What are the most popular colours for Autumn Winter 2024?

Posted on 1st August 2024

Autumn is well on its way, and soon enough we’ll be swapping the pretty pastels of spring and summer for their darker, moodier counterparts.

So, what are the colours you should embrace this season? To find out, I’ve flicked through numerous lookbooks brimming with inspiration and asked the experts for their valuable insight.

Whenever the colder months roll around, there are a few shades that will forever be timeless choices, such as burgundy, also known as damson, moody green and burnt orange, which all draw inspiration from nature and its ever-changing colours. So, you won’t be surprised they’re back this season; however, there are a few unexpected tones which are bound to bring plenty of intrigue to your interiors.

And, as you will later spot in this roundup, you can mix and match these sumptuous shades to create your personal colour palette for Autumn Winter 2024, whether you love – spoiler alert – the mix of teal and terracotta in your kitchen or bathroom or subtle pops of olive in your brown bedroom.

So, are you ready to discover the key colour trends this season? Here are five of our favourites…

Autumn Winter 2024 colour focuses

Crushing on teal

Teal, a fusion of blue and green, is a true winner this Autumn Winter 2024 season. If you’re a lover of colour and your kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom leans towards daring maximalism, this shade is perfect for you. “It strikes the perfect balance between lively confidence and moody energy,” says Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village. So how can you make it work in your home?

Rich, vibrant and a serious eye-catcher, teal is ideal for decorating in both big and small ways – from completely drenching your rooms to simply using it as an accent colour through furniture or softer items such as fabrics, cushions or accessories. “Pepper the teal tones with rich, rust hues, by adding accessories such as a footstool or accent chair. Consider the fabrics too and complement the maximalist nature of these statement shades with the tactility and opulence of velvet,” adds Shelley.

Dare to go bold?

Dining room with teal walls and ceiling, dark blue panelling, matching tablescaping and wood chairs. — Walls and ceiling in Major Tom; Panelling and fireplace in Docklands, from £27 for 1 litre of Pure Matt paint each, Fenwick & Tilbrook.

Teal bedroom with terracotta throws and patterned cushions. — Sleep Story Dice Ottoman king size bed frame, £899; Alba copper table lamp, £169, and Mono Swirl set of two tables, £299, all from Furniture Village.

Close-up of teal double vanity unit with marble worktop and splashback, black brassware, matching handles and teal mirrors. — Loving Teal, from £35 for 1 litre of eggshell paint, Yescolours.

Toasty tones

“From oak to hazelnut and chestnut to chocolate, brown has usurped grey to emerge as this season’s new neutral,” states Carly Greening, creative product manager at The Floor Room. I don’t know about you, but I love the sound of this! There is something so calming about this rich, earthy tone that makes it perfect for adding a cosy touch to any kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom this season and beyond.

Brown works especially well alongside shades in a similar colour palette such as umber and mahogany, mixed with tactile elements and finishes like wood, rattan, plaster, and natural stone. “Balance the richness of brown hues with neutral tones such as cream or beige as this will prevent the space from feeling too dark. For a modern twist, choose limewashed walls to bring in texture and to achieve a timeless, contemporary look that mixes retro style with contemporary design,” advises Carly.

Autumn Winter 2024 brown kitchen trend made from wood with neutral surfaces and decor. — People and Planet Natural Golden cork flooring, price on application, The Floor Room.

Brown coloured bedroom design with tactile linen bedding, a candle lantern and house plants. — Organic hemp bed linen set, from £252, Naturalmat.

A touch of terracotta

This burnt orange shade is taking over our interiors – but what’s not to love? Terracotta‘s warm and grounding allure injects any interior with plenty of charm and character. Plus, thanks to its versatility, this baked clay colour suits a wide range of aesthetics – from rustic, cottagecore schemes to modern, minimalist designs, depending on the elements you choose.

The best bit? You can use it in different ways (and scales), from dressing your walls and floors in tactile terracotta tiles to simply adding a pop of colour through a statement bathroom vanity or a plush loveseat.

“Earthy hues are not simply for autumnal seasonal decorating, as the colours work brilliantly alongside paler neutrals year-round, in all styles of home,” says Robert Whitaker, creative director at Claybrook. “The look, which is one of this year’s key trends, incorporates myriad tones from rich terracotta through to plum-like reds and bolder burgundy. These clay tones mark the end of our desire for a grey palette, and a move into warmer, more nurturing shades,” he adds.

Close-up of terracotta coloured tiles laid in a herringbone shape. — Ema Terracotta brick tiles 4.8 x 29.8cm, £114.64 per sq m, Claybrook.

Blue, moody living room design painted in blue with a terracotta accent armchair, next to open shelving decorated with books, vases and bowls. — Squisharoo armchair, £1115, Loaf.

Modern bathroom design with veiny wall tiles, a terracotta vanity unit, a rectangular mirror and a slim and sleek open shelf for storage. — Tambour 60cm floor-standing vanity with doors in Soft Clay and basin, price on application, Crosswater.

Rich berry

“As autumn ushers in a cosy ambience, transform your home into a haven of warmth and luxury by embracing the opulent shades of rust red or deep, warm berry,” says Rebecca Williamson, content manager at Oak Furnitureland. Dreamy, right? Burgundy is a timeless shade that echoes sophistication and it looks best when used as an all-over colour. “These rich colours, perfect for the colour-drenching trend that’s capturing hearts everywhere, will envelop your space in a comforting embrace while elegantly highlighting your furniture,” she adds.

So, wrap your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom (from the walls and floors to the ceiling – yes, really) in this luxe shade to indulge in that cosy, cocooning feeling for Autumn Winter 2024. Or, if can’t commit to colour, you can dot pops of damson through soft furnishings.

Bathroom painted in a burgundy colour with a matching vanity, an LED illuminated mirror, brass tap and a terracotta basin. — Artis surface-mounted washbasin in Bordeaux, priced on application, Villeroy & Boch.

Bedroom painted in a burgundy colour with neutral bed and armchair, wood furniture and neutral decor. — Wren king size bed and Oliver side table, Oak Furnitureland.

Close-up of a colourful kitchen decorated with striped textiles, house plants, a green mirror and quirky accessories. — Block Stripe hand towel, £14; Stripe soap dispenser, £8; Square storage basket, £35, and Floral Trellis fabric, £50 per m, all from John Lewis. Launching in September.

Love damson? Click here to discover how to add this colour to your home

Olive green

Green’s connection to nature makes it ideal for giving your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom a much-needed refresh. However, there is one particular hue I’ve been spotting more lately, and that is olive.

This muted green tone pairs beautifully with neutral tones such as off-white and taupes, as well as more vibrant shades like burnt orange or rich red. “Olive is smooth and subtle with a vintage edge to it, but is still modern and effortless,” says Becca Stern, co-founder and creative director at Mustard Made. “It’s a rich and earthy green, dark but not too dark, saturated but not too bright, it’s the perfect match for everything from blushing pastels to soothing neutrals and even a pop of mustard.”

What’s more, olive green is not constrained to one particular style, so you can make it work no matter the aesthetic – from classic country to pared-back and modern. It’s also complemented by a range of materials and finishes too, such as brass, concrete, wood and marble, offering you plenty of creative freedom and design opportunities this Autumn Winter 2024 season.

Happy decorating!