How to Use Earthy Tones in Your Interiors

JANUARY 5, 2026

In a fast-paced world of constantly changing interior trends, it’s no surprise that more of us are reaching for the timeless, grounding power of earth tones in our homes.

 

From updating colour palettes to styling complementary accessories and furniture, there are plenty of ways to incorporate evocative earthy tones in your interiors, creating calming spaces that invite you to slow down and relax. 

Carefully Choose Your Colour Palette

Earthy tones that are popular in interior design take inspiration from the natural world and the very earth itself, with varying shades of browns and greys as well as rich greens, burnt oranges, muddy yellows, muted blues and dusty pinks providing the general colour palette.

 

Within these colours, there is so much scope to combine and contrast different shades and hues. Think carefully about whether you want to create a palette that provides a calming, energising or neutralising effect to the space.  

Add Warmth With Terracotta, Rust or Mustard 

For rooms where you want to add warmth and an element of liveliness, choose warming tones like terracotta, burnt orange, rust, ochre, mustard, tan and latte-inspired colours. You can incorporate these colours through wall paint, decor or large furniture pieces to make your chosen palette pop. 

Create Drama With Moody Browns

To create a moodier, richer space with more depth and opportunities for contrast, opt for darker chocolate, coffee and walnut brown tones. Using muted browns adds drama without overwhelming the space, keeping things grounded yet elegant.  

Boost Character With Moss Green

To add a sense of energy and lively character to your interiors, consider using subdued greens like moss, olive, sage or pine. Greens are great for getting that earthy feel while still incorporating a pop of colour into your spaces. 

Make the Most of Wooden Furniture

Another easy way to incorporate earth tones in your home is by making a feature of your favourite wood furniture. Antique pieces or reclaimed wood furniture often work even better, as the natural character, tones and variations in the wood shine through especially well.

 

Combine different types of wood in the same tonal family to provide a rich, layered look while keeping everything cohesive. 

Utilise Other Natural Elements

Other natural materials like stone, brick, terracotta or rustic metals also provide good opportunities to add versatile earth tones into your home. This is often best achieved by styling different decorative pieces on shelves or sideboards to provide additional hints of colour and texture. 

Incorporate Lots of Texture

Layering different textures is an important aspect of decorating with earthy tones, as it’ll ensure your room doesn’t end up feeling flat or too one-dimensional, especially if you only want to use one main colour. Think about incorporating cream or neutral rugs, curtains and other textiles to soften your room.

 

Woven fabrics like jute or rattan can also work nicely to bring in extra texture and depth, as well as being naturally earth-toned. 

Accessorise With Greenery

Another obvious choice is to bring in more houseplants and greenery to your home. Not only will this help instantly refresh the space, but it will also add natural tones straight from nature, bringing authenticity and vibrancy to your colour palette.

Use the Right Lighting 

Lighting is an important aspect of any interior. Being very intentional about your lighting setup can help enhance your earth tone palette further, highlighting the inherent warmth and cosiness of these colours. Use soft, warm lighting in the form of different floor and table lamps and even candles to create a welcoming, layered look that lets your colours and accessories shine. 

Display Accessories to Add Variation

If you want to bring more colours and earthy variation into your spaces, but don’t want to commit to a full redesign, start small with accessories. Perfecting your home decor is a great way to introduce different natural materials, too, whether you display stony statues, warm wooden picture frames or expressive earth-toned plant pots.

 

There are so many ways to get creative with your home accessories and show off your personality while keeping to a grounded, earthy theme. 

Decorating with earth tones is the perfect way to create warm, welcoming spaces where you can escape the chaos of modern life.

 

If you want to incorporate rich, natural, earthy tones into your home and invest in quality pieces to last a lifetime, antique furniture is ideal. Chinese and Indian antique furniture and reclaimed pieces are infused with character and warmth, perfect for elevating this style. For more inspiration, see our guide to reclaimed wood. 

Guide to Reclaimed Wood Furniture
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