Learn all about the best sage green paint colors in this ultimate guide from the paint experts at The Color Concierge.
Sage green has become a go-to for homeowners who want something other than a traditional neutral for their home but still want their room to feel timeless and classic.
Sage green hues are warm and earthy. When you choose the right one, it can make your home feel grounded, elevated and incredibly inviting. But here’s the catch: not all sage greens are created equal.
At The Color Concierge, our paint color consultants have tested hundreds of green paint colors for real homes across the country. In this guide, we’re sharing our 9 favorite sage green paint colors that consistently deliver, along with insight into their undertones, LRV, and where each one works best.
Keep reading to find the sage hue that feels like it was made for your home.
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What Is Sage Green?
Sage can mean different things to different people. Green paint colors (Article) can have either yellow or blue undertones. In the color world, we usually think of sage as a green that leans more yellow than blue. While some people describe sage as having blue in it, true sage tones generally sit farther on the yellow side of green.
That’s an important distinction. The difference becomes clear when you compare a yellow-green sage hue with a blue-green paint color like Benjamin Moore Jack Pine. While Jack Pine may look like a sage on its own, you can see how cool it looks compared to a yellow-green sage like Benjamin Moore Tate Olive.
Another key element of sage green is that it tends to be pretty muted. Sage isn’t electric or bright. It has a softened, slightly grayed quality that makes it versatile and easy to live with.
Sage also isn’t limited to one specific depth. A sage green can be light, medium, or dark. What defines it isn’t how deep it is, but its warm-leaning undertone and its muted, livable character.
Our Favorite Sage Green Paint Colors
Choosing among all of the sage green paint colors out there can be completely overwhelming. These are some of our paint color consultants’ favorites.
1. Benjamin Moore Tate Olive
Benjamin Moore Tate Olive (Article) is a dark, warm paint color perfect for an accent room like a dining room, office or study. It’s colorful enough to add depth to a space, but dark enough to give your eyes a rest when you’re working on a computer all day in an office.
Benjamin Moore Tate Olive (Sample) has an LRV of 21.6. It’s one of the dark sage green paint colors featured in this post, but light enough to stay colorful on the wall – especially in a room with lots of natural light.
2. Sherwin-Williams Edamame
Sherwin-Williams Edamame (Samplize) is a very similar color to BM Tate Olive. If you love the look of Tate Olive but want to use a Sherwin-Williams paint, Edamame is your best option. It has an LRV of 20, so it’s just barely darker than Tate Olive.
It’s also a bit warmer than Tate Olive, with undertones that lean more toward yellow. It would work well in similar spaces, such as offices, libraries or as an accent wall.
3. Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage
Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage (Sample) is an iconic Benjamin Moore paint color. It has an LRV of 45.46, making it one of the light sage green paint colors featured in this list. While it does have yellow undertones, they are more subtle than some other sage greens, so it appears a bit cooler.
We’ve used Saybrook Sage with our clients before as an accent wall, but I’ve also seen it used as a bedroom paint color, living room paint color and other interior uses. In the image below, this powder room’s vanity accent wall is painted with Saybrook Sage. It looks gorgeous with the Swiss Coffee (Article) cabinets and earthy finishes in the space.
4. Sherwin-Williams Clary Sage
Sherwin-Williams Clary Sage (Sample) has an LRV of 41 and subtle yellow undertones. It’s a little more colorful than some of the other sage green paint colors in this guide, but it is still quite muted. I’ve seen it used as an exterior or interior front door color, but it has many applications.
A Clary Sage office or bedroom (Article) would be gorgeous. People also love to use this hue for painted furniture, such as nightstands or cabinets, but it’s also a really pretty exterior color when you pair it with a warm neutral like Sherwin-Williams Pearly White (Article).
5. Sherwin-Williams Svelte Sage
Sherwin-Williams Svelte Sage (Sample) has the same LRV as Clary Sage (41), but looks very different. It has much stronger yellow undertones and is so warm it looks almost like a dark beige hue.
I saw this sage green paint color used in an office once and it was really, really pretty. It looks gorgeous contrasted with warm wood tones, such as flooring or furniture.
6. Benjamin Moore Gloucester Sage
Benjamin Moore Gloucester Sage (Sample) is another dark sage green paint color, with an LRV of 19.25. It has warm yellow undertones but is also pretty grayed out.
I would use this as an accent wall (Article), powder room paint color or even exterior paint color. For a whole room it might be a bit too dark, unless the room has a lot of light. An office or powder room are two exceptions, since those spaces often work well being a bit darker.
7. Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog
SW Evergreen Fog (Sample) is one of the most popular green paint colors (Article) on the market today, with an LRV of 30. It is warm, like all sage green paint colors, but also has a hint of blue that keeps it on the cooler side.
Evergreen Fog is an organic, lovely color and it looks very warm and inviting in place. My client’s home below, for example, features a beautiful color-drenched (Article) bedroom painted with this color, including the beautiful built-in wardrobe pictured below.
