Green paint colors have been on the rise in popularity for some time now and for good reason. Today we are going to dive into the differences of hunter green vs. forest green so you can decide which one is right for your home.
Whether it’s sage green, blue-green, hunter green, or forest green, green paint colors have become so popular. I think it’s because of the calming effect green has on our surroundings.
Green colors bring the feel of nature into your home. That brings a sense of calm and serenity. Ever since the pandemic that is one thing we all need. That’s probably why these colors have risen so quickly in popularity.
But what really is the difference between forest green and hunter green? That’s what we are going to discuss today.
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Hunter Green vs. Forest Green
These two colors are often used interchangeably but they are actually very different colors. The big difference is in the undertones.
Let’s start with this side-by-side of Benjamin Moore Hunter Green and Forest Green. They really depict the differences in the two colors quite well.
As you can see they are different colors not just in name. They both have the look and feel of nature but where they are different is in the undertones.
Hunter Green is warmer with more yellow or brown undertones. This is the color you often see used in camouflage.
Forest Green has more of the feel of the deep forest where the sun doesn’t get to. This color is cooler in nature and has more blue undertones.
Forest Green vs. Hunter Green: The Similarities and Differences
There are many different shades of green and different depths of color. Some are lighter in nature, like a sage green, and some are dark.
Forest green and hunter green both fall under the category of very dark greens. Some colors are almost black.
As we discussed before the big difference in the two colors are the undertones. Forest Green has more blue in it and hunter green has more yellow.
Forest green is cooler and hunter green is warmer. This is a result of the undertones each color has.
How to know if a paint color is right for you?
The best way to judge if a color is good for you you will want to put a swatch on the wall and look at it over a few days. Look at it in different lights and decide if you really like it.
You can do this by getting a sample from the paint store and using a brush to put it up on the walls, but then you are left with a can that you can’t do anything with. Those samples are used with poor-quality paint and aren’t meant for use on your walls permanently.
I recommend going with Samplize. They are a company that will send you a peel-and-stick swatch of a paint color that you can stick to the wall. When you are done just peel it off and throw it away.
It’s easy and much less messy!
Forest Green Paint Colors
Benjamin Moore Deep Jungle
Deep Jungle is on the lighter side with an LRV of 13.37. It gives the feel of a tropical rainforest but still has the cool tones that make it a forest green paint color.
Get a sample of Deep Jungle from Samplize!
Benjamin Moore Forest Green
Forest Green is perhaps the most aptly named. It is a gorgeous sophisticated color that really grounds a space. It has an LRV of 7.58.
Get a sample of Forest Green from Samplize!
Benjamin Moore Topsoil
Topsoil is actually considered a black color with forest green undertones. It has an LRV of 7.46 which makes it a pretty dark color. This one would be great for cabinets and accent walls or even doors.
Get a sample of Topsoil from Samplize!
Benjamin Moore Essex Green
Essex Green is nearly black with an LRV of 5.64. It has a very earthy feel and Benjamin Moore says it was inspired from “historic estates overgrown with ivy”.
Get a sample of Essex Green from Samplize!
Sherwin Williams Evergreens
Evergreens has a deep forest feel that is very relaxing, which makes it perfect for a bedroom or living room. It has an LRV of 8.
Get a sample of Evergreens from Samplize!
Sherwin Williams Basil
For Sherwin Williams dark green colors this one is the lightest with an LRV of 15. It is very nature inspired with undertones of blue and gray. The gray keeps the color a bit subdued.
Get a sample of Basil from Samplize!
Sherwin Williams Isle of Pine
With an LRV of 8, Isle of Pine brings a deep saturated color to your space. It’s a cool green with blue undertones and gives a sense of calm to any space it is in.
Get a sample of Isle of Pine from Samplize!
Sherwin Williams Olympic Range
Olympic Range is a cool, dark green with undertones of blue and gray. The gray really helps keep this color grounded. It’s LRV is 7.
Get a sample of Olympic Range from Samplize!
Hunter Green Paint Colors
Here are the best hunter green paint colors from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams.
Benjamin Moore Colonial Verdigris
Colonial Verdigris is a color inspired from the door and shutter color that was popular after the revolution. It gives an old world feel and has an LRV of 8.75, making it a really dark color.
Get a sample of Colonial Verdigris from Samplize!
Benjamin Moore Chimichurri
Chimichurri is most commonly known as a blend of spices. Benjamin Moore has named this color after it because of it’s crisp bite. It has an LRV of 9.7.
Get a sample of Chimichurri from Samplize!
Benjamin Moore Backwoods
Backwoods is one of my favorite green paint colors. It is a forest green with a touch of black. But it’s not as dark as some of the others that have more black in them. It’s LRV is 12.68.
Get a sample of Backwoods from Samplize!
Benjamin Moore Hunter Green
Hunter green is a very dark color with an LRV of 6.39. Benjamin Moore says that it’s “full of depth and elegance”.
Get a sample of Hunter Green from Samplize!
Benjamin Moore Boreal Forest
Boreal Forest is even lighter than Dark Pewter, it’s LRV is 12.17. This color is a dark green and looks great in almost any design style.
Get a sample of Boreal Forest from Samplize!
Sherwin Williams Dard Hunter Green
Dard Hunter Green is also a very dark color with an LRV of 6. This is about the equivalent of Hunter Green From Benjamin Moore but it’s a tad darker and warmer.
Get a sample of Dard Hunter Green from Samplize!
Sherwin Williams Pewter Green
Pewter Green is very earthy and looks great with all wood tones as well as different metals. This one would be a great color for cabinetry. It has an LRV of 12.
Get a sample of Pewter Green from Samplize!
Sherwin Williams Rookwood Dark Green
Rookwood Dark Green is part of the Historic Color Collection and has an LRV of 10. It is a color that gives the feel of time and calm as well as history, which is why it’s in that particular collection.
Get a sample of Rookwood Dark Green from Samplize!
Sherwin Williams Palm Leaf
Palm Leaf also has an LRV of 10 but as you can see the undertones are quite different. There is a lot more yellow and brown in this green. This color reminds me of camouflage and one that I used to see a lot when I was a kid and my dad was in the Army.
Get a sample of Palm Leaf from Samplize!
I hope you have a better understanding of these two shades of colors now. Although the names are often used interchangeably they are very different. Which one will you use?
More Dark Paint Colors:
- The Best Dark Greige Paint Colors
- The 17 Best Dark Blue-Gray Paint Colors
- The Best Dark Sage Green Paint Colors
- The Best Black Paint Colors
As a licensed Real Estate Agent and an avid home decorator, I strive to give my clients the very best I can when it comes to staging, selling, and decorating their homes. I have lots of experience with paint color choices and love to DIY my home so I can have everything just the way I want it. I share my ideas and projects with the world in the hopes that I can help others have their homes just the way they want as well.