After months of redesigning our entire first floor, the living room was one of the last spaces in need of a revamp. Typically, I gravitate toward neutral colors and bright whites, but this time, I decided to challenge myself. I’ve been drawn to moodier, more dramatic tones lately, and I knew this was my chance to embrace something bold.
Green has always been a color I’ve wanted to incorporate into our home. While I’ve experimented with sage and softer greens in the past, I wanted to go all-in on a moody forest green for this space. Enter Benjamin Moore’s Trailing Vines, a rich, earthy shade that immediately brought depth and character to the room.
This choice was transformative—it completely changed the feel of our living room! If you’re considering green paint in your living room or feel drawn to moodier colors, my advice is simple: lean into it. Today on the blog, I’m sharing why I chose this shade, how I made it work, and my tips for anyone considering a statement color in their home.
Introducing… Benjamin Moore Trailing Vines!

As soon as the Monarch Colonial renovation began, I knew I wanted to add a pop of color to one of the main spaces of our home. I have been seeing the trend of dark green paint EVERYWHERE, so I wanted to hop on the bandwagon, but still choose something that felt like me.
After seeing A Glass of Bovino use it beautifully in her home, I knew this was the color I had been looking for.
If I had to describe it, I’d say Benjamin Moore’s Trailing Vines is a soft, nature-inspired green with a hint of gray, making it feel both fresh and calming. It’s the kind of color that instantly brings the outdoors in, giving your living room a serene and welcoming vibe. This shade pairs beautifully with wood furniture and pops of white, adding a sense of elegance to the space, without having to overstyle anything.
Why Choose a Statement Color (Like Green) To Paint Your Room?
Choosing a statement color like green paint for your living room can completely redefine the space. It’s more than just a design choice—it’s an opportunity to create a room that feels personal and unique. For me, green was the perfect choice because it checks so many boxes:
- Versatility: Green pairs beautifully with neutral tones like beige and cream while complementing warm metallics like gold or brass.
- Grounding Effect: It evokes calmness and grounds a room, making it ideal for spaces where we spend so much time.
- Timeless Appeal: Unlike trendy colors that may feel dated over time, green has a classic quality that always feels fresh.
When I discovered Benjamin Moore’s Trailing Vines, it felt like the perfect balance between bold and inviting. Its deep forest green tone is dramatic without feeling overwhelming, especially when paired with natural light and thoughtful styling. While I did try a variety of greens (which I highly recommend doing) it had the richness I was looking for without being too loud.
How To Plan A Statement Colored Room
Before diving into any painting project—especially with bold colors like green—it’s important to plan carefully to ensure your vision comes together seamlessly.
For this project, I started by assessing the space itself. Our living room has large windows that let in plenty of natural light, which gave me the confidence to go with a darker shade without worrying about making the space feel small or dim.
If your space doesn’t get as much light, you might want to test lighter variations of green paint or consider using the bold shade on just one accent wall instead of the entire room.

Testing swatches was also key. I painted patches of a ton of green shades, including Trailing Vines, on different walls to see how the color looked at various times of day—this step confirmed that it worked beautifully in both morning sunlight and evening lamplight. Finally, I considered how the new wall color would interact with our existing furniture and decor. Neutral tones like our beige sofa paired perfectly with this shade of green while allowing it to take center stage.
How To Prep Your Space To Paint
Preparation is everything when painting with bold colors like green paint in your living room! Here’s how I got our space ready:
First, I cleared out as much furniture as possible and covered larger pieces with drop cloths to protect them from paint splatters. Then, I cleaned the walls thoroughly with a damp cloth to remove any dust or grime that could prevent proper paint adhesion. Small cracks and nail holes were filled with spackle and sanded smooth for an even surface. Finally, painter’s tape was used to mask off trim, baseboards, and ceilings for clean lines during painting.
Taking these steps ensured that when it came time to paint, everything went smoothly—and the results looked professional.
Painting Tips for a Professional Finish
Painting with a bold color like Trailing Vines can feel intimidating at first, but following these steps made all the difference:
Instead of diving straight into painting, I started with a primer to ensure even coverage and prevent any previous wall colors from showing through (a must when using dark shades). Using high-quality tools was also essential; a good roller helped me apply paint evenly across large surfaces while an angled brush made it easy to tackle corners and edges with precision.
When applying the paint itself, patience was key. Rather than trying to achieve full coverage in one go (which often leads to streaks), I applied two thin coats of paint, allowing ample drying time between each layer for a flawless finish.
If you’re curious to learn more about how to have a perfect paint finish every time, check out my post: Paint Finish FAQs – Choose This One For Your Next Project!
How To Style Your Living Room With Green Walls
With our finished walls, it was time to style the space! The deep green backdrop provided a perfect canvas for layering textures and tones, and one of the standout features in the room is our custom marble fireplace surround.
We had a custom piece of marble cut to wrap around our fireplace, and it matches the countertops in our home perfectly. This detail ties the living room seamlessly to the rest of the first floor, creating a sense of cohesion throughout the space. The marble adds a touch of elegance and serves as a stunning focal point against the bold green walls.
To complement these elements, I kept the furniture neutral with pieces like our beige sofa, which balances the richness of the walls without competing with them. Gold accents—including our TV picture frame and light fixtures—add warmth and sophistication, while natural textures like wooden furniture enhance the earthy vibe of the room. Finally, I layered in soft textiles like throw pillows and rugs to add depth and coziness to this transformed space.

If you’re considering using green paint in your living room or anywhere else, I’d encourage you to go for it! Even bold colors can feel timeless and personal with thoughtful planning and styling.
Do you have any further questions about choosing a bold color, like green paint for your living room? Please ask in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest on the blog, check out my recent posts:
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