Green 19 vs Blue 13: Which Calm Cool Paint Shade Fits?
By Designer Home Interiors - Designer Paint & Wallpaper | Lick | Published: 2026-11-03
Category: Comparisons
Compare Green 19's earthy olive with Blue 13's seafoam aquamarine to choose the right cool paint shade for a living room or bedroom, with practical trade-offs.
Quick answer
Choose Green 19 if you want a grounded, earthy olive that brings warmth and comfort to a living room. Choose Blue 13 if you prefer a relaxed seafoam green-blue that feels airy and coastal, especially in a bedroom.
The undertones that separate these cool shades
Both colours sit on the cool side of the spectrum, but they get there differently. Green 19 is a muted olive with brown and grey in its base, so it reads earthy rather than sharp. Blue 13 is a seafoam green-blue that leans toward aquamarine, evoking clear shallow water. That means Green 19 will feel more grounded and autumnal, while Blue 13 feels lighter and more aquatic.
In a room with warm wood tones or terracotta, Green 19's brown undertone will harmonise naturally. Blue 13 can cool down a warm scheme, which is useful in a sunny bedroom but may feel disconnected if the rest of the room is heavily rustic.
Light and room orientation change the result
Cool shades like these can turn grey or flat in north-facing rooms with limited natural light. Green 19's earthiness helps it hold its colour better in dim conditions, while Blue 13 may appear more washed out. In a bright south-facing living room, Blue 13 will look fresh and luminous, but Green 19 can become overly warm if the sun is strong.
Test both colours on a large sample board and move it around the room at different times of day. Pay attention to how the colour shifts near windows and in corners, because the difference between olive and seafoam is most obvious in shadow.
Finish and practical use
Both Green 19 and Blue 13 are available in matt and eggshell finishes. Matt is the usual choice for low-traffic living rooms and bedrooms because it hides imperfections and gives a soft, chalky look. Eggshell is more wipeable, so it suits hallways, kids' rooms, or any wall that gets touched often. Neither product is supplied with a durability rating in the catalog, so if you need a specific scrub resistance, check the technical data before committing.
Trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- Warmth vs freshness: Green 19 adds warmth and comfort thanks to its brown and grey undertones, while Blue 13 feels fresher and cooler with its aquamarine cast. If your room already has plenty of warm wood or red tones, Blue 13 will balance them; if it feels cold or empty, Green 19 will soften it. Decide whether you want the paint to warm up or cool down the existing scheme.
- Living room vs bedroom: Green 19's grounding olive suits living rooms where you want a sense of enclosure and comfort. Blue 13's seafoam quality is more naturally restful for a bedroom, but it can also work in a living room if you want a coastal, light-filled feel. Match the shade to the room's main activity: gathering vs resting.
- Light levels: In low light, Green 19 holds its colour better because of its earthy base, while Blue 13 may appear paler and greyer. In strong sun, Blue 13 stays fresh but Green 19 can become overly warm. Always test both in the actual room before painting a full wall. Buy a sample pot or tester of each and paint a large board to compare in your own light.
Product facts at a glance
- Green 19: Green 19 is a muted olive green with brown and grey in its base, available in matt and eggshell. The earthy base makes it a forgiving choice for warm or north-facing rooms where pure cool colours can look stark.
Green 19 - Blue 13: Blue 13 is a seafoam green-blue evoking clear ocean shallows, available in matt and eggshell. Its aquatic tone brings a relaxed, airy feel that suits bedrooms and bright, sunlit spaces.
Blue 13
Which shade is right for you?
Best for
- Living rooms with warm wood furniture or terracotta accents
- North-facing rooms that need a grounded, comforting colour
- Anyone who wants a calm green paint for a living room without going too cool
Not for
- Bright, sun-drenched rooms where the olive may turn overly warm
- Spaces where you want a fresh, coastal blue feel
- Bedrooms that need a restful, airy aquamarine tone
