Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Earth Tones From the Great Outdoors

Earth tones are rich, warm colors, comfortable to be around. Equally suited to interiors and exteriors, modern and rustic styles, earth tones have the potential to be just as lively and interesting as other colors. The colors of sand, clay, craggy cliffs, fields of wheat and freshly dug potatoes, earth colors are grounding and natural on their own but work well with brighter hues, too. Let’s look at earth tones through the lens of nature.

‘Gray Wolf Pair in the Snow, Norway’ Photograph - $180 Earth tones in nature. Think of the shaggy coats of wolves, ponies and rabbits; terra-cotta; stretches of sandy beach; fields of wheat in the late-afternoon sun; tree trunks and fallen leaves; and, of course, earth itself, rich and brown.


Tip: Play up texture. If your earth-tone room is looking a little drab, one likely culprit is texture — or a lack of it, to be precise. Earth tones beg for a rich variety of textures, from rough and craggy to subtly nubby to sleek and smooth. Aim to include at least three different textures in the space, but the more, the merrier.

The pebbled wall and floor and live-edge wood counter provide a richly textured sensory experience in this bathroom. Use natural materials such as stone, wood, clay and linen to give your interior an authentic feel.


Clay colors. Warm, spicy reds like baked apple and chili tend to be much easier to live with than brighter, bolder reds. The bit of brown helps tone down these reddish hues, making them feel cozy and convivial — perfect for social spaces like the living and dining room.



Earth tones with bright colors. Spring green, ripe raspberry or iris purple can make a lovely complement to subtle earth tones. Just as the new shoots of young onion plants look at home poking up out of rich soil, a few vibrant green or chartreuse cushions or vases can liven up a room done in soft, earthy hues.


Zen earth tones. If a peaceful feeling is what you crave at home, you may be drawn to white interiors — but stark white can feel too clinical. Rich, warm earth tones create the same serene vibe but in a more interesting way than white alone.



Earth tones with muddy colors. Wheat, stone and other earth tones seem richer when paired with other slightly muddied colors that have a bit of brown or gray in them.

Think of dirty olive green, mustard or dusky pink. These hues, when paired, have a rich, historic feel that works especially well in older homes with original details.


Collecting from nature. One of the best (and easiest) ways to bring the colors of the earth into your living space is by collecting your own natural treasures and displaying them. Driftwood, pieces of bark, seedpods, feathers and interesting rocks all make wonderful fodder for artful displays.


Earth-tone exteriors. On everything from adobe and Mediterranean-style homes to Craftsman bungalows and straw-bale homes, earth tones have been an exterior color classic for ages. Natural hues like straw, clay, coir and terra-cotta help a house settle into the surrounding environment.

Tell us: Do you use earth tones at home? Share your favorite or least favorite earthy paint colors in the Comments.

More:
Lessons on Green From the Great Outdoors
Houzz guides to working with earth tones

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