Is Green the New Millennial Gray? Here's What Interior Designers Have to Say

From millennial pink to millennial gray, some colors associated with Generation Y can cause a real stir on social media. The latest hue to enter the debate? Millennial green. Often used as a neutral, this particular type of green is more muted and earthy, ranging from sage green walls to olive-toned office chairs.

Green has certainly seen an overall rise in popularity in recent years, but millennial green is now getting heat online for being overused and bland—much like its millennial gray counterpart. Read on to learn more about the new shade that Gen Z is making fun of millennials for—as well as designers’ tips on how to properly decorate with it.

What Is Millennial Green?

Millennial green is an umbrella term used to describe several earthy shades of green, though it's less about the specific color than it is about how it's perceived.

"It typically refers to a sage green, but it can also really be any muted green," says interior designer and content creator Mallory Wackerman. "It mostly refers to the overuse of the color green in a home, rather than one specific shade."

This type of green gained popularity among millennials for its ability to act as a neutral, while still adding color to a space.

Why It's Controversial

The reason millennial green is so controversial online isn't because the shade is inherently unappealing—rather, it's how the color is styled.

"What we are seeing when it comes to millennial green is that it's often paired with muted tones, which can make a space feel monotone," says Danielle Davis, founder and principal designer of 56th Street Design Studio.

Millennial green has also been getting flak simply because the color has been done so many times.

"[It] is agreeable with various types of spaces, which makes it more appealing to wider audiences than brighter shades," says Emily Shaw, interior designer and content creator. "Due to it being so commonly used for millennial home designs, people have grown a distaste for it—it's human nature to desire more originality."

What Designers Think

On the whole, designers agree that millennial green is timeless rather than a fad, as earthy greens have always been used in interiors. In fact, the hue has been a staple in Gilmore's projects over the years.

"Millennial green is honestly a new term for me, even as a millennial!" Gilmore says. "My personal home sectional is a lovely shade of green velvet, I've color drenched a home office in green, I've used it on bathroom vanities and probably more upholstery pieces than I can count."

Meanwhile, Gen Z designers like Shaw don't personally decorate with millennial green as often—but they do appreciate how it can complement a wide range of personal styles.

"In my opinion, a color being very versatile is a great thing for people who don't know where to start with designing their spaces," says Shaw. "I don't believe that colors should be controversial if people enjoy them in their homes."

How to Decorate With It 

Davis recommends using millennial green as a vehicle to create moments of depth of vibrancy. "This can be achieved by layering the space with texture, pairing the room with colors that make the millennial green shine, and avoiding colors that could dull its impact," she says.

Shaw especially likes the idea of complementing millennial green with bold, unexpected colors. "For example: small pops of true red, millennial green, warm wood tones, and cream would look great together," she says. "You could even swap out the red [for] cobalt blue. It would also pair nicely with warm-toned colors, like a deep rust orange or [plum]."

Still, Gilmore notes that you should always choose colors and items that authentically speak to your style.

"Buying things to just fill spaces [means that they'll] likely end up in your donation pile sooner than you realize," she says. "Have fun with green by using plants, fabric for drapery, upholstery, and—if you're really feeling excited about it—use it for a tile in your bathroom. The possibilities are endless!"