Russian Olive

Technical Profile

What color is Russian Olive? It's a medium cool green with the hex code #505F3D. Colors similar to Russian Olive include MPC Glasgow Green, MPC Camo Green, Vista Paint Glade Creek. Comparing swatches side by side is the best way to spot the subtle differences that distinguish these close color relatives. Russian Olive has a cool (green) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. Understanding a color's undertone is key to avoiding combinations that clash — it often matters more than the surface color itself. Russian Olive (#505F3D) by Behr is a medium green paint color with a gentle, subdued character. It delivers a versatile mid-tone depth that anchors a room without overwhelming it. On the temperature spectrum this shade carries a cool cast, lending calm and collected elegance. In its RGB breakdown, green is the dominant channel, which gives it a subtle earthy, organic quality even under different lighting conditions. A Light Reflectance Value of 35 gives it moderate light reflection, striking a balance between brightness and depth. This mid-tone green adds grounding, nature-inspired energy to home offices, living rooms, and open-plan kitchens. A satin or eggshell finish brings out the richness at this depth, and the slight sheen makes walls easier to maintain. For color coordination, Russian Olive pairs beautifully with purple tones for bold complementary contrast, or with neighboring green and yellow hues for a harmonious, flowing palette. Its cool (green) undertone means trim and ceiling whites should lean neutral to avoid a jarring clash. If Behr is unavailable in your area, close cross-brand alternatives exist from MPC, Vista Paint, Sherwin-Williams and others. In terms of mood and atmosphere, Russian Olive delivers a composed, professional calm often favored in contemporary and Scandinavian-inspired interiors. Designers often reach for shades like this when the goal is to shape how a room feels, not just how it looks. This shade is a natural fit for organic modern, biophilic, and mid-century aesthetics. As part of the Behr palette, Russian Olive benefits from a curated selection of coordinating colors that the brand recommends for trim, accent, and ceiling pairings. As with any paint color, Russian Olive can shift noticeably between natural daylight, warm incandescent, and cool LED lighting — testing a sample swatch on your wall under different conditions is always recommended. Mid-tone shades like this look best when balanced with a mix of textures — think leather seating, brushed brass hardware, woven wool, and raw-edge wood. You can order Russian Olive (N350-7) directly from Behr or through major paint retailers, and we recommend purchasing a peel-and-stick sample to preview it on your wall before buying gallons.