While in fashion the runways are filled with brown (after all, Miuccia Prada has long since established it as the new black), interior designers urge you to boldly bring brown into your home as well.

It’s time to bring this underrated color into our homes, perhaps in combination with the color of the year Very Peri.

If you want to understand the true power of brown in the home, first remember this: even the biggest advocates of vibrant colors proclaim themselves as its lovers because, indeed, even if a home has neutral connotations, it can become a paradise for brown furniture to complete a kaleidoscopic decor.

And then humans feel a sense of security and protection when surrounded by this color. Why? Most likely due to the obvious associations with the earth: the calming and resilient element that literally keeps us grounded.

Just as wearing brown requires a bit more planning and coordination, decorating in this shade requires preparation: the key is not to overly indulge your desire for darker decor. Practice moderation, resist the temptation to overdo it because otherwise, you will end up with the unhealthy intent of adding too much; and that is never an impulse to follow. Personally, we like brown in the home in its most natural forms, in the narrative beauty of wood, in the finishes of a dining table or coffee table, in the details of the decor.

A solid natural finish defines a space and gives a sense of calm. Especially these days, bringing the outdoors inside continues to be a smart choice to pursue, and why not consider chocolate or biscuit-colored upholstery? Enveloping, soft yet durable and sumptuous, it is a perfect tone for a sofa or a large cozy armchair.

The first thing that comes to mind then, when we think about it, is a blue that works in contrast; where delicate details and small portions of earthy tones dominate, a small taste that always leaves you wanting more.

It’s not just warm neutrals that create a sense of calm and comfort; darker shades also have a soothing quality. The sumptuous dark brown colors provide a luxurious feeling giving a sense of intimacy, like a kind of sanctuary. The use of dark and deep shades in living spaces creates a dramatic and enveloping atmosphere, without feeling heavy.

If you are looking to incorporate brown along with a more neutral palette, consider creating a focal point through color blocking using neutrals to make everything even bolder; let’s also add: give strong emphasis to deep hues to create a true design statement.

Why is it time for brown in the home? Because we are witnessing the rise of a warm minimalism. Too often, the art of interiors where simplicity in form and color is sought has been interpreted as achieving a total-white: white sofas, white walls, white accents. Beautiful, yes, but also austere. And because the pandemic has made everyone spend much more time at home staring at their own walls, that monochromatic aesthetic was not exactly what many desired.

Dive into brown: a color that is comforting but can still fit into a neutral and understated palette loved by minimalists.