Energetically bold, emerald green is a powerful color. In fact, this popular shade is so influential and dynamic, Etsy actually named emerald green its color of the year for 2022. For those looking to elevate their apartment décor, decorating with emerald green is one of the easiest ways to make a statement. Especially if the statement you're after exudes luxury, lusciousness and laid-back vibes.
Before transforming your apartment into a personal palace with this royal color, explore these 12 creative expert ideas:
"Emerald green is such an amazing color and is even more so when used in a big, bold way," says Melanie Zaelich, owner and interior design consultant at Happy Place Interiors. "A focal point wall covered in an emerald green wallpaper is sure to be a show stopper and a color that makes your space uniquely yours. Peel and stick wallpaper is an easy and effective way to make a rented space feel like home."
To make a powerful design statement in your living room or bedroom, opt for an emerald green accent chair. Whether you choose a wingback chair or a tufted square chair, the richness of decorating with emerald green will help add more dimension and drama to any room.
"Emerald green is a great choice for any space that you want to feel cozy, especially if the space doesn't get a whole lot of bright, natural light," says Hilda Carroll of Hilda Carroll Holistic Interiors. "For example, in a north-facing living room or bedroom, use emerald green walls to make the most of the darker mood. The green will infuse the room with the biophilic benefits of being in nature, helping you to relax and unwind. Add in wall sconces, floor and table lamps dotted around the room — the puddles of light will help to enhance the coziness of the green, and counter the gloominess a dark, north-facing room might otherwise have."
Enhance your emerald green accent and interior décor by using neutral shades to help contrast with emerald green's richness. Beige, cream, gray, tan and white accents or furniture pieces (like a couch or bookcase) can help balance your usage of emerald green.
Additionally, cool-toned shades like blue work well with both neutrals and dark emerald shades. Tie your bedroom, dining room or living room together with neutrals.
"The richness of emerald goes a long way," says Jennifer Medoff, an award-winning interior designer at Dragonfly Designs. "I prefer to use it sparingly so it is an addition that can be lived with for a long time. A chair, pillows or art in emerald adds a sense of luxury to a room without being overwhelming,"
Instead of decorating with emerald green in obvious ways, don't be afraid to incorporate this compelling color with subtlety. The dining room or a kitchen table area is a surprisingly easy spot to leverage this powerful color. For example, dress up your dining room table with emerald green accent placemats or splurge on emerald green glassware.
Decorating with emerald green is easy if you play with texture. For those looking to make a splash in their apartment, layer thick emerald green rugs against your carpet or hardwood floors. If you're looking for a softer approach when it comes to emerald green accent textures, pick up a chunky knit emerald green blanket or an emerald green macrame or wall tapestry.
To elevate your bathroom with this majestic color, pick up a bathroom rug with emerald green elements or boldly display an emerald green shower curtain.
"Emerald green is chic, sophisticated and undeniably dramatic. The best way to decorate with deep rich hues such as emerald green is through accessories. like, throw pillows, tabletop accessories or art," says Shandra Ward, CEO/Interior Designer at Signature Designs Interior Events & Custom Decor.
"If you are wanting to make a bold statement with lots of drama, velvet curtains trimmed in gold, a large area rug or an accent wall will give your space the look of luxury. Jewel tones are timeless and fit in a wide variety of interiors."
"Biophilic design, the use of natural materials, is more than a trend; it's a healthy direction in home décor with staying power," says Karen LeBlanc of The Design Tourist. "Consider coloring your living space with emerald green using natural plants. Try creating a vertical garden or a living wall, made of a variety of green plants or even moss. Instead of green-painted accent walls, a living or moss wall is a healthier option for infusing fresh air, plus visual and tactile design elements. For an apartment, you can purchase framed moss wall art, living wall kits or vertical garden kits that you can configure in a variety of designs to suit your space and taste."
If you don't want to spend too much money decorating with emerald green throughout your apartment, create DIY wall art.
Simply pick a canvas size. Try 20 x 24 inches or 24 x 36 inches, and grab a can of your favorite emerald green paint (pick up other colors, too, if you are looking for a multidimensional or colorful DIY display) and a paintbrush of your choice. Paint as much or as little of the canvas with the emerald green — it's up to you.
Want to incorporate multiple colors? Build out a gallery wall with the various shades of your apartment's color scheme.
"Emerald Green is a gorgeous jewel tone that can be incorporated in your home design with simple cost effective touches such as area rugs, pillows, art work or accessories," says Heather Sheridan, the owner and interior designer at Decorating Den Interiors. "A mix of textures in emerald green complimented with other jewel tones, such as mustard or royal blue, always adds a warmth to your living space as well."
Decorating with emerald green can help you rejuvenate a space. To incorporate some of the natural world in your apartment décor, use emerald green crystals and gemstones to add pops of color.
Since there are a variety of crystals and gemstones, do research to find the right shade of emerald green for your rental. To find the right emerald green accent, try one of these:
Not only will these crystals help you decorate your apartment, but they'll also bring in good vibes. After all, emerald stones bring an abundance of love and a plethora of success to those that relish it.
Kermit the Frog famously once said, "It's not easy being green." And while that may be true, rest assured, decorating with emerald green is easier than it seems.
Charlsie Niemiec has spent the last 10 years working as a content marketing and social media editor and strategist. With in-house experience ranging from The Elf on the Shelf to CNN to Piedmont Healthcare, Charlsie has freelanced for the last four years with clients ranging from ESPN to the Atlanta Beltline. When she's not copyediting or scrolling on Twitter, she is walking her very scruffy wirehaired terriers mixes Leonard and Biscuit or probably watering one of her 54 houseplants.