Green kitchens are not merely having a moment, they are having the moment. I have been in love with emerald cabinets and sage walls since months ago and, frankly? I believe that I have discovered the key to designing a cozy space that is simultaneously classic and new and contemporary.
You thumbs are deep forest green or a less green minimalist, either way, these beautiful green kitchen ideas will make your cooking space something you will love taking Instagram pictures on. Believe me, your visitors will not suspect a thing.
Forest Green Cabinets: The Bold Statement Maker
We can begin with the showstopper, which are deep forest green cabinets. These bad boys are seen to be colorful compared to all other kitchen colors. I had these installed in my personal kitchen last year and the compliments are still coming.
The trick with forest green? Combine it with warm metals such as brass and copper. The cold metals put one in the mood of going to the doctor and no one wants that atmosphere when preparing their morning coffee.
| Element | Best Match | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | Brass, Copper, Gold | Chrome, Steel |
| Countertops | White Marble, Butcher Block | Dark Granite |
| Walls | Cream, White, Light Gray | Bold Colors |
Desire to understand why this is so effective? Forest green is a neutral – strange, huh? But it’s true. It is a color that looks great with practically anything, so your kitchen does not have to make a big effort to appear fancy.
Sage Green Walls: Subtle Yet Stunning
Unwilling to make the green cabinet commitment? Your introduction drug to the green kitchen trend is with sage green walls. It is a gentle and subtle color that introduces nature inside the house without shouting at you.
My breakfast nook is painted in October Mist, which is a Benjamin Moore painting and it totally transformed the energy of the room. There is a sense of relaxation, welcome in the space, apt to those indolent Sunday morning pancake times.
Pro Tips for Sage Green Walls:
- Use it in kitchens with lots of natural light – darker spaces can look muddy
- Pair with white or cream cabinets for a fresh, airy feel
- Add plants everywhere – they’ll pop against the green backdrop
Have you ever wondered why white appliances are more expensive when they are painted in sage green? Like magic, only better, it really works.
Emerald Green Accents: Small Changes, Big Impact
Commitment issues? I get it. Emerald green will allow you to sample the waters by not plunging into the deep end of a complete kitchen remodeling project. Begin with bar stools, pendant lighting or simply replace your cabinet hardware.
My friend Sarah got emerald green pendant lights in above her island and apparently her simple white kitchen seemed to be an invitation to a design magazine. The trick is to select one or two pieces of statement instead of sprinkling green like confetti.
Easy Emerald Additions:
- Pendant lighting fixtures
- Bar stools or dining chairs
- Kitchen island paint
- Backsplash tiles
- Small appliances (think stand mixers or toasters)
By the way, emerald green is a very beautiful color that matches with gold fixtures. It offers the feel of a luxury hotel at a fraction of the cost of a luxury hotel.
Mint Green Retro Revival
Feeling nostalgic? Mint green recreates the vintage feel of the 1950s kitchen without causing your room to look like a forbidden archeological site. This color is also particularly appropriate in smaller kitchens where a darker green would be distracting.
I have noted mint green that works miracles in modern and vintage. Combine it with checkered floors to have all retro or make it current with smooth white countertops and simple hardware.
The beauty of mint green? It is so pardoning of light. This shade is consistently true in any amount of natural lighting you have or whether you have overhead fixtures, it never appears muddy.
Green Kitchen Islands: The Perfect Compromise
Not sure whether to have green cabinets or to be on the safe side? It is enough to paint your kitchen island green. This is the best way to add some color to your kitchen without making it too bright.
I have seen this trend go off over the last year and frankly? It makes perfect sense. Your island will be the center of interest in the room, and not clog the rest of the room.
Popular Island Green Shades:
- Hunter green for dramatic impact
- Olive green for earthy warmth
- Teal green for coastal vibes
The island style also implies that you can test more aggressive colors that you may not desire on all of the cabinets. It will be a trial run before your next complete kitchen makeover.
Two-Tone Green Magic
One green is not as good as two. Two colour green kitchens are the in thing and I am so much on board. Combine sage upper cabinets with darker forest green lowers or combine mint and emerald to make a really unique appearance.
