What Are Earth Tones?
Fall in love with nature-inspired color schemes.
The color palette you choose for your home defines the energy of the space, which is why it's important to pick a color palette that speaks to your needs. Earth tones draw inspiration from nature, lending a relaxed, organic feel to any room. But what are earth tones, really? Keep reading to learn which colors fall under the category of "earthy" and how to infuse them into your home.
What Are Earth Tones?
(Shop this image: mid-century modern sideboards, mountain wall art, black table lamps, and home bar tools & accessories.)
The term “earth tones” encompasses any color inspired by the natural world. These are soft, warm, and muted shades that instill a sense of peace and comfort when incorporated through wall colors, furnishings, decor, and floor coverings. Think of brown soil, red clay, tan wood, gray stone, lush green foliage, blue skies or waterways, cream-colored clouds, and golden sunshine as examples of colors found in nature. Here are some examples of specific earthy colors that are perfect for a natural color palette:
Cool Earth Tones:
- Sage, Olive, or Moss Green
- Sky, Slate, or Navy Blue
Warm Earth Tones:
- Rust Red
- Burgundy Red
- Ochre Yellow
- Burnt Sienna Orange
- Dusty Rose Pink
- Terracotta
Neutral Earth Tones:
- Chocolate, Caramel, or Sepia Brown
- Steel, Stone, or Charcoal Gray
- Taupe
- White
- Cream
- Beige
- Tan
- Black (but only sparingly)
How to Achieve an Earthy Color Palette
Now that you're more familiar with earth tones, start creating your very own earthy aesthetic at home. You can stick to warm, cool, or neutral earth tones, but the most organic and relaxing rooms incorporate a blend of all of these – just like we see in nature. Keep reading for how to give your space a cozy glow-up using natural colors.
1. Prioritize Warm Shades of Brown, Tan, & Beige
(Shop this image: solid brown wallpaper, tan leather sofas, wood drum coffee tables, faux trees, and yellow patterned rugs.)
Brown, beige, and tan shades add warmth and comfort, which is why they're a must in earth-toned rooms. This living room goes all out with a rich brown accent wall and a blend of tan and beige furnishings. Pops of rust red, cream, white, and green help give the space a lift without taking away from the comforting brown tones. Adding shades of brown, tan, or beige can be as simple and effortless as adding throw pillows to your sofa, swapping in a carved wood coffee table, or incorporating woven rattan storage baskets.
(Shop this image: green barrel chairs, white sofas, round wood coffee tables, glass table lamps, patterned throw pillows, and white abstract wall art.)
Another great way to infuse your home with earthy colors is by using them to transform neutral rooms. This living room uses white and cream as the base and goes for subtle depth with sage green, rust red, terracotta, and tan elements. However, you can add even more dimension with the introduction of rich chocolate brown, burgundy red, navy blue, or steel gray accents.
Tip!
Have a room with a lot of bold colors? Introducing one or more earth-toned accents can help create a balance and calm the space.
3. Lean Into Warm Clay Tones
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Warm clay tones serve as the perfect combination of earthiness and cozy warm hues, making them ideal for bedrooms, dens, and anywhere in your home that could use a bit of warmth. Warm clay tones include shades like terracotta, burnt sienna, and dusty rose pink. For the ultimate statement, give your wall a clay-inspired makeover. You can also incorporate wall art with the same tones or work in clay colors through terracotta-hued rugs, burnt sienna accent pillows, or dusty rose bedding. When in doubt, opt for terracotta planters for a warm rustic look.
(Shop this image: countryside wall art, wall paneling, freestanding tubs, and gray shower curtains.)
If cool tones are more your vibe, you'll love an earthy sage green and soft blue color scheme. With green as a nod to lush foliage and blue as a nod to blue skies and cool water, these two nature-inspired colors are all about creating a relaxing environment. Use sage green for the walls or main accents before working in softer shades of blue through decor. Then, merge the two colors in a nature-themed painting. Shades of cool white and soft gray work well to anchor the blue-green color scheme.
(Shop this image: stoneware vases, orange glass vases, glass candlesticks, and stoneware decorative plates & bowls.)
In addition to warm neutrals, earthy colors can also expand to include shades of gold, copper, and even amber. These colors add a hint of glam and interest to earth-toned rooms and have hues of yellow, orange, red, and brown, which fit right into a warm earthy aesthetic. We recommend incorporating these shades through decorative bowls or vases, stylish candle holders, and other home accessories for luxe pops of metallics and jewel tones throughout the room.
(Shop this image: gold counter stools, gold pendant lights, glass vases, and gold kitchen faucets.)
Gray earth tones take inspiration from durable stone elements in nature like unmovable boulders or pebbled shorelines. Because of the symbolism of stones as strong and unwavering, you're sure to make your space feel more secure and grounded whether you choose to incorporate charcoal, steel, taupe, or a combination of stone-inspired gray tones. Add warmth to gray color palettes with gold light fixtures, hardware, and furniture frames. You can also use woven tan accents to balance cool gray tones in your room.
(Shop this image: yellow throw pillows, pink bolster pillows, white throw blankets, brown bedding, and pink benches.)
In nature, ochre is a clay-based rock pigment that usually resembles a rich shade of yellow (other variations can be more orange or even brown), so this is the perfect nature-inspired hue to add a bit of warmth and color to your space. Ochre pairs well with a variety of other earthy colors, including dusty rose pink, sage green, slate blue, beige/tan, and chocolate brown. Use ochre as a statement color through throw pillows, blankets, or accent chairs for the best results.
(Shop this image: stone floor tiles, wood dining sets, blue dining chairs, faux banana leaf trees, jute/rattan placemats, and white table lamps.)
The best earthy color palettes incorporate a variety of warm, cool, and neutral earth tones that mimic the organic color schemes found in nature. This dining room features terracotta-inspired floor tiles, warm wood furnishings, tan placemats, a blue slipcover chair, a green houseplant, and a white table lamp accentuated by soft white walls – all of which come together to create a visually-pleasing, comforting, and stylish space!
Tip!
If you love rooms with earth tone colors, you'll probably also love these 14 Desert Modern Interior Design Ideas for an At-Home Oasis.
