How to decorate with Benjamin Moore’s Saybrook Sage
Sage has gone through waves of popularity, but it remains a timeless choice – offering a blend of calming atmosphere and daring character to any space it graces. And while there’s a wide range of sage shades to consider, certain renditions of the light green favorite prevail.
Benjamin Moore’s Saybrook Sage has proved popular and versatile time and time again, with designers and homeowners alike saying it’s one of the best sage green paints on the market. It pairs beautifully with a wide range of best-selling Benjamin Moore paints, and works equally well as a small accent or all-over shade.
But quite a bit more goes into painting your home than picking out a shade – knowing how to work with its undertones, and pair it with a fitting color palette, takes skill. That’s why we spoke with interior designers who know and love Saybrook Sage. Here are their top tips for bringing the soothing sage green home.
How to decorate with Benjamin Moore’s Saybrook Sage
Saybrook Sage HC-114 is a ‘popular color choice’ that brings a soothing mix of green and gray, says Hannah Yeo, senior manager of color marketing at Benjamin Moore. It pairs with a wide range of colors, including deep earthy hues, creamy neutrals, ‘soft rosy tones to create a romantic and elegant atmosphere’ or charcoal grays ‘to promote relaxation.’
‘This mid-tone hue creates an inviting and tranquil atmosphere that feels effortlessly timeless, making it an excellent choice for both interior and exterior spaces,’ she continues. ‘Its versatility and subtle elegance make this hue easy to work with.’
In an exterior application, Hannah says the shade works particularly well with craftsman-style architecture. But when it comes to interiors, she suggests using Saybrook Sage on kitchen cabinets. ‘Paired with butcher block countertops and white walls, the room feels fresh, charming, and botanical. To keep the space light and airy, decorate with freshly picked flowers and natural accents.’
1. Use Saybrook Sage to infuse your home with subtle personality
(Image credit: Sims Home / Melissa Skoda)
‘Saybrook Sage is one of those colors that just works,’ says Taylor Sims, lead designer and CEO of Canada-based Sims Home. ‘It’s soft, warm, and feels both timeless and fresh. I think people love it because it adds personality without being overpowering. It’s like a neutral, but with more depth.’
In this sun-soaked Vancouver kitchen, pictured above, Taylor used the sage shade on cabinetry to give the space a functional refresh. Charcoal-colored countertops, gold picture frames, and dark hardware give the space the perfect balance of contrast and calm. ‘I treated it like a neutral, and I love using it to bring an organic, grounded feel to a space,’ she says.
‘The Saybrook Sage cabinets brought so much warmth and character,’ Taylor continues. ‘Combined with light, refurbished dark wood flooring, and natural textures, the whole space now feels brighter, more open, and ready for the next chapter.’
2. Highlight nature-inspired hues and outdoor views
(Image credit: Atelier Cho Thompson / Jared Kuzia)
Saybrook Sage is also a perfect choice if you’re looking to enhance outdoor views, or channel inspiration from nature. In this spa-like living room, Ming Thompson – principal designer of California- and Connecticut-based Atelier Cho Thompson – used the shade alongside natural textures and an organic color palette.
Drawing inspiration from New Haven, Connecticut’s iconic elm trees, Ming used Benjamin Moore’s In the Garden and Calico Blue to complement the green-gray hue. ‘We went with an immersive, saturated green paint scheme, drenching all the walls and trim in three complementary shades of green,’ she says.
Although the sage tone works beautifully in this soothing space, Ming says it’s incredibly versatile, ‘working in both historic spaces and in very contemporary spaces.’ As part of Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection, the color is meant to last a lifetime. ‘It’s good for rooms that should feel cozy and full of life – practically any room in the house,’ she says.
3. Soften a home office with Saybrook Sage
(Image credit: DATE Interiors / Kirsten Francis Photography)
Molly Torres Portnof, principal designer and founder of New York-based DATE Interiors, used Saybrook Sage to transform her characterful office. The color brings a breath of fresh air to the space, without detracting from its undeniable sense of sophistication.
‘When designing my office, I knew I wanted to incorporate Saybrook Sage in some way to add some cheer without making the space feel too bright,’ she says. ‘I decided to paint the trim, doors and built-in millwork in Saybrook Sage and paired it with a cream and brown patterned William & Morris wallpaper that acts as a neutral base.’
Molly says using the shade on walls, trim, or doors is an ‘easy way to make a space feel charming and cozy,’ adding that it pairs nicely with both bold and subdued shades. ‘Because its subtle gray undertones shift depending on light and time of day, it works in a multitude of spaces, like a powder room, bedroom, or kitchen,’ she continues.
4. Enhance architectural details
(Image credit: DATE Interiors / Kirsten Francis Photography)
Benjamin Moore’s Saybrook Sage also looks lovely when used to enhance pre-existing architectural details across the home. Lauren Saab, founder of Texas-based Saab Studios, suggests using the shade on built-ins, cabinetry, and paneling to draw attention to your space’s unique features without overloading on color or character.
‘It highlights architectural details without overpowering,’ she says. ‘This mid-tone green frames a space in a way that feels understated and refined. The color draws in a feeling of nature and helps soften harder architectural lines, even when the outside connection is limited.’
