
Green Takes Centre Stage in Living Room Designs
Green, once considered an unconventional choice for living room colour schemes, is now making a bold statement in modern interiors. This shift is largely due to the versatility and timeless appeal of deep, rich, earthy green tones, as demonstrated by Cliff Richard's 1964 living room.
Cliff Richard's living room, adorned with a deep green sofa, green and red throws, and a pink and neutral rug, serves as an early example of green as a timeless neutral. The room, with its plush green velvet loveseat and unexpected red throw pillow, showcases how green tones can be layered for visual richness.
According to contemporary designers like Nina Lichtenstein, green is now favoured over traditional beiges and greiges for its grounding effect and natural appeal. Lichtenstein explains that green feels alive but never loud, and its beauty lies in its ability to connect to nature, emotion, and the things that feel real in a home.
The latest design trends in using green in living rooms emphasize muted, earthy greens such as sage, olive, eucalyptus, and moss. These shades foster a connection to nature while promoting peace and wellness. Styling with organic elements like potted plants, natural fibers (rattan), stone accents, and wood to emphasize biophilic design and sustainability is also key.
Pairing green with warm terracotta or rust accessories creates a balanced, bold palette that is both contemporary and comfortable. Incorporation of sustainable, eco-friendly materials aligned with green color schemes is also important, as is embracing natural textures and soft fabrics to enhance comfort and visual interest in green-dominated rooms.
The appeal of green comes down to contrast, being invigorating and soothing at once. Green plays well with warm woods, brass, blackened metal, soft neutrals, pale pink, terracotta, and other colours. An increasing number of celebrities and designers have followed Cliff Richard's example in incorporating green into their living room designs.
In summary, green in living rooms is moving towards rich, earthy shades used as modern neutrals combined with sustainable materials and natural textures, reflecting a blend of nostalgia and forward-looking environmental consciousness. Signing up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter provides design expertise, decorating ideas, celebrity homes, practical gardening advice, and shopping round-ups.
Changing a green velvet throw pillow cover is an effective way to introduce colour (in this case, green) in an instant, making it a rich and earthy addition to a living room. So, if you're looking to bring a touch of nature into your living space, consider green as your go-to colour for a timeless, versatile, and invigorating design.
Green, as demonstrated by contemporary designers like Nina Lichtenstein, is favored over traditional beiges and greiges due to its grounding effect and natural appeal. This versatile color, when paired with sustainable materials and natural textures, creates a living room design that reflects both nostalgia and a forward-looking environmental consciousness.
Style your home-and-garden with organic elements such as potted plants, rattan furniture, stone accents, and wood to emphasize biophilic design and sustainability, while incorporating earthy greens like sage, olive, eucalyptus, and moss for a connection to nature, peace, and wellness.
