If there’s one prevailing interior design trend of 2025, it’s the resurgence of earth tones. Whether it’s a cool brown or a warm terracotta, these natural hues are just about everywhere—from our kitchens to our living rooms; even in more private spaces, like our bedrooms.

The movement towards more organic colors has been brewing for a while and shows no signs of slowing down in the coming years. Here, we sat down with interior designers to chat more about this growing trend—and how you can best use it in your own home.

The Color Palette

Earth tones can refer to a wide range of shades, including green, brown, beige, and even burnt reds and oranges. The main criteria is that they resemble something you’d see in nature. In particular, experts note that dark browns have become popular in 2025.

“These browns have gained momentum due to their association with stability and comfort,” says Emily Kantz, color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams. “Their quiet, natural quality brings a sense of richness and tranquility to any space, transforming it into a personal retreat.”

Interior designer Dana Wolter seconds this, while also mentioning that rust and taupe hues can look very beautiful in a home—especially in a smaller space, like a butler’s pantry.

Why They’re So Popular

Earth tones remind us of the natural world, a delightful familiarity that’s welcome in just about any room. In many ways, the movement is an offshoot of the biophilic trend, which centers on bringing the outdoors in—earth tones, similarly, draw upon our affinity for lush forests and bucolic backyards. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially, when outdoor space became essential, many began to realize the importance of a more soothing, natural home environment.

Some of the appeal may be psychological, too. “There’s a theory called ecological valence theory, which suggests that our color preferences develop based on the emotional experiences we have with those colors over time,” says Kantz. “Shades like deep terracotta can evoke memories of family vacations out west, while a rich green might remind you of hiking adventures with friends.”

In the Home

New product introductions have highlighted our return to all things earth-toned. Last year, Kitchen-Aid made a huge splash with its Evergreen stand mixer—a beautiful, deep green appliance paired with a wood mixing bowl. The combination brought natural elements to a product category that people had never before considered organic or biophilic.

Similarly, Farrow & Ball’s recent New Colours—the brand’s first new paint collection in over two years—also featured many earthy hues, like the pink-gray Scallop, the lush green Dibber, or the moody Reduced Green. In the Color of the Year world, Pantone famously chose Mocha Mousse for 2025, a warm, cozy brown that’s perfect in just about any room.

In terms of fabric and wallcoverings, Perennials recently launched a collection called Down to Earth, which directly references nature in its beautiful green and terracotta colorways. For its latest collection, Maestria, Élitis showcased stunning sisal wallcoverings in beautiful, earthy hues— some even featured gold and silver highlights.

How to Decorate With Earth Tones

One of the best things about earth tones—and perhaps another aspect of their popularity—is that they’re incredibly easy to use in a home. “They provide an excellent backdrop for bolder colors and patterns to layer on top,” says interior designer Roger Higgins. “You can mix virtually any earth tones together, and they always look great.”

“The beauty of earth tones lies in their versatility,” adds Kantz. “You can use them anywhere—perhaps a deep green in the living room to add a cozy touch, or a dark watery blue in the bedroom to create a restorative environment.”

Another approach is to use furniture and décor to bring earth tones into a space. Kantz suggests a brown-stained cabinet or a piece of handmade green décor. These suggestions are less of a commitment and let you experiment a bit with the color palette before painting the walls from top to bottom.