Numerous shades of green can be used in a variety of ways, from creating an eye-catching logo to fashion and interior designs. Olive green is among some of the favorite choices when it comes to different greens. However, to create a look that is appealing and well-balanced, you need to consider the colors that go well with olive green. To help and inspire you, we have put together some ideas on how to choose the finest olive green color combinations!
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Why Choose the Olive Green Color?
First, what is olive green? You can describe an olive green as being a yellowish green, much like the olive fruits that can also come in a variety of shades. Green, in general, is considered a cool color, along with blue, while yellow is warm along with colors like red and orange. So, olive green, with its yellowish undertone is considered a warm color.
Olive green, therefore, has a calming and soothing effect, but it is also a positive color that makes it uplifting.
Since it is a part of the green family, it also brings a sense of renewal and can bring in a more natural feel to designs. Olive green is also quite versatile and can go with most colors and suits many different styles. You also do not have to work with a single color, there are many different shades and tones you can choose. Below you will find some examples of the various shades of olive green.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
| Olive | #808000 | 0, 0, 100, 50 | 128, 128, 0 | |
| Olive Green | #bab86c | 0, 1, 42, 27 | 186, 184, 108 | |
| Dark Olive Green | #556b2f | 21, 0, 56, 58 | 85, 107, 47 | |
| Drab Green | #6b8e23 | 25, 0, 75, 44 | 107, 142, 35 | |
| Black Olive | #3b3c36 | 2, 0, 10, 76 | 23, 23, 21 |
How to Go About Matching Colors With Olive Green
Olive green is relatively easy to work with, and it can be paired with many colors. You can also use olive green as a neutral, however, it works extremely well with neutral colors like white, black, brown, tan, and beige. You might also be wondering, “Does gray and olive green go together?”. The answer is yes, lighter grays with olive green provide a sense of calm, while darker grays provide a more daring combination.
Learning about color theory and taking a look at the color wheel can assist in creating olive-green color combinations. These color combinations can be found on the color wheel.
The color wheel itself is a graphic illustration of colors that can show how each color interacts with another. You will find all the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, as well as all other color shades and tints. It might sound a bit complicated, but you can easily find color combinations online, as there are many websites dedicated to this topic. So, let us find out a bit more about these color combinations and the colors that go with olive green.
Complementary Olive Green Colors
The first color combination is known as complementary colors. These colors are easy to locate when referring to the color wheel, simply find olive green and see what color lies immediately on the opposite end. What happens when you place these two colors side-by-side? The main attribute of this combination is that it creates contrast, so these colors will make each other stand out.
In this case, the complementary color to olive green is a muted blue.
However, you can choose different shades of blue as well, for example, olive green and navy blue or you can go for olive green and sky blue, a lighter shade of blue. Both work well with olive green and can be used as an interior color palette, or the combination also works great when pairing outfits.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
| Olive Green | #bab86c | 0, 1, 42, 27 | 186, 184, 108 | |
| Muted Blue | #6c6eba | 42, 41, 0, 27 | 108, 110, 186 | |
| Navy Blue | #000080 | 100, 100, 0, 50 | 0, 0, 128 | |
| Sky Blue | #87ceeb | 43, 12, 0, 8 | 135, 206, 235 |
Analogous Olive Green Colors
When you look at a color wheel, you will notice that the reds, yellow, and oranges colors are on one side, while the greens, blues, and purples are found on the other side. You can say these colors are grouped in the same area. Analogous colors are similar, this color combination consists of colors that are found close to or next to each other.
Colors in this combination also share certain characteristics, for example, they can all be warm or cool colors.
Pairing olive green with orange can help to add a little contrast, depth, and warmth. Pairing pastels with olive green creates a more natural look. If you are considering a more vibrant orange, we recommend using a muted shade of olive green and to use the orange sparingly to create balance.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
| Olive Green | #bab86c | 0, 1, 42, 27 | 186, 184, 108 | |
| Muted Orange | #ba916c | 0, 22, 42, 27 | 186, 145, 108 | |
| Muted Green | #95ba6c | 20, 0, 42, 27 | 149, 186, 108 | |
| Pastel Orange | #ffb347 | 0, 30, 72, 0 | 255, 179, 71 | |
| Pastel Green | #77dd77 | 46, 0, 46, 13 | 119, 221, 119 |
Monochromatic Olive Green Colors
This is a simple and harmonious color combination that can easily be done without worrying about if the colors are going to match. Just take the olive green color and choose a selection of tones and shades of the same color. This helps to create depth and can produce a more minimalistic approach.
For interior designs, you can also bring in different textures and patterns to create more interest.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
| Olive Green | #bab86c | 0, 1, 42, 27 | 186, 184, 108 | |
| Dark Olive Green | #5d5c2c | 0, 1, 53, 64 | 93, 92, 44 | |
| Light olive Green | #e0dfbc | 0, 0, 16, 12 | 224, 223, 188 |
Triadic Olive Green Colors
Triadic colors are a bit more challenging to work with as the colors can become overwhelming if overused. The best way to create balance is to choose a main color and then use the other colors as accents. The color combination is represented as an even-sided triangle when referring to the color wheel. The colors included in this combination are muted shades of magenta and cyan.
