Olive Paint Colours

Olive green has experienced a resurgence in popularity in interior design circles of late. It’s easy to see why. Boasting all the biophilic benefits of other greens, olive has the added benefit of being effortlessly chic and sophisticated. 

A muted olive paint colour can elevate the design credentials of living spaces and dining rooms. Meanwhile, a darker olive paint will make a dramatic addition to a modern kitchen.

However, overtly olive shades are equally suited to those rooms where you like to relax. They’re a dramatic wall paint colour to choose if you’re looking to reference the outside world. With olive taking centre stage, you’re free to incorporate neutral accents and natural materials. 

While olive colours are enjoying a renaissance, they’ve long been used in interior design. Unsurprisingly, they’ll work well in properties from any era. If you have plans for a retro-inspired living space, an olive colour paired with teak or rosewood furniture is an instant winner. For older properties, a more subdued shade paired with off-white colours will work well. 

Our 10 Favourite Olive Paint Colours

At Johnstone’s, you’ll find a remarkable range of olive paint colours that will help you transform any corner of the home. 

Not ready to play around with intense greens just yet? Ease yourself in with Olive It. This subdued olive is closer to grey than olive, although there’s more than a hint of tea green at play. 

A great fit with contemporary spaces, this soft shade will give any interior a new lease of life. Keep to sultry mid-tones if you’re planning a more sophisticated interior. Alternatively, freshen things up with yellow-tinged neutrals.

If you’re a fan of mid-tones, you’ll love this eye-catching colour. Ripe Olive will look right at home in a more modern setting. This khaki beige will make a versatile addition to your palette, while a delicate touch of olive brings botanical character. 

You can use other olive-inspired shades to create a tonal scheme. If you’re someone who prefers simplicity, stick to off-whites with green or yellow undertones instead.

Subdued greens will also work well in a modern home. A mid tone camo yellow like True Khaki will transform any living room, dining space or office. There’s also a hint of olive in the mix, meaning you have a good reference point if you want to introduce bolder pops of colour to your schemes. 

When selecting coordinating colours, reach for shades like cappuccino beige, tea green and coconut coir. Muted greys and off-white colours can also be turned to when you’re lacking inspiration. 

If you like the idea of an olive interior but want to keep things very neutral, go for a shade like Prairie Dust. This sandy camo yellow is a fairly rich choice, but it’s subdued enough that it can be used generously on just about any surface. 

It works well with solemn greys and delicate greens. Anything with an earthy undertone will coordinate effortlessly with this paint.

If you’re decorating a bedroom or entertaining space, it makes sense to choose a colour with more impact. A smoky grey like Frosted Moss is an obvious colour choice. With its olive tint, it also works nicely alongside other greens. 

You can introduce more traditional olive hues when selecting coordinating colours. Earthy ochres and golden greiges are also good choices if you want to bring warmth.

Saturated shades are ideal if you’re going for high-impact makeovers. Autumn Grey is one such colour, with this greyish hue providing an impressive backdrop for any room. A hint of olive green ensures your space won’t be lacking in natural character either. 

Use dark sages to enhance the botanical qualities of your colour schemes. If you want to breathe new life and add warmth to your space, think about adding a permission shade to your paint palette.

A darker olive will work in smaller spaces, while a richer hue can make for a dramatic feature wall. Mud Pack is a superb choice, with this greyish camo boasting an olive tint that makes it a welcome addition to any green-tinged colour palette. 

You have endless options when it comes to complementary colours. Play it safe with greiges, taupes and tans. Alternatively, make more of a statement with earthy shades.

A darker shade is a good idea if you’re looking to make maximum impact. All About Olive is inspired by bottle green, making it a good option if you’re keen to create a botanical-inspired interior.

This olive works well with other greens. Think about pairing it with ivy, sage, and mossy hues. Brown paint shades of any intensity will also look perfect alongside this versatile olive.

If you’re thinking of going with a richer green, try Russian Olive. This dark sage is an inspired choice, serving as a dramatic backdrop for any living room, home office or dining space. 

You can take your inspiration from the brown undertones when selecting complementary colours. Golden hues work particularly well, while cocoa-infused hues will ground your colour scheme beautifully.

If you’re looking for an olive green to use instead of a run-of-the-mill neutral, try something like Fallow Field. This rugged camo brown works well with earthy hues, while an unmistakable olive tint brings plenty of botanical character. 

Pair it with chocolate browns or earthy shades to bring a room together. For added warmth, choose colours with pink or red undertones.