Not everyone is excited about the turn to brown interiors. For some, it is a dowdy, old fashioned colour that they associate with traditional ‘brown furniture’, the worst of ugly 1970’s design, or worse – but times have changed.

Now the coolest designers and hippest makers are making warm brown tones cool. Come take a look at how you can make the brown interiors trend work in your home…

Cultural change

Underlying the brown fashion is a desire to connect to all things natural, which itself is inspired by the environmental movement and a desire to adopt more sustainable lifestyles.

Brown is the colour of trees and earth, after all. Camilla Lesser, designer at Essential Living puts it like this: “In today’s world, people want to feel connected to nature, especially in urban settings.

“Earth tones like brown help bridge that gap, creating warm, inviting spaces that feel rooted in the natural world.” 

Lesley Taylor, founder of The Baked Tile Company, says, “In the ever-evolving world of interior design, trends come and go, but some shifts mark a significant turning point. And, right now, we are seeing a move away from the once-dominant grey palette towards richer, warmer hues like terracotta, burgundy, and brown.

This move not only brings a big change in interior design, but also signifies a deeper connection to nature and comfort in our living spaces.”

Holly Ambrose, Interior Designer at Roomes Furniture & Interiors adds, “Ten to 15 years ago, grey was very popular in interior design.

However, we are now moving away from this because grey can make a room feel cold and stark. Instead, people are looking for ways to make their homes feel cosier and more welcoming.”

As Emma Bestley, Co-founder of YesColours, points out, “Colours inspired by the beauty of nature bring a piece of the outdoors inside, and a sense of calm to the stresses of our everyday lives.”

We are increasingly realising biophilia – a need to connect with nature – is hard-wired into us. So, it seems only sensible to reflect this in the places we spend most time: our homes.

Reuse inspo

Another eco inspiration for the trend, meanwhile, is furniture reuse. The reuse of brown furniture – well, certain types anyway, such as fashionable Mid-century Modern – is seeing brown pieces brought back into the heart of the hippest homes.

And, as Lesley points out, brown décor complements these pieces as well. She says, “[Brown] shades work brilliantly with lots of different interior styles, including Mid-Century Modern, rustic farmhouse and the current Mediterranean Revival.”

Amthal Karim, at Furniture and Choice, adds, “Darker brown tones, which used to have classic connotations with stately pieces, now lean towards more retro or Mid-century style, prioritising clean, functional design, with lots of natural accents.

“Brown is also an ideal colour pick for your kitchen-diner if you’re inspired by the rise of the cafécore trend whereby you recreate the look and feel of your favourite coffee bar. You can even go the Japandi route, with its love of a neutral palette and natural textures.”

So now we understand the inspo behind the look, how do you make it work in real homes?

Different shades: different-sized rooms

As some of the photos accompanying this piece show, colour drenching with similar shades of brown can work really well. But this look might be a bit rich for some.

Ryan McDonough, from trades-matching site MyJobQuote.co.uk, explains, “Although brown has a warm, cocooning effect, you might wish to use darker shades sparingly in smaller rooms, so it doesn’t overwhelm the space.

“The natural brown hues of wood flooring and panelling work well as a base or background colour.

“You can pair lighter, oaky wood tones with bright whites for a modern farmhouse feel, or combine darker, mahogany tones with deep greens and blues or lighter neutrals for a warmer, cosier interior. 

Light vs dark

There are no hard rules in interiors these days, but Debbie Leigh, from ILIV, has some good advice about what browns to use where.

She suggests, “Lighter browns, such as taupe, beige and camel, create a soft, warm ambiance that brightens up spaces. These tones are especially effective in smaller rooms, where they can prevent the space from feeling cramped. Darker browns, like chocolate, walnut or espresso, bring a sense of depth and richness to larger or more formal rooms.”

Amthal says, “Light brown like camel or beige on the walls will give your living room a luxe feel and a more contemporary touch. These are also super easy to pair with darker brown accents, cream and off-white, pinks and deep blues for contrast.

“Brown shades with a red or orange undertone will warm up the room and give it that dopamine boost that’s so on trend. 

“Shades like espresso or mocha can be used to highlight parts of the room like shelving or an alcove. This draws the eye upwards and serves as a backdrop for neutral, cream and beige accessories.”

Ben Thomson, from Promain says, “Dark chocolates paired with soft taupes can work wonders together: think of a room featuring a rich, walnut accent wall alongside lighter sandy hues.

