You know, there are so many cool paint colors out there, and a lot of them have these fun, delicious-sounding names. Brands like Behr and Benjamin Moore have shades that make you think of yummy treats, like Blueberry Buckle, Strawberry Shortcake, and Pumpkin Spice. And even when you’re looking for something a little more savory than sweet, you’ve got classic options like paprika, olive, and sage green. But designers have got their eyes on a different kind of green these days – one that’s just as appetizing as the rest, and it’s called Basil. Turns out, Basil SW 6194 from Sherwin-Williams is the new green paint color that’s stealing the spotlight from good old sage. Sage green has been super popular for the past few years, and it’s easy to see why – it’s a versatile, neutral shade that works great as a calming, grounding color. But in 2026, designers are starting to explore greens that go beyond the safety of sage. Danielle Davis, the founder of 56th Street Design Studio, says she’s been recommending Basil green as an alternative. “It’s okay to use other green tones alongside sage, but you don’t have to rely on sage in every single room.” Basil, she says, is a great way to mix things up and add some more depth and personality to your spaces.
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Goodbye Sage Green: The Green Paint Designers Actually Use
Discover the best ways to use Basil SW 6194 from Sherwin-Williams
Basil SW 6194 is such a versatile green – you can use it on walls, cabinets, vanities, kitchen islands, and even more. Sherwin-Williams describes it as “fragrant” and “nature-inspired,” which gives it an even more calming, soothing vibe than sage green. But it also has a little more personality and boldness to it. “If you still want to go with a green room but you’re over the sage look, Basil is a really great option,” says Davis. “It packs a punch, but it’s still pretty easy to coordinate with other furniture and accessories.“
Basil is considered one of the best dark green paint colors for home interiors – it’s a super saturated, rich shade that will really stand out, even in a moody, darker room. It’s got subtle gray undertones that give it a cooler, bluer feel compared to sage green. When you put Basil side-by-side with Sherwin-Williams’ Sage Green SW 2860, you can really see the difference. There’s no olive-y tones here – it’s all about that deep, organic green. But it still plays nicely with other earthy, natural colors like burnt orange, cream, brown, and beige. Use Basil as an accent wall for a bold pop of color, or paint your kitchen, bathroom, or living room in it for a crisp, clean look. Just pair it with Sherwin-Williams’ Pure White SW 7005 to balance out the cool blue-gray undertones.
