Why Brown Is Back & How To Use It In Your Home
Natural Materials Are Big News
“The resurgence of brown is partly down to a real focus on natural materials. Not only are we conscious about ways we incorporate sustainable practices by buying quality, locally-made furniture but we’re also placing a real emphasis on floors and ceilings. These are often made of wood – you’ll often now see wooden panels and beams included for aesthetic purposes – and those wood tones provide wonderfully warm, textured and meaningful spaces.” – Alice Gaskell, founder of Alice Grace
The Tone Is Forgiving
“Brown is an incredibly flattering colour; you can combine all sorts of textures and other colours with it. It’s all around us in nature, so we find it comforting too. Some ‘brave’ designers use it to dramatic effect but you don’t need to be courageous to do so.” – Edward Bulmer, founder of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
There’s A Grounding Quality To It
“Brown’s comeback is rooted in a broader movement toward grounding colours. People are drawn to warm, natural hues that create a sense of calm and comfort, particularly after years of cool greys and stark whites. There’s a desire to reconnect to nature, and brown – with its organic, earth-like qualities – does that beautifully.” – Murude Katipoglu, founder of Murudé
The Finish Can Change The Effect
“Brown lacquer is an all-time favourite, and brown mohair is so rich and sumptuous. Also, faux painted tortoiseshell is amazing, not forgetting a spot of leopard print. Personally, I like deep bitter chocolate tones, ideally in a lacquered finish – although I have chosen the paler Mummy by Edward Bulmer for our living room, which is such a lovely cocooning shade.” – Tiffany Duggan, founder and creative director, Studio Duggan & Trove
Neutrals Are A Natural Partner
“Brown goes very well with warm neutrals – not only just in terms of neutral paint colour such as Paint and Paper Library's Cashmere II or Farrow & Ball's Joa's White or Oxford Stone, but also textured papers. A beautiful one we’ve used before is Thibaut's Adiatic Taupe on Red which is truly special, and I've also used Casamance's Zostera Wallpaper in 'Coquille' in my own home.” – Alice
“Pairing brown with lighter tones like beige, cream, or white helps to keep a space feeling light and airy. Incorporating different textures and finishes to break up the weight of the brown is also key. If I’m after a more dramatic, moodier effect, I like strategically picking up on lighter tones of brown in the walls and darker tones in the upholstery. Right now, we’re also seeing a lot of deeper chocolate tones paired with muted, earthy shades like camel, mocha, and taupe. These shades can be incorporated in various ways: camel and lighter tones as wall colours, while darker shades are great for accents like furniture or soft furnishings to bring richness and depth to the space.” – Murude
Albion Nord
Banda Property
It Also Works With Thoughtful Pairings
“Brown is one of those colours which works with so many other colours. Pairing a brown tone with something a little unexpected can be beautiful, particularly if you’re going for those warm, rich tones that remind you of autumn like reds and ambers. I have always been a huge fan of brown with blue – they both offset each other perfectly. I've used them in papers, paints and furnishings.” – Alice
“Pairing it with other colours such as pale or deep pink, or a light blue or butter yellow can really freshen it up. Also consider the sheen level – a high gloss lacquered brown feels rich but not heavy, especially when paired with other unexpected finishes such as polished stainless steel or mirror.” – Tiffany
“I love combining browns with light okra, rusty muted oranges, deep greens and soft terracottas for a nature-inspired palette. If I am after a lighter palette and more contemporary feel, mixing browns with creams, dusty pinks or sage greens creates a sophisticated contrast.” – Murude
“Our favourite pairing is Ethereal Blue and Chocolate, a softer brown which really lifts this greyish blue and creates a tonal contrast that looks sophisticated and earthy. Browns can be complemented by most colours, and it also grounds the brighter colour.” – Edward
It Plays Well With A Range Of Materials
“Brown works wonderfully with natural materials like wood, plaster and stone, such as heavy-vein marble or travertine. These materials complement the organic warmth of brown and bring texture and dimension to a room. I also love pairing brown tones with aged brass and brown metals.” –Murude
“Brown loves texture. I love blue and brown, and brown and pink combos particularly. Put brown paint with rush matting or brown velvet with blue walls and you can feel the fizz of the textural dialogue.” – Edward
Murudé
Studio Duggan
Layering Is Easy
“Mixing shades of brown can create a beautifully layered, cohesive look, but the key is to vary the materials, textures and pick similar tones of brown. Using different finishes avoids monotony and adds dimension. Balance is key, so offset darker browns with mid and lighter tones.” – Murude
It Works In Any Room
“Brown works well in many spaces. In living rooms, it can create a cosy, inviting atmosphere, particularly when used in furniture or textiles. In bedrooms, soft browns add warmth and serenity. Even in kitchens, brown cabinetry paired with lighter countertops and brass or bronze metal accents can add sophistication and depth. A living room is a great space to use brown paint as the colour enhances artwork, textiles and other soft furnishings. I would suggest trying it in a north-facing room which will not be blessed with the best light. Embrace this with a rich brown to ensure warmth.” – Edward
It Loves Small Spaces
“Smaller spaces will normally benefit from choosing a slightly darker/muddy colour, so work with layering colours and textures to ‘break up’ the colour. If you are planning on painting a room dark brown, then you really have to commit. Lighter browns like Tawny or Chocolate tend not to overwhelm the room as they are in the neutral spectrum making pairing with accent colours simple.” – Edward
Longevity Is Guaranteed
“Brown is a colour that speaks to our growing desire for spaces that feel natural, grounding and timeless. As we move further into a design landscape that prioritises sustainability and wellness, brown will play a central role in shaping environments that are deeply connected to nature and evoke a sense of calm and comfort.” – Murude
“We believe we will see a rising trend of incorporating dramatic, dark browns as accent tones, beautifully paired with vibrant striking colours. This combination with blend traditional and rustic vibes with a fresh, modern aesthetic, creating spaces that feel both timeless and contemporary.” – Edward
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