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Cozy brown living room


Brown Living Rooms That Prove It's a Pretty Hue

By

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

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Updated on 05/04/21

Katarzyna Bialasiewicz / Getty Images

Whether you're headed to the paint store and want to consider a beautiful brown paint, or you want to accessorize your living space with hints of brown, it's a color that's too often overlooked. While not as trendy as its navy blue or crisp white counterparts, brown is an incredibly versatile color that creates a sense of calm and comfort in any living room. 

13 Brown Living Rooms That Prove It's a Pretty Hue

Grey and Brown Living Room Design Ideas

By Stefan Gheorghe | Published on

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The initial thought of a grey and brown living room might have people yawning, but if that’s the case, they need to take a second look.

When the coolness of grey meets the warmth of brown, you have an instant recipe for success.

For that reason, it’s no surprise that the grey and brown living room continues to be a crowd-pleaser. 

With the softness of grey and the richness of brown, you have all the right components for an inviting and cozy space. This color combination provides plenty of room for style despite your aesthetic and could be the answer to the new look you’ve been searching for.

Why Consider A Grey And Brown Living Room For My Next Update?

One major reason is the color palette’s versatility. From modern to rustic and everything in between, these colors cover a multitude of designs. Use different colors and styles of wood grains, patterned rugs for a special flair or artwork that parallels the grey and brown neutrals, anything is possible.

Another reason to consider is the fact that you likely have some of the elements needed to create this look in your home already. Greys and browns are popular neutrals to begin with, so you may be able to salvage some of what you’ve got whether it be paint color, accent furniture, throw pillows and the like. 

What Are The Best Shades Of Grey And Brown?

Grey and Brown Living Room Inspiration

If you’re at a loss for how to make this look come to life, we’ve got you covered. Check out these convincing examples below.

Modern Farmhouse

An earthy feel with plenty of modern elements, this design has an irresistible farmhouse flair. The use of browns in the wood coupled with grey touches are a prime example of how versatile the combination is. 

Dark TransitionalNoble Johnson Architects

Dark grey steals the show in this dark transitional living space. Balanced out by lighter greys and different shades of brown furnishings, it’s easy to see how even the darkest of grey paint choices can be lightened up with the right accessories.

Formal Transitional Peery Homes

The use of textured grey walls makes this space something extra special. Brighter greys sprinkled into fabrics and artwork balance out the deepness of the walls. Matched with brown trimmings and contrasted by white accents, this living room is a den of tranquility. 

TraditionalKnight Architects

A mixture of furnishings play well together in this traditional grey and brown living space. The deep brown flooring adjacent to high, white walls produce a welcomed distinction that illuminates the room. 

Open Concept TransitionalMorrison Interiors

Brown wood beams adorn high ceilings in this perfectly curated grey and brown living room. The charcoal couch directs the eyes into the lighter grey, patterned pillows. A one of a kind table acting as the focal point of the room draws both colors together for one cohesive look. 

Coastal TransitionalLark Interior

Woven grey and brown chairs work together for a seamless look in this coastal transitional home. Medium wood floors make the light grey rug stand out for an eye catching level of contrast. The use of white walls here further emphasizes all the brown and grey tones.

Modern Rustic Christie Kenny Interiors

Equal parts glamorous and rustic, this striking grey and brown living room cannot go unnoticed. Charcoal and light greys mingle throughout, while touches of brown work to level out the boldness of the black. Rustic touches only add to this room’s unexpected charm. 

New England FarmhouseKristen Panitch

Oozing with authenticity, this functional New England farmhouse is further proof that a grey and brown living room matches any aesthetic. From furnishings to floor, brown tones enrich the warmth of the room, building an inviting space to sit. Bits of grey tones scatter the room via patterned pillows and rugs that create plenty of visual interest. 

Mediterranean ModernHaus Love

Natural textiles as far as the eye can see, this Mediterranean modern takes you to another place altogether. Different tones of brown flow throughout while dark grey touches center the room. 

