Best Colors That Match With Brown
Black When black and brown come together, it creates a dark and dramatic pairing. To avoid an overly-dark look, choose lighter browns, like taupe or tan. To embrace the darkness, try rich tones like espresso brown that complement black beautifully. Not much black is needed to add depth to brown, whether in a room or an outfit. Meet the wikiHow Experts Paul Julch, MA, is a personal wardrobe stylist, speaker, and the founder of Urbanite Suburbanite, a wardrobe styling business. Anoushka Dannin is a color analysis expert who helps clients discover their unique color palettes. Kathryn Welsh is an interior designer and the co-founder of Design Inside. With over 15 years of experience, Kathryn specializes in designing, remodeling, and decorating spaces. Shelley Golden is a personal stylist with over 20 years of fashion and visual arts experience.
Light pink When brown is paired with pale pink, it works to ground the light and airy feel that pale pink has. Some interesting shades of brown to pair with pink include a warm chocolate brown and a taupe. Adding a cream, warm white, or gray to the mix, whether in a room or wearing an outfit, can bring even more balance.
Yellow Like brown and blue, the combination of yellow and brown is very complementary. In particular, mustard yellow offsets darker shades of brown very well while adding a vintage feel. Mustard yellow and golden yellow are also both darker than some overly bright or loud yellows that you may not be comfortable decorating with or wearing. Lemon yellow provides a brighter, cheerful look if you want to add sunshine to your earthy brown tones.
Green Medium, leafy-colored green is a wonderful accent when paired with brown. Brown works with most shades of green naturally, which is why brown pots are often used when displaying greenery. Some specific shades of green that go well with brown include:: Emerald green offers a bold statement when added to brown furniture. Olive green comes in many shades, all of which add sophistication to pale browns. Kelly green is a brighter, lighter yellow-toned green that also works with brown. Sage green works best when matched with lighter shades of brown for a vintage look. Seafoam green gives a beachy feel when used alongside sandy shades of brown. Mint green offers a springtime pop of color to softer and darker brown shades.
Red Cardinal red and brick red are two vivid shades that offset both lighter shades of brown and darker tones. It’s also possible to use a softer brick red shade when you want a more subtle combination of colors. It’s possible to make brown from the 3 primary colors of red, blue, and white, which makes it easy to understand why red and many other shades work well with brown.
Burgundy The unique reddish-purple shade of burgundy appears rich and lavish when matched with darker, espresso browns. If you want to add a light touch to this dramatic combination, consider a splash of warm white or soft yellow. Color analysis expert Anoushka Dannin recommends using a pattern that incorporates a “warm burgundy, or one made up of brown, burgundy, and navy."
Blue Few color combinations are as naturally paired as brown and blue. Navy blue works well with darker shades of brown with cool undertones, but be careful that the pairing doesn’t appear too dark. Try adding in a light neutral or pop of color like tangerine or lemon yellow to brighten things up. Other complementary blue shades include: Powder blue is another shade of blue that pairs well with brown, especially because it’s very light and cool. Ultramarine blue is brighter than traditional navy and makes a bold statement when paired with brown. Ash blue is a neutral combination of light blue and gray, which both go with brown. Cerulean blue is rich and intense, so pair it carefully so it’s not overwhelming.
Gray Cool shades of gray paired with brown are one of the most versatile color combinations. Matching colors like light, pale grays, and browns create a subtle mood; deeper shades work to make a bolder statement. In particular, charcoal gray and brown offer a calming, neutral balance and work with both pale and dark shades of brown. Because both colors are somewhat neutral, add a pop of color for a cheery touch.
Orange Orange and brown may feel like it’s the 1970s, but there was a reason the combo was so popular—they’re both warm, comforting, and nostalgic. Burnt orange looks especially good when paired with warmer shades of brown. Using softer burnt orange shades is a way to prevent too warm a pairing. Tangerine is a brighter variation of orange that adds some sunshine. Terra Cotta is a clay-like orange and brown color associated with the Mediterranean.
Teal The vivid green-blue tones in teal offset the warm tones of brown very well. Since brown naturally pairs with both green and blue, this choice is obvious. Pair teal with softer brown, gray browns, or other browns with cool undertones. Turquoise is considered a lighter, more green-blue variation of teal, which appears lively and energetic when paired with brown.
Purple A medium purple can look lovely when paired with a darker or reddish brown. Purple can be bold, so it works better as a focal point against a brown background. For example, add purple flowers or a vase to a brown-toned room. Other shades of purple that match with brown include: Plum is a form of purple with orange and brown shades that pick up brown nicely. Lilac is the best choice when you can’t decide on purple or pink (both pair with brown!) Aubergine is a dramatic deep purple bordering on black for an intense look.
Fuchsia The lively pink, purple, and reddish undertones of fuchsia complement the warm tones of brown well when you need a strong color accent in your pairing. This is especially true when you’re looking for a strong contrast.
White When it comes to pairing white and brown, you can’t go wrong with a cool white. This is particularly true when it’s combined with a seal brown or medium brown. When using more white than brown, a space can appear modern; when using more brown, it can add plenty of character.
Periwinkle Like teal, periwinkle falls between 2 colors—in this case, blue and purple. Because it’s a light and soft blend of blue and purple, it can bring a balance to taupes and warm, chocolate browns.
Silver The cool metallic look of silver can make any outfit or space look ultra-modern. This is especially true when using silver-like metallic objects, which add a sophisticated contrast and balance.
