Brown Paint Ideas | Benjamin Moore

Indoor potted plants beside a sunny window, in front of a brown-painted wall.

Fresh soil, knotted bark, fine sand–the natural tones of brown colour schemes evoke back-to-nature vibes. With an organic, easygoing elegance, brown paint colours elevate any room in your home.

The colour brown is made up of varying levels of the primary colours—red, yellow, blue. That said, a brown mostly made from blues and yellows may feature a mossy undertone, whereas a more red- and yellow-based brown may present a rusty tone. This broad array of undertones makes it easy to find a brown paint colour for every space.

Most Popular Brown Paint Colours

Here are some of our most-loved brown paint colours, from lighter hues to darker, more dramatic ones.

Brown kitchen walls contrasting against dark brown wooden beams and a white-tiled floor.

Cafe Au Lait

Tan, sand, taupe: Shades of light brown bring warm energy into a space. When selecting a light brown paint colour, take inspiration from natural wood tones in your home and choose one that’s a few shades lighter.

Neutral and inviting, a light brown dining room or brown kitchen create welcoming spaces for guests and family. Brown cabinets add a rustic touch, and accents like wind-swept curtains and a fresh bowl of fruit evoke a farmhouse feel.

Looking for trim? White and brown pair beautifully, adding fresh flair to earthy brown hues while effortlessly lightening the space. Consider warm whites to complement brown, including Simply White OC-117, Mountain Peak White OC-121, and Mayonnaise OC-85.

Modern furniture contrasting to a brown wall.

“Sophisticated and warm, brown hues offer an elegant alternative to black paint that pairs easily with a wide range of colours.”

—

Arianna Barone

COLOUR AND DESIGN EXPERT

Dark Browns–Eye-catching Comfort

Dark browns range from chocolate brown to mahogany to umber. These darker, more saturated hues create a calming atmosphere, swaddling any space like a wool sweater.

A sophisticated neutral, dark brown living rooms are both elevated and earthen. Breathe a touch of midcentury style into your space with Silhouette AF-655, pictured here, and accent with natural woods and leathers. Try pairing with a pop of Terra Cotta Tile 2090-30 to underline the midcentury aesthetic.

Bold and stylish, dark brown is also an excellent choice for an elegant office or study-so your workspace is equal parts scholarly and stunning.

A beige stucco house with a brown front doorway.

Brown Exteriors: Back to Basics

Brown colours organically enhance any exterior. Use brown trim to outline architectural details and as a more neutral alternative to black. Here, brown front doors and black trim against stucco siding creates a clean, Mediterranean-inspired look.

If you have wooden doors or trim, rich brown paint colour can add polish while retaining a natural, lived-in look. Consider ARBORCOAT^® Exterior Stain to give your wooden decks and other outdoor spaces a fresh look, bringing the beauty of natural wood grain back to life.

A bedroom painted in brown with white trim.

The Brown Bedroom

Neutral paint colours are always a popular choice for bedrooms, with brown hues offering a unique, stylish option. Add comfort and timeliness to your space with Kona AF-165, Wenge AF-180, and Leather Saddle Brown 2100-20.

One colour, Grandfather Clock Brown 2096-30, shown here, features warm red undertones that enliven the space while evoking the charm of days gone by. Trim and ceiling in Cloud Cover OC-25 creates a light and airy atmosphere ideal for heading to bed, reading a book, or sneaking in a Sunday nap. Other white paint colours that perfectly pair with brown include Vanilla Milkshake OC-59 or Moonlight White OC-125.

A bathroom painted brown with flint coloured trim.

Bold Brown Bathrooms: Go Dark

Dramatic, deep colours in the bathroom offer a high-end look. Turn to dark brown to experiment with bold colour in your powder room, while still maintaining a neutral colour scheme. Pairing saturated bathroom walls with brown cabinets creates a monochromatic style that adds an element of depth.

Sophisticated and dramatic, a deep brown bathroom exudes power. Barista AF-175 walls, shown here, create contrast against trim and alcove in Flint AF-560. The ceiling in taupe Balboa Mist OC-27 lightens the space, drawing the eye up to add height to the room.

Brown walls with semi-gloss trim, accented with a soft pink ceiling.

What Colours Go with Brown?

Since the colour brown is made up of red, yellow, and blue, it pairs readily with a wide range of hues. From creamy taupes to deep chestnut, you can have fun pairing natural brown shades with a whole host of colours.

Since brown is primarily a warm colour, it balances beautifully with cool, light hues like Constellation AF-540, Beacon Gray 2128-60, and Ocean Air 2123-50.

This eclectic vintage sitting room features Hearthstone Brown 2109-20 on the walls, a sophisticated shade with a rosy undertone that allows the ceiling in Soft Pink 2012-70 to bloom. Burgundy-coloured décor ties the room together, creating an enchantingly cozy space to entertain and relax.

Looking to go bold? Try a winning colour combination of brown and black for chic contrast and sophistication.

See Brown Paint Colours in Your Home!

Searching for the perfect shade of brown? Use the free Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio™ app to ‘try on’ brown colours in your own space. Apply paint colour to photos and videos of your space, access fan decks, match favourite hues to Benjamin Moore colours and more!