Forest green vs Sage green - what's the difference?

Trying to pick the perfect green color for your home? Let's compare Forest Green vs Sage Green to see which might be perfect for you!

Green paint colors are really having a moment and I am here for it.

Green is a natural, cozy color that can give your home a fabulous aesthetic.

From sage green to blue green to dark green - all shades are trending.

Forest Green and Sage Green are two popular shades of green. Let's talk about them and their similarities and differences!

Forest Green vs Sage Green

Forest Green and Sage Green are both terms to describe green colors.

Forest Green describes a dark green color that resembles the shade of an evergreen tree. Forest Green often has a small amount of blue to it and is usually cool toned.

Sage Green is usually a warmer toned green paint color with a bit of yellow, brown, or gold to it. Sage green is often light but there can also be dark sage green colors. Sage is almost always warm toned.

Let's look at some paint colors that are each Forest Green or Sage Green to better illustrate the differences.

Forest Green Paint Colors

Benjamin Moore Forest Green

This color is called exactly Forest Green and it's a great example of a deep green with a dash of blue mixed in. In the right lighting, it could read as almost teal. It's that evergreen coming through.

Click here for a peel and stick sample of Forest Green.

Sherwin Williams Rookwood Sash Green

This is a very rich forest green. It has just a touch of blue undertones, and in cool light could look a bit teal. If you are looking for a deep green paint that feels cool toned, this is a great option.

Benjamin Moore essex green

This is an extremely dark forest green color, very dramatic and can make a room feel extremely cozy.

Click here for a peel and stick sample of essex green.

Behr Meteorological

This is an almost teal green color because it has a lot of blue undertones to it. This jewel tone is really rich and plays well with both warm and cool undertones.

Clare Current Mood

This trendy color has a lot of blue undertones to it, making it a beautiful teal green paint color.

Behr Rainforest

This is a rich, true green color. It's super dark making it moody and perfect for a small space.

Sage Green Paint Colors

Behr Nature's Gift

This is a beautiful earthy green. It's slightly darker than light green, with both blue and gray undertones. It really transforms in different light!

Read my complete Nature's Gift review!

Sherwin Williams Liveable Green

This sage green has a bit more yellow or brown to it. If your room has a lot of cool light, it will feel more green. In a room with bright natural light, it might read more beige.

Benjamin Moore Sage Wisdom

This is a brighter sage green, but it still has those gray undertones that keep it from reading neon or pastel. A great color depth if you want green on your walls without feeling dark.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage

This shade of sage green has a lot of yellow to it. That gives it great warm, cozy undertones. I'd only use this one if your flooring or tile also has warm tones to it.

Accent Colors for Forest Green and Sage Green

Forest Green and Sage Green are both green colors, so they have the same complementary and analogous colors.

Complementary colors are colors next to each other on the color wheel. For green, that is blue or yellow. But usually look great with any shade of green.

Analogous colors are opposite on the color wheel. Shades of green are typically across from shades of red. However, due to their different undertones, sage and forest have different analogous colors.

Forest green is really opposite of more of a true red.

Sage green is opposite terracotta or desert rose shades of pink.

For neutrals, stick to creamy soft whites to nicely contrast the green shades.

These shades both pair well with black and deep charcoal black.

A warmer toned green, like Sage Green, will accent strongly against a warm purple or red color (like terra cotta!)

See my favorite Sage Green accent colors here!

A cooler toned blue-green, like Forest Green, pairs nicely with other shades of blue and green.

Forest Green vs Sage Green: Which should you choose?

Deciding between forest and sage? Look at the other fixtures in your space - flooring, tile, furniture. Does it have warm or cool tones? For cool tones, go forest. For warm tones, go sage!

Thanks for reading!