Matching shades of brown can be tricky. The colors are subtle and picking complementary shades requires a nuanced eye. But with some guidance on undertones, textures, finishes and lighting, you can successfully combine different brown hues in your home.
Quick Answer
In general, two shades of brown will match if they share undertones and have a similar depth of color. However, the texture and finish of the materials, and the lighting in the space, impact how they are perceived. With thoughtful pairing, different shades of brown can create depth and visual interest in a room.
The Importance of Undertones
All colors, including browns, have undertones – subtle casts that make the color lean slightly warm or cool. Common brown undertones include:
- Warm – peach, red, orange, yellow
- Cool – blue, green, gray
- Neutral – neither warm nor cool
Browns with the same undertones tend to match well. For example, two shades with warm red undertones will coordinate. If the undertones clash, like a red-brown and green-brown, the colors can appear mismatched.
Depth of Color
Along with undertone, the depth or saturation of the brown matters. A dark coffee brown will not pair naturally with a muted beige-brown, even if the undertones match. Ideally both shades will have similar depth.
However, sometimes a lighter and darker brown work together by creating contrast. Just ensure the depth variation is intentional, not haphazard.
Texture and Finish
Texture and finish also impact how shades relate. Glossy, smooth browns appear darker while matte, textured browns seem lighter. A glossy brown may clash with a flat brown, even if their color looks alike.
Consider this table showing how texture impacts perception of color:
| Texture/Finish | Appears… |
|---|---|
| Smooth, glossy | Darker |
| Matte, flat | Lighter |
| Textured, distressed | Lighter |
Browns with similar textures and finishes tend to coordinate best. Or use contrasting textures intentionally to add visual interest.
Lighting Conditions
The lighting in a room also affects how shades are perceived. Different types of light impact color in unique ways:
- Incandescent – Warms and softens colors
- Fluorescent – Makes colors appear brighter and harsher
- Natural – Changes with weather and time of day
The same two shades may match in incandescent lighting but clash under fluorescent bulbs. Whenever possible, evaluate colors together in the actual lighting conditions where they’ll be used.
Tips for Combining Browns
Here are some tips for combining shades of brown successfully:
- Group warm browns together and cool browns together for harmony
- Anchor with a neutral brown if using both warm and cool shades
- Mix matte, textured browns with glossy, smooth browns for contrast
- Add depth by pairing light and dark browns
- Limit to 3-5 shades for a cohesive look
Also, when assessing if two browns work together:
- View them in the same light source
- Look at them next to and near each other
- Consider the undertone, depth, and texture
Examples of Brown Color Combinations
Here are some examples of successfully matched brown color palettes:
| Color Scheme | Description |
|---|---|
| Coffee, espresso, cocoa | Dark, saturated warm browns create cozy contrast |
| Khaki, tan, beige | Light, muted cool browns are calm and subtle |
| Saddle brown, walnut, chestnut | Mid-tone red-browns have rustic warmth |
| Chocolate, brown sugar, caramel | Rich, warm hues with brown sugar luminosity |
Basing a palette on 3-5 coordinated brown shades creates a harmonious, blended look. Remember to consider undertones, depth variation, textures, and lighting conditions when pairing.
Should You Avoid Mixing Brown with Other Colors?
Brown combines beautifully with many colors beyond varying shades of itself. Here are some pleasing color schemes with brown:
- Brown and blue – Earthy brown grounds vibrant blues
- Brown and green – Organic combination bringing nature indoors
- Brown and yellow – Warm, welcoming scheme full of light
- Brown and white – Clean and sophisticated; white brightens brown
- Brown and orange – Friendly and energetic, great for kids’ spaces
In fact, brown is such a versatile, neutral color that it works well with most hues. Just follow the same guidelines for harmonizing browns with other colors:
- Match warm browns with other warm colors
- Pair cool browns with other cool colors
- Use brown as a neutral with any color scheme
- Consider undertones so they don’t clash
The natural, down-to-earth quality of brown makes an excellent foundation to build a color scheme around.
Conclusion
Matching two shades of brown successfully requires considering the undertones, depth, textures and lighting conditions of the colors. Browns with similar warm or cool undertones and comparable saturation tend to coordinate. But varying the texture and glossiness can add appealing contrast. Limiting the palette to 3-5 total shades creates cohesion. With an attentive, thoughtful approach, two browns can come together beautifully in your space.