Why We're Embracing Earthy Decor In 2023, According To An Expert

In 2025, interior design is experiencing a notable resurgence of earth tones, marking a widespread shift toward natural hues across various living spaces, including kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. This movement, characterized by colors such as cool browns, warm terracottas, greens, beiges, and burnt reds and oranges, emphasizes shades found in nature. Experts highlight the growing popularity of dark browns, with Emily Kantz, color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams, noting their association with stability, comfort, richness, and tranquility, transforming spaces into personal retreats. Interior designer Dana Wolter also points to the aesthetic appeal of rust and taupe, particularly in smaller areas like butler's pantries. The widespread appeal of earth tones is deeply rooted in their connection to the natural world, serving as an extension of the biophilic design trend, which aims to integrate outdoor elements into indoor environments. This trend gained significant traction following the Covid-19 pandemic, as individuals sought to create more soothing and natural home atmospheres. The psychological aspect also plays a role, as explained by ecological valence theory; color preferences are often linked to emotional experiences. For example, deep terracotta might evoke memories of family vacations, while rich greens could recall outdoor adventures, adding a layer of personal significance to these shades. Several product introductions underscore this return to earth tones. KitchenAid's Evergreen stand mixer, paired with a wood mixing bowl, introduced natural elements to a traditionally utilitarian appliance. Farrow & Ball's recent paint collection, featuring earthy hues like Scallop (pink-gray), Dibber (lush green), and Reduced Green, further illustrates the trend. Pantone's choice of Mocha Mousse as the 2025 Color of the Year, a warm and cozy brown, signifies its versatility and widespread applicability. Additionally, textile and wallcovering brands like Perennials, with its "Down to Earth" collection, and Élitis, with sisal wallcoverings in natural shades, are incorporating these colors into their designs, sometimes accented with gold and silver. Decorating with earth tones is inherently simple due to their versatility and ability to complement other colors. Interior designer Roger Higgins emphasizes that these tones provide an excellent backdrop for bolder colors and patterns, and that various earth tones can be mixed harmoniously. Kantz suggests using deep green in a living room for a cozy feel or dark watery blue in a bedroom for a restorative environment. For those seeking less commitment, incorporating earth tones through furniture, such as a brown-stained cabinet, or handmade green decor items, allows for experimentation before undertaking more permanent changes like painting walls. This approach enables homeowners to gradually introduce the palette and observe its effects. #EarthTones #InteriorDesign #ColorTrends2025 #NaturalHues #HomeDecor #BiophilicDesign #PaintColors #HomeStyling #DecoratingTips

The upcoming year, 2025, is anticipated to bring a shift in interior design trends, moving towards warmer, more authentic, and functional aesthetics, according to various designers across the West. A prominent color prediction aligns with Pantone's Mocha Mousse, with a strong emphasis on warm neutrals, beiges, and browns. These tones are expected to be integrated through paint choices, and extensively in rugs, furniture, and throw pillows, creating textured and inviting spaces. This trend also extends to warm woods, with designers anticipating a significant shift towards chocolate stains over yellows, featuring honey-dipped American walnut, espresso-stained ash, and mousey brown European oak, particularly in kitchens with custom, furniture-like cabinetry. Material fusion is another key trend, combining elements like warm woods and raw concrete to create organic yet industrial and cozy yet edgy aesthetics. This blend is seen as a way to achieve a 'wow factor' without excessive effort. There is also a growing interest in reclaimed and repurposed details, promoting eco-friendly practices. This includes retrofitting vintage mantels into custom millwork and repurposing antique furniture, such as dressers, into bathroom vanities, adding history and new life to spaces. Multipurpose spaces and furniture are becoming increasingly important, reflecting evolving home dynamics. Creative storage solutions, such as dining room tables with integrated linen storage and built-in bed storage, are gaining popularity. This focus on functionality also extends to appliances, with smaller, multi-functional options like convection steam ovens being favored in kitchens with limited space. Daybeds are making a comeback, offering additional seating, lounging areas, and impromptu nap spots. Color