The relevance of brown shades
For some, the thematic performance suggests callousness and rudeness. However, interior design experts know the true value of brown. The main thing is that it is relevant.
Therefore, fans of the characteristic style can be divided into several categories:
- Conservatives and classics;
- Residents of wooden houses;
- Owners of spacious and bright rooms;
- Connoisseurs of luxury, comfort and coziness.
The fact is that brown color in the interior visually warms and induces tranquility. On the other hand, a dark background optically reduces space.
Therefore, it is sometimes recommended to use brown finishing in a limited amount or even replace it with characteristic furniture.
Psychology of brown: meaning and perception
The word “brown” in our language comes from the words “bark”, “cinnamon”.
That is literally the color of the bark of a tree. However, it is also the color of the earth, soil, autumn grass and leaves, very dark skin and the fur of many animals. This is the most natural color that surrounds us everywhere. This is also due to its psychological impact. Brown color calms, gives a feeling of security, and promotes the prevalence of common sense. A large amount of brown in the interior helps to make calm, informed decisions.
Brown floors and furniture give a feeling of stability and stability. “Comfort” is the main word that can be used to describe interiors in brown colors.
Brown is good for the interiors of those people who, due to the nature of their work, are forced to spend a lot of time in bright, colorful places or constantly move, change “places of deployment”, and meet a lot of people. This color in the interior is also suitable for those who work or have fun in places with loud music, multi-colored decoration, and illumination. Brown will allow you to fully relax psychologically and be filled with new strength.
Psychologists note that brown color is often chosen by people who need mental rest and detachment from bustle and worries. Those who are in search of ways to express themselves, their own style and something they like, reject brown. Thus, the predominance of brown in the interior can be recommended to accomplished, self-sufficient, self-confident people.
For a long time, brown color was part of the group of so-called “elegant” and “respectable” colors, which were preferred by rich people and representatives of the highest circles of society.
All shades of brown
The variety of brown designs is impressive. It’s not for nothing that designers began collecting its shades. Selecting the latest ones from the list is very easy and even interesting.
The thing is that each representative of the brown range is tied to a specific material or resource:
- Chestnut;
- Coffee;
- Copper;
- Salmon;
- Clay;
- Brick;
- Alder;
- Terracotta.
Depending on the brightness and tonality, the spectrum of brown color expands. The hero of the theme appears on the decoration or supporting base (furniture) for various things. The main thing is that the difference between products of different shades promotes contrast.
Combination of brown color in the interior
Despite his originality, the hero of the theme welcomes other color designs. Even if the house is wooden, large and bright, you should not give up experiments.
After all, the combination of colors with brown in the interior contributes to the form, luxury and completeness of the style itself.
Here are the most effective brown companions:
- Beige – walls, ceiling, lampshades, slopes, upholstered furniture;
- Turquoise – curtains, floor coverings (not to be confused with floor finishing), armchairs;
- Olive – walls, curtains, floor coverings, kitchen aprons, backs of kitchen chairs;
- Lemon - pillows, armchairs, kitchen aprons, lampshades, backs of kitchen chairs;
- Ruby – pillows, poufs, floor coverings, chair backs, accessories.
In general, brown color is neutral, so all colors look harmonious with it, provided that they are present in a certain place and in a limited volume.
For example, a dark, bright ruby color is not recommended for use as a finish, while beige, on the contrary, suits the background well. The latter, in turn, will be emphasized and completed by dark brown furniture.
What goes with brown in the interior?
It is very difficult to use exclusively brown color to create a harmonious environment. Dark floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, curtains, decor and chandeliers together create a depressing atmosphere, despite all the nobility of color. The simultaneous combination of brown surfaces, furniture and textiles is undesirable.
When creating an interior, select contrasting, complementary or accent shades of the palette. For some, chocolate and cinnamon become a winning background, for others - an equal partner. Let's look at the most successful combinations.
With beige
The color of milk chocolate in an ensemble with beige is selected for decorating a living room, hallway or bedroom. Beige textiles with floral prints, upholstered and cabinet furniture look fresh against the background of dark walls and floors. A light ceiling and window frame are more a tribute to tradition rather than a necessity. Although the presence of beige decor in the form of paintings, photographs or a chandelier makes the design in light colors more elegant.
The combined interior of a small studio, emphasized by spot, directional and central lighting, visually expands the space of the room. The combination of wenge, mahogany and light beige looks especially impressive.
