Choosing brown wallpaper — the warm, grounding shade that's back in style
Brown is back, and it is nothing like the brown of decades past. Rich chocolate, warm caramel and soft mocha have become some of the most sought-after tones in interiors, prized for the cosy, grounding warmth they bring to a room. Far from feeling dated, the new brown feels sophisticated and enveloping — the natural, earthy alternative to grey. Here are the shades to consider and how to use them.
Choosing your shade of brown
Chocolate brown is the star of the moment — deep, rich and indulgent, it wraps a room in warmth and feels wonderfully cocooning, especially in a bedroom or snug.
Light brown, caramel and tan are the softer, warmer neutrals — gentle and inviting, and easy to live with across a whole room.
Taupe and mushroom sit between brown and grey, a calm, contemporary neutral that flatters almost any scheme.
Rust and terracotta-brown lean warm and earthy, bringing a sun-baked, Mediterranean feel.
Dark brown is the most enveloping of all, cosy and dramatic in a room used mostly in the evening.
Brown wallpaper designs
Plain and textured browns are the most popular — a plaster, grasscloth or subtly textured chocolate or caramel gives you the colour with depth and warmth, rather than a flat finish.
Wood effect brings natural, rustic brown tones with real character, from planks to weathered timber.
Rustic and earthy designs suit a country or farmhouse feel, warm and lived-in.
Marble and stone effects in brown and tan tones add a warm, luxurious surface.
Botanical and earthy patterns pair brown grounds with foliage for a natural, organic look.
Why brown works
Brown is the ultimate grounding colour — warm, natural and calming, it makes a room feel cosy and secure in a way cooler tones cannot. It is being called the new neutral for good reason: it flatters wood, leather, cream and green, and it brings a richness and depth that grey often lacks. In a world of pale, cool interiors, brown feels warm, welcoming and quietly luxurious.
Pairing brown with other colours
Brown and cream is the softest, most timeless pairing — warm, calm and easy. Brown and green feels natural and organic, drawn straight from the landscape. Brown and orange leans into a warm, retro, earthy palette. Brown and black is rich and grounding for a bold, sophisticated scheme. Layer with natural materials — wood, leather, rattan and linen — to bring out brown's warmth.
Brown wallpaper by room
Bedrooms feel cosy and cocooning in chocolate or dark brown behind the bed. Living rooms suit a warm caramel or textured plaster effect, grounded with natural materials. Dining rooms come alive in a rich, deep brown by lamplight. Hallways gain warmth and character from a wood-effect or rustic design.
Which material to choose
Every brown design is a made-to-measure mural on a choice of four materials — two paste-the-wall and two peel-and-stick, including water-resistant and waterproof grades for bathrooms and kitchens. You choose your material, and see the price for your exact wall size, on each product page.