Cozy Up To These Brown Interior Design Ideas

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Have you ever seen an entirely brown bathroom?

Like we’re talking brown wood trim, brown cabinets, brown sinks, brown bathtub, brown toilet?

Well I grew up in what I would call a “brown house” and back in the late 60’s when it was built, brown interior design was a thing.

Honestly I didn’t ever think I would ever come back around to using brown in interior design in any significant way again. I thought I’d had enough brown shag carpet and wood wall paneling to last me a lifetime.

Silly me.

Why Brown Interior Design Is Making A Comeback

I forgot this basic fact about design- EVERYTHING COMES BACK AROUND EVENTUALLY.

Sure enough, two days ago I found myself searching for “brown fall bedding.”

At first, I didn’t think anything of it. But as I sat there staring at a sea of brown quilts and duvet covers, reality hit me like a ton of bricks.

I like brown again.

I know I have fully moved past my brown aversion because I also specified brown tile for a client, a brown cabinet for another project and I put brown coffee mugs out on my counter.

To clarify, brown has been back for awhile. I think I was just reluctant due to my personal history. Sort of like how I clung to my bootcut jeans for dear life in 2010. Skinny jeans? No thank you! NOT for me!

But I slowly opened the door again due to my love of thrifted wood furniture and earthy finishes like corten steel, terra cotta, and copper (all shades that skirt the line between orange and brown).

Oh, and based on the fact that my most popular project on Pinterest is our log cabin refresh (brown, brown and more brown…), I think other people feel the same way. People are looking for warmth and comfort in their interiors right now, and brown is one of the fastest routes to get there.

Whether you’re looking to balance out the greys in your house or even just trying to perfect your cozy Fall home aesthetic, this post was designed to show you some fun ways to play with adding touches of brown interior design to your life.

Read on for a mix of affordable add ons and some more permanent design updates!

How TO Incorporate Brown Into Your Interior Design Color Palette

Brown + Other Neutrals

As a neutral color itself, brown naturally plays well with both warm and cool neutrals such as ivory, black, white, and even gray.

If you already have a neutral color palette in your home you can confidently start layering in small brown accents (I’ll give you some easy suggestions in the next section).

Tip: The key is to add items that are natural and have texture– think real wood, a fringed wool blanket, or a woven basket. This gives richness and depth to your space-effortlessly!

Balancing Brown With Color

There are many ways to do this, but my preference (and the most foolproof way to blend brown with colors) is to pair brown shades with earth tones. Think smoky blue-greys, deep forest greens, and golden or metallic accents.

This gives you a chance to play with color while still keeping the look soft, cohesive and timeless.

While researching for this article, I stumbled across Whittney Parkinson on Instagram. Truly, if you want to incorporate brown into your interior design plans, I would definitely suggest giving her feed a scroll.

Her spaces reflect exactly how to mix brown tones with other colors in a way that feels warm, soothing and restful. The spaces she designs can either feel light and airy or warm and rich depending on her choice of colors- but there is always a vein of beautiful brown wood tones reflected in the spaces and fabrics.

Click the post below to have a look!

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A post shared by WHITTNEY PARKINSON DESIGN (@whittneyparkinson)

If You’re Committed: Major Brown Interior Design Updates

The Best Brown Paint Colors

When we hear “brown” I think a lot of our minds go straight to a deep chocolate brown, but there are SO MANY shades in between.

If you are wanting to play with adding brown to your color palette but deep, dark brown walls seem intimidating… why not consider a lighter shade?

This graphic shows some of my favorite brown paint colors from Sherwin Williams. They have a mix of warm and cool undertones and range from very light (perfect for a warm wall color) to deeper, almost-black browns.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to Urbane Bronze. Sherwin Williams describes this color as, “warm, grounding neutral with deep brown and grey undertones, creating an organic, earthy, and tranquil feel.” If you are looking for a dark color with the depth of a brown this is by far my favorite. I’ve seen it in so many applications and it always looks good.

Add instant character with brown Wall TreatmenTS

Gorgeous Brown Wallpapers

This is hands down my favorite wallpaper, ever. It comes in a ton of beautiful colors and lately this deep brown version has really been catching my eye.

I love it because it has depth, dimension, texture and a range of shades of brown. It would be a beautiful way to incorporate brown into a dining room, home office, or master bedroom.

If you like pattern, there are lots of brown options from stripes to small prints that can quickly add character and color to your home. Wallpaper can be a pretty easy diy, especially if you go with the peel and stick kind.