A contrasting combination of several shades of the same color is used not only for one room, but to decorate the space of the entire apartment. As a result, the room becomes more spacious, acquires a finished look and its own character.
With turquoise
The contrast with cold turquoise is a chic design idea. The furnishings in these colors acquire such a fresh ambiance, as if the breath of a sea breeze is breaking on the wooden deck of an ancient sailing ship. The association with sea waves and salted wood gives a feeling of freedom of spirit and freedom of choice. The contrast gives a particularly interesting effect when decorating a house in a loft style. Multi-layered turquoise curtains against the rusty background of old iron surfaces, terracotta masonry, natural wood floors and exposed roof beams create a stunning effect.
Turquoise is also chosen to decorate a nursery. In this case, the wallpaper is chosen in a delicate sea green color in combination with snow-white. And they buy dark brown furniture. The interior of the nursery in cold colors is actively complemented by colorful toys, decorative items, and living plants.
With white
The ensemble of white and chocolate is a win-win option for classic and modern design ideas. This combination works when decorating a bathroom, toilet, bedroom, kitchen, office, living room. It is multifunctional and has many applications:
- the ceiling, window frames and plumbing fixtures are white against the background of darker surfaces in the bathroom;
- white walls combined with chocolate doors and loot doors in the hallway;
- a combination of snow-white ceilings and furniture against the background of a dark dining room decor.
The more white, the more festive and elegant the impression of the atmosphere. Brown works not only as painted or fabric textures, but also in the form of wooden furniture, laminate flooring, ceramic decor, and bamboo accessories. These natural materials complement each other, creating a beautiful natural interior.
With gold
A luxurious pairing - gold and chocolate - are a sign of expensive, sophisticated apartments. The muted atmosphere of expensive calm, elite leisurelyness and reasonable contemplation attracts in golden-brown studios with chic, but at the same time moderation. The combination of leather sofas with a fur bedspread, furniture made of valuable wood, sparkling mirrors and silk curtains does not look too pretentious, if you do not overload the decor with multi-colored decor. The only color that can be used in a golden living room is white. It is neutral, but often acts as an unobtrusive accent against the background of dark surfaces.
On a note! Golden, expensive interiors are well suited to glass and mirror surfaces, fur low poufs and floor carpets in the form of skins, silk or velvet curtains, furniture made of leather and wood, figurines made of ivory and semi-precious stones. Such decoration only emphasizes the status of the owner of the house.
With blue
The children's room of a young sea captain is an ideal environment for combining blue and brown shades. A deck, a steering wheel, a chest for things - these items are made from the same type of wood, often combined with massive ceiling beams that support the ship theme. A mandatory addition to the nautical style are curtains in the shape of a sail and nets on the walls. Blue plays almost a secondary role, despite the fact that the color is bright and saturated.
In a traveler's bedroom, the combination of brown photo wallpaper in the form of a world map, wooden parquet and furniture with a rich shade of heavenly color is also desirable. The interior in blue and blue tones, muted by the tranquility of ocher, cinnamon and chocolate, appeals to romantic and dreamy people.
With green
Light green and green against a brown background is the most natural combination. It is chosen for eco-style. Rooms decorated with live ornamental plants are suitable for lovers of nature, proper nutrition, and people with positive thinking. More often than not, it is herbaceous tones that lead in this pair, filling the room with green freshness. The ensemble of cinnamon color and mown grass is suitable for decorating an open space in a studio, living room, or dining room.
With red
In combination with hot red or rich burgundy, the tree acquires warm energy. It is customary to decorate a home office, a men’s lounge, or a living room in a hobby club in these colors. The combination with the color red has a strong energy: it does not contribute to peace and tranquility, but is conducive to serious reflection.
Advice. You should not choose similar tones for decorating a bedroom, as they will be oppressive and will not allow you to relax after a working day.
With orange
As with red, orange charges the atmosphere with a hot, fiery aura. The color has many shades, more or less saturated. It can be used as a bright accent, if you give preference to orange, or complement the partnership with a coffee shade, using the tone of the setting sun. When choosing a strong combination of warm colors, be sure to use a few additional neutral tones. White, beige, and cream work well in this case. They create the necessary harmony, balancing active colors.
Important! A fireplace will be a good complement to orange furniture and decorative pillows. It can be modern electric, simulating hot sparks and flames without odor or acrid smoke.
With yellow
The solar range fills the rooms with light and expands the space. It is chosen for decorating small rooms. For example, a bedroom, corridor or balcony. In this case, select a light shade, closer to sand.
