In the 2010s and early 2020s, there was one king of interior design—”millennial gray.” Characterized by a monochromatic palette of gray tones, the color swept through walls, furniture, and decor like a minimalist wave.
A stark departure from the warm beiges and eclectic designs of the 1990s, gray became synonymous with modernity—and, for some, monotony. Critics eventually labeled it the “sad, depressive hue.”
But, as gray falls out of favor, there is a new kid in town; green. Shades such as sage, olive, and forest green are cropping up everywhere, from TikTok remodels to glossy magazine spreads, and the move from gray to green has led to a new phrase—millennial green.
Jessica Ward, a 35-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri, is among the many millennials trading in their grays for green. In a viral TikTok video, she said how she has shifted her home style from the muted gray tones to vibrant greens, and it has resonated with thousands of viewers.
@thatpurplehairteacher/TikTok
“I had recently dyed my hair green and was wearing a sweatshirt in a similar shade,” Ward told Newsweek. “I walked into my bathroom, caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and thought, ‘Oh, man, what have I done?'”
Her bathroom remodel marked a shift. “Up until then, every single room my husband and I painted over the last 10 years always ended up some shade of gray,” Ward said. “This was the first time we decided to go with a different color.”
But the realization didn’t stop with her own home. Ward then began noticing the green trend everywhere. “My aunt painted her bathroom almost the same green. Then a girlfriend painted her living room a similar shade. Another friend chose green for an accent wall. It was happening over and over,” she said.
With over 613,000 views on TikTok, people were quick to react to the idea of the new millennial trend.
“Oh no … I was wondering why I’ve been drifting to green decor,” commented
dovasari_90, while viewer Bri posted: “Dammit, I thought I was being unique.”
“Now I just feel targeted,” wrote Helen. “My living room got painted gray when I moved in 10 years ago, and I’m now planning to paint it dark moody green.”
Is Green the New Millennial Gray?
Green hues have overtaken gray in popularity in recent years, especially with millennials—aged 29 to 44.
“Green is unquestionably the new millennial gray, and for good reason,” Martha Fowler, graphic designer at Academized.com, told Newsweek. “Natural colors such as sage greens and browns create a feeling of calmness and reconnection with the environment we’re all so desperate for in our fast-paced world and screen-driven culture.”
This was echoed by Nina Lichtenstein, interior designer and owner of Custom Home Design: “The shift from millennial gray to green in interior design reflects a broader change in how people want their homes to feel,” she told Newsweek. “Sage, olive, and muted eucalyptus tones are becoming popular because they offer the same neutrality as gray but with added warmth and a deeper connection to nature.”
Among the most-popular green decor details are sage kitchen cabinets, velvet sofas and bathroom tiles, often mixed with natural wooden finishes—something Fowler said gives a space an almost spa-like feel. Dining rooms and home offices are being given a makeover with shades of emerald and forest hues. “Plants, of course, are the ultimate green decor that brings life to any room,” said Fowler.
For Ward, the trend’s popularity isn’t a deterrent. “I have no regrets and honestly plan on incorporating more green into my house in the future,” she said. “People overthink these trends and focus too much on being unique. Have fun and paint things whatever color makes you happy, I say!”
