Re-embracing brown

Brown has had a slight image problem as a colour. Until recently.

Today’s designers and trendsetters are re-embracing browns with good reason. Browns are hugely versatile shades that can work beautifully as – or with – neutrals. And, in darker, chocolatey versions, they add drama and luxury to living rooms and bedrooms.

A spicy brown interior cooled with cream tones

Spicy browns are cooled beautifully when paired with cream tones.

Wall and floor painted in Resene Spanish White, DIY MDF wall tiles in Resene Spanish White and Resene Toffee, table in Resene Toffee, tealight holder in Resene Tussock, lamp in Resene Toffee and Resene Tussock and books in Resene Toffee and Resene Smooth Operator. Sofa from Nood, cushions from H&M Home and Farmers. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

A bedroom with stained wood panels

The texture of stained wood panels adds visual interest and relief against the deep brown wall painted in Resene Half Bokara Grey.

Left wall painted in Resene Double Masala, with skirting in Resene Bokara Grey, floor finished in Resene Colorwood Shade. Stained panels finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, Resene Colorwood Bask and Resene Colorwood Shade, chair in Resene Scrub, lightshade in Resene Teak and accessories in Resene Flax, Resene Triple Thorndon Cream, and Resene Biscotti. Basket, throws, rug and bedlinen from Città, lamp from Lighting Direct, pouffe from Freedom. Project by Moneuan Ryan, image by Bryce Carleton.

Much like grey and charcoal, brown works like a neutral that can transform spaces from bland to breath-taking. Whether you lean towards the richness of Resene Oilskin or the lighter beige tones of Resene Triple Napa and Resene Triple Tea, brown lays the foundation for a harmonious interior. Its unique quality lies in its ability to play well with others.

What’s changed?

Resene Colour Expert Jackie Nicholls says browns are being rediscovered as designers take inspiration from mid-century modern interiors and look to put a modern spin on them.

“Browns have been associated for a long time with the ’70s era, when they were more saturated and often teamed with bold patterns in oranges, yellows and greens. Those combinations were seen as dated for quite a long time, but, as happens with all design eras, they are being rediscovered.

“When mixed with modern shades and used in modern environments, browns take on a more contemporary edge.

“It’s exciting, as a lot of decorators haven’t used brown shades before, so it’s opening up a whole new world of discovery and colour choices.”

In our modern, hi-tech era, we’re always looking for organic and natural influences to boost our connection with nature and make our environments more calming, Nicholls says. “Brown shades sit beautifully in this mindset and it means the browns we love now are more neutral, but with interesting undertones of plum, spice and olive.

“These new colours are complex, versatile and sophisticated, underpinned by the trend for handcrafted items such as pottery and natural materials like wood and stone.”

A spicy brown dining area

Spicy browns add warmth and vibrancy to this dining area with whites and pale yellows for a fresh note.

The walls and console table are Resene Cinnamon, with floor stained in Resene Colorwood Shade. Dining table in Resene Mai Tai, mirror in Resene Alabaster, skirting in Resene Calico, large pot in Resene Manhattan, small candleholder in Resene Calico and large candleholder in Resene Cinnamon. Artwork by Stephanie Parkes, rug from Baya. Project by Melle Van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton.

Contrast neutrals with smooth chocolate browns

Smooth chocolate browns add eye-catching bold contrast to this neutral dining space.

Upper wall and floor painted in Resene Tea, lower wall in Resene Triple Tea and dining table in Resene Napa with chairs and lightshade in Resene Oilskin. Dado rail, tall vase and bowl stained in Resene Woodsman English Walnut. Spoon artwork in Resene Napa, Resene Woodsman English Walnut, Resene Half Thorndon Cream, Resene Oilskin and Resene Triple Tea. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

An earthy touch

There are many modern browns in the Resene range that reflect these natural, often earthy, influences, Nicholls says.

“Have a look at Resene Kia Kaha, a smoky grey brown. It looks elegant in a whole lounge or even just on a fireplace wall. It will work like a neutral in that almost any other colour will sit well with this shade. Try a pale green like Resene Eau De Nil, a subtle, dusted pink like Resene Soothe, or muted yellow Resene Fluffy Duck.

“For a mid-century-inspired palette try deeper grey-brown Resene Half Ironsand with olive Resene Contour and grey-blue Resene Infused. It’s something a bit different, but still references the mid-century period and it’s fun,” she says.

Rich chocolate

When it comes to richer, dark browns, like chocolate shades, Jackie suggests leaning into their inherent depth and luxury.

“I think they work really well in a media room or even an office. Colours like Resene Diesel are rich and striking with a subtle red undertone, although just one or two walls might be enough in a smaller space.”

Complement these rich shades with a rosy beige neutral like Resene Half Blanc for a contrast that’s fresh, without being too stark against the warmth of the brown.

Finish your chocolate room with artwork and furnishings that will pop against these deep tones and textures, Nicholas says. “Sheepskins, rattan lightshades and rustic fabrics will add a touch of luxury. Layer notes of other, slightly sharper colours like green ochre Resene Bullwhip, gingery Resene Yogi and soft green Resene Off The Grid to add interest.

“Think Otago backcountry hotel vibes, with a glass of port, a cosy fire and a record playing.”

A note of spice

Another brown palette that is particularly popular in today’s interiors are spicy browns; shades like Resene Toffee, Resene Cinnamon or Resene Korma. These are shades that often have undertones of gold, mustard, rust and even red to give them a subtly brighter edge than chocolate or more earthy browns.

Try them with soft peach notes in Resene Tequila or Resene Negroni, or Resene Sazerac for contrast and the warmth of sunset.

All neutral and natural

One of the simplest, most versatile ways to incorporate browns into your interiors is by making the most of your wood finishes with stain, so that you draw out the natural browns and tans of the material as well as emphasise the grain and texture.

Even cheaper materials like ply can be elevated to a more sophisticated finish with Resene Colorwood natural wood stain.

Top tip: Remember the final colour of your timber finish will vary depending on the type of wood you are staining and whether the surface has previously been stained.

For some old-school elegance, try a classic, darker shade like Resene Colorwood Dark Oak, with one or two lighter wood pieces stained in Resene Driftwood. Pair with a brick red like Resene Fahrenheit in older heritage homes or pale Resene Dust Storm.

For a pared-back Scandi look that puts paler, tan-coloured wood front and centre try Resene Colorwood Red Beech or Resene Colorwood Oregon. Pair these with painted features in deep forest greens like Resene Permanent Green or the soft apple tones in Resene Rice Paper.

If you’re committed to a more neutral interior using classic beiges, creams or whites, layering one or two contrast notes of a deeper brown can be a good way to add visual interest while still keeping with quite a minimalist approach to colour.

Start with a wall colour of beige Resene Quarter Canterbury Clay and add trim in cream Resene Pearl Lusta and a bold note of dark Resene Espresso.

If you want a classic monochrome finish with a twist, opt for a deep charcoal brown like Resene Woodburn instead of the classic black and pair it with off-white Resene Umber White.

Layering beige neutral variants of one shade can be another way to incorporate neutral browns into a pared-back colour palette. Try Resene Biscotti in layers with its eighth, quarter, half and double variations for a warm biscuity beige, and finish with an accent or two in darker Resene Desert Sand.

Other brown combinations to try from Resene:

Ochre-toned brown Resene Savour, with stony grey Resene Rocky Point and sand beige Resene Awaroa Bay.
Soft Resene Otter with crisp Resene White Pointer and deep indigo Resene Indian Ink.
Earthy Resene Rodeo Drive with Resene Green Spring and Resene Spanish White.

Colours mentioned in this blog...