What Colors Go With Brown Furniture

Decorating a room with brown furniture might seem like a challenge, but it’s an opportunity to create a cozy, comfortable space. There’s a common misconception that brown pieces can make a room feel dull, but with the right color pairing, they can add warmth and sophistication to any living area.

Interior designers often suggest complementing brown furniture with colors that enhance its rich tones. To do this, we recommend focusing on three primary colors: blue, green, and neutral tones like beige or gray.

Understanding Brown Furniture

When thinking about colors that go well with brown furniture, it is essential to understand the different shades of brown and materials that make up this versatile color family.

Identifying Different Shades of Brown

There are several shades of brown ranging from lighter to darker tones. Some common shades include:

• Beige
• Tan
• Chestnut
• Walnut
• Chocolate
• Mahogany

Each shade exudes its own characteristics and can impact the overall room’s appearance. For example, lighter shades like beige create a more airy atmosphere, while darker shades like chocolate bring warmth and richness to a room. According to interior designer and HGTV star, Candice Olson, cool greys or soft blues can work well with lighter brown shades, while warm earthy tones of rust, sage green, or mustard yellow complement the darker shades.

Brown Furniture Materials

Brown furniture can be made from various materials, each with its distinct appeal. Some examples include:

1. Wood (e.g., oak, cherry, walnut, mahogany)
2. Leather upholstery (e.g., natural, distressed, faux)
3. Fabric upholstery (e.g., linen, cotton, velvet)

Popular furniture and interior design brand, Pottery Barn, suggests that combining different materials can create a visually interesting and cohesive space. For example, consider partnering a walnut wooden table with a beige linen sofa or a chocolate leather armchair with a light oak side table. These combinations add balance and contrast to the room, making it more visually appealing.

Choosing Complementary Colors

When it comes to selecting colors that harmonize with brown furniture, an interior designer’s perspective is essential for achieving a balanced and aesthetically pleasing result. Here are a few aspects to consider when choosing complementary colors for your space.

Warm vs Cool Colors

It’s important to differentiate between warm and cool colors when pairing with brown furniture. Warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow produce a cozy atmosphere, while cool colors like blue, green, and purple create a more soothing environment. For example, a warm-toned brown sofa would work well with soft golden hues or earthy greens. On the other hand, a dark chocolate brown sofa would look excellent against cooler shades like a sophisticated gray or a soothing cerulean blue.

Matching Neutrals

Integrating neutral shades alongside brown furniture can create an elegant and timeless appearance. According to famous interior designer Kelly Wearstler, “A room decked in neutrals feels not only sophisticated but soothing”. Some popular neutrals to pair with brown furniture include beige, taupe, gray, and white. Selecting the right neutral shade depends on the specific hue of the brown furniture and personal preferences.

Accent Colors to Enhance Brown Furniture

Accent colors can significantly enhance the visual appeal of brown furniture. For instance, soft blues and greens can create a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere when combined with various shades of brown. Elle Decor suggests that “a teal accent wall can provide a stunning contrast with sleek, dark brown furniture”. To create visual harmony, incorporate these accent colors through decorative items such as throw pillows, artwork, or area rugs.

Consider consulting an interior designer to ensure that your color choices effectively complement your brown furniture. By selecting the right combination of colors, you can create a beautiful and inviting space that reflects your unique tastes and style preferences.

Applying Color Schemes

Finding the right color scheme to complement brown furniture can enhance the overall aesthetics of a room. In this section, we will explore various color scheme examples for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms that harmonize well with brown furniture.

Living Room Cololr Schemes

Designers often rely on certain color schemes to create a welcoming and lively atmosphere in living rooms with brown furniture:

• Combining brown furniture with soft green walls or accents can create a soothing environment. Renowned designer, Bobby Berk, suggests adding pops of green through plants or artwork to enhance the look.
• Pairing brown furniture with pastel blue tones can give the living room a fresh and peaceful vibe. Design brand Farrow & Ball recommends using muted shades like “Skylight” or “Parma Gray.”
• Adding contrasting colors, such as orange or yellow accents, can brighten up the room and create a vibrant ambiance. Designer, Nate Berkus, suggests using accent pillows or artwork in these colors to add depth and personality.

