When it comes to olive green paint colors—there are hundreds, if not thousands of options to choose from. If you’re considering this classic color for your next project, here you’ll find tried and true favorites of designers with real-life photos, plus my best tips for choosing the perfect shade!
If you’re looking for bright and bold, you won’t find it in this roundup. These hand-picked colors are on the desaturated end of the color spectrum, giving them more of a sophisticated presence and timeless appeal. Simply put, you can’t go wrong with anything on this list.
This roundup features favorites from the two most popular companies—Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore, along with color matches from other brands.
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How to Choose the Right Olive Green Paint
A Google or Pinterest search is a great place to start for color inspiration (and of course, my paint guides are a shortcut!) I’ve also found paint decks very helpful as the first step to narrow down and compare colors side by side (you can find them online or at local paint stores).
Once you have a handful of favorites identified, order peel and stick paint samples to test them out in person. This is the most important step—don’t skip it! I typically order at least ten colors to be safe, because they always end up looking different in person than online.
You can read more about why I recommend these reusable samples below.
What is LRV?
LRV, or light reflectance value, refers to how light or dark a paint color will look on a scale of 0 (black) to 100 (white). The darker the paint color, the lower the LRV number. The lighter the paint color, the higher the LRV number. This number is helpful when comparing paint colors, as photos can be deceiving.
12 Popular Olive Green Paint Colors
Here are my top 12 designer approved, timeless olive green colors:
Sherwin Williams Ripe Olive SW 6209 / LRV: 6
The darkest color on this list with an LRV of 6, Ripe Olive is a great choice for an earthy, sophisticated and moody vibe. It reads nearly black on a paint deck, but it’s a true deep green in person.
While it has olive in the name, this color lacks strong yellow undertones typical of olive greens, and in certain lighting, can appear cooler like its popular cousin, Pewter Green. I fell in love with this color years ago and chose it for our playroom.
Similar colors: Sherwin Williams Laurel Woods, Benjamin Moore Top Soil, Behr Deep Forest, Valspar Japanese Seaweed
Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme SW 6186 / LRV 21
This one falls right on the line between olive and sage green, but it’s one of Sherwin Williams most popular greens so I’ve included it here.
Dried Thyme is mid-tone shade with a cooler and neutral appearance that makes it appealing in a variety of spaces, including kitchen cabinets, bedrooms, bathrooms and exteriors.
Similar Colors: Sherwin Williams Retreat, Benjamin Moore Galapagos Green, Behr Cactus Garden, Valspar Warm Eucalyptus
Sherwin Williams Rosemary SW 6187 / LRV 14
Rosemary is another very popular Sherwin Williams shade, similar to Dried Thyme but darker.
This color works beautifully on cabinets and built-ins, providing a timeless feel rooted in nature.
Similar Colors: Sherwin Williams Pewter Green, Benjamin Moore Rainy Afternoon, Valspar Greenish Gray, Behr Pinecone Hill
Sherwin Williams Secret Garden SW 6181 / LRV 8
A true olive green, Secret Garden is a deep, rich hue featured in Rejuvenation and West Elm’s color collections.
If you’re looking for a slightly more saturated dark green that’s still neutral enough to have timeless appeal, this is a great one to sample.
Similar Colors: Sherwin Williams Rockwood Dark Green, Benjamin Moore Windsor Green, Valspar Hyde Park, Behr Freshwater Marsh
Sherwin Williams Oakmoss SW 6180 / LRV 13
Like Secret Garden, Oakmoss is a neutral green that works beautifully in a variety of spaces—just a shade lighter.
This versatile, strong green will help make any space feel grounded and rooted in nature. It was used by designer Brian Patrick Flynn in last year’s HGTV Dream Home.
Similar Colors: Sherwin Williams Rockwood Dark Green, Benjamin Moore Jade Romanesque, Valspar Tarragon, Behr Amazon Jungle
Sherwin Williams Artichoke SW 6179 / LRV 21
Artichoke is right above Oakmoss and Secret Garden on the fan deck, making it a lighter variation in the same color family. Still considered an olive green, but it can lean more sage depending on the surroundings.
