Brown Living Room Inspiration

Brown is a versatile and timeless neutral that we see everywhere in nature's most familiar and much loved raw materials from clay to natural wood. It's one of the easiest colours to pair with every other colour imaginable and creates a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Our Creative Director, Marianne Shillingford, shares her top tips for choosing a brown living room colour scheme:

"As the most useful neutrals in decorating, from soft caramel to rich mahogany and bitter chocolate, the huge family of colours that we describe as brown offers endless possibilities for your living room walls.  Each offers a subtly different look, but all of them are relaxed and inviting. The first thing to consider is how you want your space to feel. For a living room that radiates warmth, lean into layers of chocolate brown teamed with cosy sunset hues and for a living room where you want a feeling of contemporary refinement, explore cooler earth browns that work beautifully with clean whites and industrial greys"

These are some of the top brown living room colour ideas to help you find your favourites: 

• Cream and brown - classic and elegant with a hint of nostalgia
• Green and brown - tap into nature's natural beauty
• Grey and brown - cool and modern
• Orange and brown - warm and welcoming
   

Tonal brown designs are another great way to embrace this colour scheme, whether you love cool neutrals or warmer shades. Use the darkest shades on features you want to draw attention to and the lightest ones in areas you want to maximise the feeling of space. Whether you prefer cool or warm browns, this 'tone-on-tone' technique is effortlessly impactful and never goes out of style.

Ready to dive in and start your living room transformation? Explore these brown ideas for living rooms in more detail to get inspired. 

Dreaming of a living room that feels both sophisticated and welcoming? Look no further than the timeless combination of cream and brown. This elegant duo creates a warm atmosphere that blends luxury with comfort.  

Want to make an impact? Dark walnut furniture offers a striking visual contrast when paired with warm cream walls painted in Natural Calico. When it comes to accessorising, rich chocolate browns ground the space, while cream tones add brightness – the key is to balance these light and dark shades and include different textures. For example, a plush cream rug adds a touch of softness, while a dark brown leather sofa or chair exudes classic charm.  

Cream and brown pair effortlessly with everything from industrial-chic metal accents to natural rattan pieces, letting you truly make the space your own. 

Bring the outdoors in with a green and brown living room. This harmonious and tranquil living room palette pairs the grounding warmth of earthy browns with refreshing pops of nature-inspired greens, creating a space that feels both cosy and enlivening.  

For a modern take on this design, paint the walls in a cool brown shade like Soft Truffle, and introduce a statement green velvet sofa to bring depth and texture to your living room. Alternatively, dark wood furniture perfectly complements a bold green feature wall – Emerald Glade never fails to impress! 

If you’d prefer a more subtle approach to this colour scheme, botanical prints, green cushions, potted plants, and natural wood elements are the ideal place to start. 

Looking for brown modern living room ideas? Then look no further than grey and brown. This sophisticated pairing is having a major design moment, offering the perfect blend of cool and warm tones for a balanced living space.  

The key to mastering this combination lies in layering different textures and shades: imagine a sleek grey velvet sofa paired with rich walnut furniture, creating an elegant and modern look.  

Want to make these two neutrals sing? Start with light grey walls as your canvas (we love Polished Pebble), then add depth with brown soft furnishings in rich textures like leather, velvet and faux fur. For a contemporary edge that contrasts the softness, metal lighting, frames, and mirrors are the perfect finishing touches. 

Orange and brown is a colour combination that radiates warmth and energy, making it an exceptional choice for living rooms. It might sound bold, but this retro-inspired palette is making a comeback in modern interiors. By pairing earthy browns with vibrant orange tones, you'll create a space that feels both grounded and invigorating.  

Start with a classic brown leather sofa, then wake up the room with a statement wall in a rich terracotta like Blood Orange. Finish off the design with copper-toned accessories, rust-coloured cushions, amber glass vases and brown wooden furniture. 

The best part about this warm colour combination is that it creates an instantly welcoming atmosphere that's perfect for both cosy nights in and entertaining guests. 

Craving a living room that exudes warmth and sophistication? A dark brown colour scheme can create an incredibly cosy and luxurious space. This rich shade brings instant drama while maintaining an inviting atmosphere that's perfect for relaxing or entertaining.  

The secret to mastering dark brown? It's all about layering different textures – think smooth leather, plush velvet, and natural wood. Paint all the walls in Brave Ground for a colour-drenched look, then add mahogany furniture and a chocolate brown sofa for timeless elegance. To prevent the room from feeling too dark, balance deeper tones with metallic accents and strategically placed mirrors that bounce light around the space.  

At Dulux, we offer a wide range of ready-mixed brown paint so you can find the ideal shade for your living room, whether you’re painting the whole space or adding a feature wall. Our top picks include Intense Truffle, Cookie Dough, Soft Truffle and Brave Ground – there’s a colour to suit every taste.