Earth tones are one of 2023’s most notable interior trends, and according to Vogue, top designers, including Jake Arnold and Sarah Solis, are currently embracing them. These earthy roots, inspired by the beauty of nature and the inspiration found in natural landscapes, often draw cues from lush forests as a source of colour ideas, featuring browns, beiges, greens, and terracottas. They have emerged as a direct follow-up to the minimalist and industrial styles that have dominated design over recent years, and they offer a great way to refresh any room. Earthy tones decor is also a subtle and sleek way to introduce a pop of colour that will draw the eye while retaining the harmony of your overall interiors. However, given that many of us have spent recent years opting for the stark, white walls of minimalism, this shift back to the world of colour (albeit subtly) can seem like a significant transition.
If you love the idea of earthy tones but need guidance on how to introduce them, you’ve come to the right place. We will consider all things earth tones, hoping you can bring some nature indoors and create a seamless connection to the outdoors with your colour choices moving forward.
why are we loving earthy tones?
Designer Danielle Colding believes that the rising popularity of earth tones is a direct result of years when colour has yet to be at the top of the interior trend checklist.
Without undoing still-surfacing styles like minimalism, earth tones make it possible to brighten even neutrally styled spaces. Pink tones are at the forefront of what many designers are doing, and there's no denying the elegance that even subtle pops of earthy pinks, such as coral, can bring to your interiors.
The benefits of earth tones
Whatever earthy shades you choose to introduce, bringing natural tones into your home can serve to –
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Refresh your interiors
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Add interest to your rooms
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Offset white walls, neutral walls, or stark spaces as a foundational choice for balancing bold accents
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Enhance earthy décor with natural materials and other natural elements such as wood, stone, and fiber
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And more
Earth tones also give you an excellent opportunity to have fun. From funky accessories to textured designs (each of which we’ll discuss in this article), considering the best ways to incorporate a natural colour palette is sure to take your designs in an entirely new direction. And however you approach this new challenge, it couldn’t be an easier style choice to achieve!
The best earth tones of the moment
Whether warm, cool, muddy, or crisp, earth tones offer something for everyone. Their timeless appeal ensures a classic style that remains in fashion. Earth tones can include both warm and cool tones, such as navy blue and shades of ivory and grey, for a balanced look. And the ‘best’ colour to use will depend on your overall decor and the modern elegance you wish to achieve with a carefully selected palette.
Designers favour certain shades as their collections shift towards a more earthy palette. The top earth tones for this season seem to be
1. Pink shades. Earthy pinks such as peach and coral are big news this season. Many designers favour a palette that approaches this firm favourite colour with a refreshing, nature-inspired upgrade. Unlike the bubblegum pinks of the Barbie trend or other stark choices like them, earth pinks are the best earth tone for achieving a sense of glamour and elegance and can look great in feature walls or accessories alike.
2. Taupes and browns. Taupes and browns, like coffee and pebble, offer an excellent opportunity for even colour-shy designers to jump on board with an earthy trend. Without seeming too excessive, these shades are great for adding depth, interest, and warmth. Dark brown is a key shade for creating a warm, cohesive environment, and can be integrated through wall colours, furniture, textiles, and decorative details.
3. Muted greens. Muted greens, including moss and leaf, are the most apparent go-to earth tones. Sage green, in particular, is a popular, earthy colour that serves as a soothing neutral. Olive green is another versatile and calming option that pairs beautifully with browns, taupes, and terracottas for a nature-inspired look. And they can add a real classical vibe to your decor overall. Without clashing with your existing style. Additions like muted green rugs, seating or walls can all leave you feeling like you’re in the middle of the jungle or are at home in an Edwardian mansion. For a playful accent, consider touches of lime green to add a whimsical touch to your palette.
4. Sunset huesSunset hues like raspberry and gold bring immediate warmth to any space and provide an instant pop of positivity and joyfulness. Orange tones, along with ochre and sandy shades, are part of this palette, evoking warmth and relaxation. If you want a room that instantly makes you smile, you can’t get better than these colours.
Earth tones and other styles
As an interior addition rather than a style in themselves, earthy tones can work well in most homes or even wedding tent decor, offering contrast or adding depth to an existing style choice. This season, earthy tones also tie in seamlessly with other top design focuses, including their natural associations with safety and security due to their connection to the earth and wood. The use of warm earth tones can evoke a welcoming atmosphere that connects interior design to nature.