Rich yellow color looks interesting as a catchy element in spacious rooms. It fills them with cheerful energy and adds a touch of exoticism to the tranquility of the woody tones. This color becomes even brighter in combination with black elements.
Office in brown tones
The personal account is created for brown color. True, desk work can take place inside a modern office-like interior. And if the home is small, then to create a themed space you have to zone the living room. Then there can be no talk of any classics.
After all, the corresponding genre, being conservative, welcomes massive products:
- Wooden desk;
- Leather chairs;
- Palace parquet or its imitation;
- Lining up to one meter above floor level (wallpaper goes higher);
- Lamps with a wooden supporting frame;
- Pictures with wooden frame;
- Showcase with minibar.
Inside the office, you don’t have to think too much about what colors brown goes with in the interior, because... the main execution is found here in different tones.
Usually it is diluted and completed with wallpaper with patterns, lampshades, portraits and curtains.
Calm living room or study
The brown palette is one of the most popular for decorating a living room or small office. This is due to the possibility of creating a light, relaxed atmosphere with the help of light shades, or a luxurious and sophisticated atmosphere with the help of darker ones. Considering that this is the room that makes one of the first impressions on everyone entering your home, its interior design is very important.
There are a lot of uses for brown shades in the hallway. The walls can be painted in light pastel shades, while the floor will be covered with dark chocolate-colored parquet tiles. In combination with door leaves and trim, this design looks very contrasting and impressive. Especially if you add a couple of bright elements, such as a painting or a figurine. Decorative plaster looks very cozy . Especially if it is illuminated with wall sconces. Another simple way to decorate walls interesting is to use laminate or plastic panels that imitate a wooden surface.
You can finish it only up to the middle of the wall, and paint the rest beige. If the area of the room allows, you can finish the entire wall, but only one, otherwise it will create the feeling that you are in a cave. In this case, the floor and furniture should be light or white. But the front door can match the color of the walls. If you use PVC panels, you will not only be able to easily and easily install it yourself, but you will also receive a coating that can be easily replaced in case of damage or washed if necessary. After all, the hallway is precisely the place where guests come in with dirty shoes or with wet umbrellas, or children can lean against the wall and stain it with a dirty hand. From a practicality point of view , this is the best option. From the same point of view, the floor covering should be moisture resistant and easy to clean. Linoleum, which was in vain stopped being used in decoration, will cope with this task perfectly. You can find very interesting patterns, or imitation parquet floors in beautiful shades. Light elements imitating natural wood will not only make a narrow room more spacious and brighter, but also make the atmosphere calm and sophisticated.
A mandatory attribute of the hallway is a mirror and a wardrobe for storing outerwear.
You can combine these two elements, or you can make the mirror the highlight of this room. If dimensions allow, use a full-length canvas. If there is already too much space, a small mirror suspended above the shoe rack will be a salvation. a beautiful frame for it and be sure to equip it with lighting.
When designing the interior of a personal office , the task is often to make the room calm, conducive to productive activity, and which will not distract or distract attention. In this case the walls in sand or caramel tones, and for the floor and furniture. In order to freshen up the room a little, use white decorative elements. Darkened glass surfaces of a desk or wall shelves will fit perfectly. After all, such rooms are usually small in size, and glass furniture looks less bulky.
Brown living room
The next room that deserves brown is the living room. Creating a brown interior inside the living room is beneficial for two reasons:
- Firstly, the corresponding space is always large;
- Secondly, the hall is designed to combine comfort, warmth and luxury.
Unlike the study, the living room welcomes more third-party color designs. This requirement is achieved by using a beige, cream or gray background.
It is recommended to distribute the remaining third-party colors in different places through textiles, lamps and accessories. Doors, windows and supporting frames of furniture should be brown.
Living room
The living room is the place where guests, family and friends gather. There should be no distractions, and the atmosphere should be filled with peace and tranquility. Brown and white colors will create the appropriate atmosphere, because brown color is the key to comfort and coziness. Follow one rule: if your living room is small, then focus on white, and if the room is large, then let brown dominate. Then harmony in the room is ensured. Divide the living room into two parts: the bottom is brown and the top is white. And then build on this foundation. Dilute brown furniture and brown floors with a white ceiling and white walls. As a result, you will get a duet. An important element in the living room are curtains. Brown curtains look luxurious and elegant.
Brown bedroom
The bedroom is one of those places that can be dark. And since noble colors suit brown, a wooden bed with a turquoise or lilac blanket is a win-win option for a thematic solution.