The lighter tone provides a soft and calming presence, making this color a great choice for bedrooms and nurseries.
Similar Colors: Sherwin Williams Dried Thyme, Benjamin Moore Galapagos, Valspar Native Henna, Behr Ecological
Sherwin Williams Olive Grove SW 7734 / LRV 20
Olive Grove has a fair amount of yellow compared to others on this list, making it a great choice if you’re in search of a true olive green (that isn’t too saturated).
Olive Grove is part of the HGTV Home paint collection, and was used throughout the HGTV Smart Home.
Similar Colors: Sherwin Williams Avocado, Benjamin Moore Smoke Bush, Valspar Ripe Olive, Behr Sorrel Leaf
Benjamin Moore Mediterranean Olive 2142-10 / LRV: 11
This rich, deep green features golden undertones and is said to “capture the sunbaked sophistication of the Mediterranean.”
In real-life it reads lighter with a fair amount of gray, making Mediterranean Olive a wonderful choice if you’re looking for more of a subtle and sophisticated green.
Similar Colors: Sherwin Williams Garden Gate, Benjamin Moore Cabbage Patch, Valspar Urbane, Behr Crushed Oregano
Benjamin Moore Southern Vine 2138-10 / LRV: 8
This complex color blurs the line between green, brown and gray. It’s the warmest color on this list, with plenty of yellow undertones providing a deep, muddy appearance.
Southern Vine is one of designer Bria Hammel’s favorites, used beautifully throughout this historic traditional home.
Similar Colors: Sherwin Williams Nocturne, Benjamin Moore Green Grove, Valspar Deep Desert Shadow, Behr Olive Leaf
Benjamin Moore Tate Olive 390F-6 / LRV: 27
Tate Olive is a fan favorite, and part of Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection. This mid-tone green has just enough warmth to put it in the olive category.
I recently sampled it for our bunk room project, and while I didn’t choose it this time, Tate Olive is on my radar. It’s a really beautiful muted green that could pass for a warm sage in the right lighting.
Similar Colors: Sherwin Williams Artichoke, Benjamin Moore Springfield Sage, Valspar Native Henna, Behr Knotweed
Benjamin Moore Crownsville Gray HC-106 / LRV: 22
Described as a “deep, dignified greenish brown”, Crownsville Gray is another complex olive, and a favorite of designer Tiffany Leigh, as seen throughout her work.
This chameleon shade can shift quite a bit depending on lighting, but under most circumstances, it reads predominantly as a warm olive green. I absolutely love the sophisticated feel of this one!
Similar Colors: Sherwin Williams Country Tweed, Benjamin Moore Sussex Green, Valspar Mossy Aura, Behr Deserted Island
Benjamin Moore Vintage Vogue 462 / LRV: 12
Vintage Vogue is one of Benjamin Moore’s most loved dark greens, and you’ll find plenty of examples of it online. It’s also one of Studio McGee’s favorite greens.
It’s described as an ultra-dark, smoky green that can be used in the place of black or brown. While it often reads as an olive green, there are plenty of blue-grey undertones that can give it a forest or even emerald green appearance in certain lighting.
Similar Colors: Sherwin Williams Rockwood Dark Green, Benjamin Moore Dakota Shadow, Valspar Capers, Behr Pastoral
Bonus: Benjamin Moore Pine Grove
Recently, I went through the process of choosing an olive green paint for our DIY bunk beds. My goal was to match the muted green tones in the wallpaper, and after testing 17 different peel and stick samples, I landed on Benjamin Moore Pine Grove.
This color is very much under the radar, but it is a solid choice if you’re looking for a mid-tone green in that sweet spot between olive-brown-gray.
Similar colors: Sherwin Williams Messenger Bag, Benjamin Moore Mountain Moss, Behr Crocodile. Valspar Olive to the Max
Side by Side Comparisons
When narrowing down paint colors, I find it very helpful to compare them side by side. Here are a handful of shades I tested for our bunk bed project:
You may be surprised at how different colors can look in different spaces—it still throws me off sometimes! Notice how blue Dried Thyme appears here. The color I ended up choosing (Pine Grove, bottom left) is brown-gray in the photo above, but scroll up and see how green it looks in our bunk room—wild, isn’t it?
