In a recent edition of Trend Watch, we talked about how beige is making a comeback, replacing the cooler grey tones we’ve all been using in our homes for the last decade. Gaining quite a bit of traction alongside this re-imagined look is the introduction of warm, earthy colours which combine beautifully with beige tones. While Autumn is definitely upon us, these are the shades that Mother Nature is currently using to paint our landscape – from deep chocolate to ochre, rust to olive and deep cranberry red.
These warm earthy shades are not only the colours of the season but also some of the most popular shades we’ll be seeing in interior design for this year and beyond. Here’s our take on the trend and how to use it in your home from this season and into the new year.
Why are Earthy Colours a Big Trend Now?
Again, we’re seeing an influx of these shades from luxury homewares to the high street for a few different reasons, not least of which is the strong influence of 1970s style trends. While there’s no need to panic that the avocado suite you replaced is coming back any time soon, these colours have come back re imagined for the 2020s to create a warm and inviting look no matter what your style.
Another reason we may be seeing these colours trending is that normally in times of financial uncertainty or disenchantment, we want to be enveloped in colours that ground us, comfort us and bring us back to nature. We live in a fast-paced world where digital connections are more common than real-life ones and these colours make us feel a homely contentment or simply more connected to our planet and nature.
How to Combine Warm Earthy Colours
If you are considering adding some of these colours to your home, it’s always a good idea to see how to mix and match them for the best effect. Generally speaking, most earthy colours can act as neutrals, which means they can marry with just about any other palette.
One thing you might want to keep in mind is that most of these shades carry with it a warm undertone. Most colours have an undertone that either appears cooler or warmer which becomes more apparent when compared to other similar shades. When mixing and matching colours with earthy tones, look out for those with an underlying shade of yellow, orange, or red. For instance, when you are looking to introduce a deep rusty orange into your colour scheme and you’re choosing a white paint for your ceiling or woodwork, try to stay away from brilliant white or those with a slight bluish undertone and stick with creamy shades of white instead.
How to Use Warm Earthy Colours in Your Interiors
Neutral colour palettes of warm beige and brown shades come to life with an earthy warm colour palette. Accessories are a great way to play with colour and are easy to change around if your larger pieces are in calming neutrals. You can add some burgundy velvet cushions to a mushroom grey sofa for a pop of colour, or even add a plethora of greenery to a monochrome room.
To really embrace this palette, mix and match them on walls, floors and accessories. Consider choosing a deep caramel leather chair to add some contrast to forest green walls or introduce natural woven textures of bamboo or rattan with terracotta pottery for a relaxed bohemian vibe.
You might also want to consider combining them with your favourite shades of the summer. Blush pink is grounded beautifully with deep berry reds, soft peach shades will pop against dark rust tones and soft pale greens such as Dulux COTY Tranquil Dawn will play nicely with it’s darker counterpart of deep green for a monochrome effect.
Our Favourite Warm Earthy Tiles
One of our favourite ways to use this colour trend is in tiles. (Well, we would say that but hear us out!) These shades are so easy to live with and like many shades that hover around the warm neutral zone, they won’t quickly date or go out of style anytime soon. After all, they are inspired by something that surrounds us every day – the natural colours of our planet.
If you’re looking to add some warmth to your home, look no further than our favourite picks to add this warm earthy colour palette to your next project.
For a warm, rustic look, check out our Riga Patchwork tiles which combine many of these earthy hues into a striking mix. Perfect for a period or more traditional property, there is no second-guessing as all the tiles work beautifully alongside one another.
Looking for something more contemporary? Our Copper Split Face Mosaic tiles will bring in a touch of nature with its warm copper and beige tones, creating a textural feast in any space you use it.
When considering this palette, don’t forget your floors. Our Rural Distressed Wood Effect Floor Tiles will bring a touch of rugged nature into your home with a look that replicates authentic aged wood floors (but without the hassle of upkeep!).
And finally, green and olive shades are the perfect partners to this palette and we’re particularly enamoured with shades of sage. They act as a perfect neutral in a kitchen or bathroom and will be easy to live with for years to come.
We’d love to know what you think of these warm earthy colours! Are they ones you’d use in your own home? Be sure to let us know in the comments, tweet us on @TileMountainUK or tag us on Instagram!
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As a multi-award winning interior design content creator, Kimberly Duran is an Interior Design-obsessed American ex-pat, who chronicles her decorating journey and dispenses interior design advice in her personal blog, Swoon Worthy. When she’s not helplessly drooling over all the latest trends in design, she’s adding things to the imaginary ‘shopping basket’ in her head, she likes to get messy tackling DIY projects with her partner in crime, Wayne, stalking eBay for vintage bargains and filling her home with her favourite neutral – gold.