Brown walls have gone in and out of style over the decades. After being popular in the 1970s, earthy brown tones fell out of favor in the 1980s and 1990s. However, in recent years, brown has been making a comeback in home decor. From rich chocolate browns to warm tan tones, brown paint colors are appearing on accent walls, cabinets, front doors and more in modern homes.
So what’s behind the brown wall trend? And how can you incorporate brown walls into your home in a stylish, modern way? Here’s a look at why brown is back, popular brown paint colors and how to use brown wall colors effectively in your home decor.
Why Brown Walls Are Trending Again
There are a few key reasons brown is becoming popular again for walls:
– It’s cozy and warm. Brown evokes a sense of coziness and warmth. After years of bright whites and grays dominating home decor, people are craving colors that feel nurturing, natural and soothing. Brown delivers on that in a subtle, earthy way.
– It connects to nature. As people aim to bring biophilic design and more nature into their homes, earth tones like brown feel very organic and grounding. Brown is associated with wood, soil, trees and nature. Using shades of brown can help create a peaceful sanctuary.
– It provides a neutral backdrop. While brown has a colorfulness that grays and whites lack, it still functions as a neutral in most home decor. Different shades of brown work well with other accent colors from greens to blues to pastels. It serves as a warmer alternative to white or beige walls.
– It has rustic appeal. Brown walls give a space a cozy, rustic feeling. The earthy color feels right at home in farmhouse, cottage, craftsman and other rustic style homes. Distressed brown walls add even more vintage character.
Popular Brown Paint Colors
If you’re going to paint a wall or room brown, choosing the right shade is key. Here are some of the most popular brown paint colors for walls right now:
Chocolate brown – A rich, dark chocolate brown like Behr’s Chocolate Froth creates an intimate, cocooning feel. It pairs well with cream, gold and rust orange accents.
Coffee brown – For a warm, energizing vibe, lighter coffee-inspired browns like Valspar’s Latte or Behr’s Roasted Coffee are ideal for kitchens, offices and more.
Camel/tan brown – Sophisticated tan browns like Valspar’s Camel Back or Behr’s Nude Skinny Dipping work well for bedrooms, dining rooms and formal spaces.
Greige brown – Greige browns like OC-27 Canyon Clay by Behr blur the lines between brown and gray for a versatile, modern neutral look.
Bronze brown – Metallic bronzy browns like Valspar’s Gilded Glamour or Rustic Bronze by Behr add a touch of glam and shine.
Terracotta brown – Warm terracotta inspired browns like Terracotta Tile by Behr link to Southwest, Spanish and Mediterranean design styles.
Where to Use Brown Walls
Brown wall colors work great in many spaces throughout the home:
– Living rooms – Rich chocolate browns create an intimate, welcoming feel in living spaces. Use brown on the main wall or for accent walls.
– Bedrooms – Soothing, neutral brown walls help bedrooms feel peaceful and relaxing. Layer cream, white and blue accessories on top.
– Dining rooms – Brown dining room walls provide timeless, earthy appeal. Pair with furnishings in wood tones and brass.
– Kitchens – Coffee-inspired brown paint is perfect for chef-friendly kitchen walls. Use it on lower cabinets too.
– Bathrooms – Tan browns give bathrooms a spa-like ambiance. Coordinate with marble, travertine and bronze finishes.
– Offices – Invigorate a home office with an espresso-toned brown. It stimulates focus and creativity.
– Entryways – Use brown on a front door or entryway wall to create a warm welcome.
Tips for Using Brown Walls
Brown walls offer lots of decorating possibilities. Here are some tips for stylishly incorporating brown walls in your home:
– Mix multiple shades of brown together for added depth and interest. Try pairing a rich chocolate with a light camel, for example.
– Distress brown walls or paint wood grain details on them for a vintage, timeworn look.
– Anchor brown walls with contrasting white trim for a fresh, clean look. Crisp white also makes the brown pop.
– Incorporate natural textures like wood furniture, jute rugs, linen drapes and live plants to enhance the earthy feel.
– Layer metallic accents, like brass, gold and copper lighting fixtures and hardware, on top of brown walls for polish.
– Display artwork and decor in contrasting colors, like blues, greens and cream, against brown walls as focal points.
– Choose interior doors in dark wood tones to complement and frame brown walls.
– Use brown as an accent wall in a room with light tan, gray or neutral walls to create an invigorating contrast.
Conclusion
Brown walls may seem trendy, but the earthy, welcoming color has sticking power. From rich chocolate browns to latte-inspired tones, brown works well in all different spaces. It creates a cozy, nature-inspired backdrop for your home’s decor. Just choose the right shade of brown for the room, anchor it with trim and furnishings in contrasting tones, and display artwork and accessories in colors that pop against the brown background. With the right approach, brown walls can be warm, sophisticated and enduring.