She suggests using Saybrook Sage in entryways, libraries, and dining rooms, which lend themselves to a bit more character. Across lighting schemes and design styles, the color ‘finds its footing,’ she says.
‘Against plaster it feels clean and architectural,’ Lauren continues. ‘Next to dark walnut or vintage oak, it feels rooted and timeless. In the right setting, it doesn’t just finish a room. It defines it.’
5. Complement natural lighting
(Image credit: Sims Home / Melissa Skoda)
Just as it thrives in nature-inspired interiors, Saybrook Sage looks lovely when paired with sunlight, says Taylor Sims. Using it in a space that’s awash with natural light, like this sage green kitchen, creates depth and visual interest throughout the entire day.
‘We’ve used it as a kitchen color idea, but it would look beautiful in a mudroom, laundry room, or even a cozy bedroom,’ says Taylor. ‘It looks especially good in natural light and pairs really well with both light and dark wood tones, warm metals like brass or brushed bronze or black, and creamy whites.’
‘I’d say let the color stand out, and keep the surrounding finishes simple to let the sage shine,’ she continues. ‘If you want to go more layered and earthy, clay tones or terracotta are really pretty with it too.’
6. Create calming bathrooms and kitchens with Saybrook Sage
(Image credit: Sims Home / Melissa Skoda)
Saybrook Sage’s soothing qualities make it a stunning choice for kitchens and bathrooms, two rooms that benefit from calming colors. Audrée Kemp Bélanger, lead designer and founder of Canada-based AKB Design, used the shade in a bathroom designed to be shared by two teenage girls, and said it delivered a fresh yet measured aesthetic.
‘It brings a cheerful touch while remaining fairly neutral,’ says Audrée. ‘Its soft tone brightens the space and pairs beautifully with the outdoor landscape. The result: a joyful yet timeless atmosphere.’
Patty Hampton, co-founder of San Francisco-based design firm Refresh Your Space, says other spaces across the home can also gain from Saybrook Sage’s grounding effect. She recommends coupling it with Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, but says the shade’s versatility makes for easy pairing.
‘It works well in bedrooms, home offices, and home gyms, providing a soothing, calm energy,’ she says. ‘Saybrook Sage is a very versatile color. It goes well with neutrals such as whites, tans, beiges, and greige tones. It also goes nicely with buttery yellows, creams, and even lavender purples.’
7. Pair with natural tones and textures
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
Kristin Farnan, founder of New Jersey-based Ridge Residential Design, has found success pairing Saybrook Sage with organic tones and materials.
‘Rich earth tones’ and ‘soft neutrals’ look lovely, as do ‘natural textures such as oak, linen, jute, and marble,’ she says. Crisp whites, creams, and warm woods allow the sage shade to shine while still acting as a neutral foundation.
‘In north-facing rooms, it can feel slightly cooler – add warm accents (like brass or warm woods) to balance it,’ says Kristin. ‘In south-facing rooms or golden-hour rooms, it glows beautifully without becoming too yellow or olive.’
Despite Saybrook Sage’s neutral, grounding undertones, painting your space green can feel like a serious commitment. If you’re not quite ready to paint, but still want to bring sage into your space this summer, these gorgeous decor pieces get the job done.
Anthropologie
Luxe Linen Blend Woven Blackout Curtain
Let natural light mix with these grounding, sage green curtains – their calming color and characterful details give any space a calming atmosphere.
Wayfair, Chris Loves Julia x Loloi
Sage / Olive Area Rug
Soothing sage color and rich texture join forces in this tasteful area rug, a piece that’s sure to serve as a comfortable foundation for living rooms, bedrooms, and more.
Target, Hearth & Hand with Magnolia
3pc Washed Loop Stripe Duvet Cover Bedding Set
Sage green is a lovely shade to integrate into the bedroom, creating the perfect environment for a deep, restful sleep. This bedding set’s subtle pattern and cozy texture make it a winning choice.
Wayfair, Joss & Main
Serefina Entertainment Decorative Books
Add a bit of sage-inspired character (and a tried-and-true conversation starter) to your space with this set of decorative books.
Anthropologie
Stardust Checkerboard Floral Wallpaper
This wallpaper would pair beautifully with Saybrook Sage itself, but also offers a patterned alternative for the most character-driven spaces.
Walmart, Bloom Theory
Sage Green Botanical Print Wall Art
Place this gorgeous print on a cream or white wall to layer upon a nature-inspired color palette.
If you’re looking for specific shades to pair with Saybrook Sage, you’ll find a wealth of options. Hannah Yeo from Benjamin Moore says off-whites like Swiss Coffee (one of the brand’s most popular neutrals) or White Down keep the shade ‘fresh and inviting’ – they ‘brighten the space while allowing the green hue to shine as the hero color.’
Tissue Pink, ‘a blushed hue,’ is a color that pairs well with sage in small doses, and ‘deep rich tones of Blue Note or After Midnight can anchor the space’ with modern flair, says Hannah.
‘These hues are less stark than black but offer striking contrast,’ she continues. ‘Add brushed brass accents to infuse a touch of warmth and sophistication.’
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