Which Colors Make Green? How to Customize a Green Paint Color

Whether you’re looking for a calming paint color for your bedroom or a deep, moody shade to add drama to your living room, green is one of the most versatile colors you can use. Once you know what colors make green, you can create an array of rich, timeless hues and soft, soothing shades. Go bold with a striking jade or malachite green that makes a stunning statement and pairs beautifully with other jewel tones. Or go classic with a hunter green that’s the epitome of sophisticated elegance, especially when embellished with traditional molding and millwork. Countless shades of green are available on the market, but you can also take the DIY route and create your own custom green paint color.

Which Colors Make Green?

This nature-inspired color is a great way to bring the outdoors in and give your home an instant refresh. The basic answer for what colors make green is blue and yellow. However, color theory is a little more complex.

Yellow and blue are primary colors, meaning they are the starting point for mixing secondary colors, such as green. Green can have warm or cool undertones, depending on the amount of yellow and blue it contains. If yellow is the dominant color, expect a green paint color with warm undertones. If you use more blue than yellow, you will end up with a cooler shade of green. 

In addition to the amount of each primary color used, the shade and saturation of yellow and blue also affect the green color you get. This is why the possibilities are endless when creating your custom shade of green.

What Colors Make Green Paint That's Lighter?

Light green paint is a great way to freshen up a room, create a spa-like feel, and make a space feel light and airy. It's an excellent choice for a bedroom or bathroom and one that works well with cool or warm neutrals as well as soft pastels.

As to what colors make green that's on the lighter side, start with yellow. Little by little, add small amounts of blue to it until it begins to turn green. It's important to add the blue in small increments to avoid creating a dark shade of green. A large amount of yellow paint mixed with a little bit of blue will give you a light-green color perfect for injecting a little warmth into your home.  

Add white if you're looking for a cooler shade of light green, such as a mint green. Depending on how much white you add, it will tone down the warmth of the yellow undertones and give you anything from a soft mint green to a beautiful pastel green.

To add more depth and create a light sage green color, instead of adding white, add a little bit of red paint. A little bit of red goes a long way, but adding too much will turn your paint brown quickly, so make sure to add it slowly and in small increments. 

What Colors Make Green Paint That's Darker?

A deep, dark shade of green paint creates a cozy atmosphere and timeless elegance no matter which room it's used in. Add dramatic contrast with bright white molding and millwork to instantly dress up a room and give it a traditional feel. Pair it with metallics to go glam or black and charcoal for a more modern feel.

To start, begin with the same base—blue and yellow paint. Use a larger amount of yellow or blue depending on whether you're looking for a warmer or cooler shade of dark green. You can, of course, adjust the warmth as you go, as well.

To darken the green, add a bit of black paint to it. Start slowly and add a tiny amount, as it will quickly darken your paint. Add more yellow to warm up your dark green, or add extra blue or even a dash of white paint to cool it down.

Another option is using purple to darken green paint. Either use ready-made purple or mix your own by combining red and blue. Add black as needed to create the perfect shade. Green and purple are contrasting colors, and some shades sit opposite each other on the color wheel, making them complementary colors. A dark green paired with a regal purple form a stunning color combination that feels dramatic yet sophisticated.

More About Paint Color

Choosing colors, especially combining colors for a successful design story, isn't always straightforward. A paint can look light in the store but may be darker when it's on your walls. Two colors you may think would work together can clash due to undertones and saturation. Experts have advice on picking hues, but you must try a few variations of the same color before settling on one (or more) for your walls.

Use large pieces of poster board or white paper to paint samples, and then look at them on your walls at different times of the day. Some brands sell these pre-made swatches with removable stick-on tabs, making it easy to test many colors. Remember, paint can be easily changed if you don't love it, but taking your time before making a decision makes you more likely to get the best results.