Decorating
Nature’s Colour Wisdom: The Allure of Earthy Tones
The warm hues of the land are grounding, soothing and endlessly adaptable
Earth tones are rich, warm colours that are comfortable to be around. Equally suited to interiors and exteriors, modern and rustic styles, earth tones have the potential to be just as lively and interesting as other colours. The colours of sand, clay, craggy cliffs, fields of wheat and freshly dug potatoes, earth colours are grounding and natural on their own but work well with brighter hues, too. Let’s look at earth tones through the lens of nature.
TIP: Play texture. If your earth-tone room is looking a little drab, one likely culprit is texture – or a lack of it, to be precise. Earth tones beg for a rich variety of textures, from rough and craggy to subtly nubby to sleek and smooth. Aim to include at least three different textures in the space, but the more, the merrier.
The pebbled wall and floor and live-edge wood countertop provide a richly textured sensory experience in this bathroom. Use natural materials such as stone, wood, clay and linen to give your interior an authentic feel.
Read more: 14 Tranquil Bathrooms Inspired by Mother Nature
The pebbled wall and floor and live-edge wood countertop provide a richly textured sensory experience in this bathroom. Use natural materials such as stone, wood, clay and linen to give your interior an authentic feel.
Read more: 14 Tranquil Bathrooms Inspired by Mother Nature
Clay colours
Warm, spicy reds such as baked apple and chilli tend to be much easier to live with than brighter, bolder reds. The bit of brown helps tone down these reddish hues, making them feel cosy and convivial – perfect for social spaces such as the living and dining room.
Warm, spicy reds such as baked apple and chilli tend to be much easier to live with than brighter, bolder reds. The bit of brown helps tone down these reddish hues, making them feel cosy and convivial – perfect for social spaces such as the living and dining room.
Earth tones with bright colours
Spring green, ripe raspberry or iris purple can make a lovely complement to subtle earth tones. Just as the new shoots of young onion plants look at home poking up out of rich soil, a few vibrant green or chartreuse cushions or vases can liven up a room done in soft, earthy hues.
Spring green, ripe raspberry or iris purple can make a lovely complement to subtle earth tones. Just as the new shoots of young onion plants look at home poking up out of rich soil, a few vibrant green or chartreuse cushions or vases can liven up a room done in soft, earthy hues.
Zen earth tones
If a peaceful feeling is what you crave at home, you may be drawn to white interiors – but stark white can feel too clinical. Rich, warm earth tones create the same serene vibe but in a more interesting way than white alone.
If a peaceful feeling is what you crave at home, you may be drawn to white interiors – but stark white can feel too clinical. Rich, warm earth tones create the same serene vibe but in a more interesting way than white alone.
Earth tones with muddy colours
Wheat, stone and other earth tones seem richer when paired with other slightly muddied colours that have a bit of brown or grey in them.
Think of dirty olive green, mustard or dusky pink. These hues, when paired, have a rich, historic feel that works especially well in older homes with original details.
Wheat, stone and other earth tones seem richer when paired with other slightly muddied colours that have a bit of brown or grey in them.
Think of dirty olive green, mustard or dusky pink. These hues, when paired, have a rich, historic feel that works especially well in older homes with original details.
Collecting from nature
One of the best (and easiest) ways to bring the colours of the earth into your living space is by collecting your own natural treasures and displaying them. Driftwood, pieces of bark, seedpods, feathers and interesting rocks all make wonderful fodder for artful displays.
One of the best (and easiest) ways to bring the colours of the earth into your living space is by collecting your own natural treasures and displaying them. Driftwood, pieces of bark, seedpods, feathers and interesting rocks all make wonderful fodder for artful displays.
Earth-tone exteriors
On everything from adobe and Mediterranean-style homes to Craftsman bungalows and strawbale homes, earth tones have been an exterior colour classic for ages. Natural hues like straw, clay, coir and terracotta help a house settle into the surrounding environment.
TELL US
Do you use earth tones at home? Share your favourite or least favourite earthy paint colours in the comments section.
MORE
Colour Lessons From Nature: Glorious Green
Deep Cleanse: Boost the Health of Your Home With Natural Fibres
Get Back to Nature With Decorating Ideas Inspired by the Great Outdoors
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On everything from adobe and Mediterranean-style homes to Craftsman bungalows and strawbale homes, earth tones have been an exterior colour classic for ages. Natural hues like straw, clay, coir and terracotta help a house settle into the surrounding environment.
TELL US
Do you use earth tones at home? Share your favourite or least favourite earthy paint colours in the comments section.
MORE
Colour Lessons From Nature: Glorious Green
Deep Cleanse: Boost the Health of Your Home With Natural Fibres
Get Back to Nature With Decorating Ideas Inspired by the Great Outdoors
5 Fool-Proof Steps to a Spot On Colour Scheme
Think of the shaggy coats of wolves, ponies and rabbits; terracotta; stretches of sandy beach; fields of wheat in the late-afternoon sun; tree trunks and fallen leaves; and, of course, earth itself, rich and brown.
Read more: Horsing Around: 10 Ways to Introduce Equine Decor to Great Effect