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?
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.
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.
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.
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!