50s Ranch HouseStudio Shamshiri

Eccentric yet refined, this ranch house retains its vintage structure while offering a new interior design. The dark grey ceiling gives the room a more intimate vibe, providing a cozy space to lounge. Meanwhile, shades of brown come through via furniture and a decorative area rug. 

Earthy ModernFrank & Faber

Light and organic, this earthy modern is wholly delightful. Grays and browns used equally have made this room the calming space that it is. Bordering on rustic with a touch of blush femininity, this design is a simplistic success.  

Casual Contemporary Albion Nord

Peaceful neutrals surround this grey and brown living room with an air of solace perfect for unwinding. Several tones of brown create distinctions of dark and light all around, giving way for the gray to polish things off. 

Everyday GlamorSimone Haag

Grey ceiling height curtains with intricately placed brown hues, this chic living space will turn heads. Patches of vivid color paired with luxury style decor show this color combination in a different light. 

Urban Contemporary Jasmine Lam

Clean and simple, this grey and brown living room includes bursts of color that takes the comfort level to the max. Textured brown wallpaper adds to the visual appeal of the room while solid greys wash the space with softness and light.

Minimalist SHROFFLEóN

The art of simplistic elegance was undoubtedly achieved in this minimalist retreat. Clean lines of both brown and grey accompany the bold contrasts of black and white making this living room a calculated success.

Contemporary Industrial SAOTA

Textures galore are found in this original industrial living room. Hints of brown displayed through accent pieces support the largely grey interior. Blue chairs add a much needed liveliness to the neutral space.

Modern IndustrialDornbracht

A color palette of only greys and browns, this modern industrial exudes warmth. Neutral tones flowing naturally from raw textiles makes this space easy to love. 

Modern Eclectic Robert M. Gurney Architect

A mixture of both new and old, this room has it all. This modern eclectic space with grey and brown hues, coupled with a bright burst of color, produces a fun and relaxing living area. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

Do grey and brown go together?

Yes. Both colors provide a neutrality that makes them complementary. Carrying a natural aura, when used together this color combination will produce an irresistible sense of comfort.

Is my brown furniture out of style?

No. Many interior designers have argued that brown furniture is “forever”. Brown wood has such a great depth of color and holds textures that add to the overall feel of the room. In short, your brown furniture is a safe choice for a lifetime.

Won’t the mixture of grey and brown make my living space dark?

Not necessarily. If it’s done right, the color combination can have the opposite effect, creating a brightened space. Soft toned greys paired with light to medium browns will ensure your room doesn’t end up dim.

Do my walls have to be grey or brown to achieve this look?

No. As you can see from the above examples, you can make this color palette work without changing your walls. Ivory and white are commonly used with this combination which is a good way to give your grey and brown accents the spotlight.

Grey and Living Room: Conclusion

When grey and brown are combined, they’re anything but ordinary. This flexible color palette adapts to even the most unique of personal styles, making it a foolproof choice.  

With two neutrals that can create any space you imagine, you have endless options for your grey and brown living room project. 

Brown living room - 85 photos of brown interior design ideas Halls made in brown colors are in demand, they are embodied in different style solutions: rococo, empire, modern.

Perhaps the only disadvantage of brown is its ability to “heavier” the space and thicken the atmosphere. nine0003

It has many tones: the color of bitter chocolate, oak, a shade with orange splashes. Brown color in the living room provides a feeling of comfort and reliability.

What colors to combine with

It is wrong to fill the whole space with brown, not allowing another shade to play in tandem with it. Let only the furniture upholstery, the floor and maybe the color of the walls be brown - everything else should be either light or bright!

Photos of a brown living room show that most often designers combine the main color of the finish with a light shade. There are two tones of white: milky (cream) and snow-white. The first goes well with brown, the second does not.

White is the most easily soiled color, for a living room visited by many people, it is unlikely to be universal. You can replace it with a cherry, emerald or peach shade.

Brown - the color is quite dark, it needs to be "diluted". It is important that the light color is in harmony with the wood and the floor. nine0003

The living room does not always function as a relaxation room. If the owners are going to put a desktop into it and turn it into an office, it is best to add a green tint to the strict brown.