trends indicate a move away from perfectly monochromatic cream spaces towards playful and bold choices. Designers predict the saturation of spaces with washed tones of the same color range, accented with energetic pops of contrasting hues. This includes combinations like persimmon orange with browns or jewel-tone blues with playful blushes. Large patterns in tiles, especially those that piece together to form grander designs, are also expected to be prevalent. Kitchen nooks are re-emerging as cozy, multifunctional areas for dining, reading, or working, often featuring built-in seating and playful prints. Details like jewelry-like hardware for kitchens and bathrooms are anticipated to add personality and a unique, artful touch, with designers moving away from plain, minimalist pulls. Built-in features, such as custom shelving and cabinetry, are replacing modular pieces to create intentional, cohesive, and functional spaces. In bathrooms, bold stone slabs with dynamic patterns, striking veining, layered textures, or rich tones are expected to take center stage, transforming surfaces into defining features. Mixing heirlooms is also gaining traction, integrating vintage and antique items into both traditional and contemporary interiors to add depth, interest, and personal history. Sustainability remains a crucial design consideration, with homeowners prioritizing eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient solutions. European brands are leading innovations in production techniques and responsibly sourced materials, and discussions about reducing carbon footprints and creating toxin-free homes are becoming more common. Microshaker cabinets are trending for their timeless, modern vibe, replacing older, blockier shaker styles. Tiled backsplashes are predicted to return, moving away from solid surfaces. Rich reds, including mulberry, burgundy, and merlots, are set to become popular. Gingham patterns are making a statement due to their modern, traditional, and playful qualities, offering balance when paired with florals, geometric prints, or solids. Curves in cabinetry, furniture, lighting, and hardware are adding softness and a modern feel to interiors. Comfort-driven spaces are gaining importance, with clients seeking authentic homes that embrace their family's story and evolving chaos, moving away from perfectly staged environments. Ornamental and oversized, sculptural lighting fixtures are expected to serve as statement pieces, akin to artwork. Flush mount lighting is also anticipated to be widely used throughout homes, adding interest beyond recessed lights. In flooring, the focus is on mid-toned, smaller-scale wood planks and intricate applications of stone and tile, emphasizing balance and detail. Wellness-focused bathrooms continue to evolve, with Japanese soaking tubs offering a deeper soak in smaller footprints, and primary bathrooms transforming into mini gym/spa hybrids with infrared rooms and integrated cold plunges, complemented by vintage elements. Finally, proper wine storage, featuring advanced preservation technology, is becoming essential for those who imbibe at home. #DesignTrends2025 #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ColorTrends #SustainableDesign #FunctionalSpaces #MaterialFusion #PersonalizedInteriors #WellnessDesign

The article discusses the emerging interior design trend of "color drenching," which is predicted to define home interiors in 2026, marking a shift away from the minimalist and neutral palettes that dominated the 2010s. This trend involves using a single, cohesive color across an entire room, including walls, trim, ceilings, baseboards, and even some furniture, to create a sense of warmth, depth, and personality. The 2026 Zillow Home Trend Report indicates a 149% year-over-year increase in mentions of color drenching, reflecting a growing homeowner desire for unique, expressive spaces. Interior designers Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design and Lesley Myrick of Lesley Myrick Interior Design explain that color drenching elevates color from a supporting role to the main star of a room, allowing homeowners to express their personal style rather than adhering to generic catalog aesthetics. They differentiate color drenching from accent walls, noting that while an accent wall aims to stand out, color drenching creates a seamless, enveloping mood. This approach, though bold, is considered unfussy because the consistent application of color makes it feel more like an overall atmosphere than a singular focal point. For those interested in adopting this trend, designers recommend starting with smaller, contained spaces such as guest bathrooms, reading nooks, offices, bedrooms, or powder rooms. These areas provide an ideal opportunity to experiment with color drenching without committing to larger, more visible rooms. Myrick shares an example of transforming a study with a soft green-gray, making the space