Decorating Ideas for Olive Green Walls

Complementary

• If you'd like to create a contemporary space -- a room with colors that shout out for attention -- introduce a color that is complementary to olive green. Complementary colors are found directly opposite each other on a color wheel. For olive green, maroon is the complementary color you would introduce to set the stage for a bold contemporary room. A sofa covered in maroon fabric, an area rug with maroon running through the design, lampshades with maroon accents and wall art with splashes of maroon would send a loud and clear contemporary message.

Split-Complementary

• Another option when aiming for a contemporary room is to use a split-complementary color scheme. You do this by allowing the olive green walls to be a backdrop to the two colors found directly next to the complementary color of maroon on the color wheel, eggplant and rust. For example, if the walls of your bedroom are olive green, you might layer the bed with eggplant colored bedding and rust colored throw pillows. You could introduce the deep purple of eggplant through a flower arrangement on the nightstand and work rust and eggplant in through dramatic artwork. Rust colored window treatments would pull the entire look together.

Analogous

• For a more traditional decor, consider going the analogous route with your color scheme. You accomplish this by pairing the olive green walls with one or both of the colors found on either side of it on the color wheel. Mustard yellow and midnight blue are analogous to olive green and both work to create harmony in a room. This is because olive green has something in common with both of these shades. Olive green and mustard yellow both have yellow at their base, while olive green and midnight blue share blue as their base color. If the walls of your kitchen are olive green, you could cover the table with a mustard yellow tablecloth and display a decorative mustard yellow dishtowel in a conspicuous place. Use midnight blue dinnerware and display midnight blue coffee cups on a cup rack for true visual impact. A midnight blue rug in front of the sink and mustard yellow window curtains would take full advantage of how well these colors work together.

Monochromatic

• If you're more into modern decor, the monochromatic work can add serenity and drama to a room at the same time. You create a monochromatic look by layering in varying shades of the same color into a room. For example, if the walls of your family room are olive green, you might have furniture covered in mint green fabric and hang grass green drapes. Incorporate a variety of greens into the space through scatter pillows, throws, artwork and area rugs. Once you've layered the different shades of green into the room, you give it a punch of another color. A red vase in the center of the coffee table will give you that modern edge.