In addition, inside a brown bedroom it is beneficial to arrange:
- Plank flooring with a single color finish;
- Light single-level ceiling;
- Wooden cornice with noble curtains;
- Wooden bedside tables with chest of drawers;
- Warm lighting lamps with lemon shades
- Leather wall covering, provided that only one plane is covered with leather.
It is not necessary for a brown bedroom to be classic. Different shades of theme color look good on vertical folding curtains, trim panels, wallpaper and laminate flooring.
Even a low platform bed, even it often comes in brown. A bright bedside ottoman or blanket can add contrast to such a bed.
Brown kitchen
To ensure that life does not give the slightest hint of urban infrastructure even during a meal, it is enough to create a brown kitchen interior using furniture. Is the latter expensive? If it is made of natural wood, then the answer is yes.
However, modern furniture can resemble wood, even if:
- Plastic;
- Chipboard (chipboard).
The secret is that the products are laminated with a special layer that imitates different species - walnut, oak, chestnut, cherry, etc. Only interior doors and windows can be left wooden. But even they can consist of plastic with lamination.
The kitchen should be light, so the themed room welcomes only one dark plane - the floors. Moreover, to finish the lower plane it is better to use affordable and wear-resistant laminate or linoleum. The remaining planes (ceiling and walls) remain light - beige.
Bright accents inside the kitchen are also welcome. They are created using a wall apron, curtains, tablecloths, lamps and various open utensils.
Design Ideas for Brown and Beige Living Rooms
In the process of developing a new design with a friendly beige-brown duo, experienced specialists use a number of universal solutions that can be called classic. They are randomly combined with innovative developments and complemented with modern technology and decor. Such ideas are great for both private homes and tiny rooms in Khrushchev-era buildings or modern studios. You just need to choose specific details that you like and will beautifully highlight the chosen interior style.
- Against the background of light beige, almost cream walls, white upholstery of armchairs and sofas, as well as cabinet furniture in dark chocolate or wenge color, look great. Wooden parts of upholstered furniture - armrests and built-in shelves, the front part of the frame, legs - can be painted in a dark, almost black color.
- Rich chocolate sofa upholstery made of velvet or leather, beautifully setting off the light walls and golden brown laminate. Massive furniture can be complemented with a fragile-looking glass or elegant wooden coffee table, a fluffy carpet or a wicker mat on the floor.
- Cafe-au-lait walls go well with light beige and light gold or white furniture. Living plants in tubs, original table lamps or floor lamps serve as excellent accents. It is also permissible to decorate the accent wall in a rich chocolate color, with fancy patterns or charming mosaics, and make the rest neutral-light.
To give the interior a more elegant look, 1-2 bright accents in the form of a scarlet or light green chair, deep lilac or sunny yellow sofa cushions, and blankets are enough. Mirrors in massive, gilded or bronze frames fit perfectly into the overall ambience.
Brown bathroom
Wood rots, which means it is not suitable for wet rooms, including the bathroom. On the other hand, this rule can be broken by using products made from coniferous wood - spruce, cedar, larch.
In addition to brown pine needles, there are ceramics, cast iron plumbing fixtures and vinyl coverings. Therefore, a brown bathroom can be called not only a classic bathhouse with a barrel instead of a bath, but also a bathroom in the Loft or Retro style.
Styles that use brown color
Light brown walls are suitable for such style solutions as Provence, shabby chic, Swiss chalet, classic.
Dark brown walls are suitable for loft, hi-tech, classic English, rustic, rococo, baroque styles.
Brown hallway and corridor
Thematic places mostly have a small area. Hence there is no need to use a dark background.
However, dark rooms need lamps that replace windows around the clock.
- And together with the lamps, photos of the interior in brown colors no longer seem gloomy and boring.
- Therefore, brown walls and flooring inside the hallway and corridor are a good experiment.
- Moreover, the business card room is subject to contamination from shoes, and on a dark flooring this contamination is hardly noticeable.
Color characteristics
Brown has always been considered a strong and energetic color. It inspires confidence and is good for relaxation. Brown color is perceived as natural because it is very common in nature. He is the embodiment of reliability and stability. An interior in brown tones relieves stress and helps you escape the endless rush and bustle. This color is chosen by people who are confident in themselves and their abilities, who have found themselves and are firmly on their feet.
Brown balcony
Yes, somewhere, but inside the balcony there is always a lot of daylight. Even if the lean-to structure faces north or west, the windows still allow you to enjoy a small but cozy space. It remains to figure out what style the balcony will be made in - classic or modern.