8. Sherwin-Williams Garden Sage
Sherwin-Williams Garden Sage (Sample) is another really pretty sage green paint color. It has an LRV of 38, making it a bit lighter than Evergreen Fog.
It’s also one of the warmer sage green hues in this list, with strong yellow undertones that make this hue cozy and inviting.
9. Benjamin Moore Fernwood Green
While many sage green paints on the market today are very muted, Fernwood Green (Article) is not. It’s a true, warm sage green that brings a lot of brightness to any space thanks to its yellow undertones and LRV of 56.76.
Fernwood Green (Sample) is the freshest of the sage greens in this list. It will brighten up any room without looking too electric.
Sample the Best Sage Green Paint Colors
We always recommend that you test paint colors (Article) in your home because lighting can completely change a color, both on interiors and exteriors.
In the old days, this meant we painted a large poster board with sample pots and a huge mess.
Now we have a better way to test paint, with Samplize Peel-and-Stick samples!
- Samples pre-painted with 2 coats of real paint from the manufacturer.
- Large 9” x 14” samples to see the color better in the lighting.
- Delivered overnight
- Colors are accurate
- Less expensive than painting a large poster board with sample pots
- No mess, and no toxic paint to dispose of
I use these in my color consulting practice for exact results. Discover Samplize peel-and-stick paint samples and get samples of all of these sage green paint colors delivered straight to your door with this special package from The Color Concierge.
Want to sample just one or two of the best sage paint colors featured in this guide? Use the individual Samplize links below to get peel-and-stick samples shipped straight to your door.
- Benjamin Moore Tate Olive
- Sherwin-Williams Edamame
- Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage
- Sherwin-Williams Clary Sage
- Sherwin-Williams Svelte Sage
- Benjamin Moore Gloucester Sage
- Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog
- Sherwin-Williams Garden Sage
- Benjamin Moore Fernwood Green
Common Questions About Sage Green Paint Colors
Still have questions about using sage green paint? Explore our color consultant’s thoughts on these common queries.
Is sage green paint outdated?
No, sage green is not outdated. In fact, it has real staying power because it isn’t a trendy, high-chroma color. Sage is muted, earthy, and rooted in nature, which means it behaves more like a neutral than a statement color. It’s a great option if you want something timeless but also a bit colorful.
What colors complement sage green the best?
Sage green pairs beautifully with warm whites, creamy off-whites, and soft greiges. Natural wood tones are also a natural fit because they echo sage’s warm undertones. Many warm woods have red undertones, which are on the opposite side of the color wheel, and make them glow when paired with green.
Because sage is typically warm and slightly muted, it plays best with other softened, earthy colors rather than sharp, high-contrast tones.
What colors don’t go with sage green?
Very cool, icy blues can clash with sage’s warmth. Crisp, blue-based whites can also make sage look dull or slightly muddy by comparison.
Since sage is muted and earthy, pairing it with equally grounded tones usually produces the most cohesive result.
Why is sage green so popular?
Sage green is popular because it hits a rare sweet spot. It brings color into a space without overwhelming it. It feels fresh but still grounded. It’s more eye-catching than beige or gray, and more versatile than many deeper, cooler greens.
In a time when homeowners are reaching for warm, earthy paint colors, sage green paint delivers.
Key Learning Points
Sage green paint colors are warm, muted and earthy. While all sage greens share these common characteristics, they are still unique. Finding the right sage green for your home is key.
- Sage green paint colors have yellow undertones. Some are cooler than others, but they still lean toward yellow.
- Sage green is typically more muted than fresh, but some sage greens – like BM Fernwood Green – are surprisingly bright.
- You can find sage green hues with a variety of LRVs, from very light to very dark.
Remember: NEVER, EVER use paint matches from a different brand than the one specified. Results are poor and there are no standards for the sheens. Even though your painter may truly believe it can be done, don’t do it. See results from paint matching here.
No matter what, always test your paint colors. It’s a standard best practice. Whenever I test my paint colors, they are perfect, and when I don’t test they turn out wrong. Learn how to test your paint colors here.
Online Color Consulting
Still need help picking the best paint colors? Discover our Online Color Consulting Package.
Related Posts:
- 12 Best Green Paint Colors
- Benjamin Moore Tate Olive Color Review
- Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee Color Review
- Sherwin-Williams Alabaster Color Palette
About the Author
Hi, I’m Michelle Marceny, founder, owner, and Principal Color Designer at The Color Concierge. I believe a fresh coat of paint can completely transform a space. The Color Concierge was born out of my drive to help clients fall back in love with their homes. My clients trust me to help them find the perfect paint color for their home – whether it’s a whole-house paint color scheme or ideas for a single room.
Since The Color Concierge was founded in 2017, we have completed over 3000 color consultations, both online and in-person. I am a Certified Color Expert with 7 years of experience creating interior and exterior color palettes throughout North America.
We love your comments! Please note that the blog is meant as general advice, and it is not possible to give out specific answers to your paint questions. If you want more specific advice, please consider purchasing a color consultation
