Okay, I know I’m late to this trend theory —shocking— but the other day, while spiraling down one of my usual design rabbit holes on TikTok, I stumbled across the term “Millennial Green.” And I laughed.
Out loud.
Like… wait, hold up—this is a thing?? It hit me harder than I’d like to admit, because ironically (or maybe cosmically), nearly every school project I’ve done, every Pinterest mood board I’ve made, every time I’ve reached for a swatch—it’s always some shade of green. Sage, olive, forest, matcha—you name it, I’ve probably mood-boarded it.
Even my friend from design school pointed it out once: “You know green is your signature, right?” As a certified millennial, I’m starting to believe this whole “Millennial Green” aesthetic identity might actually hold some weight. I always assumed I was being bold and original with my color choices. You know—dodging the dreaded “sad beige” aesthetic that gets roasted all over the internet. I figured: “Well, I use color, so I must have taste, right?” But plot twist—maybe I’m not as revolutionary as I thought.
So what is Millennial Green, exactly?
Where did it come from, and why is it living rent-free in our homes, closets, and curated Instagram grids? Let's dig into that next.
In short: it’s the color of our generation’s collective serotonin. “Millennial Green” refers to a very specific shade of green that’s been everywhere in the past few years. It usually lives in the realm of muted, earthy tones—think sage, olive, eucalyptus, pistachio, and yes, even that dusty avocado tone that looks like it was ripped straight from a 1970s appliance but somehow works in a modern kitchen
Why are millennials so obsessed with this color?
Let’s psychoanalyze ourselves for a sec. Millennials are the burnout generation—we’re overworked, overstimulated, and constantly trying to curate calm amidst chaos. Green, especially the toned-down, nature-inspired kind, is like a visual deep breath. It whispers “balance,” “growth,” “chill,” and “my Monstera is thriving, thank you for asking.” And as a designer whos ethos focuses on how design effects our human experiences its no wonder I gravitate to green as much as I do.
Millennial Green isn’t just a color. It’s a moodboard lifestyle. And if you’ve ever posted a pic of your matcha, painted an accent wall sage, or bought a plant you didn’t know how to take care of—you might already be part of the cult. Welcome. We’ve been waiting
--But —there are so many ways to elevate Millennial Green beyond the basic. And if this color is part of my generational DNA? So be it. Here are some of my favorite design moments featuring green, plus a few swoon-worthy products I’m currently obsessed with.
