Earthy greens are incredibly calming, but without the right styling, they can easily fall flat. Here is how to bring your green bedroom to life using texture, contrast, and lighting.
Out of any color, humans can perceive the most shades of green, about 200,000 of them. So how come so many earthy green bedrooms fall flat?
It's no wonder green bedrooms are popular. It's a calming and grounding color, which is exactly what many people want in their bedrooms. This is a guide to help you create the best earthy bedroom without having to buy everything new.
1. Master the Mix of Undertones
Yes, this article is about earthy green bedrooms. There's a distinction between having green as your main color and having a completely monochromatic bedroom. Undertones are what will make the green come to life.
Let's do some color theory here. On the color wheel, green sits on one side, and on the complete opposite side lies the red, red-orange range. This means that shades like rust or terra-cotta are complementary to your colors. Are your greens warm or cool? Pairing a cool tone with a warm tone creates even more contrast and depth.
Remember, greens are still the main shades, so it doesn't have to be half-and-half with complementary colors. Accents can pull a lot of weight here, like pillows or throw blankets.
2. Layer Textures Like a Pro
Beyond color, texture is another great way to add dimension to a space. If you're wondering how to create differentiation within the same color, the answer is texture. Pairing an olive-green linen duvet with an olive-green chunky-knit blanket creates depth.
Or maybe you pair matte vs sheen materials, or painted wood and soft upholstery. A common mistake is pairing things that are all soft or all coarse, which will ultimately feel like too much of the same.
3. Bring in Warm Woods and Metals
Green is a cool color. A cool color is a color associated with nature, like blues, greens, and purples. They tend to be very calming, great for bedrooms. To make these colors pop, bring in some warmer tones when picking out woods and metals. Warm tones are on the opposite side of the color wheel: yellows, reds, and oranges. These colors bring in light and life. They bring energy into the room.
When it comes to wood, walnut, white oak, and teak contain undertones that harmonize with green. For metals, brass is an excellent choice. Unlacquered brass is even better. It patinas over time, which adds character and goes with the natural vibe of the room.
4. Strategic Lighting for Darker Greens
The "big light," the light your house probably came with, the one in the middle of the ceiling, shouldn't be the only source of light in your bedroom. This is especially important in earthy green rooms because darker shades of green can absorb a lot of light. That's where layered lighting comes in.
Ambient, functional, and decorative lighting are all important. Sconces, a lamp or two, and a light strip along the underside of the bed or the dresser will help bring out all of the hues of your room. Choosing warm light bulbs will be the best accent for the colors and give your bedroom the cozy, earthy feeling you're going for.
5. The Flatness Fixer
To ensure that your bedroom is meeting all of your goals, use this quick guide to figure out any next steps.
Feeling too cool-toned? Don't replace everything and start over; simply replace the light bulbs with a warmer bulb. Room too dark? Add more ambient and decorative lighting, or strategically place a mirror across from a window to double the natural light. Too flat? Instead of piling on more green, utilize complementary colors and texture. Fixing the flatness problem is doable and inexpensive. You don't have to be an expert to get your room where you want it.
