23 Earth Tone Decorating Ideas for a Cozy Space

By Interior Designer TRACY SVENDSEN | Published on September 14, 2023 | Updated on March 01, 2023 | 

Earthtone Decorating Ideas:  Earth tones, such as warm browns, rustic oranges, and deep greens, evoke a sense of grounding and connection to the natural world and are a favorite of interior designers. I love adding these deep, moody tones to any interiors as they instantly elevate the space and provide a timeless aesthetic. 

Whether you live in a bustling city or a tranquil rural area, incorporating earth tones into your home can reconnect you with nature and promote a sense of well-being. Embrace the beauty of the outdoors and bring a touch of serenity to your living space with the following earth tone decorating ideas. Feature image above courtesy of Amber Interiors.

Here are a few benefits and design tips for decorating in earth tones:

Living Room in Warm Earthy Colors
Image courtesy of Jake Arnold Design

1. The Benefits of Incorporating Nature Into Home Decor

Bringing nature into your home has numerous benefits beyond aesthetic appeal. Being surrounded by natural elements can reduce stress, improve mood, and increase productivity. You can create a space that promotes a sense of calm and well-being by incorporating an earthy color palette.

One of the key advantages of earth tone decorating is its versatility. Earth tones can be incorporated into various design styles, from modern to farmhouse and rustic, allowing you to create a space that suits your taste.

Incorporating earth tones into your home decor can also help you feel more connected to the environment. By surrounding yourself with the colors and textures of nature, you can create a sense of harmony and balance that is often lacking in our fast-paced, technology-driven lives. 

2. Understanding Earth Tones and Color Psychology

Before diving into earth tone decorating, it’s important to understand what exactly constitutes earth tones and how they can impact the overall feel of a space. Earth tones are colors inspired by nature, such as browns, greens, oranges, and yellows. These colors are often muted, warm, and neutral, creating a soothing and grounding effect.

Color psychology plays a crucial role in interior design. Earth tones are often associated with feelings of stability, warmth, and relaxation. Brown, for example, is often associated with security and comfort, while green reflects growth and rejuvenation.

By incorporating these colors into your home, you can create a space that promotes a sense of tranquility and well-being. Consider the mood you want to create when choosing earth tones for your home. Lighter shades of earth tones can make a space feel airy and open, while darker hues create a cozy and intimate ambiance. Experiment with different shades to find the perfect balance for your home.

3. Amber Interiors: A Top Interior Designer Using Earthtones Perfectly

Amber Lewis Interiors is a well-known interior design firm in Los Angeles, California. Founded by its namesake, Amber Lewis, the firm is known for its warm and inviting designs that often incorporate earth tones and natural materials.

With a focus on creating beautiful and functional spaces, Amber Lewis Interiors has quickly become a favorite among clients who want to create a space that feels like home. This post highlights many of her design projects that feature gorgeous interiors drenched in warm, earthy hues. 

4. Earth Tone Color Ideas for Different Rooms in the Home

Now that we’ve covered the benefits of earth tone decorating and the impact of color psychology, let’s explore some color palette ideas for different rooms in the house. Whether you want to create a calming bedroom, a welcoming living room, or a cozy kitchen, there are endless possibilities for incorporating earth tones into your home. 

Start by selecting a palette dominated by earthy hues such as warm browns, soft greens, sandy beiges, terracotta, muted oranges, and deep blues. These colors evoke feelings of calmness and connection to nature.

5. Earthtones in the Bedroom

Consider combining warm browns and muted greens in the bedroom to create a serene and relaxing atmosphere. Opt for bedding and curtains in earthy tones, and add color with botanical-inspired accents, such as leafy green plants or floral artwork, to create a space that promotes restful sleep and relaxation.

6. Earthtones in the Living Room

In the living room, earth tones help create a cozy and inviting space for entertaining guests or spending quality time with family. Consider using a neutral color palette of browns, creams, and warm oranges for the walls and furniture. Add texture and visual interest with natural materials like wood, stone, and decorative branches, and complete the look with soft lighting and cozy textiles, such as chunky knit blankets and plush pillows. 

