Olive Green: The Timeless Shade That Works Everywhere

Olive green isn’t just another colour – it’s a workhorse. It transforms spaces, suits any style, and pairs beautifully with wood, stone, and metal. Whether you’re sprucing up a living room, refreshing a restaurant, or adding character to an outdoor space, this rich, natural shade delivers. And with high-performance olive green paints from Rawlins Paints available for virtually any surface, you get quality and durability that stand up to time, weather, and daily wear.

 

A Colour with History and Versatility

This colour isn’t new. It has a history stretching back through military uniforms, Renaissance art, and classic British homes. It has long been associated with warmth and refinement, and today, it remains a staple in interior design. Olive green moves effortlessly between traditional and modern settings, acting as either a statement shade or an understated neutral. Rawlins Paints offers high-quality olive green finishes that enhance and protect surfaces, ensuring long-lasting results.

 

Who Can Benefit from Olive Green?

 

It’s a shade that works for just about everyone. New homeowners love it because it’s more interesting than beige but just as easy to live with. It brings a level of sophistication that feels fresh and timeless at the same time. Interior designers and decorators swear by it because it plays so well with everything – from crisp neutrals to deep jewel tones. It makes small spaces feel rich and layered and gives large, open areas a sense of warmth. It is an ideal colour for those parents who kids have recently flown the nest, and now you’re eyeing up their former bedroom as a new office or gym room. With Rawlins Paints’ durable formulations, olive green becomes a practical and stylish choice for any setting.

Businesses also use it to craft an atmosphere. Walk into a boutique hotel, an upscale restaurant, or a spa, and you’ll likely find olive green setting the mood. It has a natural grounding quality that makes people feel at ease. It’s a go-to shade for plant lovers too – there’s something about its ability to enhance greenery and blend seamlessly with natural materials like rattan, wood, and stone. Picture an olive green bathroom, soft lighting, and lush plants – it’s an instant retreat, made even more appealing with long-lasting, protective paint from Rawlins Paints.

 

Making an Impact in Any Space

 

There’s something special about this colour. It adds personality to walls, whether you’re using it for a feature or committing to a full-room transformation. It’s deep enough to make a statement but subtle enough to work as a base shade. Unlike some darker colours, it doesn’t shrink a space – it adds depth, especially when paired with lighter elements. It’s the kind of colour that makes a living room feel inviting, a kitchen feel stylish, and a bedroom feel like a place you actually want to unwind in at the end of the day.

And it works everywhere. In a kitchen, it adds character and pairs beautifully with marble or butcher block countertops, giving cabinets a rich, layered look. In a bedroom, it softens the light, creating an atmosphere that feels restful and calm. It even works in entryways, turning an often-overlooked space into a striking first impression. With Rawlins Paints’ high-performance coatings, these spaces stay looking fresh and vibrant for longer.

 

Exterior Appeal: Olive Green Beyond Interiors

 

Olive green is a standout choice for painting uPVC windows and doors, offering a rich alternative to both darker and lighter shades commonly seen on residential streets. Where black and anthracite grey can feel overly industrial, and Chartwell Green leans too soft, olive green strikes the perfect balance – distinctive yet refined. It sets a property apart without feeling out of place, adding a sophisticated character that complements both modern and traditional architecture.

Zinsser’s Allcoat Exterior is an ideal product for such projects as you can use the same colour on any surface, minimising wastage. After painting your uPVC olive green you can then tackle downpipes and guttering, or a gate, masonry, your postbox, anything that is clean and sound and suitably prepared for painting.

In a street lined with grey and pale green uPVC finishes, olive green delivers something unique. It pairs beautifully with brick, stone, and rendered exteriors, ensuring a home feels both inviting and well-designed. It also works seamlessly across heritage and contemporary properties, bringing depth and warmth to window frames, doors, and trim. Choosing olive green for uPVC elements means making a subtle yet confident statement – one that resists fleeting trends while enhancing curb appeal for years to come. With Rawlins Paints’ durable exterior paints, this colour choice isn’t just about style – it’s about long-term protection and resilience.

 

Finding the Perfect Shade

 

Choosing the right shade of olive green is key. A lighter, more earthy shade like BS 278 Light Olive Green brings heritage appeal, while a deeper, classic tone like BS 220 Olive Green works beautifully in outdoor spaces. If you want something bold, RAL 110 30 10 Dark Olive Green makes a strong statement, while RAL 6003 Olive Green is a perfect all-rounder that balances richness with adaptability. Whether indoors or out, there’s an olive green that fits the bill, and Rawlins Paints ensures it comes in a high-performance, long-lasting formulation. See all shades on our colour chart page.

Olive green is more than just a colour – it’s a design solution. It elevates everything it touches, from living rooms to storefronts, garden gates to grand entryways. It’s a shade that feels natural but sophisticated, bold but timeless. And with the right high-quality paint from Rawlins Paints, it doesn’t just look good – it lasts. Whether you’re reinventing a space, restoring an antique, or just looking for a colour that won’t go out of style, olive green delivers.