6 Warm Earth-Tone Paint Colors to Create a Cozy, Relaxing Space
There's a literal rainbow of colors (and of course, that longtime favorite, millennial gray) available to paint your walls. But these days, botanical and earth tone paints have taken center stage once again, as people seek out those sandy, mossy, and clay-like hues to bring into their homes. And you can thank the stress of modern life for the trend. "After the last few years—all the stress, the constant digital noise—our homes became our sanctuaries," says Lisa Hudson, president of Fresh Coat Painters. "Earthy colors, like soft greens, warm browns, and muted terracottas, are just inherently comforting. They connect us to the natural world and give us a sense of stability and peace that's a direct antidote to modern chaos."
There's a long, long history behind these earthy hues. "Before synthetic pigments and dyes, the only way to get color into your environment was using natural pigments from earth, stones, plants, and insects," says Amy Krane, architectural color consultant at Amy Krane Color and host of the design podcast Let’s Talk Paint Color. "Humankind has a long history—going back to cave paintings and wearing the first woven textiles—of using these kind of colors. They never went out of vogue, even when Prussian blue, mauve, and hot pink dyes were developed."
And of course, these types of colors—olive greens, burnt oranges, and chocolate browns—were last seen paired up in 1970s home design, which is part of a general throwback trend to that decade. But there's a timeless quality to these colors, too. "They are easy going, it's easy to find colors that complement them, and they give you the freedom to design your home in any way you desire," says Amy Wax, color expert and author of Can't Fail Color Schemes.
But picking the perfect earth tone paint color for your house takes a little bit of thought. Here's what to consider before you pick up your paintbrush—and a few paint color suggestions to get you started on the road to a nature-inspired color palette.
❖ Lisa Hudson, brand president, Fresh Coat Painters
❖ Amy Wax, color expert and author of Can't Fail Color Schemes
❖ Amy Krane, architectural color consultant at Amy Krane Color and host of the
design podcast Let’s Talk Paint Color
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Earth Tones for Your Home
Choose a focal point
While the 1970s found browns, golds, greens, and oranges all in the same space, experts recommend choosing a few spots to highlight and going more neutral and soft with other color selections in your room. "Choose a color or two that will be your focal point and design your home around it," Wax says. "For example, if you are using a classic dark green for your furniture, choose surrounding colors to complement it and not compete with it. That principle can be applied whether you are using saturated greens, a rich burnt orange, or chocolatey brown. Let the other colors, like creamy off-whites, beiges, or greiges support your design, giving it that long-lasting appeal!" So if you go for a bold burnt orange on the walls, cool it down with a beige sofa.
Mix in complementary colors
Krane likes pairing some of the more neutral earth tones with colors that extend beyond the nature-themed hues." Mix it up! Olive green with hot pink or coral is wonderful, and so is a mid-toned brown with a cornflower blue, for example."
Use natural materials
If you're skewing toward these botanical and earth tones, using very industrial materials won't make sense. "Earth tones look best when they're paired with things like wood furniture, woven baskets, stone accents, or linen and wool fabrics," Hudson says.
Don't skimp on testing out paint colors
Before you paint the full space, test out a sample of the shade and see it in different light conditions. "Earth tones can change dramatically depending on the natural and artificial light in a room," Hudson says. "A beautiful sage green might look a little muddy in a north-facing room, while a rich clay color could feel just right. Testing it on the wall in different lights is non-negotiable."
6 Perfect Earth Tone Paint Colors for Your Home
Cafe au Lait by Benjamin Moore
Wax suggests this rich tan hue as a lovely earth tone pick. "It relates to colors of the earth and living plants, which I find comforting and beautiful."
Vintage Vogue by Benjamin Moore
If you want to lean more toward the soothing botanical side, this rich green is a perfect addition to your home's palette.
Black Bean Soup by Benjamin Moore
This shade is a rich soil brown—and deep shades of brown have been popping up as the color of the year on several design sites.
Accessible Beige by Sherwin-Williams
Not ready to go for a bold earth tone—or trying to brighten up a dark room? This softer shade may be the perfect pick. "If you're looking for a warm neutral, Sherwin-Williams' Accessible Beige is a classic for a reason," Hudson says. "It's a perfect greige that works everywhere."
Cavern Clay by Sherwin-Williams
If you're looking for a warmer earth tone, terracotta shades—like Cavern Clay—are your perfect solution.
Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams
Sage is another popular color that's earth-inspired. "It's a muted, organic shade that gives a room an incredibly calm, natural feel," Hudson says.
As seen on Real Simple.