7. Warm Earthtones in the Kitchen

Consider using earth tones for the kitchen to create a warm and inviting space that inspires culinary creativity. Opt for natural wood cabinets and countertops, and pair them with warm taupe or beige walls. Add color with earth-inspired accessories, such as terracotta pots for herbs or a vibrant green backsplash, to create a functional and inviting kitchen.

8. Earthtones Decorating Ideas for the Dining Room

Using earth tones in a dining room design can create a sense of warmth and intimacy, making it the perfect space for hosting dinner parties or enjoying family meals. Use warm brown and burnt orange hues for the walls and furniture, and add color with nature-inspired artwork or floral centerpieces.

Natural wood finishes and woven textures can add depth and visual interest to the space, while soft lighting and candles can create a cozy ambiance. Incorporating earth tones into your dining room decor can help create a welcoming and inviting space for all your guests to enjoy.

9. Natural Materials and Textures for a Rustic and Organic Feel

In addition to color, incorporating natural materials and textures into your home can further enhance your space’s earthy and organic feel. Materials like wood, stone, and jute can add warmth, texture, and visual interest to any room.

Consider incorporating a reclaimed wood coffee table, a stone accent wall, or a fireplace surround in the living room to create a rustic and cozy focal point. Add softness and comfort with a jute rug and plush upholstery in earthy tones. This combination of natural materials and textures will create a space that feels grounded and connected to nature.

Opt for a wooden bed frame or a dresser with a natural wood finish in the bedroom. Pair these with soft, organic bedding materials like linen or cotton for a cozy and inviting feel. Add natural elements like potted plants or a woven basket for extra texture and visual interest.

Natural stone tiles or a wooden vanity can create a spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom. Pair these with soft, fluffy towels in earthy tones and add natural accents like seashells or pebbles for a touch of nature to create a bathroom that feels like a sanctuary, allowing you to unwind and relax.

10. Pair Earth Tones with Crisp Whites

Pairing earth tones with crisp whites is a great way to balance the warm, rich hues of earth tones. White has a clean and fresh feel that can brighten a space and create a sense of openness. 

It can also highlight the earthy tones and add depth to the color scheme. White can be used as a neutral backdrop for earth tones, allowing them to stand out and create a focal point in the room. 

Pair white wall paint with throw pillows in earth-tone colors for a cozy living room. Cool tones contrast sharply with warmer colors, resulting in a modern, sophisticated, timeless, and elegant look. 

11. Play with Pattern & Texture

Layer different textures to add depth and interest to your decor. Consider incorporating woven baskets, wallpaper, chunky knit blankets, plush area rugs, textured throw pillows, wall art, and rough-hewn wood accents. Incorporate nature-inspired elements, wooden beams, wrought iron, and vintage pieces for an earthy look.

12. Include Accent Pieces

Add accents in earthy tones through artwork, ceramics, pottery, and decorative objects. Look for pieces with natural motifs like leaves, flowers, animals, or landscapes. Add earthy accents to your open shelving and tabletops with decorative objects like pottery, wood carvings, or woven baskets. 

13. Incorporate Fall Decor

Fall decor is perfect for incorporating earth tone colors into your home. The rich colors of Autumn, such as warm browns, rusty oranges, and deep greens, are all excellent choices for creating a warm atmosphere. 

Consider adding a few throw pillows in these colors or incorporating earthy elements like pumpkins, leaves, and pinecones into your decor. You can paint walls in an earthy color and swap out curtains or table linens for ones in earth tones to give your space a cozy autumnal feel.

14. Incorporate the Most Popular Earth Tones

Some of the most popular earth tones include neutral colors, warm browns, burnt orange, rust, moss greens, sandy beige, muted yellow, terracotta, and deep blue. These colors are inspired by nature and evoke a sense of grounding and connection to the natural world. 

