Chocolate brown is a deep brown with warm undertones. Pair this color with many tones of white and other neutrals like gray. Also, pair with blush pink and sage green if you want a more colorful look.
Colors That Go With Brown: The Best Shades to Pair With This Earthy Tone
Stefan Gheorghe is the founder and CEO of Homedit.com. In 2008, he launched the platform out of his passion for interior design and home decoration.
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| Updated on Nov 14, 2022
Reviewed by Rachel Brown
Rachel Brown Interior Design, Renovation
Rachel is a freelance writer currently living in Europe. Making homes beautiful is her passion and she loves eclectic style. You can find her frequenting antique stores for the perfect rug or curled up on her sofa with a good book and a cup of tea.
Learn more about Homedit’s Editorial Process
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Moody Purple – House and Home
Turkey Red and Deep Brown – Caitlin Wilson Design
Brick Red and Natural Brown – Benjamin Moore
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porch-in-mint-and-brown
Dark Green and Camel Brown – Living Letter Home
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Bright Navy and Rich Tan – Nicole
turquoise-pair-with-brown
Pale Blue and Brown – Wallpaper from the 70s
Black and Russet Brown – Miss Lolo
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brown-annd-gold-accents-living
modern-living-room-brown-accents
Colors That Go With Brown – Poster Store
Brown is useful as an accent and foundational color, and we are here to help you find the best colors that go with brown. Brown is a well beloved color by some and disliked by others.
However, none of us can get away from brown as its shades surround us in all settings. You can find shades of brown in natural colors of the earth as well as in the infinite shades of home decorating.
However, you are not alone if you find these shades tricky to complement. We want to help you fill in the gaps and to see this color in a new light both as a bold addition to your home decor and as a foundational tone that brings warmth and texture to your indoor spaces.
Colors That Go With Brown
Let us first begin with broad color families to find out what colors go with brown. In a sense, almost any color works well with brown provided that you choose the right shade of each. In general, it is best to pair warm browns with other warm shades and cool browns with cool colors.
- Pink – Various shades of pink work well with brown. Blush is a current favorite to pair with brown. Fuchsia is a shade between purple and pink. Adding fuchsia accents to a room with brown is stunning.
- Green – Together, brown and green shades mimic the colors of the forest which is pleasing and natural to the eye. Both dark green and light green have wonderful shades that work with brown tones.
- Blue – Brown and blue tones work together as a study in contrast. Also, the bright and vibrant shades of blue will balance out the neutral background of brown. The shades of blue that work best with brown are navy blue, turquoise, and pale blue.
- Red – Red and brown both have warm and rich undertones. Shades of brick red or burgundy look amazing with brown accents.
- Orange – Orange and brown are another natural color combination as, together, these are reminiscent of autumn. Many oranges work well with brown including copper and bright orange.
- Yellow – Yellow adds a splash of a vivacious color to the staid sophistication of brown. Pair brown with Sunshine yellow and deep yellow ochre for a look with brilliant contrast.
- Purple – The moody look of purple is a great look with brown. Pair deep and earthy plum with red undertones with brown for a dramatic look.
- Black and white – Both black and crisp white are neutral shades that complement many shades of brown.
All About Shades of Brown
Brown is a color well beloved in interior design for its warm and solid presence. It represents both stability and reliability. Thus, it is understandable that the color brown has been a feature in art and design for thousands of years. It was first used in the form of umber, a pigment derived from the earth, in cave paintings and then in fine art and home design.
There are various words used to describe the many brown shades. Here is a quick primer on what those words mean. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, but here are some of the most popular shades of brown.
- Tan – This is a pale brown shade that takes its name from tannum, the substance used in tanning leather.
- Taupe – Taupe is a gray brown color that takes its name from the French word meaning “mole”.
- Khaki – This is a light shade of tan with a yellow undertone.
- Chocolate brown – This is a member of the brown family that takes its name from chocolate which is a deep shade with red undertones.
- Russet – Russet is one of the darker hues of brown with undertones of red and orange.
- Sepia – Sepia is a shade of brown that takes its name from the ink sac of the cuttlefish, Sepia.
