In this article, we’ll explore the unique qualities of three rich and earthy green tones: pine, forest, and hunter. Each of these shades offers a distinct vibe, from natural elegance to deep, grounding hues.
Keep reading to discover my favorite variations of these colors, along with their complementary and similar shades.
Pine vs Forest vs Hunter paint colors compared
Green colors work beautifully in the landscape. Anytime you visit a garden, you will find green tones that look terrific on their own, then fade into the background when the flowers bloom.
Green tones tend to pop a bit more under warm light. Visit that same garden at night and many of the green colors that stood out will appear nearly black in the cool moonlight.
Definitions
Hex Code
The attributed hex codes for each color is a hexadecimal method of determining the combination of red, blue and green that goes into creating a color.
The important thing about a hex code is that it is shorter; being able to lose the three digits of each of the RGB code allows coders and designers to more efficiently note which colors they want to be included in their web pages and layouts.
RGB Code
While the use of hex codes really didn’t blossom until it was necessary to create efficient HTML coding, the RGB scale stretches back into the early 1900s and was popular in coloring in print media, from cartoons to advertisements.
When considering paint colors vs. digitally produced colors, it’s important to remember that the primary paint colors are red, blue, and yellow. In the light spectrum, you’re working with red, green, and blue.
When you combine all the colors in paint, you get black. If you split white light in a prism, you will get all the colors broken out.
LRV
LRV, or Light Reflectance Value, is a measurement that indicates the amount of light a paint color reflects. It is expressed as a percentage, ranging from 0% (absolute black, which absorbs all light) to 100% (absolute white, which reflects all light).
- Very good condition
- Benjamin Moore Classic Colors Fan Deck
- Classic Colors
- Includes the American Classic Colors (AC)
Pine Green 2051-20 – Benjamin Moore
Pine green is a rich color with a hint of blue. By the numbers, this is a beautifully balanced green. It’s important to note what red does to green.
While adding blue to green when mixing pigments creates a rich teal or deep aqua tone, adding red to green grays out the color and takes the edge off the visibility of the color.
Pine is rich enough to not be inclined to fade into the background.
If you’re interested in decorating with green but just can’t stand yellow-greens such as olive and sage, pine is a great option.
While it may be a bit strong as a wall color, a small container of pine green paint could be a terrific tool for refurbishing wood furniture that needs a facelift.
This is a soothing shade that will draw the eye without being disruptive.
Pine green is a wonderful foil for your favorite fall colors. This will work beautifully with aqua, peach, rust, and orange.
If your pumpkin-based home accessories are looking a little tired, display them on a freshly painted pine green crate and watch the orange tones come back to life!
Pine Green coordinating colors – Benjamin Moore
- Cloud Nine 2144-60
- Silken Pine 2144-50
Pine Green similar colors
- Oasis Blue 2049-20
- Dark Teal 2053-20
Pine Green Benjamin Moore Hex code
The hex code for Pine Green is #01796F.
Pine Green RGB
The RGB for Pine Green is R 11, G 211, B 11.
Pine Green LRV
The LRV for Pine Green is 10.15.
Forest Green 2047-10 – Benjamin Moore
Fans of the Robin Hood tales will recognize forest green. When we check the RGB code we notice that this is one of the rare greens that isn’t especially balanced; it can stand well on its own and it will work as a foil, but it may also provide a contrast. This is on the cool side for green.
To put forest green to work in your home or your garden, use it as a foil for cool colors.
Pinks, lavender, and purple, as well as bright white, will be beautiful against forest green.
This is a terrific color in a child’s room or in a crafting space. While you can use it with rust, orange, and peach, do be aware that this green won’t fade.
Visual contrast is not necessarily a bad thing. However, too much visual contrast in any space can be mentally exhausting. Any wall color or large swath of fabric in your home that creates contrast will hold your gaze.
A forest green wall will make your tan or rust sofa stand out, but the room won’t allow for visual relaxation because you have paired a cool wall color with a warm furniture shade.
Forest Green coordinating colors – Benjamin Moore
- Chantilly Lace 2121-70
- Silver Half Dollar 2121-40
Forest Green similar colors – Benjamin Moore
- Absolute Green 2043-10
- Sherwood Forest 2048-10
Forest Green Hex code
The Hex code for Forest Green is #006E33.
Forest Green RGB
The RGB for Forest Green is R 0,G 110,B 51.
Forest Green LRV
The LRV for Forest Green is 7.58.
Peel-and-Stick Paint Sample – Forest Green (2047-10) – Green – Benjamin Moore
Paint Color Samples
Would you like to sample these paint colors? I recommend using a peel and stick paint sample from SAMPLIZE. Peel and stick paint samples are very affordable and easy to use. They are also clean and environmentally friendly!
Advantages of using peel and stick paint samples:
- EASY TO USE: Simply move your SAMPLIZE paint sample around the room to test under a variety of lighting conditions.
- AFFORDABLE: Budget-friendly solution and no more buying inaccurate swatches, rollers, wasted paint.
- SUPER FAST DELIVERY: Depending on your location, 1 day delivery is possible.
- ORDER FROM HOME: Save a trip to the store looking for samples.
- NO MESS: SAMPLIZE uses real paint samples with zero-mess
- NO WASTE: No leftover cans or wasted paint.
Hunter Green
Like pine green, hunter green is another beautifully balanced color. Hunter is on the warm side of the color scale and has enough red to be a bit muted. On its own, it will look great.
Paired with a bright red throw, pretty yellow flowers, or a rich cherry wood tone, it will back up and let the bolder color shine.
Hunter has enough red to be a bit smoky. This color is a wonderful foil for other colors found in the natural landscape.
For example, if you have a suede tan sofa that tends to look a bit dowdy, a hunter-green rug could make it stand out.
Terra cotta pots on a hunter-green bookcase will be both visually arresting and quite calm to look at.
Because hunter green is a bit muted, you can use this color with many other tones. Not everyone is interested in furniture that matches, so go ahead and use hunter to unify the space.
Your tan couch will work. Your smoky purple wing-back chair will look great with that hunter-green rug. That burgundy loveseat will also work. Go ahead and pair hunter with purple, wine, and rust.
RGB: 68,105,61
HEX COLOR: #44693D
LRV: 6.39
Peel-and-Stick Paint Sample – Hunter Green (2041-10) – Green – Benjamin Moore
The Color of Light in Your Home
If you love green, make sure you stay away from blue light bulbs. Bulbs with labels like “bright white” or “daylight” are not kind to most greens.
If you need daylight bulbs in your home office and you want to use green in the decor, use pine. Under blue light, pine green will pop in a good way. Both forest and hunter have enough yellow in the mix that a blue light will make them look tired and a little dirty.
If you love hunter green, look for bulbs that are lower in wattage and labeled “warm” or “rosy” to get the best results from your green choice.
Texture
There are colors that make visually appealing carpets, throws, and upholstery fabric. Look for ways to mimic the natural world.
For example, a hunter-green sofa in suede hearkens back to the moss that grows in the cool understory beneath the big trees. Visually, such a sofa can be quite restful.
However, a green shag carpet may hearken back to a swamp.
If you want a green rug or carpet, look for a pattern that includes green to avoid visual overwhelm. If you can’t find a pattern that you like, consider using rust or tan for your carpet, and look for cushions and throws that feature green.
A pine green carpet could be brighter than you imagined because it may read blue depending on the light in your home. Both forest and hunter have enough yellow in the mix to always appear green, but that yellow could also make your green carpet look dirty when it isn’t.