Coloured borders: Coloured borders are big business this season and can add colour and interest to your rooms. Using earth tones for painted skirting boards, cornices, and even radiators can add a real depth without overwhelming the space altogether.
Heritage: Heritage styles with historical influences are all the rage right now, and with heritage colours, including mustard and sage, taking centre stage, this is a great style choice for incorporating earth tones. Earth tones contribute to a rustic look, characterised by cozy, warm, and timeless appeal.
Stone trims: Using stones like marble is becoming an increasingly popular way to finish features, including mouldings, baseboards, and windowsills. Earth-toned accessories or parts can help highlight these home additions and ensure they get the attention they deserve.
70s resurgence: An increasing love for antiques and all things vintage has seen interiors stepping back into the 70s over recent years. Red earth tones, such as honey and paprika, play a significant role in this '70s resurgence.
By harmoniously combining earth tones with other design elements, you can create a well-balanced space that feels both cohesive and visually pleasing.
the psychology of earth tones
When it comes to creating a space that feels truly welcoming, the psychology of earth tones plays a powerful role. Earth tones—think brown, beige, and green—are more than just colours; they’re natural hues that evoke a deep sense of warmth, comfort, and relaxation. Incorporating these shades into your colour palette can instantly transform a room into a soothing retreat, helping to promote well-being and a sense of calm.
These earthy tones are closely tied to the natural world, which is why they often evoke a sense of grounding and ease. Browns and beiges bring a gentle warmth, while greens connect us to the tranquillity of nature. By creating a balanced palette with these tones, you can foster a harmonious space that encourages relaxation and reduces stress. Whether you’re designing a cozy living room or a serene bedroom, using earth tones is a simple way to create a soothing atmosphere that supports your overall well-being and helps you feel more connected to the earth.
How to add earth tones to your interiors
Now that you know the ins and outs of earth tones and why they work so well, it’s time to think about the best ways to introduce them at home. A thoughtful combination of earth tones is key to creating a cohesive and inviting look in your space. As mentioned, this is a pretty easy goal to achieve. Keep reading for a few fantastic and simple tips!
1. Experiment with earthy paint choices
When first experimenting with earth tones, you don't need to jump straight in with an utterly moss-green room. You might want to stay on this colour scheme. That's okay, because there are still many options available with earthy paint choices.
As mentioned, a general interior focus on painted borders currently provides an excellent opportunity to introduce earth tones in a more subtle way, which can be a lot of fun. Equally, earth-tone edges covering just the bottom half of your walls can add tremendous depth to your space.
Earth-toned feature walls can also look great and are guaranteed to work with the neutral colours and house plants that have punctuated home styles in recent years. And, of course, if you did want to go all out with an all-over earth-toned room, you'd be right on trend with a heritage theme that can work well in either a classical home or a modern property.
2. Combine earthy tones
There's no reason why you need to stick to just one earth tone. Combining a few different earthy colours is recommended for creating a harmonious space. Luckily, this style option is easy, with most earth tones working well together.
According to Havenly Hideaway, the best complete earth colour palettes include options like –
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Greens and ivories
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Neutrals and dusty mauves
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Rust and whites
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Greys and browns
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Etc.
When choosing your pairings, the overall impression you aim to create within your space is the primary consideration. For example, neutrals and mauves will work well in the bedroom, while greys and browns could be great for an airy kitchen or a living room with patio doors.
3. Don't be afraid to contrast
After that point, earth tones can also work incredibly well in contrast.
After all, with earthy tones all coming from the same general palette, they're all going to work well together, no matter how 'outlandish' your choices. But you can still create some exciting offset colour choices. A coral feature wall with sage green furniture would be incredibly striking for a dining room or kitchen. Golds and reds could add depth to a cottage-style living room or study space.
The more you're willing to experiment with earthy tones, the more likely you'll find a unique colour palette ideal for your home.
4. Introduce colour through accessories
Whether you’ve not had colour in your home for a while or are still determining how earth tones would look on your walls, accessories are a fantastic and subtle way to introduce your favourite earthy colours.
For the most part, earth tones look best when layered, which is achievable when you play around with accessories. Seating is excellent for this purpose, with things like golden sofas, olive bean bags, and even small wooden stalls bringing that earthy focus into the centre of your space. Accent furniture, such as side tables or decorative chairs, can also enhance and complement the main decor by adding colour or texture for a more balanced and stylish living space. Equally, you may prefer more subtle earthy pops, like coral pink lampshades or a moss rug.
