Brown Interiors are Back
Like many of us who grew up in the 90s and early 2000s, I’ve got a complicated relationship with brown interiors. Images of shapeless microfiber sofas and our first kitchen reno come to mind but fast forward to 2022, and shades of brown are back in a completely new way. The revival of this earthy hue coincides with the larger shift towards moodier spaces, and everyone from interior designers to celebrity influencers are getting on board. From rich chocolate to warm chestnut, these are my favorite brown interiors broken down into wall color, curtains, flooring, and upholstery.
Trending: Brown Interiors
Design: Moore House Design / Photography: Erin Little
Design: Heidi Caillier Design / Photography: Haris Kenjar
Design: Ashley Montgomery Design / Photography: Lauren Miller
Design: Christina Cole / Photography: Shade Degges Photography
Design: Chris Loves Julia
Brown Interiors: Wall Color
Neutrals are nothing new to the design scene, but it’s rich shades of chocolate brown wall color that are really commanding attention. We’ve seen charcoal gray and even black applied in a similar way, but there’s something about the warmth of a brown-painted room that brings a lot of depth and character. And it doesn’t hurt that dark brown plays particularly well with taupe, terracotta, and other likeminded neutrals. Here are a few brown paint color suggestions to get the look:
Mississippi Mud by Benjamin Moore
Tanner’s Brown by Farrow & Ball
Forest Floor by Portola Paints
Design: Hoedemaker Pfeiffer / Photography: Haris Kenjar
Design: Katie Hodges Design / Photography: Haris Kenjar
Brown Interiors: Curtains
I’m a firm believer that a room never really feels complete until the windows are fully dressed. And while I once wrote off brown in favor of airy whites, I’m definitely ready to reconsider. Not only do brown curtains really bring richness to a space, but they pair beautifully against black curtain rods and hardware. The arbitrary rule to never mix brown and black is finally a thing of the past.
Design: Park & Oak
Design: Heidi Caillier Design / Photography: Haris Kenjar
Brown Interiors: Flooring
Blonde wood and white oak have long been the darlings of the flooring world, but there’s a noticeable movement towards dark brown tones from hardwoods to floor tile. And while I’m seeing this play out quite a bit in kitchens and main floor hardwoods, it’s also spilling over into bathroom design. Park & Oak‘s use of dark brown floor tile is particularly striking with contrasting white grout for a heightened effect.
Design: Katie Hodges Design / Photography: Haris Kenjar
Design: Amber Interiors / Photography: Shade Degges Photography
Design: Jake Arnold / Photography: Michael P. H. Clifford
Brown Interiors: Upholstery
I know the general concept of brown furniture can feel dated, but I’m genuinely excited to see how designers are bringing back the look with their own fresh take. I’ve seen brown upholstery show up in the work of everyone from Amber Lewis to Jake Arnold, and it really sets the scene for a calming, grounded environment. I personally love a deep brown velvet side chair, but the options are pretty endless.
BY: ANASTASIA CASEY
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