When we think about color, most people default to thinking about bright, saturated hues. However, in the world of color theory and design, natural colors refer to a much softer and more subdued palette. Natural colors tend to be muted, earthy, and reminiscent of things found in nature like stones, trees, animals, and soil. They create a calming effect and are considered to be timeless and versatile.
Some key characteristics of natural colors include:
| Muted | Rather than being bright and bold, natural colors are much softer and understated. |
| Subtle | The hues tend to be quiet and low in saturation. |
| Earthy | Inspired by elements found in nature like rocks, trees, soil etc. |
| Soothing | Natural colors have a calming effect compared to bright, saturated hues. |
| Neutral | Many natural colors like beiges, browns and greys read as neutral. |
| Timeless | Natural palettes have longevity and don’t go out of style quickly. |
| Versatile | These muted hues are easy to pair together and with other colors. |
Some examples of colors that are typically considered “natural” include:
Beiges and Browns
Shades of brown and beige are definitive natural colors. They represent earth, wood, leather, and sand – all organic elements found in nature. Specific examples include:
| Light beige | A pale neutral that calls to mind sand or eggshells. |
| Beige | The basic beige is a warmer creamy shade evocative of coffee or caramel. |
| Tan | Similar to basic beige but with subtle yellow undertones. |
| Mocha | A medium brown with hints of coffee color. |
| Taupe | A complex greyish/brown neutral that resembles stone or granite. |
| Camel | A light sandy brown inspired by the coats of camels. |
| Ochre | A yellowish-brown resembling natural clay. |
| Umber | A deep, warm brown with reddish undertones. |
| Chocolate | A rich, dark brown like the food of the same name. |
These earthy browns and beiges add warmth and familiarity to any space. They remind us of cozy cabins, coffee shops, and homes filled with wooden furniture. Combining different shades creates depth and dimension.
Grays
On their own, grays read as neutral but in the context of natural color palettes, they take on an organic, mineral-like quality. Specific grays that fit this natural aesthetic include:
| Light grey | A very soft, subtle shade of grey with just a hint of color. |
| Heather grey | A warm grey with brownish undertones, reminiscent of heather plants. |
| Charcoal | A medium-dark grey similar to the sticks of charred wood. |
| Slate | A cool-toned grey that calls to mind the stone of the same name. |
| Silver | More white than true grey, silver has an icy, mineral sheen. |
| Smoke | A hazy, blue-tinged medium grey the color of billowing smoke. |
Grays add subtle contrast and an unassuming elegance to natural color schemes. They mimic pebbles, granite, concrete and stones. Light greys can stand in for white to create a softer, more relaxed feel.
Creams and Off-Whites
Bright white has a crisp, modern look, whereas softened whites and creams evoke images of clouds, seashells, and swirls of cream mixing into coffee. Specific off-white shades include:
| Eggshell | A very light yellow-tinged white like the inside of an eggshell. |
| Ivory | A subtly warm white with tiny hints of yellow/beige. |
| Ecru | A light beige-tinged off-white; can also refer to unbleached fabric. |
| Almond | A creamy off-white shade with hints of pink. |
| Oyster | A soft greyish white the color of raw oyster shells. |
| Vanilla | A pale creamy white like the flavoring/extract. |
These creamy whites help make natural color schemes feel light and airy. They also pair beautifully with brown and beige tones, enhancing the earthy aesthetic. A touch of cream or oyster white provides subtle contrast without being too harsh.
Greens
Naturally-derived greens are much softer and more subdued than bright greens like lime or emerald. They remind us of moss, leaves, sage and trees. Specific natural greens include:
| Seafoam | A pale green with greyish undertones named after ocean foam. |
| Sage | A pale greyish green resembling the cooking herb. |
| Olive | A khaki-colored muted green like green olives. |
| Moss | A rich green that calls to mind forest moss. |
| Pistachio | A pale green tinged with yellow, like the nut. |
| Juniper | A cool-toned greyish green named after juniper berries. |
| Avocado | A yellowish-green like the inside of avocados. |
Natural greens work wonderfully with beiges, browns, greys and creams. They represent organic plant life and add a subtle vibrancy. Deeper shades like moss and olive contrast beautifully with light beiges and taupes. The greener the shade, the more likely it is to be considered a natural color. Bright yellow-greens start to feel more artificial.
Conclusion
In summary, natural colors include soft, muted versions of browns, beiges, greys, creams, and greens rather than bright, bold or neon versions of these hues. They mimic stones, wood, plants and minerals found in the natural world. This makes them extremely versatile to pair together and with other colors. Natural color palettes have an earthy, soothing vibe and timeless appeal. They bring the outdoors in through their connection to organic elements like moss, trees, sand and wood.
