Earth Tone Bedroom Colors and Ideas: 40 Natural, Cozy, and Timeless Looks
by Kylene Loucks
| Published 3/5/21 (Updated 9/23/22)
Earth tone bedrooms can be some of the most relaxing and timeless styles, but what do earth tone bedrooms really look like? “Earth tones” is a blanket statement that describes the subdued and elemental hues of nature in interior design. Consider the greys of changing cloudy weather, rich and pastel greens inspired by the mixed foliage of forests, deep blues reminiscent of ocean hues, beiges inspired by sands, woods, and naturally dyed leathers.
Designers have embraced the earth tone trend for its calming consistency and the way it compliments the use of natural materials in furniture and structural features. Check out these earth-tone-inspired spaces to get an idea of how designers are using colors inspired by nature to breathe new life into existing homes:
Before you start making over your bedroom, you will need to determine which earthy elements fascinate you most. Do you incline toward the cool tones particularly seen in the sky and ocean? Or maybe you favor warm hues that remind you of a crisp cool autumn day when the leaves are falling, and everything turns a rusty red and orange? The rich reds, oranges, and toned-down yellow may initiate recollections of campfires and sipping hot cider.
After you have decided if you are going with a cool or warm tone, you will want to decide how many of these earthy components you desire to have in your space. From earth tone paint colors for the bedroom to discovering a full bedding set to accent the place where you lay your head at night — you can blend and fit pieces to match until you find the prevalent look you desire.
An array of houseplants or a predominant fiddle leaf fig tree near the window adds some natural beauty and will breathe fresh air into any space and completely encompasses the natural earth tones. You may choose to bring in some wood pieces, like a rustic shelf or exposed beam. A sturdy wood bed frame will warm up the room and fill it with some personality. A gigantic cluster of accent pillows on the bed is a quick and easy way to revamp your look.
Add some green into your bedroom space with the tiniest effort. Greens like a chartreuse and olive combination or think shady spots filled with moss — you can’t go wrong when adding this color into an earthy tone bedroom.
Choosing the tone or color that you want to use in your bedroom design is just the start. There are several different textures and other design elements that you can incorporate that fully encompass the earthy tone design style. Incorporating natural elements like leather, rocks, wood, and greenery will bring your earth-tone bedroom to life.
The stunning addition of these natural antique wood sliding barn doors gives this attractive master bedroom a hint of an earth tone and completely balances the space.
This modern apartment embraces earth tones to compliment the wooden features of the room. Note the green door frame, tanned leather lounger, and cloudy grey accents. Image via Urban Outfitters on Pinterest.
It’s no secret that the ochre, mustard, rust, and clay color palette was a design staple of the 70s. It managed to completely take over homes by way of crushed velvet upholstery and shag carpeting. While many of the design preferences of the 70s remain in the past (for good reason), the earth tone color palette that draws on the deep yellows, oranges, and reds in nature, has certainly witnessed a resurgence in recent years. Still, the most common tendency in earth-tone styling is to use sandy tan shades that blend seamlessly together and accent natural wooden furniture beautifully. Check out the following homes to see how decorators are styling sand and tan tones with a modern twist:
Now that you’re equipped with the basics of interior decorating with earth tones, you can go ahead and begin planning how you would like to incorporate them into your own home. The following guide offers unique tips, tricks, and behind-the-scenes info that will help you transform your space into an earth-inspired oasis.
Begin in the Bedroom
The bedroom has been described as the vacation spot of the home. It’s a room that can serve to be a small hideaway in an otherwise busy and unpredictable world of schedules and deadlines. Surprisingly, even a few small changes in your bedroom can alter the mood and aesthetic of your home. The best way to begin introducing an earth-tone color scheme to your home is in the room where you begin and end your day. This will give you a great idea of whether you want to extend the palette into the rest of your home.
Before you jump into selecting an earth-tone bedroom color scheme, there are a few things to consider. One of the more challenging approaches to using earth tones is focusing on ocean blue-inspired hues or deep forest greens. Recently, the darker hues have made their way into the hearts of design lovers, and they balance beautifully with natural lighting, beige and ivory tones. Don’t be discouraged by the darker boldness of blue and green palettes; incorporating them into your home is a strategic way to modify mood and break up your spaces. Check out the following interior spaces to see how designers have brought darker earth tones into modern bedrooms:
Bedding and linens are an amazing and fairly simple way to alter the mood of your bedroom. Switching comforters, duvet covers, and mixing throws is quite possibly the easiest way to introduce your desired color palette into your room. Organic shades inspired by the earth appeal to a variety of people for various reasons. Reflective of the natural elements, often people in cities and small apartments are drawn to the comfort and familiarity of earth tones. Consider the ways that bedding is used as a decor feature in the following earth tone bedrooms:
Terracotta and Tan Retro-Chic Room
Natural Wicker and Delicate Decor
Olive Green Cozy Cotton Lounge
Shop the Washed Linen Duvet Cover Set from the H&M Home Collection, available in a series of earth tones (our favorite is the Sage Green) to achieve a similar look.
