What Is the Sage Green Theory? An Interior Designer Explains

There’s a lot to consider when moving in with a partner. You have to coordinate your schedules, get clear about your cleaning styles, and agree on how often you like to entertain. But another test of compatibility and compromise? How you decorate your shared space. The latest interior design “trend” from TikTok hopes to answer that timeless cohabitation dilemma, or at least give it a name. Meet the “sage green theory.”

Creator Avery Brynn sparked the conversation in a now-viral video with over 3.4 million views. There, she breaks down the pipeline of moving in together, struggling to make your decor styles match (in her case, Serena & Lily pieces versus Dallas Cowboys memorabilia), and inevitably finding a middle ground in the color sage green.

The overwhelming consensus? Sage green may be the one universal color every couple can agree on. Countless creators have stitched the original video, showcasing their own homes sprinkled with sage green — from painted accent walls to pillows and everything in between.

So why is sage green such a popular choice for couples decorating their homes together? We tapped interior designer Cristina Cleveland to explain the sage green theory. Ahead, we explore if the sage green theory is proof of the color’s universal quality or if there’s more to unpack. Keep reading and find products to incorporate the shade in your own space.

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Cristina Cleveland is an interior designer.

What Is the Sage Green Theory?

The sage green theory is simple. It’s the idea that the color sage green is always a good choice when decorating a home with a partner. Brynn speaks to its “unique” and “vintage” qualities and also suggests that it’s an early gateway to creating a more colorful space.

Cleveland agrees on the latter. “I see sage green as a comfort zone color not just for couples but for anyone who is just starting to experiment with color in their home,” she tells PS. “If you’re in the early stages of developing and expressing your personal style at home, you may feel risk-averse or simply feel more comfortable using neutrals like beige, gray, and tan, or less saturated versions of your favorite colors like dusty blue, navy blue, and sage green.”

Is Sage Green a Universal Color for Couples Decorating a Home?

Not necessarily. Although Cleveland understands why sage green is a popular choice, it’s not the answer for every couple. “Every relationship is as unique as the people in it! Personal style and relationship dynamics are all so individual, so I don’t believe anything is universal,” she says.

However, it’s possible that greens, blues, and browns may feel more approachable for couples as they’re decorating together, Cleveland adds. “Within that color family, there’s such a diverse range of shades and tones to express yourself with.” Whether it’s sage green or a different color, once you’ve found a color you and your partner can both agree on, you can “dial up or dial down the saturation, or go lighter or darker to achieve the feeling and mood you want for that specific room,” Cleveland notes.

How to Spruce Up Your Living Space With Sage Green

Want to try sage green at home? Whether you’re living with a partner or decorating your very own space, there are endless ways to incorporate this serene shade of green. “I love seeing more people embrace the color drenching method — painting walls, ceilings, and trims the same color,” Cleveland tells PS. “Enveloping a room in sage green this way could create a really tranquil environment.”

And if you’re into smaller doses of color? Try incorporating sage throughout a room in art, rugs, and decor. “This repeated use of a handful of colors helps create an intentional and ‘finished’ look to a room,” Cleveland says.

Ready to add some sage green to your life? Shop our guide for the best sage-green home items to add to your place right now.