Living-bedroom can be framed in brown combined with red or turquoise. If the living room serves as a dining room, it is appropriate to give the room liveliness and dilute it with yellow accents.

Let the furniture be brown, and the lamp above it and the dishes yellow. Green will help create a feeling of closeness to nature. It is enough to install a couple of prominent plants in the living room and decorate the sofa with bright pillows. nine0003

Rust color is not always appropriate in the interior. However, upholstered furniture of a “rusty” color looks advantageous against the background of light wallpapers.

Properly placed color priorities make a brown living room a cozy place.

Tips

A brown living room is involuntarily associated with sweets. This feature can be skillfully used: let there be a couple of coffee gulls on the table in the hall or sweets.

Designers do not recommend hanging suspended ceilings or installing mirrors in a brown living room. The best option is to make the ceiling matte, creating a contrast. Brown curtains in the living room, combined with peach-colored walls, can expand the space a bit.

There is little light in such a living room, so you should not aggravate the situation by installing stained glass windows. Ordinary plastic with laminated frames will do. The doors selected for them look noble. You should beware of chrome lamps, unnatural, too yellow light. nine0003

Brown has the property of bringing objects closer together. You should beware of its shades in small and narrow spaces.

The most classic version of the design of the brown living room: light walls, expensive parquet flooring, plain upholstered furniture with a restrained design. For upholstery, materials like tapestry, jacquard, velor, chenille are suitable. It is not necessary to stick to the classic style, newfangled leather sofas and armchairs will fit perfectly.

Satin curtains, velvet furniture, rare decorations, bronze lamps and paintings complete the interior of the brown living room, giving it nobility.

A blue velor sofa against dark walls will perfectly fit into the interior of a brown living room. Mirrors, lamps, carpets, pillows will create an atmosphere of home comfort.

Brown wallpaper in the living room can be safely combined with bright splashes: red, orange, blue. The picture will be complemented by light columns, panels and plinths. nine0003

Modern living room design in brown

Combination of brown and cream colors in the interior of the living room

Brown color for interior decoration

Bark, cinnamon, brown… One word row. Feeling of naturalness, naturalness and closeness to all living things. It is considered a natural color, including shades of earth and fallen autumn leaves. According to its effect on a person, it belongs to neutral shades that pacify and soothe, give a feeling of comfort and security. nine0003

Living rooms in brown tones are preferred by melancholy, privacy-loving and nostalgic people. In such an interior it will be convenient to relax in the evening after a hard day from the hustle and bustle of city life. Those whose work is associated with noise and bright visual effects will feel especially calm here.

Brown shades are soothing

Small living room in brown tones

Brown shades in the interior of the living room bring a sense of stability and stability. Thinking about various important issues in such a room, decisions are made balanced and deliberate. Rest among such walls is calm and serene. nine0003

Remember! Emerald, turquoise, orange, blue accessories will help add brightness and dynamism to the brown living room. Sometimes a few pillows on the sofa or vases with paintings are enough to make the room sparkle with freshness.

Brown color often appears in incredible shades, different, unlike each other. By choosing the right color for the living room, they can correct shortcomings, for example, visually stretch the room or expand it. Light shades will be able to visually increase the height of the room and increase it in depth. nine0003

Spacious modern living room with brown elements

Brown furniture in a modern living room design

They will also help to recreate the right mood. For a cold and gloomy room with north-facing windows, you can choose light brown with a yellowish tint. Brown with red or red nuances will give the room cheerfulness and optimism. And shades of chocolate brown will turn the most ordinary living room into a luxurious hall with a cover of mystery. nine0003

These colors are not contraindicated even for small spaces. You need to follow the rule, the smaller the room, the more light surfaces you need to match the main tone, and make more bright accents.

