When decorating a room with brown furniture, it’s important to choose complementary colors that will make the brown tones pop. Complementary colors are those located directly across from each other on the color wheel, creating high contrast and visual interest when paired together in a room. For brown furniture, some of the best complementary color options include blue, orange, yellow, and green.
Understanding Color Theory
To understand which colors work best with brown furniture, it helps to have a basic knowledge of color theory. The basic principles are:
- Complementary colors are located opposite each other on the color wheel. When paired together, they create high contrast and make each color appear more vibrant.
- Analogous colors are located next to each other on the color wheel. They create harmonic, monochromatic palettes.
- Triadic colors are evenly spaced around the color wheel, forming a triangle. The contrast is less sharp than complements.
For brown furniture, choosing a complementary color from the opposite side of the wheel creates an eye-catching contrast. Analogous and triadic colors can work too, but the contrast won’t be as strong.
Best Complementary Colors for Brown Furniture
Here are some of the best complementary color choices to make brown furniture pop:
Blue
Shades of blue make a gorgeous complement to rich brown tones. From pale sky blue to vivid cobalt, this cool color provides just the right contrast against warm wood pieces. Try pairing chocolate brown leather sofas with robin’s egg blue walls or chestnut cabinets with navy blue kitchen accessories. The colors enhance each other beautifully.
Orange
Orange has a playful, energetic vibe that works well with grounded brown hues. All shades of orange, from peach to terra cotta, make an eye-catching match for brown furniture. Just take care not to overdo it with bright orange, which can overwhelm a room quickly. Softer peach and rust orange tones are easiest to balance with brown.
Yellow
Like orange, yellow creates vibrant energy when combined with brown. Mustard, ochre, and amber yellow tones look sophisticated and stylish with chocolate, espresso, or chestnut browns. Take care to choose the right shade of yellow that complements the exact brown tone in the room. Deeper browns pair better with richer golden yellows.
Green
Green and brown are a classic combination representing earth and nature. Olive, sage, jade, and forest greens all contrast beautifully with brown wood furniture. Dark walnut and espresso brown look striking with jewel-toned emerald green. Lighter mossy greens complement tan leathers and woods.
Choosing the Right Shade
When selecting a complementary shade for brown furniture, take into account:
- The exact shade of brown – is it reddish-brown, yellowish-brown, dark chocolate brown?
- The room’s existing color scheme and décor
- Your personal color preferences and decorating style
If your brown furniture has red undertones, cool shades of blue and green work better as complements. For golden brown wood with yellow tones, choose warmer orange, yellow, or olive greens. The shade you select also depends on the room’s existing palette. If you have warm wood floors, opt for cool blue accent walls or decorative pillows. In rooms with neutral walls, vivid complementary accent colors can make the brown furniture pop.
Using Complementary Colors in a Room
There are several ways to incorporate complementary colors into a room with brown furniture:
- Paint an accent wall in a complementary hue
- Use throw pillows, area rugs, and artwork in complementary colors
- Choose complementary kitchen or bathroom tiles
- Select a vibrant complementary fabric for upholstered chairs or ottomans
- Incorporate flowers and plants with complementary colors
A little bit of an accent color goes a long way. Start by adding complementary accents in one or two areas to see the effect, then gradually incorporate more if desired. Place accent colors near the brown furniture so the colors are in close proximity. Use paler tints of intense colors like emerald or cobalt so they don’t overwhelm the room.
Color Schemes to Try
Here are some complementary brown furniture color schemes to inspire you:
Chocolate Brown and Robin’s Egg Blue
Deep chocolate brown leather sofas pop against a pale robin’s egg blue accent wall. Navy and white accent pillows pull the scheme together.
Chestnut Brown and Burnt Orange
Warm chestnut brown dining chairs and tables look rich with burnt orange walls. Amber glass vases and accessories echo the complement.
Espresso Brown and Sage Green
An espresso brown media console makes a sophisticated match for velvety sage green accent chairs. Olive and cream pillows complete the look.
Walnut Brown and Buttercup Yellow
Walnut brown bookcases gain new life against cheerful buttercup yellow walls. Golden yellow and white table accessories continue the theme.
Tips for Decorating with Brown and Complements
– Use brown as a neutral base and add vibrant complementary accents in accessories, art, fabrics, and paint colors.
– Repeat complementary accent colors throughout a room so they flow together.
– Add metallics like bronze, silver, and gold to tie a brown and complementary palette together.
– Use paler tints of intense complements like emerald green rather than going fully saturated.
– Pair dark chocolate browns with equally intense complements like cobalt. Go for softer contrasts with lighter browns.
– Change up the brown texture with velvet, leather, suede, or linen to add visual interest.
Conclusion
Brown furniture provides a wonderful neutral foundation for adding pops of eye-catching complementary colors. Whether you prefer the vibrancy of orange, the sophistication of blue, the cheer of yellow, or the earthiness of green, you have many options for making brown wood tones stand out. Use bold complementary accents in paint, pillows, accessories, art, and fabrics to create a stylish, polished room designed around your beautiful brown furniture. With the right complementary color combinations, your brown leather couch, wood bookcases, cherry cabinets or chestnut tables will take on a whole new personality.
| Complementary Color | Shades to Try |
|---|---|
| Blue | Robin’s egg, navy, cobalt |
| Orange | Peach, burnt orange, terra cotta |
| Yellow | Buttercup, mustard, ochre |
| Green | Olive, sage, emerald |