In the first case it is advantageous to use:
- Wooden windows and interior doors;
- Massive lining;
- Furniture made of wicker or solid wood.
The modern interior of a balcony can also be brown if you arrange characteristic dark furniture and decorate the walls with brick slabs.
In this case, windows and doors can remain white (plastic). This combination will only enhance the effect of contrast and laconicism. And of course, don’t forget about plants. To create a natural focus of attraction, the flora must be present in at least a single copy.
Where can you make a brown interior?
What color should I choose for a particular room? Brown because it always becomes a simple and reliable solution. Let olive curtains and bright wallpaper attract, but their use in decoration is limited. The natural color of wood or chocolate always brings warmth and comfort to the home. Where can modern solutions be used?
- Living room;
- Bedroom;
- Kitchen;
- Bathroom;
- Hallway.
Together with other tones, brown color in the interior creates a comfortable atmosphere. Even when decorating walls, it remains a winning option, as it can be combined with various materials. It is worth considering the situation in detail in order to suggest which curtains or wallpaper to purchase for DIY repairs.
Brown, beige and white colors in the bedroom interior Brown furniture in a gray living room
Living room
The combination of brown in the interior with other tones in the living room design is the right choice of professionals. They don’t just choose beige curtains, but take a complex approach to every moment, in particular, the yellow-gray tone gives a feeling of freshness. Even natural materials need to be supplemented with other options. Because of this, a dark turquoise sofa can fit perfectly into the overall picture.
Unsurpassed techniques allow you to use both white and light blue shades in the living room. To do this, you need to pay attention to the wallpaper, because the color of the walls is often far from woody. The main thing is to choose the main line correctly, and then build on it. So, in a red-pink interior you can only add a little brown tint by changing the space.
Brown color in the interior of the living room Brown walls in the interior of the living room
Bedroom
Dark and light brown colors in the bedroom interior are an interesting choice. In professional practice, designers constantly use this technique. In this case, the wallpaper for the walls is selected in accordance with the wishes of the person. Turquoise, pink, and even green are suitable here.
Using different shades that are combined with other basic tones, designers create unsurpassed interiors. In such cases, the furniture becomes light or dark brown, and the background is chosen at your own discretion. The result is a complex bedroom composition, only partially reminiscent of natural wood. Such methods are not used for the living room, since it requires significance and classic beauty. Accordingly, the sofa becomes part of the picture, and not the main element.
Brown and white bedroom
Kitchen
When choosing curtains and wallpaper for the kitchen, people usually rely on standards. For them, the red and purple interior looks attractive. Today, designers advise paying tribute to natural materials by choosing natural brown shades. Yes, you can choose a gray-blue color for the walls, but the basis should remain classic.
Furniture is rarely important in the interior of a bedroom, since there is not much of it in the room. In kitchen design, its shades will be of primary concern. It is better to use a ready-made project or choose the optimal combination yourself, where the green color will not alternate with blue. This will be the background where the gray or white-brown set and dining group will come to the fore. Moreover, you shouldn’t take a single color either, so that a highlight appears in the kitchen design.
Light brown color in the kitchen interior Brown furniture in the kitchen
Bathroom
You can experiment in the bathroom. Some people even choose a red and blue interior for it, although brown shades in the design look much more interesting. The only problem may be the small area, unlike the bedroom, living room or kitchen. This difficulty makes you forget about beige wallpaper and turn to a different finish.
The modern style of bathroom interior includes a variety of furniture and the use of wood. It has become popular again, so natural tones are becoming relevant for the bedroom and living room. Having chosen an attractive look for the set, you can take both pink and turquoise colors for the walls. They will brightly highlight the main shade of the bathroom, making it more interesting.
Brown mosaic in the interior of the bathroom
Combination of brown and olive colors in the bathroom
Hallway
In the hallway, a red-brown shade is considered a sign of luxury. At the entrance, gray, beige or white looks great with it. If you choose gray-green or blue, you can lose the beauty and homeliness of the interior. For a bedroom it is easier to choose the tone of the walls, since it is brightened by curtains, but in this case the furniture still plays the dominant role.
There should be no gray or beige color in the decor. The classic interior includes only brown, as well as white for a better combination. It is better to leave other options for the bathroom or kitchen, but in the hallway everything must obey strict rules. Just don’t forget about the small area, which will be further narrowed by the shade. Because of this, additional decor will be required, for example, mirrors.
Brown elements in the interior of the hallway Brown walls in the hallway