15. Plants and Greenery

Introduce indoor plants and fresh greenery to bring life and vitality to your space. Plants add a fresh and vibrant color, purify the air, and create a sense of serenity. Consider succulents, ferns, or snake plants to add a touch of green to your space.

16. Artwork and Photography

Display artwork or photography featuring nature scenes or landscapes to reinforce the earthy theme and bring the outdoors inside. Choose artwork that features warm browns, muted oranges, and deep greens to complement your earthy color scheme. Wooden frames, stone sculptures, and metal wall art can also enhance the earthy aesthetic.

​17. Warm & Soft Lighting Fixtures

Incorporate warm and soft lighting to create a relaxing ambiance. Consider using table lamps, floor lamps, and string lights with warm-toned bulbs to enhance the earthy atmosphere. Look for lamps and light fixtures in warm brass or copper finishes, or add a candle in a natural scent like sandalwood or cedarwood.

Maximize natural light by keeping windows unobstructed and using sheer curtains or blinds that allow light to filter through. Natural light not only brightens up your space but also highlights the natural elements in your decor.

18. Sustainable and Eco-friendly Decor Options

Incorporating earth-tone decor into your home can go hand in hand with sustainable and eco-friendly practices. By choosing sustainable materials and products, you can create a space that looks beautiful and has a positive impact on the environment.

When it comes to textiles, choose natural and organic materials like linen, cotton, or hemp. These materials are better for the environment and feel luxurious and soft to the touch. 

Finally, minimalism, such as Japandi Design, is a trend that complements earth-tone decorating perfectly. You can create a calming and harmonious environment by keeping your space clutter-free and focusing on simplicity. Opt for clean lines, natural materials, and a limited color palette to achieve this look.

19. Balance and Harmony

Maintain balance and harmony throughout the room by evenly distributing earth tones evenly and avoiding overwhelming the space with one dominant color. Experiment with different combinations and arrangements until you achieve a cohesive and visually pleasing result.

20. Incorporate Rich Woods

Integrate furniture and decor from rich, natural woods like walnut, oak, or mahogany. Wood furniture adds warmth and depth to a space and complements earthy color palettes beautifully.

21. Balance with Lighter Tones

Balance out the richness of earth tones with lighter shades to prevent the space from feeling too heavy. Incorporate lighter hues such as soft whites, creams, or pale blues through smaller decor items, upholstery, or wall art.

22. Personalize with Accessories

Personalize your space with accessories that reflect your style and interests. Display meaningful items such as travel souvenirs, handmade ceramics, or vintage finds to add character and charm to your earth-toned decor.

23. Earth Tone Decorating Ideas on a Budget

Creating an earthy and inviting space doesn’t have to break the bank. You surround yourself with earth-tone decor on a budget with creativity and resourcefulness. Start by shopping at thrift stores or flea markets for unique and affordable furniture and decor pieces. Look for items made from natural materials like wood or rattan, and consider giving them a fresh coat of paint or a new finish to fit your desired color palette.

DIY projects can also be a cost-effective way to incorporate earth tones into your home. Consider using earth-tone paint colors on an accent wall or repurposing old furniture with a distressed or whitewashed finish. You can also create your botanical artwork by pressing leaves or flowers and framing them.

When it comes to textiles, consider shopping for second-hand or vintage pieces. You can find unique and high-quality items at a fraction of the cost. Alternatively, look for affordable options made from natural fibers like cotton or linen, often more budget-friendly than synthetic materials.

Earth Tone Decorating Ideas Conclusion

Incorporating earthy colors is a beautiful way to reconnect with nature and create a space that promotes tranquility and well-being. Warm colors such as mustard yellow, forest green, deep reds, rich brown, and terracotta tones evoke a sense of grounding and connection to the natural world.

By understanding color psychology, incorporating natural materials, and bringing plants and greenery into your space, you can create an earthy oasis that feels inviting and relaxing. Whether you live in a bustling city or a tranquil rural area, embracing the beauty of the outdoors can bring a touch of serenity to your living space.

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