Tip: Wallpaper works best on smooth walls. If your wall has heavy texture, it’s best to consult a professional.

More Pretty Brown Wallpaper Options

Brown Wood Wall Treatments

There are bad brown wall treatments (think cheap, fake-looking paneling) and then there are showstopping brown wood wall treatments, like this.

Style wise, there are lots of ways to add wood paneling to your home. This article from House Beautiful gives a good run-down of the different styles of paneling you can consider. When choosing a wood wall treatment for your home, make sure to be mindful of the overall style of your home and try to match your improvements to the existing architecture/style so that it feels natural (not out of place).

Make A Statement With Stunning Brown Tile

As I mentioned earlier, I am LOVING brown tile at the moment. There are so many updated options with earthy colors, great texture, and so much character!

This brown zellige over the home bar is a definite yes for me!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Maggie Lunetta (@studioludesign)

I also love brown bricks, Spanish saltillo tiles, and chocolate Talavera tiles to name a few. More character, please!

Natural Brown Tile Options

Consider Brown Cabinets

Brown wood cabinets are timeless and always a good choice. But another option you might not have considered is choosing brown for you painted cabinets.

I opted for brown paint on this bathroom vanity which created a look that is soft and warm. Paired with a natural wood tray, a bronze toned frame, and natural mother-of-pearl knobs , this space feels warm. Brown can be subtle!

Don’t write off Brown LightING!

Truly, lighting can make an enormous impact on the look and feel of a space. If you’re trying to warm up your interior design with brown, updating your light fixture to a natural brown material such as bronze, wicker or leather can be a great option.

There are so many fun options available out there; here are a variety of lights in a range of styles to give you an idea of what’s out there.

Click any image to shop the light!

Still Not Convinced? Start By Styling Your Space With Brown Accents

Styling (aka decorating) is always a great place to start when you want to experiment with a new color, texture or style because you can add a little, live with it, and see if you like it without a huge financial investment. Adding a few small decorative touches is a great way to bring some brown interior design elements into your home!

Keep reading for some simple suggestions:

Brown Leather Accents

There are SO many great decorative leather accents that are easy to bring into your space. Luckily, leather is naturally brown so it feels right at home in most spaces.

Here are some brown leather decorative items you can consider:

• Brown leather stacking boxes
• Vintage books with aged leather covers
• Leather throw pillows
• Benches, poufs or stools with leather upholstery
• Trays or bowls with leather surfaces
• Picture frames
• Coasters

BROWN ACCENT FURNITURE

I was SO excited when I found this rich, brown chair on Facebook marketplace. Between the aged cane back and the fabric seat, I knew it was going to add SO MUCH character to the space I was designing.

Small statements like this can have a huge impact on your space. Here are a few ideas for adding brown interior design accents into your home with small furnishings:

• Place a brown upholstered ottoman or footstool in front of a favorite chair
• Tuck a small brown accent table beside a sofa or between a pair of chairs
• Fill an empty corner with a unique vintage wood chair or plant stand
• Update your bedroom with deep brown nightstands (new or thrifted)

Layers of Cozy Brown Textiles

This is BY FAR the easiest way to bring brown into the interior design of your home! Simply be on the lookout for brown items at your local discount retailers or the mall- and take them home for a test drive!

Cozy Brown Bedding

Brown Throw PIllows + Blankets

Brown Rugs

THrifted Brown Accessories

Perhaps the easiest (and least expensive!) way to add some brown interior design impact to your space is to layer some thrifted items into your home decor.

In the photo above I show a variety of vintage items acquired from garage sales, estate sales, and flea markets and one common theme is a hint of brown.

They key to fun (not stressful) vintage shopping is to have a loose category in mind when hitting the store- and “brown decor” is a perfect goal! As you browse look for:

• Wood objects (like the goose bowl)
• Aged metal objects (like the birdcage)
• Wall art: especially paintings, etchings or sepia photographs
• Vintage books
• Weathered baskets
• Earthy, brown pottery or ceramics (great for vases!)
• Brown/amber glass bottles

They aren’t vintage, but I love sets of amber glass bottles for a touch of warmth in the shower!

Now, get Out There And Decorate!

Hopefully somewhere in this sea of brown interior design ideas, you’ve found something that inspires you to branch out and try something new in your home decor!

As you decorate, you might find my free room-by-room decorating checklist helpful!

My inbox is always open and I welcome your comments! Let me know how you’re feeling about brown (or anything home related) in the comments below- I’d love to hear from you!

xoxo,