Accessories also benefit from being one of the easiest ways to experiment with earthy colour pairings without spending a fortune. You can build on that pairing by finding accessories in every colour of your scheme and ensuring every shade has a proper chance to shine.
5. Create texture with earthy tones
Textured interiors have always been a great way to keep your rooms exciting and make your space truly come alive. From fluffy cushions to velvet rugs and wooden chandeliers, no two homes will ever be the same with a great textured design. And this playful approach to incorporating your chosen earthy tones will create the perfect finished space.
For the most part, you'll need to turn to accessories again to incorporate this style. Choosing upholstery with contrasting fabrics is a great way to start, especially if you're using similar earthy shades. Equally, playing with something like the size of your furniture can add depth. Offsetting a big armchair with a matching colour bean bag on another level, or even using a small footstool, will make your interiors much more interesting than if they were all on one level. Adding a surprising amount of texture with houseplants like Monstera and Fiddle Leaf Figs is also possible. House plants are ideal for your earthy-toned interiors, as houseplants naturally work well with just about any earth shade. Yet, those leaves' sharper, fresher green can add a whole new layer that you'd struggle to achieve otherwise.
6. Combine interior moods
We've spoken that earthy tones can be warm or crisp, depending on your style intentions. However, combining those qualities while considering the effect of room colours on mood can create a rich space that is guaranteed to suit any emotional atmosphere. Earth tones, in particular, evoke feelings of safety and calmness in home environments. In some sense, colour combinations will also play a part here. However, combining interior moods also means considering the use of earthy tones throughout your room more generally. It might work well to use a more muted tone for your walls, offset with a complementary brighter colour for your accessories. Or vice versa. One brilliant addition, such as an apple green rug in an otherwise sunset-hued room, could create a more inclusive and comforting finished look.
Using patterns in earth tone rooms
Patterns are a fantastic way to add depth and personality to earth tone rooms. Earthy tones, such as brown, green, and beige, provide a versatile backdrop that pairs beautifully with a variety of patterns, whether you love bold stripes, delicate florals, or modern geometrics. Neutral earth tones such as charcoal grey and warm browns can ground even the most vibrant patterns, while warm hues like orange and yellow can inject a burst of energy and visual interest.
When working with patterns in an earth tone colour palette, balance is key. Try layering subtle patterns on neutral backgrounds for a sophisticated look, or mix bolder designs with warm browns and greens to create a harmonious space that feels both lively and soothing. Patterns can also add texture and warmth, making living rooms and bedrooms feel cozier and more inviting. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations—mixing patterns and earthy tones can result in a well-balanced, visually rich space that reflects your unique style.
The importance of lighting in earth tone rooms
Lighting is essential for bringing out the true beauty of earth-tone rooms. The right lighting can enhance the natural hues and textures of earthy tones, making your space feel warm, inviting, and well-balanced. Ambient lighting, such as soft overhead fixtures or wall sconces, helps to create a cozy atmosphere that highlights the warmth of browns and beiges. For areas where you need focused light, such as reading nooks or workspaces, task lighting ensures functionality without compromising style.
Consider the colour temperature of your lighting as well—warm white bulbs complement earthy tones like brown and beige, while cooler white light can make greens and blues pop. Natural light is especially effective in earth tone spaces, as it brings out the subtle variations and textures in your colour palette. By thoughtfully layering different types of lighting, you can create a balanced space that showcases the beauty of earth tones and feels welcoming at any time of day.
Creating a focal point in earth tone rooms
Every well-designed space benefits from a focal point, and earth tone rooms are no exception. Creating a focal point helps draw the eye and adds a sense of energy and interest to your space. In rooms dominated by earthy tones, consider introducing a bold accent—like a bright green or blue piece of décor—to create contrast and highlight the natural beauty of your palette.
Alternatively, let a statement piece of furniture, such as a rustic wooden table or a plush, textured area rug, take centre stage. The key is to ensure your focal point complements the overall balance and harmony of the room, rather than overwhelming it. By thoughtfully selecting and positioning your focal point, you can create a space that feels both visually dynamic and beautifully cohesive, allowing the earthy tones to shine while adding a touch of personality and style.
Bring your decor down to earth.
Earthy tones are only set to last for a while. And the benefits of introducing them into your home primarily speak for themselves. Whether you're keen to get back to colour or love the idea of the depth that a rich, earthy colour could bring, it's past time that you got started with this style.
Whether your earthly home journey involves stocking up on paints or investing in great earth-toned accessories like ours. Your home will never look so good!
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