Notes on Colour: Brown

Following on from my last blog post on Autumnal styling I thought I would continue the colour series exploring an autumnal colour that I’m becoming increasingly drawn to; brown! A colour big in the seventies which has been very much out of fashion for many years seems to be having a moment and I’m loving it!

Psychology of Brown

Brown has strong associations with nature; it’s earthy tones feel safe and dependable. Brown creates a cosy and warm atmosphere and is often considered a neutral. It is a colour associated with resilience, security and safety.

Brown can be perceived as boring and dull. Being surrounded by too much brown, or even the wrong tone can provoke feelings of sadness and emptiness. It is a colour that lacks energy and spirit.

The Colour Brown

Brown sits between red and yellow on the colour wheel. It is a grounding colour and is often used in interiors through the use of wood and leather such as furniture and flooring. These natural materials add texture and a feeling of comfort. There are many tones of brown such as taupe, beige, chestnut and chocolate and when used in a colour scheme they will help create a space that feels comforting and safe.

Featured Brown

The Little Greene Paint Company have recently launched a capsule collection of nine new colours called Sweet Treats which they describe as tones of honey, caramel and chocolate. These warm brown tones are designed to bring comfort and create a timeless cosy interior. I really love this collection and am trying to find a way to bring some of the colours particularly Ganache into my own home!

For further reading on colour, please take a look at a previous blog posts featuring the colours Pink, Blue and Orange