coffee break

Beige and taupe are becoming the ‘new’ go-to neutrals offering dreamy elegance. The retro obsession of recent years has helped quietly sneak in pops of brown décor, but now that we’re in the new decade, it seems we’ve reached a tipping point for chocolate hues to make a bigger splash. The future looks brown – but we promise that declaration is much better than it sounds!

One reason why brown is on the rise may stem from a desire to shift away from the pinker and redder palettes that have been pervasive. Warm terracotta and golden beiges are maturing, and browner tones have begun to come forward as a natural progression of those hues. The overall demand for increased sustainability and our growing need to feel more connected to nature, also makes brown a logical candidate for decorating. This hue previously experienced strong popularity in the early 2000s and in the 1970s, so its current upswing could also be attributed to a sense of nostalgia for those times.

Panelled wall: This timber tongue-and-groove panelled wall has been stained in Resene Colorwood Ironbark wood stain. Floor in Resene Quarter Spanish White, tall vase in Resene Canterbury Clay, jug vase in Resene Putty, low bowl in Resene Colins Wicket, plant pot (with tray on top) in Resene Double Pravda, Resene FX Crackle effect and Resene Quarter Fossil, small round vase in Resene Peace, lamp base in Resene Tapa and wooden storage box in Resene Double Pavlova. Shelving from Città, carafe set from Father Rabbit.

Brown, according to colour and psychology experts, also stands for stability, reliability and safety. It reminds us of simpler times, recalls ancient rituals and brings to mind a more down to earth lifestyle. Brown is natural, comfortable and familiar and plays well with a wide range of colour schemes.

Unlike certain other colour trends, it isn’t just one particular type of brown that’s been dominating; cocoa, cinnamon, caramel and creamier coffee colours are all gaining traction. Look to Resene Felix, Resene Hairy Heath, Resene Pendragon and Resene Americano as particularly hot options, but don’t rule out bringing in touches of Resene Swiss Coffee or Resene Alpaca and Resene Monkey or Resene Rebel to provide interest and contrast.

Use mirrors to help reflect more light back into spaces that are painted in dark hues.

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of habitat magazine?

Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.

• Specifiers: Sign up for habitat here. You can earn CPD points reading habitat.
• Sign up for a DIY card and save! Australian residents | New Zealand residents.

If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit habitat plus, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.

habitat plus are not mailed directly. They are available free from Resene ColorShops and resellers while stocks last and available for viewing online.