Chocolate brown can be a warm, inviting color for a living room. When choosing accent colors to go with chocolate brown, it’s important to consider undertones and contrast levels. Here are some top color combinations that work well with chocolate brown.
Quick Answer
Some quick go-to colors that pair nicely with chocolate brown include:
- Cream
- Tan
- Beige
- Light blue
- Navy blue
- Olive green
- Teal
These colors complement chocolate brown through analogous, monochromatic, and complementary schemes. They provide enough contrast without clashing.
Background on Chocolate Brown
Chocolate brown is a rich, dark brown color that has red-orange undertones. It gets its name from the delicious chocolate candy that shares its distinctive hue. The specific hex code for chocolate brown is #3D1C02.
This deep brown has an earthy, natural feel to it. It’s warmer and more inviting than cooler dark brown shades. Chocolate brown evokes thoughts of autumn leaves, wood, coffee, and cozy cabins. It’s an excellent color choice for rustic, traditional, or cottage-style living rooms.
Ideal Accent Colors for Chocolate Brown
When working with a dominant chocolate brown wall color or furniture piece, you’ll want to balance it out with lighter, brighter accent colors. Here are some top choices:
1. Cream
Cream has a subtle hint of warmth that complements the undertones of chocolate brown. It also provides enough contrast as a lighter neutral. Try pairing chocolate brown walls or sofas with cream pillows, area rugs, curtains, and accessories. Cream’s hex code is #FFFDD0.
2. Tan
For a more natural accent, opt for tan. Tan is a great match for chocolate brown’s orange undertones. Use it in furnishings like chairs, ottomans, and window treatments to add a touch of neutral contrast. The hex code for tan is #D2B48C.
3. Beige
Another nice neutral option is beige. Its soft, warm appearance enhances the richness of chocolate brown. Incorporate beige into furniture, throw blankets, wall art and decorative objects. The hex code for beige is #F5F5DC.
4. Light Blue
To create a relaxing oasis, use light blue with your chocolate brown scheme. Soft powder blue or sky blue add a subtle aquatic feel. They work nicely on walls or as accents via pillows, vases, and table lamps. A good light blue hex code is #B0C4DE.
5. Navy Blue
For more contrast, navy blue is an elegant accent for chocolate brown living rooms. The depth of navy plays up the sophistication of the brown. Use navy in moderation on focal walls, decor items, or upholstered chairs. Navy’s hex code is #000080.
6. Olive Green
Earthy olive green and chocolate brown are analogous colors, meaning they sit next to each other on the color wheel. Olive green’s natural look enhances the organic vibe of chocolate brown. Incorporate it through decorative accents, throw pillows, or even a patterned area rug. The hex code for olive green is #808000.
7. Teal
Vibrant teal makes a bold, lively contrast to rich chocolate brown. It adds an unexpected pop of color. Use teal sparingly on accent walls, pillows, or accessories like vases and table lamps. A vivid teal hex code is #008080.
Tips for Combining Colors with Chocolate Brown
Here are some helpful guidelines when pairing accent colors with chocolate brown:
- Aim for lighter tints of colors to contrast nicely with the dark brown.
- Incorporate splashes of brighter colors through accessories like pillows, art, and florals.
- Repeat a color in different elements for cohesion – try navy blue pillows on a tan sofa, along with a navy area rug.
- Layer multiple accent colors together for visual interest.
- Creams, blues, and greens work especially well with chocolate brown.
- Use warm metallics like bronze, copper, and gold to enhance the brown tones.
Color Schemes with Chocolate Brown
Chocolate brown can work beautifully in various types of color schemes:
| Color Scheme | Description | Example Color Combinations |
|---|---|---|
| Monochromatic | Uses different tints, tones, and shades of chocolate brown | Chocolate brown walls, medium brown sofa, dark brown carpeting |
| Analogous | Combines colors next to chocolate brown on the color wheel | Chocolate brown sofa, tan chairs, beige pillows, rust orange throw |
| Complementary | Pairs chocolate brown with the color opposite it | Chocolate brown walls, teal curtains and accessories |
| Triadic | Uses colors equally spaced around the color wheel | Chocolate brown sofa, navy blue chairs, mustard yellow pillows |
| Split Complementary | Includes the complements on both sides of chocolate brown’s complement | Chocolate brown sectional, teal chair, rust orange and lime green pillows |
The monochromatic scheme creates a cozy, elegant look by playing up different shades of chocolate brown. Analogous colors like tans and beiges produce an organic, earthy aesthetic. Complementary teal makes a vibrant contrast, while a triadic or split complementary scheme with various accent colors adds energy and flair.
