How to Add Earth Tones to Your Home

If you’re looking for decorating inspiration, then color is always a good place to start. One of the biggest color trends of late is earthy, muted ochre and terracotta tones found in the desert landscape. It’s all about dulled-down shades that blend in with nature, creating a calm and grounded interior color scheme.

“Colors have been determined to disconnect us from digital screens and busyness, essentially connecting us with more authentic, grounded experiences,” says interior stylist Heidi Albertiri of The Lifestyle Edit.

Earth tones provide a relaxing and nurturing contrast to the shiny, metallic finishes that are part and parcel of technology. Many of us might feel all the demands of social media and we all seem to live on our phones, so these desert tones provide a space for us to recharge, to remember where we are from, and to ground ourselves.

On-Trend Terracotta

Terracotta is taking over the interior design scene and it’s come a long way from its glory days in the 70s. Shiny, red terracotta tiles have been replaced with matte and muted, earthy terracotta tile designs in a huge range of shapes and styles. From tiles to brick, terracotta tones can add warmth to any room of the house — or outside!

Earth Interior Color Schemes

Earth tone bedding synd image — Getty Images

Physician's Choice Menopause Probiotic Supplement for Women - Supports Hormone Balance, Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, Weight Management, Bloating

Deal of the Day

Save 40% on Physician’s Choice Menopause Probiotic Supplement for Women With Subscription! View Deal

It’s not just in tiles that this traditional tone is coming through; it’s appearing in homewares such as dinner sets, vases, light fittings, furnishings, and bed linen. Layering these colors in a bedroom will have a cocooning effect, perfectly suited for the cooler seasons when we allow ourselves delicious extra time wrapped up in bed.

Earth Exterior Color Schemes

Outdoor patio area with earth tones — Getty Images

Earthy tones aren’t reserved for interiors. Muddy tones, derived from stone and earth, are a perfect fit for house exteriors as they complement the surroundings of nature.

Grayed yellows, burnt oranges, and rich, deep brown-y reds provide a wide range of accent colors. And they’re a great addition to most interior and exterior color schemes. They work equally well with a gray palette and can easily be incorporated into existing schemes in a lot of ways. To start, try painting the front door in a warm, earthy tone, add in glazed feature pots or try adding warmth with earthy home decor accessories. The colors are easy to add to any interior scheme simply because they make us feel comfortable, as they connect us to the earth.

This article originally appeared on our sister site, First For Women.