You can also consider colors like lavender and turquoise to go with olive green.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
| Olive Green | #bab86c | 0, 1, 42, 27 | 186, 184, 108 | |
| Muted Magenta | #b86cba | 1, 42, 0, 27 | 184, 108, 186 | |
| Muted Cyan | #6cbab8 | 42, 0, 1, 27 | 108, 186, 184 | |
| Lavender | #e6e6fa | 8, 8, 0, 2 | 230, 230, 250 | |
| Turquoise | #40e0d0 | 71, 0, 7, 12 | 64, 224, 208 |
More Colors That Go With Olive Green
The above is only an example of a few examples of some olive green color combinations. You can take the ideas from these and experiment with matching colors with olive green. Below you will find more colors that go with olive green.
Olive Green and Yellow
Olive green is a yellowish-green, so these two colors will go together. This is a common color combination that can be found in nature. However, when pairing them in the home, it is best to lay a foundation of olive green and to bring in yellow as an accent color.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
| Olive Green | #bab86c | 0, 1, 42, 27 | 186, 184, 108 | |
| Mustard Yellow | #ffdb58 | 0, 14, 65, 0 | 255, 219, 88 |
Olive Green and Red
Maybe you think that red and olive green is not a good match, but it does work. Red brings energy to the combination and the olive green helps to tone the red down. When creating a color scheme, you can also include other neutrals to create more balance.
Consider lighter shades of red or even softer pinks to pair with olive green.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
| Olive Green | #bab86c | 0, 1, 42, 27 | 186, 184, 108 | |
| Light Red | #ff3b3b | 0, 77, 77, 0 | 255, 59, 59 | |
| Rose Pink | #f7879a | 0, 45, 38, 3 | 247, 135, 154 |
Olive Green and Maroon
Along with brown, maroon is another color you can find in nature, along with green. Consider autumn colors, as maroon is positioned somewhere between brown and red. Maroon and olive green create a warm and calming atmosphere, just remember to balance the colors properly. If you use olive green as the base color, bring in maroon as an accent color.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
| Olive Green | #bab86c | 0, 1, 42, 27 | 186, 184, 108 | |
| Maroon | #800000 | 0, 100, 100, 50 | 128, 0, 0 |
Olive Green in Fashion and Home Design
Olive green is a great color to add to outfits, and can easily be layered, or you can create contrast. You can pair it easily with white, brown, maroon, beige, navy blue, and gray. You can pair a nice pair of olive green trousers and mix and match them with different colors. You can also wear olive green jackets, shirts, pullovers, skirts, and dresses. Olive green is not only popular in fashion, but it is also a color choice for interior designs.
Bringing Olive Green into the Home
Olive green can be used in most rooms of the home, as it is a versatile color. You should also bear in mind that there are many shades of olive green as well. So, you can use lighter or darker options among others. Olive green can be used as a wall color or simply included as an accent wall.
To create a more sophisticated look, combine olive green with natural wood elements, leather, and neutral colors.
Olive green is refreshing and can be relaxing, which makes it great for bathrooms and bedrooms. To help highlight olive green’s warmth and energy, try pairing it with yellow and red, or create a more natural feel with beige, white, or other neutrals. To help emphasize the natural appeal of olive green, you can also bring in greenery or plants.
Olive Green Living Areas Ideas
What is great about olive green is that it can act as a neutral color, and can help to brighten up a room, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. It can easily be used as a base color, but it can also be added as a pop of color in a neutral-based space. You can get beautiful olive green couches, throws, cushions, plant pots, and more.
Olive Green Bedroom Ideas
Olive green is relaxing yet uplifting, the perfect color for a bedroom. Again, you can use the color on the walls, or simply bring in accent colors through accessories. Try using different shades of olive green to help create an illusion of a larger room, and bring in different fabrics and textures to create an inviting and cozy space.
Besides pairing olive green with neutrals like white, you can bring in more colors like different shades of blue to add to the relaxed feel or bring in a little yellow to enhance a warmer feeling.
Olive Green Kitchen Ideas
Olive green in the kitchen can create a fresh and airy feel that is also welcoming. There is a variety of olive shades to choose from. The most popular way is to use the color on the kitchen cabinets, and then balance the color by adding white marbled tops and lighter-colored flooring. Light wood accents can also be included in the design.
Olive green can also simply be added by bringing in accessories like olive green toasters, bread bins, kettles, towels, chairs, or fridges. Olive green tiling is another way to bring in color effectively.
Olive Green Bathroom Ideas
Olive green and white are a great combination for bathrooms, creating a fresh, clean, and comforting space. Paint the walls olive green, with white tiled or wooden floors, and white towels and bath. You can use the color as an accent wall or consider green tiling in strategic areas. Bring in olive green as an accent color by painting cabinets olive green, or using olive green towels, floor mats, toothbrush holders, and soap dishes.
Olive green is a popular color that can easily be used as a neutral color. Not only is olive green a relaxing and inviting color, but it can also be used in a variety of ways in both fashion and interior designs. So, the next time you are thinking of redecorating, make sure to consider olive green!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Best Colors That Go With Olive Green?
Some of the more popular colors that go with olive green include neutral colors, such as white, beige, and tan. However, many other colors go with olive green including brown, blue, shades of red, yellow, purple, and other shades of green.
Does Gray and Olive Green Go Together?
Yes, gray and olive green work effortlessly together! Gray is also a neutral color, and combined with olive green, it can create a soft and relaxing space. It is also a great combination for natural-looking outfits. Of course, you can also add splashes of color to this combination as well if you like.
Along with gray, navy blue is a complementary color to olive green and will create a wonderfully natural look that is perfect for office clothing outfits. Navy blue and olive green also make for a refreshing interior design color combination.
