June feels like the month where we finally begin to live a little more outdoors.
Garden doors stay open longer, coffee drifts onto the patio, and suddenly the boundary between inside and outside becomes much softer. Whether the sunshine fully commits is another matter entirely, but there is something about June that makes us crave a stronger connection to nature.
That is exactly why Olive Green feels so fitting for this month’s Colour of the Month.
Inspired by olive groves, Mediterranean landscapes and the soft silvery greens found in nature, Olive Green is a colour that feels grounded and timeless. It brings depth without heaviness, colour without boldness, and warmth without overwhelming a space.
Unlike brighter greens that can sometimes feel trend-led, Olive Green has an established, settled quality. It feels as though it has always belonged.
And in a kitchen, that’s often exactly what we’re looking for.
What is Olive Green?
Olive Green sits somewhere between green, grey and earthy brown. It takes inspiration from the colour of olive leaves rather than the fruit itself, giving it a softer, more muted appearance.
The beauty of Olive Green is that it changes throughout the day. In bright morning light it can appear fresh and natural. As evening arrives it deepens into something richer and more cocooning.
This versatility makes it incredibly easy to live with.
It’s colourful enough to make an impact, yet neutral enough to sit comfortably alongside a huge range of materials and finishes.
Why Olive Green Works So Well in Kitchens
There is a reason greens continue to be popular in kitchen design.
Psychologically, green is often associated with balance, harmony and wellbeing. As a colour found throughout nature, it tends to feel reassuring and familiar.
Olive Green takes this a step further by introducing warmth.
Where cooler greens can sometimes feel crisp or formal, Olive Green feels welcoming and relaxed. It encourages a kitchen to feel lived in rather than styled.
It’s a colour that suits everyday life.
Morning coffee, family dinners, entertaining friends or simply standing at the sink looking out into the garden all somehow feel right against this backdrop.
Creating Features Beyond Cabinetry
One of the most effective ways to use Olive Green isn’t necessarily through the furniture itself.
Instead, think about introducing the colour as part of a wider design story.
Slatted timber panelling has become increasingly popular in recent years and works beautifully alongside Olive Green. Used on an island end panel, a breakfast bar, or even a feature wall, it introduces texture and warmth without adding visual clutter.
Open shelving can also help build the palette. A collection of ceramics, woven baskets and olive branches displayed against an Olive Green backdrop creates a relaxed, layered feel.
Large statement accessories can have a surprisingly powerful effect too.
A simple oversized vase filled with olive branches instantly reinforces the connection to nature and helps carry the theme throughout the room without feeling forced.
Looking Beyond Green
One of the biggest misconceptions about designing a room around a colour is assuming everything else has to match it.
The most successful interiors rarely rely on one colour alone.
Instead, Olive Green works best when it becomes part of a carefully balanced palette.
Olive Green + Warm Timber = Organic and relaxed
Olive Green + Soft Linen = Light and calming
Olive Green + Terracotta = Mediterranean warmth
Olive Green + Antique Brass = Timeless elegance
Olive Green + Charcoal = Contemporary sophistication
Olive Green + Natural Stone = Effortlessly refined
If your kitchen sits within an open-plan living space, think about carrying these complementary tones into furniture, rugs, artwork and upholstery rather than repeating green endlessly.
A rust-coloured armchair, linen dining chairs, woven textures or even a terracotta planter can often enhance Olive Green more effectively than another green accessory.
Designing for Open Plan Living
Many modern homes now combine cooking, dining and living into one large space.
This presents a challenge: how do you make everything feel connected without becoming repetitive?
Olive Green can be a wonderful anchor colour in these situations.
Use it as the foundation within the kitchen, then allow adjoining spaces to pick up supporting tones instead.
Perhaps the cabinetry is Olive Green, while the living area introduces warm oatmeal fabrics, walnut furniture and textured neutral rugs.
The result feels cohesive without looking overly coordinated.
It allows each zone to have its own identity while still belonging to the same story.
The Role of Natural Light
Olive Green truly comes alive when paired with natural light.
One feature we particularly love is large steel-look glazing with black mullions. Whether it’s bifold doors, sliding doors or fixed glazed panels, these architectural features frame the outdoors beautifully.
Against Olive Green cabinetry, black-framed glazing creates a subtle contrast that feels modern and sophisticated.
More importantly, it strengthens the relationship between the kitchen and the garden beyond.
The green tones inside begin to mirror the greenery outside, creating a seamless visual connection.
Even on cloudy days, the room feels linked to nature.
Materials That Complement Olive Green
Materials are every bit as important as colour.
Olive Green thrives when surrounded by tactile finishes and natural textures.
Consider:
- Timber shelving or breakfast bars
- Limestone or stone-effect flooring
- Handmade glazed tiles
- Rattan pendant lighting
- Woven natural fabrics
- Antique brass handles and taps
Rattan pendant lights above an Olive Green island can be particularly striking. They soften the overall look while introducing texture and a slightly relaxed holiday feel.
The result is elegant, but never formal.
Favourite Olive Green Things Right Now
A few pieces we’re loving within this palette:
- Little Greene “Olive Colour”: A beautifully balanced heritage green
- Farrow & Ball “Olive”: An earthy green that deserves to be colour
- Olive branch stems from The White Company: Timeless styling pieces that never date
- Nkuku woven rattan pendant lights: Adding texture and softness above an island
In Summary
Olive Green is a colour for June. Inspired by nature, olive groves and longer days spent moving between indoors and out, it brings a sense of calm, warmth and permanence to the home.
Whether paired with timber, natural stone, brass or soft linens, it creates kitchens that feel welcoming, layered and deeply connected to their surroundings.
Most importantly, it reminds us that good design isn’t about matching everything perfectly.
It’s about creating a space that feels effortless, lived in and entirely your own.