Champagne Champagne is a striking mix of cream and gold, both of which work well when paired with brown. It blends well with softer shades of brown or stands out when matched up with darker shades.
Cream Just as brown pairs well with cool white, it also works with cream, when you can’t decide between white and beige. Both options are neutral and soft enough to create a calm, inviting look. They’re equally as balanced when adding a pop of color to them, like red or teal.
Khaki Some consider khaki a shade of brown, while others believe it to be its own color because of khaki’s yellowish and greenish undertones. Khaki combines well with gray-brown shades for an intricate combination of warm and cool tones.
Gold Though silver may seem like the first choice when pairing metallics with brown, gold is naturally harmonious with brown, yet stands out because of its shiny texture. Gold and brown pairings are luxurious, earthy, and doubly warm. Match gold to reddish brown shades for even more contrast.
Brown Believe it or not, you can actually pair brown with brown, because brown comes in a wide variety of shades. We’ve covered some offshoots of brown above (like khaki, gold, cream, and champagne), but other, more traditional brown shades to pair with brown follow here: Beige works well with cinnamon brown, seal brown, and espresso brown. Tan and brown are both neutral colors for a warm, natural look. Copper looks best with softer gray-browns as much as gold does. Bronze is a warm-hued metallic that comes across softer than gold.
Colors That Match With Brown in Interior Design
Light Brown + Dusty Pink This soothing color scheme is easy on the eyes, while providing a light, delicate look to any room. For example, if you’re starting with a light brown floor, consider dusty pink walls and/or a few pink accents, like flowers or pillows. Add in some green for a nice balanced touch, or pair pink with darker brown tones to balance out the space.
Brown + Black + White This sophisticated triple pairing works because the boldness of black and white combines with the earthy, warm tones of brown. The ideal ratio might look like this: start with a white base and add brown furniture and accessories. Then, include some black accents to deepen the look. Turn the idea on its head with a soft black room, white fireplace and borders, and brown furniture and accents.
Brown + Sage Green Brown naturally pairs with many shades of green, but it’s particularly calming when the green is sage. You could pair brown living room furniture with sage green walls and off-white accents. In the bedroom, brown furniture pairs well with a sage green comforter and off-white accent pillows. Another way to combine sage green and brown is to play off brown wood walls. Interior designer Kathryn Welsh notes that brown is complemented by most “earthy colors.” In addition to sage, “forest greens, warm reds, and/or bronze, look beautiful."
Brown + Mustard Yellow The nostalgic, gold undertones in mustard yellow mesh well with brown and aren’t as pronounced as a bright, sunshine yellow. To coordinate colors more subtly, combine greyish-brown walls and a light neutral rug with a chocolate brown sofa and mustard accent pillows. If you want more of a statement, make mustard yellow the predominant color in the room, along with brown furniture and accents.
Brown + Charcoal Gray One of the more modern brown pairings includes brown and charcoal gray. Gray provides a sleek-looking base for lighter browns and taupes. The darker the brown walls, floor, or furniture you choose, the more dramatic a look you’ll get. Try combining lighter charcoal walls with medium brown-toned furniture and white accents (like a rug or lamps).
Colors That Match With Brown for Clothing & Accessories
Greens, Blues, & Beiges Consider using brown as your base color, and layering with different shades of green (like sage or olive green), blue (like teal, marine, or powder blue), or a light beige for an earthy style. For example, wear a marine blue jacket over a brown dress, or add a green or beige scarf and/or belt to your look. When choosing your best clothing colors, take into consideration your own coloring (hair color, eye color, skin tone). Take out What Colors Should I Wear quiz to help you find what colors look best on you.
Mustard Yellow, Burnt Orange, & Purples These deeper, mostly warmer colors offer contrast and create a balanced look when paired with shades of brown. Try wearing a burnt orange or mustard yellow tunic with brown pants and a jacket. A dress with both brown and purple design elements offers a striking look, especially when the purple is a lavender or plum shade. Personal stylist Paul Julch, MA, suggests that “color-wise, a nice way to stay within the fall color palette is to play it up with oranges, burgundies, mustards, and rust. It's a nice way to go for fall, and it creates some nice richness."
Soft Pinks & Peaches Wearing brown is a chance to pair it with lighter, pale colors like pink and peach for a bright, elegant look and a lighter mood. Wear a brown belt with a peach or pink dress, or look for a brown and warm pink design that looks beautiful and natural in one outfit.
White, Cream, & Gray For a sleek, modern look, try wearing brown pants with a cream colored blouse, or match a reddish brown blazer with light grey pants. Light browns go particularly well when paired with crisp white; for example, a white skirt and boots with a taupe sweater. Show off a pop of bright red by wearing red sneakers and/or a red sweater with a brown and white, cream, or gray outfit, especially with camel brown. A burst of deep, rich color can also complement a brown and/or white/cream/gray outfit. Personal stylist Shelley Golden suggests “black, dark blue, dark red, or dark gray, so the camel stands out.”
Black and Gold When it comes to fashion, black and brown outfits truly make a statement. Though some fashion rules warn to stay away from this combination, it actually works well together. Outfits that are more brown than black use black as a strong accent, while mostly black outfits warm up with a touch of chocolate brown added in the form of boots or shoes, or a long sweater. Adding a deep maroon or burgundy with a black and brown outfit makes it the ideal autumn look. Julch adds more ideas for wearing brown during the fall: "In addition to accessories that are chocolate brown, you can also add butterscotch, toffee, caramel, and camel colors to play with the richness of brown as you get into the fall season." Add a touch of gold to your style with gold jewelry or accessories.
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