Incorporate Naturally Sourced Rugs
By this point in your research, you’ve likely noticed that jute and/or woven rugs are a design staple in the earthy aesthetic because of their natural colors and organic materials. Highly textured rugs made of natural fibers (such as rope or wool) add to any earth-tone color scheme. They provide a unique, organic feeling in your home – walking barefoot on the coarse and natural fibers is a constant reminder of the inspiration behind your space.
Taupe Toned Forest Escape
Shop the Oval Jute Rug at H&M to add immediate earth-inspired texture to your space using a natural handwoven material. If you prefer a rectangular alternative, shop the HELLESTED Jute Rug at IKEA.
Choose Earth-Inspired Artwork
Artwork that emphasizes the beauty of the environment is one easy way to spruce up your bare bedroom walls and tie together an earth-inspired color scheme. Subdued hues from art pieces that draw on scenes from nature will help ground your space in your desired theme.
Terracotta Buffalo Bliss
Pink Sands Pastel Sleep Den
Moody Mondays Weather Room
Warm Chocolate Browns
On a cold, rainy day there’s nothing better than a cup of hot chocolate, so use that inspiration and bring a warm chocolate brown color into your earth-tone bedroom. This coziness and comfort will come through in your decor in bedding, furniture, and different accents. Top your master bed with a grand and super soft comforter in a creamy chocolate color that’s sure to create a place of relaxation and comfort.
Using an earth tone like this stunning brown makes this bedding an incredible idea in your bedroom for any season since it exudes vibes from the earth. Dirt is the cornerstone of the earth so why not go with this rich earthy color to start?
Keeping a Low Profile
Add comfort without sacrificing style with a lounging lair that’s an excellent idea for a teen or a modern couple. Staying low to the ground keeps things contemporary and modern. The attractive inclusion of house plants improves the beauty of nature in the room, and the modern cement background gives this room a trendy industrial vibe. Wrapping up with a mustard bedspread is a boho delight.
Earthy Sitting Areas
If you have the space for a sitting area in your bedroom, make sure you carry through earthy tones in your chairs, rugs, and small tables. This room uses a beautiful pair of caramel leather accent chairs to ground this space and give it total earthy vibes.
A rich and brown jute rug encompasses the total feel of the earth. The rustic fibers of jute are an uncomplicated and elegant touch to ground your space. Paired with a stunning set of rich brown bamboo shades, this sitting area in a bedroom has the full package.
Wood on Top of Wood
Wood is the easiest way to add a natural earth element to your bedroom space. Bringing in wood textures is easy to do in furniture like bed frames and dressers.
Earthy Tones for Youngsters
Don’t stray from earthy tones when it comes to your children. Modern children’s rooms look great with earth tones of rust, mustard and red. Balance the bedroom out with a deep rich navy or lighter colors like creams and whites.
Adding in fun wallpaper designs is way to keep the earth tones but make the room fun and beautiful for a child.
Work in earthy elements like rattan bedframes, modern earthy lamps and a faux animal hide rug that will exude an earthy feeling.
Rich leathers and vintage artwork can also lend to the earthy look if they are in the right color scheme.
If you follow our guide to creating the perfect earth-tone bedroom, you’ll be set up for success when it comes to integrating this trend in your home. And while we can’t say there’s cold, hard science behind it, something about bringing a little bit of the outside into the home just makes us feel more at peace. Be sure to tag us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram if you try out any of these awesome trends in your own bedroom, and show us how you did it!
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
What goes good with earth tone colors?
Earth colors are so versatile that they complement a huge range of colors. Teamed with other neutrals, such as black, white, or gray, they are effortlessly chic and elegant. Paired with bright primary colors, they have the ability to ground a scheme.
Are earth tones still in style?
Earth tones are currently trending, and thanks to their beauty in everyday nature, we can't see this style going out ever. To keep on trend, though, it's important to switch out your decor elements while keeping the earthy color palette.
What are warm earthy tones?
Earth tones like chocolate brown, terracotta, and mustard are all shades that are rooted in nature. They are soothing, relaxing, and instantly bring a warm vibe to any space.
Are earth tones calming?
Earth-toned colors are a big movement in interior design as they point toward the natural world. The important feature of these colors is that they need to have a natural, calming vibe to them, help create a cozy room, and remind one of the outdoors.
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