Brown and cream are classic neutral colors that pair beautifully together in fashion and home decor. Combining these warm earth tones creates a soothing, natural color palette. However, brown and cream on their own can feel flat or boring. The key is choosing the right accent colors to make the brown and cream really pop. Complimentary colors near brown and cream on the color wheel, such as blue, green, orange and red, work well. But the specific shades need to complement the warmth of the brown and cream.
Best Colors to Compliment Brown
Rich chocolate browns have a warm, earthy feeling. Lighter camel or mocha browns impart a softer, more subtle warmth. Cool colors like blues and greens balance out brown’s warmth. Jewel tones in these shades add vibrancy. Soft muted blue-greens work nicely with lighter browns. Clear sky blues or aquas have enough punch for darker browns. Royal blues and deep greens pair dramatically. Orange-browns have a rustic autumnal look. Rusty oranges, burnt oranges, terracottas, and mustard yellows play up that earthy tone. Red-browns have an elegant mahogany feel. Brick reds, cranberries, burgundies, and wine colors match well. Purple is a bold accent that electrifies brown. Plum, eggplant, and violet shades contrast strikingly. Metallic accents like gold, rose gold, bronze and copper draw out the richness of brown.
| Brown Shade | Complimentary Colors |
|---|---|
| Chocolate brown | Royal blue, emerald green, plum |
| Mocha brown | Sky blue, sea green, eggplant |
| Camel brown | Aqua, sage green, lilac |
| Rust brown | Burnt orange, mustard yellow, teal |
| Mahogany brown | Cranberry, wine, forest green |
Best Colors to Compliment Cream
Cream has a delicate, inviting warmth. It pairs beautifully with a variety of colors that play up its versatility. Clear blues from sky blue to navy underscore cream’s softness. Yellow from pale buttercream to deep goldenrod brings out cream’s sunny charm. Pink in muted blush to fuchsia accents cream with femininity. Earth tones from mocha to umber connect to cream’s natural vibe. Greens like sage, olive and emerald add vibrancy. Purple in light lavender to deep eggplant creates drama. Neutral black and charcoal grey provide contrast. Metallics like rose gold and silver shine against cream.
| Type of Cream | Complimentary Colors |
|---|---|
| Pale cream | Sky blue, butter yellow, blush pink |
| Warm cream | Navy blue, mustard yellow, mocha |
| Beige cream | Olive green, peach, charcoal |
| Ivory cream | Lavender, rose gold, sage green |
Best Color Combinations with Brown and Cream
Bringing brown and cream together requires choosing colors that complement both.
Royal Blue and Mustard – The boldness of royal blue flatters the depth of chocolate or mahogany browns, while energizing beige creams. Mustard’s spicy warmth plays equally well off warm brown and cream.
Emerald Green and Rust Orange – Earthy emerald green connects beautifully to camel and mocha browns. Rusty orange has the same natural tone as cream. The combination electrifies the neutrals.
Eggplant and Olive Green – These lush jewel tones liven up lighter browns like beige and tan. Eggplant’s vibrancy offsets cream’s softness, while olive green pulls out its natural elegance.
Navy Blue and Buttercup Yellow – Crisp navy blue refreshes creams and pairs smartly with camels. Cheery buttercup yellow plays well with taupes and camels too, tying the combination together.
Charcoal Grey and Lavender – Silvery charcoal grey schemes beautifully with ivory creams, creating an elegant, sophisticated look. Light lavender has the same soft femininity to complement both neutrals.
Cranberry and Sage Green – Bold cranberry energizes a range of brown tones from light camel to deep mahogany. It also contrasts strikingly with cream. Sage green has versatility to match the browns and cream.
Metallics like rose gold, copper and bronze work beautifully with both browns and creams to give a glamorous finish. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and textures like florals, animal prints and soft knits in these color palettes. The neutral foundation of the browns and creams allows for lots of creativity in accessorizing.
Home Decor Color Schemes with Brown and Cream
Brown and cream are versatile neutral backdrops for home interiors. Creative color combinations provide personality.
Living Room – Try deep chocolate brown walls and furniture paired with light aqua and silver accents. The aqua energizes while the metallic adds glamour against the warm brown. Or couple camel brown with navy blue and peach – the navy anchors while peach keeps it fun.
Bedroom – Create a relaxing oasis with mocha brown and sage green. The earthy tones are soothing and inviting. Or make it romantic with cream walls and furniture dressed in pink and plum accents.
Kitchen – Give the kitchen cheer with ivory cabinetry and burnt orange accessories. The ivory has a creamy vintage vibe while orange adds upbeat contrast. Or for an artsy rustic kitchen, try wood cabinets in a light brown wash paired with turquoise and antique brass accents.
Bathroom – A beige and blue color scheme is fresh for bathrooms. Soft beige on walls and furnishings provides a calming backdrop for colors like sky blue, navy or robin’s egg blue in accents and tiles. Or compliment brown wood vanities with creamy marble counters and eggplant or olive colored textiles.
Home Office – Create an inspiring workspace with cream walls, camel brown furnishings and bright pops of color like goldenrod, plum or lime green. The neutrals prevent distraction while the bold colors stimulate creativity.
Dining Room – Set a dramatic table with chocolate brown dining set, cream curtains, chargers in mustard yellow, napkins in dark burgundy and a centerpiece of white flowers. The colors play off each other beautifully while the white plates and flowers keep it fresh.
Fashion Color Combinations with Brown and Cream
Brown and cream work together seamlessly in clothing. Build fashionable looks by layering these earth tones with complimentary colors.
Winter Palette – Pair rich chocolate brown pants with an ivory Aran sweater and olive green scarf. Or mix a cream oversized sweater with a mahogany brown suede skirt and oxblood colored boots.
Spring Palette – Couple a camel trench coat with sky blue blouse and dark denim. Or wear a flirty floral dress in cream and pink under a light brown denim jacket.
Summer Palette – Match a cream lace blouse with cropped caramel pants and royal blue wedges. Or don a mocha browns wrap dress and strappy sandals in mustard yellow.
Fall Palette – Layer a rusty orange turtleneck under a camel blazer with rust suede booties. Or pair a cream cable knit poncho sweater with chocolate brown leggings and cognac ankle boots.
Workwear – Stay polished with cream slacks, a silky camel blouse and navy blazer. Or don chocolate trousers with an ivory button down and plum cardigan.
Casual Weekend – Relax in style with tan joggers, a heathered brown tee and denim jacket. Or pair cream jeans with a slouchy oversized brown sweater.
Evening – Go glam in a metallic bronze sheath dress with cream heels and gold jewelry. Or don a bodycon dress in chocolate brown with shimmery cream ankle strap heels.
Conclusion
Brown and cream are timeless neutral colors that work in beautiful harmony. Choosing accent colors that match the warm, earthy quality of these tones creates appealing and memorable color palettes. Emerald greens, burnt oranges, sky blues, and plums are especially flattering. Incorporate metallics for extra elegance. Keep brown and cream combinations fresh by mixing in patterns and textures. Whether designing a home or outfit, brown and cream neutrals provide the perfect, soothing backdrop for creative pops of color.