feel richer and more layered by enhancing existing wood tones, art, and lighting. Color drenching in smaller rooms is also presented as an effective way to achieve a curated look without adding visual clutter. Before implementing color drenching, several steps are advised. First, homeowners should choose a color they genuinely love and that evokes positive feelings, whether it's a calming olive green or a warm terracotta. For color selection, deep, moody tones like olive, navy, and aubergine are suggested for impact, while dusty greens, warm taupes, or blush pinks can create a serene environment. Cathy Hobbs of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes recommends using "fire colors" like mustard or orange to brighten rooms with limited natural light. Second, testing the chosen color is crucial. Lisbeth Parada, color marketing manager for Sherwin-Williams, advises painting a test section or even an accent wall and observing how the color appears under different natural and artificial lighting conditions throughout the day, as lighting can significantly alter a color's perception. Third, to prevent a monochromatic room from appearing flat, combining different finishes within the same color is recommended. This could involve using a matte finish for walls and a subtle sheen (like eggshell or satin) for trim, which adds depth and dimension without breaking the monochromatic scheme. Finally, adding texture through decor and materials, such as upholstered furniture with patterns, metallic accents, rugs, or woven lighting fixtures, can further enrich the space and make it feel cozier and more inviting. #ColorDrenching #InteriorDesignTrends #HomeDecor #PaintTrends #MonochromaticSpaces #PersonalizedInteriors #ColorPsychology #HomeStyling #DesignTips

In 2021, top paint brands presented a diverse spectrum of paint colors of the year, including orange, green, blue, red, and bronze, each associated with themes such as ease, comfort, calm, and peace. Despite the shared themes, there was no clear consensus on specific hues. However, as the 2022 paint colors of the year began to emerge, a consistent trend became apparent: a widespread agreement on the prominence of green shades. This year's selections largely lean into nature-inspired greens, with notable examples including Behr Paint’s silvery-green Breezeway, Benjamin Moore’s sage-hued October Mist, and Sherwin-Williams’ gray-green Evergreen Fog. These choices signify a collective desire among consumers to infuse their living spaces with a sense of serenity. Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Color & Creative Services at Behr, explained that their selection, Breezeway MQ3-21, embodies a feeling of renewal, restoration, and rediscovery of the outside world. She described it as offering peace and tranquility, acting as a breath of fresh air within the home. Beyond its calming properties, these green hues also symbolize optimism and a forward-looking perspective. Woelfel highlighted that after spending unprecedented time indoors, consumers are seeking colors that represent moving forward in 2022. Breezeway, for instance, metaphorically links the home to the outside world, guiding occupants from one state to another. Amy Donato, Senior Color Marketing Manager at PPG paint, echoed this sentiment regarding their 2022 Color of the Year, Olive Sprig. She noted that after a period of lockdown, people are seeking to shift their mindsets by changing their environments. The preference for optimistic colors reflects a desire for a new era in home design, moving away from previous restrictions. Nature, which provided solace during the previous year, continues to be a significant source of inspiration for color and design trends in 2022. Specific color selections from various brands further illustrate this trend. Behr Paint’s Breezeway is described as a “relaxed and uplifting sea glass green,” chosen for its versatility and ability to create various moods from peaceful to uplifting. Sherwin-Williams’ Evergreen Fog is a “nourishing and sophisticated” gray-green, intended to inspire new beginnings in both modern interiors and exteriors. Benjamin Moore’s October Mist, a “gently shaded sage,” reflects the evolving nature of home spaces and the desire to express individuality through color. Glidden’s Guacamole is a cheerful and soothing green, addressing the widespread online trend of green kitchens and earthy bedrooms driven by a need for calm and rejuvenation. Finally, PPG’s Olive Sprig, another gray-green, is presented as elegant, grounded, versatile, and adaptable, symbolizing regrowth and nature's resilience in a post-pandemic world. These diverse yet harmonious green shades collectively represent a unified vision for design in the upcoming year, focusing on tranquility, optimism, and a reconnection with nature. #PaintColors2022 #GreenHues #HomeDesignTrends #ColorOfTheYear #InteriorDesign #NatureInspired #SereneSpaces #PaintTrends