What Colors Go with Brown? Here Are 15 Complementary Shades to Try Now
Brown is the new black.
“Fifty shades of brown” might not have quite the same ring to it as the titular literary franchise it calls to mind, but it’s arguably a better design proposal. If you’re considering new ways to decorate with color, the humble hue is suitable for just about any design style and myriad tastes.
“Brown is very grounded and rooted, representing earth,” designer Joe Nahem, of the New York City–based ELLE DECOR A-List firm Fox-Nahem Associates, tells us. “It’s a strong foundation on which to build in any room.” From a variety of natural tints to all of the sumptuous wood tones nature can muster, brown is an elevated color choice that’s perfect for boosting a room’s style factor. “It is a great foil for different tones like pearl gray, tangerine orange, and powder blue,” A-List Titan Vicente Wolf says. “It gives a sense of richness.”
Whether you’re using brown to mellow out a room or to offset an amped-up color palette—it pairs especially well with bright yellows and greens, FYI—there’s no better time than the present to start experimenting with this versatile hue. Scroll down for 15 creative ways to decorate with every shade of brown.
Oak Brown + Walnut Brown Color Palette
The den of this Manhattan apartment designed by the firm Studio DB is cozy and collected; the dark wood paneling and brown accent door were inspired by the work of the Italian design firm Dimorestudio. It’s a low-key refuge that isn’t afraid to shake things up!
Tan Brown + Chocolate Brown Scheme
Tan shades are a great way to dip your toe into exploring brown’s softer, more flattering tones. The look is especially strong when paired with chocolate brown accoutrements. And this bathroom is a great reminder not to forget your ceiling beams when coming up with a color palette!
Mocha Brown + Brown Neutral Combo
If you’re hesitant to commit to painting a wall, try draping a gorgeous fabric. This mocha textile, as seen in a bedroom by Andre Herrero of the design firm Charlap Hyman & Herrero, flatters a range of tones. It’s easier to take the plunge—or pivot to another color scheme entirely.
Bronze Brown + Muddy Red Duo
The living room of an apartment designed by Casey Kenyon mixes dark wood tones, oiled bronze, and muddier shades of red. The effect is sophisticated, yet subtle. The tonality is also a great way to gradually differentiate between areas within one larger living space.
Walnut Brown + Greige Pairing
Designer Martha Mulholland created an inviting bedroom retreat using a palette of deep walnut wood tones and greige accents. The upholstered headboard runs the width of the wall, bringing warmth and dimension to the space. Twin vintage Brazilian rope chairs pick up the color story and add a dose of eye-catching texture.
Oak Brown + Taupe Palette
The custom bed in designer Charlie Ferrer’s Manhattan studio is designed by Robert Stilin after Charlotte Perriand. The warm wood tones are offset by Anichini linens. The bed is accessorized with an Hermès blanket for a muted, yet crisply classic color story.
Tone-on-Tone
A-List designer David Kaihoi hand-painted and installed this “tumbling block” wallpaper in the entryway of his Manhattan home himself. The floor design is done in a color-matched pattern. The use of tonal brown shades feels cleverly kaleidoscopic yet comfortable.
Salmon + Mottled Khaki Scheme
The A-List design firm Hendricks Churchill created this eye-catching kitchenette using Farrow & Ball’s Dead Salmon on the cabinetry. A tiled backsplash in a glazed mottled khaki is flanked by the millwork, creating a unique focal point. The sink skirt picks up the grid pattern and ties together the brown tones with the kitchen hardware and vintage dining set.
Mocha Brown + Citron Pairing
Oral surgeon-cum-decorator Paolo Castellarin doused the walls of his Milan bedroom in RAL Pale Brown. He smartly accented the color with brand’s Green Beige. The citrus hue heightens the drama and creates a fashionable feast for the eyes.
Burnt Umber + Sage Duo
In the apartment of Apparatus designer Gabriel Hendifar, the bed is dressed in Zak+Fox linens. The effect is to create a delicious golden umber cocoon. The bed is offset by velvet Decortex drapery in a subtle sage hue.
Cocoa Brown + Crimson Combination
In Milan, the fashionable Emiliano Salci of A-List firm Dimorestudio created this multipurpose studio space. Outfitted in varnished cocoa, the walls are offset with oxblood curtains. A patterned daybed in a custom Dimoremilano fabric spices things up.
Mahogany Brown + Alpine Green Bathroom
Paris-based architect and A-List interior designer Hugo Toro created this striking bathroom with green Alpine marble encasing the bathtub and sink. While dark wood tones can feel dated, here they were thoughtfully incorporated to perfectly complement the tub. They also flatter the red and white marble used for the flooring.
Charcoal + Honey Hues
The honey-toned cabinetry in the open kitchen and dining room of this Workshop/APD triplex pops thanks to black hardware and shelving. The concrete countertop keeps things feeling earthy while the accents add personality.
Terra-Cotta + Bronze Brown Palette
This monochromatic powder room, in a Lake Tahoe cabin designed by Sara Oswalt, celebrates the livability of warm rust tones. The terra-cotta-clad space is accented with oil-rubbed bronze fittings. The overall effect is dessert luxe.
Parchment + Olive Scheme
The designer Heidi Caillier let the dark wood tones in the flooring and furniture of this Bedford, New York, primary bedroom ground a mishmash of patterns rendered in muted olive, parchment, and terra-cotta. Pops of cornflower blue, courtesy of a Robert Kime fabric on John Derian for Cisco chairs, keep things fresh.
Sean Santiago is ELLE Decor's Deputy Editor, covering news, trends and talents in interior design, hospitality, travel, and luxury. He writes the So Courant! column for the magazine and elledecor.com.
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