Are dark brown walls making a comeback? Or maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part since I recently painted this room a rich shade called Middlebury Brown (Benjamin Moore). Or, maybe there’s been so much white and gray in interior trends over the last decade that we’re starting to crave something entirely different.
I’ve been toying with the idea of using dark brown in our house for over a year. To me, if feels very cozy and if done right, sophisticated (although that’s a laughable word for the state of our playroom-turned-den most days. . .). It seems like so many of my favorite designers have done at least one really good deep brown room. Here were a few of the images I saved along the way when thinking about how to use it in our home.
Aerin Lauder via Architectural Digest
House Beautiful
So, how do you make dark brown feel current instead of drab? I love it paired with red, chartreuse and shades of blue. A few more pairing ideas: animal prints, brass decor, traditional wood tones and modern pops of white.
What are your thoughts on brown walls?
My bedroom is painted dark brown for quite a few years. I thought about repainting it but still love it. My thing is some of my furniture is brown too so no contrast.
I absolutely love brown walls and love the pairings you show to make them look current. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi, Emily! I’m glad to see your posts again! I painted a north-facing bedroom a deep bittersweet chocolate (FB Tanners Brown) 1.5 years ago and am so glad I did. It’s perfectly cozy.
Oooh…I love these. A lot of them have a very Ralph Lauren feel to me. Our kitchen is painted Benjamin Moore’s Beigewood which is much more brown than beige and I love it with the white cabinets. I don’t know if brown walls are making a comeback but I love them either way.
My bedroom ceiling is painted brown and for 10 years I’ve liked but not loved it. Now I’m wondering if I want it lighter. Thoughts?
Our son’s room was painted a chocolate brown with white trim – navy and brown/cream paisley drapes – it was great and with all his hunting/sports stuff, it worked well. He’s been out of there for years, and the drapes are gone; I transitioned to an antique brass bed with shades of red but I still love the walls with the white trim!
That sounds really pretty.
I’m into brown, black, white and marigold right now. I am so over gray and all things cool colored. Going back to
My happy place. I Ben some beige. Gaaaaa.
I love it with turquoise saturated equally.
I’m going to be the odd one here but I don’t care for dark walls of any color. I like light, airy rooms and while I like the look of some of these darker rooms, I don’t think I would be comfortable living in them.
When it comes to dark colors, I think people have strong feelings one way or the other! :)
Yessssss! I am all over dark brown! Thanks for featuring my space:)
Years ago my design client had a small apartment in NYC with little natural light so we painted the walls chocolate with white trim. The accent colors were a pale sky blue and pale celadon green. It turned out to be a beautiful space and she loved living in it even though there was little natural light.
I think brown walls are a classic. I too am tired of GRAY! Was surprised to see the “Colors of the Year” were a yellow and gray. Why? Love all of the photographs you show and of course Mark D. Sikes has my heart!
One of my powder rooms is Mouse’s Back, a brown/gray. It’s been this way for ten years and I’ve been wondering if I should refresh by repainting or changing out the art/decor… so thankful for this post’s inspiration!
Also all the inspo pics are delicious.
These design ideas are perfectly timed – we are remodeling this spring and I love the idea of using dark brown for accent walls. Thank you for giving me something new to think about.
Great minds! I have a Pinterest board named ‘Brown Walls in the Living Room?’ My interest in brown walls all started with a Ballard designed room which looked cozy and collected to me. The right brown is key so thank you for sharing the color you used. The Pairings selections you’ve chosen are brilliant!
I love your new and sophisticated den and the use of dark brown with navy. I thought of you when I saw Bria Hammel’s use of brown in her new project and absolutely fell in love with the powder room wallpaper. Check out the Kismet wallpaper in Chocolate by Sister Parish.
I like taupe, perfect combo of brown and gray. My living room is Shirwin Williams Tony Taupe, which is as dark as I’ll go.
Love these!! Painted our DR Ben Moore Brown Horse last spring and am thrilled with it. A beautiful warm dark brown. Thanks for doing this amazing post.
I’ve been doing brown for years, paired with mossy green.
All I can say is “About time the rest of designers caught up with me.”
LOL
Kingsport Gray by Benjamin Moore. Prettiest brown with a slight gray tint.