Brown is back and I’m here for it. While brown comes and goes as a trend, much like all colour trends, I’ve always loved this shade. It’s one of a very few dark colours that is a true neutral so it’s great for those of us who lean towards a more minimalist style but still want a rich, dark colour.
Like all paint colours, there several shades of dark brown each with different undertones and different intensities. But all shades of brown have warmth and bring a feeling of calm to a room. And being an earthy, neutral shade it pairs so well with natural elements like wood and stone.
There is something else about brown which makes it even more special — it’s richness brings with it a touch of romance and intimacy that’s quite rare for a neutral tone. That said, dark brown shades aren’t for everyone but if you are drawn to this shade, there are a few things to keep in mind when decorating with brown which I’ve shared below.
Tips for decorating with dark brown walls
- matte finishes always work better with dark shades and brown is no exception
- for rooms with lots of natural light, any shade of brown will work
- for rooms without much natural light choose a brown with warm undertones
- brown is great for colour drenching a room from floor to ceiling, in fact it works especially well like this
- you can also use 2-3 different shades of brown in a room as long as the undertones are the same
- while dark brown can work in any room, it’s particularly great for making a bedroom feel cosy and cocooning
What colours go with dark brown walls for a warm minimalist look?
- beiges, creams and taupes go well with dark brown and help keep the look cohesive
- complement any shade of dark brown with other browns that are a few shades lighter
- light/pale wood accents are great for balancing this dark shade
- whites and creams can be paired with dark brown and will create a high contrast look
- black works with dark brown too but ideally with a warmer dark brown
- for a pop of colour dusty pinks, rust, mustard and deep, muted greens like olive green work well
- pale and medium greys also work well with dark browns even though one shade is cool and the other is warm
As you can see, there are many shades of dark brown paint with different undertones and each looks so different. There are browns with pink and red undertones and then there are dark browns with grey or green undertones, just to name a few.
The colour you choose comes down to personal preference, the other colours in the room and most importantly the lighting in your room — both natural and artificial. In case you’re looking for some recommendations, I’ve shared some gorgeous dark brown paints below.
Here are some beautiful dark brown shades of paint:
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top row from left to right: broccoli brown | deep reddish brown | wainscot
middle row from left to right: salon drab | scullery | light bronze green
bottom row from left to right: attic ii | tanners brown | mahogany
As always, it’s a must to test paints in your room before committing to one since each paint colour can look very different depending on lighting conditions, undertones and your room decor.
image credits: new works | divisare | lundin | audo cph | nikki heaton | ferm living | haymes paint | poster club
I absolutely love it and am thinking about it for a bedroom makeover, but most likely in the winter as our room is small and I think in summer it might make it seem smaller, but in winter more snug! Thanks for the great tips as always x
Yes, I love it too – dark brown can work in a small room too, depends on the lighting though. If the room doesn’t get much natural light then a dark colour can make the room look bigger. Enjoy doing your bedroom makeover! x