This just emphasizes the importance of testing real paint samples in your space before committing.
Olive vs Sage Green
There can be a fine line between sage green and olive green, but here’s the key difference: the presence of yellow. Olive green is has a fair amount of yellow which gives it a warmer tone, often crossing over into the brown territory.
Sage green, in contrast, usually falls on the cooler spectrum (blue + gray undertones) and is often lighter in tone. Picture the color slider below moving left (warmer, olive) and right (cooler, sage).
Paint Selection Tips
- Do your research. I start by searching online to find real-life examples and blog reviews (like this post!) to narrow down potential colors.
- Don’t trust renderings (or monitors). Ignore the computer generated “paint visualizer” rooms—online renderings do not translate to real-life results! Even real photos online will vary greatly, so find as many contrasting examples as you can and expect it to still look different in your space.
- Order more samples than you think you need. There’s nothing more frustrating than spending hours narrowing down a handful of colors, only to find that none of them are what you wanted. Play it safe and order lots of reusable samples (at least 6-10). More likely than not, they’ll come in handy again later.
- Take your time when testing samples. Move the samples around to each wall, and study them from every angle, with the lights on and off, throughout the day and night. If one doesn’t stand out right away, give it another day or two and start narrowing them down until a winner is chosen.
- Consider your trim color/decor. It’s critical to look at the paint next to your trim (or wall) colors, as well as your furnishings and decor. Many times, this will be the main deciding factor, and more important than your preference for the color on its own.
What is the best way to test paint colors?
Without a doubt, in my opinion, the best way to sample paint colors is with Samplize reusable peel and stick samples. I’m constantly testing out new colors and looking for ways to streamline the process. Here’s why I made the switch:
- You can order samples without leaving the house, and have them delivered overnight.
- They cost about the same (or less) than store paint samples.
- They’re made with real paint, so they’re a perfect match every time.
- No mess to clean up, no extra paint cans to store in your garage, and no wasted paint!
- It’s SO much faster to stick them on the wall than to paint 2-3 coats and wait for them to dry.
- You can stick them to anything—including molding, cabinetry, trim and textured walls, to see how they’ll look on any surface.
- You can store and reuse them for future projects. I file mine away in folders grouped by color family.
You can use the code JENNA15 for 15% off orders $30+!
More Green Paint Colors
There are many more shades that didn’t make it on this list. If you’re looking for similar options, give these a try:
Olive green: Sherwin Williams Palm Leaf, Messenger Bag, Herbal Wash, Ruskin Room Green // Benjamin Moore Sheraton Sage, Bed of Ferns, Dark Olive, Mountain Moss, Wethersfield Moss, Trailing Vines
Sage green: Sherwin Williams Retreat, Pewter Green, Clary Sage, Softened Green, Svelte Sage // Benjamin Moore October Mist, Saybrook Sage, Sage Wisdom, Salisbury Green
Gray green: Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog, Oyster Bay, Comfort Gray, Acacia Haze // Benjamin Moore Antique Pewter, Gloucester Sage, Hampshire Gray, Texas Sage
What colors go with olive green?
Olive green is a versatile tone that pairs beautifully with a wide range of colors depending on the mood you’re going for. Neutrals or other earthy tones—warm or cool, anything found in nature—are always safe bet. Here are some recommendations:
- Sherwin Williams Alabaster
- Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
- Sherwin Williams Boothbay Gray
- Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
- Benjamin Moore Grant Beige
- Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Keep in mind—the “best” olive green paint for someone else may not be the best choice for your space! Your specific room, lighting, surroundings and personal preference will determine what’s right for you. If you plan to choose an olive green soon or anytime in the future, make sure to bookmark this page as a guide for future reference.
Do you have a favorite olive green paint color? Let me know in the comments below!
Michele M. says
GREAT post, JS. I love love love love green. Always have. This was very informative, thank you!