“One of my go-to colours is RAL 8017 Chocolate Brown, which will add depth and sophistication to a feature wall and work well with the aesthetic of contemporary furnishings.”

Brown interiors: using other colours

Brown works better with other colours than you might expect. Debbie points out, “Brown pairs beautifully with a wide range of colours from soft neutrals like cream, white, and grey, to cooler tones like blues and greens. 

Combining brown with neutrals gives a soft, understated look, whereas using blues and green in a brown scheme helps introduce a refreshing contrast that echoes the natural world.”

Emma says, “Brown and navy is arguably an under-utilised colour combination. These are robust colours that can give bedrooms, home offices, movie rooms and lounges a more masculine feel.”

Meanwhile, Lisa Cooper, from Thomas Sanderson, recommends, “Pair with other neutrals like white or cream for a timeless look, or add pops of colour with accent pieces for a more vibrant aesthetic.”

As the whole brown trend was inspired by green concerns about sustainability, it would seem appropriate to choose sustainable water-based and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints.

Pattern matters

Lisa adds, “Patterns can play a significant role in enhancing the appeal of brown. Consider incorporating geometric patterns, natural textures, or floral prints to create visual interest and prevent the space from feeling too uniform.

“The combination of brown’s warmth with the energy of patterns can result in a truly captivating interior.”

Introduce natural elements

You can lean into the natural feel of brown by incorporating natural materials. Rudoph Diesel, of Rudolph Diesel, London, says, “Natural materials are indispensable when using brown.

“I frequently opt for reclaimed or weathered oak, which exudes earthy richness. A finely grained wooden dining table alongside brown leather chairs makes for an eye-catching focal point.”

Sam Greig, Head of Design at Swoon, recommends, “To elevate a brown interior colour scheme, integrate natural materials such as wood, stone, and plants. Wooden furniture adds a timeless quality that complements brown wonderfully.

“Stone accents, whether through fireplace surrounds, countertops, or decorative elements, bring an earthy, grounded feel that enhances the natural warmth of brown tones.

“Additionally, incorporating indoor greenery, like potted plants or fresh flowers, introduces a touch of freshness that contrasts excellently with deeper brown shades.”

Incorporate texture

When it comes to adding texture, you’re spoilt for choice, because there are so many natural materials in complementary tones that give great texture. Think: jute, raffia, rattan, bamboo, and, of course, all kinds of wood. 

Amthal says, “With brown interiors having their roots in retro style, it’s only natural that we gravitate to wooden textures and soft upholstery like faux leather, cord fabrics and bouclé.

“It also provides the ideal backdrop for accessorising with natural textures like pampas grass that add bits of fluff to your room for a hint of boho style.”

Debbie adds, “Combining different fabrics such as velvet, linen and cotton will keep a brown scheme from feeling too flat or heavy.”

Lighting a brown interior

Sam emphasises the importance of getting the lighting right when decorating with brown, “Opt for warm lightbulbs to bring out the earthy hues of brown and create a cosy, inviting atmosphere.

“Warm lighting highlights the depth and texture of brown shades, making them appear richer. It also adds a comforting glow that gives a relaxing feel, in turn creating a welcoming environment.”

Brown interiors: accessories 

If you’re still not sure about the brown interiors trend, a few well chosen accessories can be a great way to ease your home into the brown zone.

Ryan McDonough says, “Think about dotting brown highlights around the room to tie a scheme together. That could be with furnishings like rattan side tables, velvet curtains and jute rugs, or with smaller items such as wood picture frames, cork coasters and seagrass light shades.”

Lena Gierasinska, from Barker and Stonehouse, recommends, “My top tip is to use brown sparingly, so its richness doesn’t feel overbearing. Choose larger pieces of furniture in walnut shades, like sofas and sideboards, but offset these against a plain, light-coloured backdrop.

“This way, the brown furniture will inject warmth and character into the room, but will also feel unobtrusive, and let other elements stand out.  

“For those who remain unconvinced, I’d suggest introducing gentle accents in soft brown tones, like a cushion upholstered in caramel or a table lamp with a light wooden base.”

Even if you have been hesitant about brown, it may be time to take another look.

As Lisa Cooper says, “As we move away from grey, brown interiors are emerging as a refreshing and inviting alternative. Its ability to create a sense of warmth, comfort, and sophistication, makes it a compelling choice for modern homes.”

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