Green is having a designer moment – especially Emerald green which is this year’s Pantone Colour of the Year. Lime green, which contains a great deal of citrus-y yellow, also has great potential as a basis for a refined and yet inviting living area. For many people it references the tropics, the fruit from which it takes its lively colour and a sense of lush vegetation and warmth.
Decorating a main living area with lime green is a question of intensity – are you looking for a shade that approaches a soft citrine, elegant and muted? Or is the neon end of the spectrum – where lime green and its electric sidekicks fuchsia, orange and yellow reside – more appealing? Combine the former with soft yellows and lush tropical greens, or trendy palm, jungle and animalia prints. Use the latter carefully in sparing amounts in fun accessories. Both shades of lime are lovely with turquoise and pale pink notes for contrast.
Lime Green Walls
Begin with the wall coverings, a classic means of introducing lime into a room. You could put a solid paint colour on walls – Designers Guild has a range of intensities in lime. Then layer with lush prints for draperies and upholstery. We also love this elegant chinoiserie-inspired swallows wallpaper from Sanderson. £46 Or this busier William Morris floral and damask pattern with hints of deeper green, tan and lime. £70. And also this graphic trellis treatment with flocked relief. £70
Lime on the Furniture
Depending on the wall treatments a subtle print for main pieces of upholstered furniture can further introduce lime into your decorating scheme. For example, this sumptuous Hendricks green wool 3 seater sofa has low, wide arms – perfect for resting a drink on – and soft, deep cushions with button detailing. Currently reduced from £1600 to £1,280.
Or establish a different mood with the racier profile of this green wool and grey velvet armchair from Habitat. Hand-made in Italy, it’s a statement piece that could add equally effective punctuation to a traditional, mid-century modern or fully contemporary style of room. £796
Accessorize your Living Room
When accessorizing a lime-themed living room, you can either introduce or reinforce the colour palette with quick hits of colour here and there, or use strategic items in pink or turquoise shades for a respite from all that green.
Lime also goes great with copper – it’s a trendy combination that manages to feel retro and contemporary at the same time. This elegant over-size table lamp, for example, would contrast beautifully with palm leaf or jungle prints that have a deep green base, or furniture upholstered in solid shades of lime. £80
Another smart way to channel lime is in the art on the walls of your living room. We’ve found some striking examples that use lime to great effect. This fun limited edition giclee print from Ame72 could work with more modern interiors. £150 And Magnus Gjoen’s limited edition screen and giclee print with 24 c gold leaf would bring irreverence and vibrant colour to a traditional or contemporary space. £1800
Smaller items can also be layered into the scheme to temper the intensity of the lime experience. Play around with placements that please the eyes and draw attention to every corner of the room. This tall glass vase, for example, combines lime green with a tempering blue. £30
This white and turquoise ceramic lamp could subtly modify a lime green scheme in a mid century modern direction. £139 And trusty throw cushions can always be relied on to add complementary or supporting pops of colour. Consider these velvet numbers in a dusty pink. £25
For such an emphatic colour, lime is surprisingly versatile. Use it on tropical textiles to rock a mid century modern living space, or on classically shaped furniture and wall coverings to add interest to a traditional arrangement. Or simply throw caution to the winds and go neon for a quirky contemporary feel. Lime can do it all.
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