- Walnut brown – The shade of brown represents the color of walnuts. It is a deep brown with yellow undertones.
Color Inspirations That Work With Brown
We have rounded up some stunning pictures of interior design that pairs brown with different color families. After you finish, we think you will agree that brown deserves a place somewhere in everyone’s home.
Neutral Shades
We won’t enter into the debate about whether brown is a neutral shade or a color. Instead, we will show you just how beautiful brown looks with neutral colors of all types.
Bright White and Chocolate Brown
Look at the contrast in this classic bathroom. This designer brings together the stark white paneling with rosy chocolate brown walls. The rich color of the walls and textured wood accents balance the cool tones of the chrome fixtures and bright white.
Black and Russet Brown
The pairing of neutrals with a good dose of russet and black hues combine to create a pleasing overall atmosphere in this sitting room. The bright and vivacious shade of russet adds depth with just a few touches. The black and russet are natural foils and together work to create balance.
Beautiful Blues
There are a variety of blue tones and many of them look fantastic with brown.
Pale Blue and Brown
Even your bathroom can benefit from the perfect shade of brown. This room achieves its elegant design by pairing brown with pale blue. The wallpaper is Strawberry Thief from William Morris with a background of gray brown. The pale blue leaf accents lighten up the dark wallpaper without looking too stark.
Even your bathroom can benefit from the perfect shade of brown. This room achieves its elegant design by pairing brown with pale blue. The wallpaper is Strawberry Thief from William Morris with a background of gray brown. The pale blue leaf accents lighten up the dark wallpaper without looking too stark.
Brilliant Turquoise and Brown
Brown is versatile and forgiving. It grounds a color scheme as well as adds depth and complexity. Therefore, you can use both bright and muted shades of blue to pair with brown.
For example we love the way the bright shades of turquoise counterbalance the dark moody color of the brown furniture in this sitting room.
Bright Navy and Rich Tan
This is one of the best color combinations that we have seen yet! This room pairs a warm and rich tan leather sofa with a bright navy paneled wall.
The colors complement one another well because they are both a warm and rich shade in their color families. Also, this room features different tones of earthy brown furniture and accents to provide greater depth to the overall design.
Striking Pink
Pink is a natural complement to many brown tones as it plays down the staid elements in brown making it more playful and exciting.
Radiant Fuchsia and Dark Brown
The combination of dark brown and fuchsia is unexpected, but it looks natural in this living room from Liz Levin Interiors. Brown pairs best with other warm colors and fuchsia makes sense in this context. The light blue touch in the wallpaper cools the overall warm design.
Blush Pink and Brown
Blush pink and warm browns play off one another and create a look of contrast that is pleasing. Mandarina studio designed this living room with the foundation of blush pink walls, brown furniture, and rose accents. If you like this look, consider paint colors that go with brown. One of the best pinks is called Pink Ground No. 202 from Farrow and Ball. This color is a sophisticated pale pink with an undertone of yellow to keep it from veering into the sugary sweet category of pink.
Earthy Green
Green is a natural complementary color for brown. Green and brown colors work well together because they look familiar to us. We see these when we look around the natural world every day.
Dark Green and Camel Brown
The camel leather headboard and wooden furniture stand out against the dark green textured wall. The dark green color gives the room a more grown-up look that is still super sleek and modern.
Sea Glass Green and Walnut Brown
A front porch with the right shades of green and brown will never be dull. Rather, this porch, painted with colors of walnut brown and green sea glass, has a vibrant character that adds a cheerful look to this comfortable space.
Sunshine Yellow and Chocolate
Jerry Jacobs Design designed this elegant home library with shades of rich chocolate brown and bright yellow. Together, these colors create a look that is timeless but never stuffy.
Dramatic Red
Many may shy away from this strong combination, but pairing warm reds and browns is beautiful in its deep earthiness.
Brick Red and Natural Brown
The color palette of earthy red with the brown foundation brings to mind warm baked earth and terracotta tiles. If you like this look, use Benjamin Moore Bricktone Red (2005-30) with textural natural browns like seagrass rugs, wooden furniture, and clay accents.