Combination of brown and blue colors in the interior of the living room

Brown color with green in the interior of the living room

Orange color combined with brown in the interior of the living room

Shades of brown

shades everyone will find the one that he personally likes. Because brown options are chocolate, cocoa or coffee, shades of wood and cinnamon. All of them are well suited for decorating a living room in various styles. nine0003

The most popular combinations

With its noble character, brown color wonderfully sets off many colors. Blue, yellow and green are perfectly combined with it. The most successful combinations are obtained from classical unions.

Brown - white or beige

This interior has an elegant look, the contrast gives it solemnity and harmony. The classic design involves walls in two colors: brown and white or beige. Such a technique is also popular when not the entire wall is made in a contrasting color, but part of it, for example, a niche behind the TV. nine0003

Large objects look good in contrast, for example, a beige carpet on a brown floor or vice versa. In modern furniture designs, this can be a sofa of a simple, concise shape, made in one color, and a lot of pillows in the second leading shade. For such a living room interior, coffee tables made of wood are selected in the usual rectangular shape without unnecessary elements.

Brown-Green

Also a traditional combination. For it, green is used in a grassy, ​​swampy shade, avoiding bright, flashy accents. In this version, classic living rooms are often performed, measured and a little heavy. nine0003

Upholstered furniture is selected with rounded parts. Well, if it is made of brown leather. In such an interior, the presence of natural wood in warm shades is mandatory. And it can be a cabinet wall made in the style of an English living room, a dining group from the same collection.

The walls are green and the ceiling can be finished with wooden beams. If the design of the living room is done in lighter colors, copper, olive, then dark brown furniture is selected. nine0003

Brown - blue

Bold and bright solution. In such an interior, the main emphasis is on contrast. If the walls are finished with wallpaper of the main color (it can be partners with a large print and plain), then sofas in blue will look interesting. With the opposite option and heavenly walls, they acquire a brown sofa, complementing it with blue pillows. In such an interior, textiles with contrasting patterns will be appropriate.

Blue may have shades. For a modern living room, a rich dark color would be appropriate, and light colors are more suitable for the classics. Brown with turquoise and gold trim is the perfect option for lovers of everything elegant and stylish. nine0003

Brown-yellow

Such an interior will be truly cozy and homely. Yellow furniture and various accessories will bring the energy of warmth and tranquility. Interiors are considered classic, where all shades of golden, orange, brick, orange are found.

Selecting brown living room furniture

Since the name of the color means bark, it is clear that the main material for making furniture in the living room is wood. Such items always look stylish and noble. Furniture with chocolate or whitewashed facades looks spectacular. More popular shades of cinnamon and light brown, matching the texture with natural wood. nine0003

One of the most popular items in the living room is the sofa, often made in brown leather or textile. This is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also practical, as stains are less noticeable on such upholstery, and it is easy to care for it. If there are children in the family, then instead of leather upholstery, you can buy furniture with modern materials that are softer and warmer to the touch, but very easy to clean. You can balance the brown color of the sofa with heavy curtains of the same shade. And as a highlight, add transparent curtains of a green or blue hue to them. nine0003

For a small living room, you can purchase a small sofa, and if the area allows it, it can be modular furniture complete with white or beige armchairs. A pouffe is also purchased for such a set, and not necessarily from the material from which the main furniture is made. With its light shade, it will help to dilute the deep shade; sofa cushions or a blanket also get to match it.

Unless the owners want to recreate the spirit of old England with a dark interior in their home, then cabinet furniture is matched to the dark walls: a wall, a rack, a chest of drawers - in light brown colors. It can be shades of chocolate, cappuccino, cocoa, bark of trees of various species, stained wood. They will bring warmth and comfort to the living room. nine0003

The role of accessories

Accessories can enliven any laconic interior, give it coziness and warmth. There are many possibilities for a brown living room, as a few stylish touches will add brightness and charm to the room. It all depends on the imagination of the inhabitants of the housing and their desires.

Very important! Try to keep a sense of proportion so as not to oversaturate such an interior with natural patterns. It is necessary to strictly dose the number of leopard or tiger patterns so that they do not turn into a banal kitsch. nine0003

Design tips