Chances are, you’ve got some form of brown in your decor—whether it’s your hardwood floors, leather sofa, or beige walls. It’s an earthy, cozy shade that’s a popular decorating staple for good reason. But today, I’m focusing on my favorite shade of brown: chocolate.
With its deep, rich finish, chocolate brown is sumptuous, warm, and comforting (though have you ever met any form of chocolate that wasn’t comforting? I didn‘t think so). Ready to see what chocolate brown can do for you? Keep these tips in mind.
Let there be light. Because of its dark finish, chocolate brown works best in rooms that receive lots of natural light—especially if you’re planning on painting all the walls. (Don’t have abundant sunlight streaming in? Consider opting for a lighter shade of brown.) Before you begin painting the entire room, test a sample spot to see how your selected shade looks during the day and at night.
Create contrast. Another way to keep a chocolate brown design scheme looking fresh rather than overpowering is to keep your woodwork, cabinetry, trim, and other accents a contrasting neutral color, such as white, cream, or light gray. This is especially important if you’re working with a small space. See how chocolate and cream are balanced in this living room. Dark brown also looks exceptional with pink, blue, yellow, and a bunch of other lighter hues. Sisal and bamboo accessories also enliven chocolate brown, giving it more dimension.
Go all out. Who says you have to stick to chocolate brown accents and furnishings to cozy up a room? When it’s paired with the accents I mentioned above, brown walls make a warm statement. See how chocolate brown walls—with cream accents—give this living room an inviting vibe without feeling too dark. And see how my fellow Home Know-It-All Julie’s mom used brown for her entryway, too.
For more tips on tastefully incorporating chocolate brown into your décor, check out this About.com article as well as this one from HGTV.
Until tomorrow,
The Home Know-It-All
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