Turkey Red and Deep Brown
Is there any such thing as too much color? Not in this chocolate living room at least. The deep brown accent wall provides a sophisticated backdrop for this design and the turkey red rugs add to the depth and complexity.
Moody Purple
The deep purple walls create a rich backdrop for this wooden chest. Try this look in a foyer to create a look of drama. If you like this color purple, use Brinjal No.222 from Farrow & Ball. Don’t be afraid to mix it with brown furniture and a rug with deep colors to create a foyer with immediate elegance.
Vibrant Orange
Brown and orange are a natural combination as brown is a dark version of orange. Also, notice how the bright hues of orange give this living room more immediate interest than a neutral color.
How to Find the Best Colors to Wear with Red Clothes
When you are thinking about what is the best color to wear with red clothes, you will want to consider a few things. First, you’ll want to look at the shade of your red clothing. This is because some reds are warmer than others. For example, a deep red such as a scarlet is considered a “warm” red. It will blend well with other warm shades, such as orange and yellow. On the other hand, a bright red such as a tomato is a “cool” red. Therefore, it will blend well with other “cool” hues, such as blue or purple.
Next, you’ll want to think about the intensity of the hue. For example, if you are wearing a tomato red top with a deep purple skirt, the red will overpower the purple. Conversely, if you wear a light-colored item with a dark red, the red will stand out more. Therefore, if you want to find the best color to wear with red clothes, you will want to think about these things.
Best Colors to Pair with Red Clothes
There are certain colors that go with red — and if you are looking to up your fashion game, these are the ones to try and how you can style them nicely:
Orange with Red
Orange is a great color to wear with red clothes. It is a complementary color that can really make your outfit pop. When choosing orange accessories, be sure to pick a shade that compliments your skin tone. If you are fair-skinned, go for a lighter orange like coral orange. If you have a darker complexion, choose a deeper hue like a pumpkin.
Wearing orange with red can be a bold choice, but it is definitely one that will turn heads. To really make your outfit stand out, pair your red clothing with orange shoes or a handbag. This combination is eye-catching and unique, and it will definitely get you noticed.
Purple with Red
When it comes to colors that go with red clothes, purple is a great option. Purple and red are opposite colors on the color wheel, so they complement each other well. If you’re looking to add a pop of color to your outfit, purple is a great choice. You can pair purple and red together in a variety of ways, such as:
- Wearing a purple top with red pants
- Pairing a red dress with purple shoes or accessories
- Opting for a purple scarf or handbag to add some pizzazz to a red outfit
See also Colors That Look Incredible With Tan Clothes – A Color Combination Guide (Fashion 2023)
No matter how you choose to style it, pairing purple and red is sure to make you stand out from the crowd.
Blue with Red
If you’re looking to add a pop of color to your outfit, consider pairing red with blue. Blue is a versatile color that can be worn with a variety of colors, including red. When pairing these two colors together, it’s important to consider the shade of blue you’re wearing. darker shades of blue tend to look best with brighter shades of red, while lighter shades of blue are more versatile and can be worn with a variety of different reds.
If you’re not sure what shade of blue to wear with your red clothes, consider opting for a navy or royal blue. These darker shades of blue never go wrong with red and they will give your outfit a more dramatic look that is perfect for making a statement. If you want something a little more subdued, try pairing red with a light blue like baby blue or powder blue. This softer combination is perfect for spring and summertime looks.
White with Red
White is certainly one of the first colors that come to mind when discussing colors that go with red clothing. A combination of white with your red clothes is always a good choice. Since white is such a purely neutral color, it goes nicely with almost any shade or tone of red. The combination is incredibly elegant and its pairing with red will give you a polished and daring appearance.
You can pair a white top with a red skirt or pants for a polished look. Or, go for an all-white outfit and add a touch of red with some accessory colors. Black and blue are always fun to add as accessory colors to the combination.
Green with Red
Green is a refreshing and stylish choice to pair with red clothes. It can add a touch of elegance to an outfit and it is perfect for summertime. The color scheme of red and green is always considered festive because it makes us think of Christmas. But this isn’t always the case, though. A trendy outfit can be created by cautiously combining various shades and fabrics of these colors.
