With the rise of more colorful earthy interiors, the color brown is back as a rich and nuanced choice for interiors and exteriors alike. While decorating with brown might not feel like an obvious choice, using brown can bring warmth, sophistication, and grounding to any space.
Brown is a versatile color and evokes feelings of comfort and reliability, which is why it is an ideal choice for using it to create a cozy home. Embracing brown is a timeless choice that instantly improves the atmosphere of any space, and we want to show you just how to use it.
Brown is a remarkably adaptable color that can be used to create depth and richness in a space as a subtle accent or as a strong statement to add texture and interest to a design.
Rich Wall Color
Brown on the walls makes a bold statement. Depending on the depth and richness of the color, brown will create an atmosphere that feels both inviting and elevated in both modern and traditional designs. Darker brown colors like chocolate and espresso make any room feel more intimate, so this is an excellent choice for spaces like a bedroom, a study, or a reading nook. Lighter browns like a creamy cafe au lait or hazelnut provide an earthy neutral look that is the ideal canvas for layering other rich neutrals.
Whatever brown you choose, make sure there is enough lighting, especially in dark brown rooms, so the room does not look like a cave. Look for browns with rich undertones so that the color does not feel flat or uninspired.
Brown Leather Furniture
Brown leather furniture is a timeless choice for interiors, and it is a simple way to insert some brown into your interior design. Leather’s rich and natural texture adds depth and interest, and its durability makes it an attractive choice for high-traffic areas like living rooms and dens. Whether you pair your leather pieces with neutrals or bold colors, brown leather is effortlessly chic. Leather is also adaptable to whatever style you want to create, whether classic or contemporary, because of its wide color choices and its use on furniture of a variety of shapes and sizes.
Wood Accents
Incorporating wood accents is a natural way to introduce more organic texture into your interior design while also adding the color brown. Wood accents, whether in the form of furniture, architectural accents, or decor, visually connect the indoors and outdoors, providing a sense of stability. Wood accents are available in a wide range of colors, from deep mahogany to light brown oak, allowing you to find pieces to complement any design style.
A wooden dining table is a natural addition to any dining room; not only does it serve as a striking focal point, but it also conveys timelessness and certainty. Small wooden accents, such as a picture frame or a wooden sculpture, add richness and depth without overwhelming the room. Wood is one of the most durable materials available, making pieces made from wood a smart long-term investment.
Textiles and Upholstery
Textiles and other soft furnishings are a natural way to add both comfort and a tactile layer to create visual depth. A broad range of fabrics, including velvet, wood, cotton, and linen in shades of brown like tan, mocha, and espresso, bring sophistication to any space.
Adding brown touches using textiles is a great option if you just want to try brown in small doses. Removable textiles like decorative pillows and throws are easy to swap in and out for other options seasonally or as you want to experiment with other colors.
Brown With Other Colors
Pairing brown with other colors can create a wide range of moods and aesthetics, depending on the color choice. Brown’s versatility and range of hues allow it to complement both muted and bold colors, opening up endless possibilities in interior design of all styles.
For understated style, consider pairing brown with other neutrals and layering in varying shades of the colors to keep the design from looking one-dimensional. To introduce contrast and energy into a design, brown pairs beautifully with deep green, terracotta, maroon, pink, and teal. The key to pairing brown successfully with other colors is to consider the undertones. Whether the undertones in the brown are cool, warm, or neutral, complement the shade with a color that has the same undertones.
Layered Neutrals
Brown shades are ideal for layering with warm neutrals because they often only differ from brown by degree, making them natural companions. Combining brown with a color palette of warm-whites, beiges, creams, and grays gives the palette depth and contrast that makes it even more appealing and adaptable. Brown anchors a light color palette, while the lighter shades keep brown from appearing heavy. This layered neutral approach not only enhances a room’s texture and tone, it makes the space feel more timeless, ensuring the space feels stylish even as trends evolve.
Brown Flooring
Brown flooring is not a style trend; it is an institution. Brown-colored flooring, such as hardwood, has been used in homes for centuries because it is both durable and visually appealing. Depending on the color, pattern, and material, it can make a room feel grounded or airy and comfortable yet elevated.
Brown flooring complements many interior styles and blends well with any color palette due to the variety of color tones and materials available. Hardwood, tile, and LVP are all possible options. The brown floor color makes an excellent foundation for rugs, furniture, and decor, emphasizing their details and providing contrast. Brown flooring is also a practical option because it conceals stains and wear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
Mix With Greenery
Pairing brown colors with greenery is one way to lighten the look of brown. The earthy tones of brown naturally complement the lush greens of plants, creating a balanced and harmonious look that brings the outdoors inside. This combination works with any color brown and on any medium, from a light wood console to a dark brown velvet sofa.
Plants like fern, palms, and ficus stand out beautifully against dark brown furnishings and walls, breaking up the space and ensuring that it doesn’t feel monotonous. As always, choose your plants with care. Check their care instructions and place them in areas of the house where they will thrive and remain bright green.
Patterned Brown Wallpaper
Brown wallpaper has a wide range of patterns and styles that can transform walls into focal points or simply add understated texture to a small, out-of-the-way space. Subtle designs include small geometric patterns, tone-on-tone floral patterns, faux wood textures, grasspaper, and linen. These will provide an earthy elegance that is ideal for an organic modern design. Brown wallpaper patterns can also be bold and overt, offering contrast and interest while still feeling cozy and approachable.
Textured Rugs
Brown is a color well-represented in nature, and so there are a range of organic materials that are used in rugs. Whether using natural materials like jute, sisal, or wool or featuring other luxurious materials like silk or chenille, brown rugs soften the hard elements in the room and bring additional dimension to your room design. Brown rugs are available in a variety of patterns and textures and can complement styles from farmhouse to coastal.
Good Lighting
An attractive and comprehensive lighting design is ideal in every interior design but even more vital in those that feature deep brown colors. Since dark brown shades can absorb light, you must incorporate a variety of lighting sources to offset the tendency toward darkness.
If your room has large windows, so much the better. This will allow you to capitalize on the natural sunlight to brighten the room throughout the day. However, when night descends, it is vital to have sources for ambient light to provide general illumination, task lighting to support any functions that take place in the room, as well as accent lighting to highlight features where you want to draw attention.