Chocolate Brown Paint Colors
If you want to use chocolate brown on your living room walls, these specific paint colors are good options:
- Grizzle Gray by Behr – A dark brown with gray undertones
- Brownie by Glidden – A reddish chocolate brown
- Rooibos Tea by Sherwin Williams – A neutral milk chocolate brown
- Hot Fudge by Benjamin Moore – A deep chocolate brown
- Cocoa Bean by Valspar – A rich dark chocolate brown
Test paint swatches first to ensure you get the exact chocolate brown tone you want before committing to the color.
Chocolate Brown Color Combinations
Here are some inspiring examples of stylish color combinations with chocolate brown:
Chocolate Brown and Cream
- Chocolate brown sofa
- Cream walls
- Dark wood coffee table
- Cream and brown striped area rug
- Black iron curtain rods
Chocolate Brown and Olive Green
- Chocolate brown accent wall
- Olive green sofa
- Rustic wood side tables
- Cream patterned armchair
- Copper lamps and vases
Chocolate Brown and Navy Blue
- Chocolate brown leather sectional
- Navy blue curtains
- Brick red Persian rug
- White shelving unit
- Navy and white patterned pillows
Chocolate Brown and Light Blue
- Chocolate brown tufted sofa
- Baby blue accent chair
- Light wood coffee table
- Burnt orange, cream, and blue patterned rug
- Silver and glass table lamps
Use these examples to ignite ideas for your own living room. Then pick 1-2 accent colors that appeal to you and coordinate well with chocolate brown.
Choosing Furniture for Chocolate Brown Living Rooms
The furniture pieces you select will establish your living room’s style. Here are some tips for choosing furniture that complements chocolate brown:
- Sofas: Look for deeper shades like espresso or lighter tans. Distressed leather sofas also suit chocolate brown.
- Chairs: Contrast with bright pops of color like light blue, or neutral shades like beige and gray.
- Tables: Opt for wood finishes like oak, mahogany or rustic pine. Glass tops also pair nicely.
- Cabinets: Use stained wood cabinets and hutches in dark espresso or cherry.
- Shelving: Try open wood shelving in dark stains or black metal units for industrial edge.
In terms of style, chocolate brown welcomes anything from modern to farmhouse. Rustic, industrial, traditional, and transitional styles also complement it beautifully.
Choosing Window Treatments
Window treatments play a big role in tying your chocolate brown color scheme together. Consider the following window treatment ideas:
- Neutral roman shades in cream, beige or light gray
- Patterned curtains in navy blue and white or olive green and tan
- Bamboo shades in tan or brown tones
- Wood blinds in a dark espresso stain
- Brass or bronze rods and hardware for a metallic touch
Layer drapes over shades or blinds to create depth and dim the light. Floor-length curtains create a luxurious look and feel.
Choosing Wall Decor
Use a mix of art, mirrors, shelves and lighting to give your chocolate brown living room personality through decor. Ideas include:
- Black and white photography
- Nature art in greens, blues, tans
- Framed maps or botanical prints
- Gold or bronze mirrors
- Driftwood, antlers or pinecones in decor
- Wrought iron, brass or copper wall sconces
For shelving, mix decorative objects like vases, framed photos, potted plants and books. Anchor the arrangement with a large piece of art or gallery wall above.
Selecting Area Rugs
An area rug pulls the entire living room together. For chocolate brown schemes, look for:
- Patterns that incorporate accent colors like blue-green geometric designs
- Natural sisal or jute textures
- Patterns with cream, tan and blue
- Distressed overdyed rugs in cream or blue
- Moroccan trellis designs with pops of color
- Classic oriental patterns in muted red tones
Place your rug under the main seating area. Make sure it’s large enough that all front legs of furniture sit atop the rug.
Accessorizing Your Space
Accessories are the finishing touch for your chocolate brown living room scheme. Use them to incorporate your accent colors. Ideas include:
- Throw pillows in navy, light blue, olive, cream
- Throw blankets in tan, cream, light gray
- Ceramic vases or sculptures as accents
- Brass, copper or wood tray tables
- Candles in glass jars or lanterns
- Greenery and fresh flowers
Place accessories like trays, vases, candles and greenery on console tables, side tables, mantels and shelves. Finish by layering coordinating throw blankets and pillows onto sofas and chairs.
Conclusion
Chocolate brown is a rich, inviting color for living rooms. Whether used on the walls, in furniture or accessories, it creates a welcoming space. To make it shine, pair chocolate brown with accents like cream, olive green, light blue or navy. Use monochromatic, complementary, analogous or split complementary schemes. Add visual interest through area rugs, wall decor, window treatments and accessories. With the right color combinations, chocolate brown living rooms feel both cozy and elegant.