We’ve always loved the color brown. In fact, Derrick gravitates more toward brown in his wardrobe than black because he likes  the warmth and contrast it brings to his outfits. Incorporating shades of brown in your home can be appealing as well. For instance, it’s gorgeous in a family room — think stoking a fire and curling in for the night surrounded by a deep shade of brown (cue a Ralph Lauren ad – hah!).

Of course, you can paint to get this look. But if you don’t want to take that leap, simply adding accent elements of deep rich brown to a space will give it some interest without having to resort to the beloved black we’ve all relied on for so many years! Follow along below as we share ways to achieve this look.

How to incorporate the brown interior trend into your home

1. A FEW COATS OF PAINT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Of course, you knew we would say “paint, paint and more paint.” It’s the easiest, and quite honestly, the most cost effective way to bring this trend to your home today. If you have a neutral palette including shades of linen, ivory and maybe even black (would also look incredible with gray and deep blue), pair with a rich brown for a luxurious contrast. And, as in the room above, we prefer to paint the trim the same color as the walls. I creates a beautiful saturated palette that really shows off the furniture in the space.

Here are some favorite paint colors you can use to achieve this look:

Farrow & Ball “Tanner Brown”

Farrow & Ball “London Clay”

Benjamin Moore “Mississippi Mud”

Farrow & Ball “Salon Drab”

We absolutely love the look of our primary bedroom below. Painting the walls made all the difference, and we’re so happy to crawl into bed at night in a room with a rich and moody feel!

2) ADD BROWN FURNITURE

In one of our first homes, we had a large sofa that I covered in the most beautiful chocolate brown linen. It always received compliments! And, I just loved how it looked with any color I added for contrast, such as deep blue, brick red and ivory. We moved that sofa to at least three different houses through the years, and it was always a focal point in any space where we placed it. A furniture piece in brown can command attention without being too harsh, so if you want to dip your toe into this trend, try adding a piece of furniture in a gorgeous shade of brown. Another option is a sofa in a saddle brown or cognac leather (see photo above). This is another way to add some warmth and depth that will never go out of style! Pair it with walnut or mahogany vintage pieces to create a charming and interesting space you’ll enjoy for years to come.

3. STATEMENT CABINETRY

The idea of creating a dazzling, elegant kitchen with dark brown cabinetry is not only unexpected, but also very very stylish. You can try adding a punch of contrast by painting the cabinets either brown, or a carefully stained walnut. And don’t think the kitchen has to be the only place to try this look … the powder bathroom above is a perfect example of another room where brown creates richness and depth.

So, what do you think? Would you want to try shades of brown, classic and redefined, in your own home? Check out items we’ve selected below that pair beautifully with brown and consider a shift in palette. Let us know what you think!

Step One: Paint

We painted our dining room/home office “Midnight Blue” by Benjamin Moore. It’s one of our faves and we have to say- it really makes a statement. It calls you into the space- asking you to to sit and stay awhile.

Here’s some of the moody colors we are currently coveting! Think dark, rich and saturated hues that envelop a room! You can’t go wrong with any of these. Our advice, buy re-usable sample sheets from Samplize. They offer a vast array from some of our favorite paint brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and Farrow & Ball. You can stick them up in your room and move them around to see them in different light at different times of the day… live with a color for a day before you decide is another tip- color can change so drastically as the sun rises and sets!

Moody Paint Colors

BENJAMIN MOORE “MIDNIGHT BLUE”

FARROW & BALL “OFF BLACK”

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS “PEPPERCORN”

FARROW & BALL “DOWNPIPE”

FARROW & BALL “STUDIO GREEN”

BENJAMIN MOORE “MYSTERIOUS”

Step Two: Add lighter accents with warm wood, fabric and leather.

Creating a moody space is somewhat of a dance… you want to balance out the depth of the room with some lighter accents- you can do this with furniture, rugs, artwork and decor. We have incorporated pieces that we have owned for years… for instance, the lighter natural wood table and large horse artwork (no longer available) from Restoration Hardware sets off the space to bring warmth and depth to the room.

Check out these inspirational images that show this “balance” so beautifully. Whether it’s furniture covered in lighter shades of linen or off-white; or also a beautiful cognac or saddle brown leather, these materials contrast the moody color on the walls! It gives the space that ultimate rich and cozy feel.

Clouz Houz Tip: If you don’t have lighter furniture pieces to balance out the space, I love to layer sheepskin throws over chairs and other furniture (I use them all the time in my designs!) . You can find the most beautiful ones online- see the one I linked below. The quality is good and they give another layer to the space that adds that accent of light and cozy!

Step Three: Incorporate Vintage Pieces

In our Dining Room and Office space, we added some beautiful accents with antiques and vintage decor. I’m always a proponent of mixing old with new and this is no exception. It gives a space soul and character. There are so many places to find great vintage pieces. Some of my favorites are Chairish, Facebook Marketplace, and Etsy.

Again the goal here is to give layers to the space, so choose lighter and accent pieces to display- whether on shelves or tabletop. I found some great brass candlesticks on Etsy and then added a collection of old books and other decor. I love the way the lighter wood accents and white pottery “pops” in the early 19th century vintage armoire that we have owned for years!