‘Brown?!’ we hear you gasp – yes, brown. Some people love it, others loathe it, but somehow this controversial colour has recently charmed its way as the go-to decorating shade.
If you’re feeling stuck about what colour to paint your room next, KBB journo Becca Cullum-Green explores aspirational ways you can use sumptuous shades of brown to decorate your home, that can actually suit many different interior styles.
Brown’s natural, warm undertones can make your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom feel cosy and inviting, while exuding the same amount of drama as other, darker shades, such as navy blue or even black.
If you’re intrigued by the idea of decorating with brown but don’t know where to start, we’ve got a few suggestions for you that are sure to spark your creativity and inspire your next home project…
Ways to welcome brown in your kitchen
There are lots of different shades of brown with varying undertones that will suit different spaces. A balanced, mid-toned brown used on your kitchen walls will allow you to either go warm or cool with your choice of cabinetry. Take the same paint colour up onto the ceiling for a colour-drenching effect.
Brown interiors don’t have to feel dark. You can still include the colour without it dominating your space. A raw timber kitchen like Naked Kitchens’ Stanhoe design, paired with a brown stone floor, successfully incorporates different shades of brown by using natural materials.
If you love pared-back, neutral interiors but still want to introduce a touch of brown, why not opt for a bold, multi-functional island painted in a sumptuous chocolate colour as the heart of the kitchen?
Equally, mixing and matching cabinetry in contrasting shades is another great way of embracing brown in a more neutral kitchen. In this design by 1909 Kitchens, the tall Shaker-style cabinetry in the dark, warm Malbec colourway stands out against the white base and wall units.
Fancy a bold and dramatic look? Then, don’t hold back and go all out on brown. We love this sophisticated design by Serpentine Interiors which features deep chocolate-coloured cabinetry and a matching curvaceous island adorned with fluting.
If dark and dramatic is your vibe, then you may want to consider painting your kitchen head to toe in dark chocolate brown, like in this beautifully bold kitchen from Neptune – ceiling included.
Creative ideas for your bedroom
Brown can work wonders in a bedroom, thanks to its warm and cosy nature. Don’t be afraid to accessorise with brighter pops of colour to avoid a brown bedroom feeling dull. Red and yellows work perfectly for this.
Using brown paint is not the ‘be-all and end-all’ when it comes to decorating a brown-themed bedroom. There are lots of different ways to incorporate brown into your interiors without having to paint the walls. A bespoke upholstered headboard in a brown-coloured fabric will add texture and interest to an otherwise-neutral space.
For a rustic bedroom design, consider using an array of natural materials that are brown in tone. For example, you can combine wood, cork, jute and hessian just to name a few.
To avoid a brown bedroom feeling flat and one-dimensional, you’ll need to choose your décor wisely. Accessorise a brown-based bedroom with beige artwork, soft furnishings and stylish objects to break up the dark scheme.
Consider adopting a rustic boho vibe for your room and choose to paint a feature wall behind your bed brown, with a red undertone. Add black accents throughout with your choice of accessories, for a contemporary feel.
Brown bathroom inspiration
A bathroom should be a sanctuary where you go to unwind. A sumptuous colour like brown offers richness and depth, creating a serene ambience that will allow you to truly relax. Pair brown walls with light-blue tiles for a stylish contrast.
Achieve a stand-out look in your bathroom by mixing and matching slim metro tiles in various shades of brown such as umber, taupe, chestnut and mocha. Add extra depth and interest to your design by adding pops of green and terracotta.
Be inspired by the wetroom pictured below, and pair brown bathroom walls with purple-toned, patterned tiles. Pinks and purples work really well with brown as they sit in the same tonal family.
Another way of decorating your bathroom with brown is to opt for a coloured terrazzo tile to adorn your floors with. These Rialto tiles from Ca’ Pietra are simply beautiful, and look fabulous paired with terracotta wall tiles, which brighten up the room.
Colour drenching is not going anywhere! Embrace this decorating technique and wrap your bathroom in a dark colour to achieve a cocooning feeling.
Use brown as a feature colour to zone off different areas of your bathroom. Paint the wall behind your vanity unit brown and contrast with lighter, marble-effect tiles.
We’re used to seeing metro-style tiles in bathrooms in standard colours, but have you seen a bathroom adorned with brown ones? They’re especially stunning. The glossy finish of these tiles from Original Style gives the entire bathroom a luxe feel.
Decorating your living room with brown
Draw inspiration from nature and contrast your statement brown wallcoverings with pops of green through lighting, seating, art or soft furnishings.
Darker shades of brown are the ideal backdrop for moody interiors. Whether you want to make your statement sofa really pop or bring interest through wall art, opt for a deep hue as the blank canvas for your decorating ideas.
Ready to welcome brown into your interiors?
Enjoyed this post? Click here to learn all about the latest ‘it’ colour in bathrooms – green
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