This type of technique also provides a lot of visual appeal and depth without involving several colors. You are working in the same family, and everything is cohesive but at the same time dynamic.
The trick? Ensure that there is a lot of difference between the color of one shade and the other one. Too much, and it appears to be clumsy. Too variant, and you look like you could not make up your mind.
Green Backsplashes That Pop
Your backsplash does not need to be dull subway tile (but I love subway tile, don’t @ me). Green backsplashes may be as subdued as glass mosaics or they may be brightly patterned ceramics.
I am crazing about deep green subway tiles at present. Their classic just means that they will not get old, but then again, they are so unique that you will be able to make your kitchen shine. Pair them with the white/cream cabinets and you have the instant sophistication.
Green Backsplash Options:
- Emerald subway tiles
- Sage glass mosaics
- Forest green natural stone
- Mint ceramic patterns
Hack: Select your backsplash green depending on your cabinet color. When you have green cabinets then neutralize on the backsplash. Neutral cabinets? Then you have the opportunity to be bold with the tile.
Natural Green Elements
In some cases nature itself is the best green. Organic green color is achieved by living walls, herb gardens, and plants in abundance that cannot be replicated with any colour of paints.
I have floating shelves that I have used particularly in my herb garden and my kitchen now smells good and appears like it was taken out of a gardening magazine. Fresh basil, rosemary and thyme are not only useful, but they represent a form of living decor, which varies seasonally.
Easy Natural Green Additions:
- Wall-mounted herb gardens
- Hanging planters
- Large potted plants in corners
- Fresh flowers in green vases
The beauty of natural green? It also goes hand in hand with any other green color you have picked in your kitchen. Plants are simply the ubiquitous design feature that makes everything prettier.
Green Appliances: Retro Meets Modern
The resurgence of colored appliances is not to be ignored and the green ones are in the lead. Whether it is mint green stand mixers or forest green fridges, these items help your kitchen become less cookie cutter.
My mint green vintage-looking fridge is the most complimented item in my kitchen. It works as functional art that happens to ensure my food is kept cold, what is not to love?
Where to Find Green Appliances:
- Smeg for retro-inspired pieces
- Big Chill for custom colors
- Viking for professional-grade options
IMO, colored appliances are best when you are determined to look at it. A single green appliance would appear casual, whereas a co-ordinated arrangement would appear purposeful and fashionable.
Lighting That Enhances Green Tones
And here is one thing that no one seems to discuss adequately enough, and that is lighting can be your green kitchen maker or breaker. The incorrect bulbs have the potential to make your beautiful sage walls look ill.
Green tones are regarded as deep and welcoming with warm white LED bulbs (approximately 3000K). Cool white bulbs? They will turn your beautiful green into a flat and institutional color. Believe me to this end–I was taught by experience.
Incorporating under-cabinet lighting to display your green backsplash or pendant lights to display your green island are also an option. Good lighting does not only light up your space, but accentuates all the design decisions you have.
Making Green Work in Small Kitchens
Concerned about how your tiny kitchen will look after you paint it green? Spares are in fact made bigger with lighter shades of green. Mint, sage, and pale olive are very reflective, and they make tight spaces open up.
The point is to select the appropriate shade to your room. Dark greens can be used in large kitchens with much light, whereas the smaller ones require lighter and brighter tones.
Small Kitchen Green Strategy:
- Use light greens on upper cabinets
- Keep lower cabinets neutral
- Add green through accessories and plants
- Maximize natural light with light-colored window treatments
Keep in mind -there is such a thing as color psychology. Green facilitates relaxation and peace and even the smallest kitchen looks a cosy place to be.
Green kitchens are not only trendy, but are classic. There is nothing daring like green in the cabinets, and nothing delicate like a shade of sage, but these details will convince you that the color should be used in any kitchen, no matter your tastes or budget.
The best part? You do not have to remodel everything at the same time. Begin by adding something that you feel, be it painting an island, or simply adding some plants. The creation of your dream green kitchen can happen bit by bit.
You are willing to join the green kitchen revolution? Your place to cook will be grateful (as well as your Instagram followers) 🙂