Vivien Topalovic, Property Journalist
Bring the softer side of green indoors, one considered accent at a time.
Spring colour doesn’t have to be bright or high-contrast. Soft sage, grey-green and muted olive can bring a quieter note of colour to interiors, with shades ranging from barely-there to more saturated.
A grey-based sage can sit comfortably alongside warm whites and timber, while a deeper olive gives green more presence.
Softer and muted greens can bring a quiet note to interiors. Picture: Getty
Rather than matching every item to one exact shade, build a palette from related greens, natural textures and familiar neutrals. The easiest way to make the look your own is to decide how much green you want to introduce.
Paint creates a backdrop, bedding gives the colour a soft focal point, and a cushion lets you try the palette in a smaller dose.
Sage isn’t one fixed colour. Some shades lean warm and grey, while others appear cooler or more olive. It’s worth looking at samples in the room where they’ll be used rather than choosing from a screen or colour chart alone.
Dulux’s Pale Sage is a warm mid-tone green with a slight grey undertone. It’s important to test a sample in different parts of the room, at different times of day and under your usual lamps.
This shade from Dulux is one example of a muted green. Picture: Dulux
Also look at it alongside your flooring, furniture and fabrics before settling on a shade.
Paint is one way to make green a backdrop, but sage can also work as a smaller detail. A certain accent or patterned throw can introduce the colour without asking every piece to match.
The Cassie Sage Green Pedestal Vase from Madras Link is ceramic, with ribbed detailing and a beaded rim above its pedestal base.
This ceramic vase can easily add texture to your space. Picture: Madras Link
For a patterned option, the Petra Sage Linen Cushion from Bonnie and Neil measures 75cm by 45cm. It’s made from 100% French flax linen and finished with a cream fringe.
For a less permanent change, bring sage into the bedroom with a quilt cover. It adds colour across a large surface but is easier to change than paint or furniture.
Pillow Talk’s Washed Linen Look Sage Green Quilt Cover Set is made from textured cotton with a loose weave designed to look like linen.
Adding colour across a large surface like your bed, can be an easy way to bring the colour into your home. Picture: Pillow Talk
Cream, white and natural tones can keep the green feeling soft. For a more layered look, add another muted green through a throw or cushion rather than trying to match every shade exactly.
A cushion is another low-commitment way to test the palette. Place one on a neutral sofa, armchair or bed, then repeat the colour in a small detail if you want the room to feel more considered. Linen can add texture while keeping the colour understated.
The Sage Linen Cushion from Simply Cushions is a soft, muted green that can bring a sense of calm to a space. It has a flanged edge and is machine washable.
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