Combine strong red with deeper green hues like sage or emerald. You might even try something unusual and think about army green. Pair dark green with deeper reds like maroon for a subdued appearance. Interesting fabrics of red and green that you should consider when pairing these colors include velvet, corduroy, and georgette. The materials have a natural undertone that makes this color scheme perfect.
Black with Red
Naturally, when it comes to clothing, black is one of the most adaptable colors to use, and it goes well with whatever shade of red you can find. When it comes to colors that go with red clothes, black is always a safe bet. Darker reds, such as burgundy or maroon, would go nicely with black and make a terrific choice for a winter outfit. The two colors are complementary and create a classic, chic look when worn together.
See also What Colors To Wear With Burgundy (Fashion 2023)
Trying out various cuts, styles, and layers is the best way to come out with the nicest red and black combinations. For instance, if you’re going for a more formal look, pair your red clothing with black accessories and shoes and for a more casual look, try pairing red with a black tee or sweater.
Gray with Red
When it comes to choosing colors that go with red clothes, gray is always a safe and stylish choice. With the more understated gray tone of this mix, it can be seen as much more aesthetically beautiful. When used with red, the softer and milder shades of gray will lessen the intensity of the color.
For many of the same reasons that black complements red, gray does as well. However, there isn’t quite as much of an extreme contrast between the two colors, which makes the combo slightly more appealing. Whether you want to create a monochromatic look or add a pop of color to your outfit, gray is the perfect neutral color to pair with red.
Pink with Red
Pink is another brilliant color option that you can easily pair with your red clothes. The soft shade of pink does an excellent job of providing balance to the bright palette of red. The pairing of these two is considered romantic. All tones of pink, from candy pink to hot pink, look stunning with any red outfit.
A red bottom with a pink top would look stylish and adorable. A similar effect can be achieved by pairing a bright red cardigan with light pink trousers. Whatever way you decide to style this pair, the combination of the two colors will surely make you stand out.
Beige with Red
Beige is a neutral color that looks fantastic with red. Since it tends to be lighter than most shades of red, it creates some welcoming contrast, which is always a positive thing in fashion. Given how subdued beige is, it allows your red outfit to stand out while keeping the outfit balanced and preventing it from becoming too loud.
You can pair the color perfectly with almost all shades of red. Deep and dark reds will complement beige just as well as a primary brilliant red, or even a coral-colored shade of red. The combination of red with beige gives you a polished and solid look.
Turquoise with Red
Red and turquoise make a quirky but elegant combination. Red and turquoise are considered the ideal color scheme for anyone who wants to embrace their bold side. Even while these two strong colors stand out on their own, when worn together, they somehow manage to balance one another out. This combination produces a vibrant outfit that is surprisingly calming.
It is made even brighter and more saturated by the sharp contrast created, in which one shade draws attention to another. The ideal choice is to wear the two colors in unequal proportion – one color being the main color of the outfit while the other is worn as an accessory color. For example, you can accessorize your all-red outfit with shoes, a bag, and a scarf of turquoise color. Whatever way you choose to style these two colors, the combination rarely goes wrong.
See also What Color Shirts Go Well With Black Pants (Fashion 2023)
What Colors of Shoes Go with a Red Dress?
A red dress is a popular piece of clothing in the wardrobe of most females and it has always been the go-to dress for several occasions, ranging from semi-formal to outright formal events. Hence, it is important to know what color of shoes pair perfectly with your red dress in order to exude its full beauty and glory. From the colors listed in this article, the best color of shoes to combine with your pink dress are:
- Black Shoes- Nothing makes a clearer statement than a dress that is accessorized with black shoes. This pairing is the perfect representation of cohesiveness and sophistication.
- Beige Shoes- Another classic option that makes your red dress classy. The neutrality of beige makes this combination completely elegant.
- White – white is a classic choice that doesn’t look out of place on anyone — even if you’re wearing a bright red dress! White will make your outfit look more coordinated than if you wore any other color.