Bedroom Cololr Schemes

When designing a bedroom, the goal is to create a relaxing and comforting space. Here are some color schemes that work well with brown furniture for bedrooms:

• Using beige or cream tones for walls and accessories can promote a soothing atmosphere. Brand, Pottery Barn, offers a range of bedding and decor in “Almond” or “Stone” shades that can complement brown furniture.
• Soft pink or blush tones can add a touch of warmth and elegance to a bedroom. Designer, Kelly Wearstler, suggests using these hues in textiles and accessories to soften the look of brown furniture.
• Incorporating shades of gray or even dark blue can create a sophisticated and stylish space. Designer, Emily Henderson, recommends using “Hale Navy” or “Metropolitan” by Benjamin Moore for a striking contrast against brown furniture.

Dining Room Cololr Schemes

In dining rooms, the ideal color scheme can enhance the overall look and stimulate a welcoming atmosphere. Here are some examples that work well with brown furniture:

• Pairing brown furniture with earthy colors like terracotta, mustard yellow, or olive green can bring warmth and depth to a dining room. Serena & Lily, a popular design brand, offers various wallpaper and decor options in these earthy tones.
• Utilizing neutral ivory or white tones can create a simple yet elegant dining room. Renowned designer, Joanna Gaines, suggests incorporating subtle patterns in linens or curtains to add texture and interest.
• Combining brown furniture with rich red or burgundy accents can add a luxurious charm to a dining room. Designer, Candice Olson, recommends using these colors in area rugs or upholstered chairs for added opulence.

10 Eye-Catching Color Ideas for Rooms with Brown Furniture

Brown furniture brings a sense of warmth and coziness to any space. However, it’s essential to select the right colors to complement its earthy hues. Here are ten stunning color combinations to enhance rooms with brown furniture.

1. Light Blue: A soothing light blue paired with brown creates a calming atmosphere. Renowned interior designer, Sarah Richardson, frequently uses this combination for a serene, coastal vibe.

2. White and Cream: For a classic look, white and cream shades provide a clean, fresh canvas for brown furniture. Designer Ralph Lauren’s elegant living spaces often incorporate this timeless color combination.

3. Green: Shades of green, like sage, complement the natural tones of brown furniture. Designers like Nate Berkus often use this organic palette in their work.

4. Gray: Combining gray with brown furniture is a sophisticated choice. Brands like Farrow & Ball offer several hues of gray that work beautifully with brown pieces.

5. Coral: This unique color choice can make brown furniture pop. Pairing coral with brown adds warmth and vitality to a room without overpowering its neutral base.

6. Purple: Purple can add depth and drama to rooms with brown furnishings. Renowned designer Kelly Wearstler has used tones of amethyst and lavender alongside dark brown in her designs.

7. Yellow: Bring cheer to a space with yellow accents, like those found in Jonathan Adler’s designs. This sunshiny hue contrasts well with earthy brown.

8. Deep Red: A luxurious color known to pair well with dark brown is deep red. Pottery Barn frequently uses this combination in their room settings to evoke a sense of grandeur.

9. Navy Blue: Navy blue and brown make for a timeless pairing. Designer Emily Henderson often uses this combo to create bold, sophisticated spaces.

10. Burnt Orange: A warm color that complements brown is burnt orange. This hue adds a touch of spice to a space, like those featured in designs by West Elm.

Each of these color combinations has its unique personality and style to enhance the beauty of brown furniture. Experiment with different shades and textures to create visually striking and welcoming spaces.

Final Tips from Interior Designers

When selecting colors that complement brown furniture, consider the following advice from respected interior designers:

Kelly Wearstler, renowned interior designer, suggests contrasting the deep and rich tones of brown with lighter shades, such as off-whites or neutrals. This creates a balanced and inviting atmosphere in the room.

According to Nate Berkus, incorporating earthy tones, like greens and blues, can ground the space and create a harmonious design. An example might be pairing a chocolate brown sofa with soft blue or green cushions.

Joana Gaines, co-founder of Magnolia Home, recommends layering textures and patterns to add dimension and visual interest. Combining a leather brown couch with plush, patterned throw pillows can effectively achieve this effect.

Using metallic accents, such as gold or bronze, can elevate the look of any space with brown furniture. A statement piece, like a gold-framed mirror or a bronze accent table, can bring a touch of luxury and sophistication to the design.

Finally, don’t be afraid to incorporate bold pops of color. A bright orange or vivid pink can bring life and warmth to a room dominated by brown tones, as long as the color is used sparingly and strategically.

In conclusion, when working with brown furniture, a thoughtful blend of contrasting shades, earthy tones, and strategic use of patterns, textures and accent colors will result in a cohesive, visually appealing design.