The Rise of Warm Neutrals: Earthy Tones and Cosy Interiors

Cosy, inviting interiors are in, and warm neutrals are leading the way. Discover how these earthy tones can add a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic to your home. 

We’ve long said goodbye to grey and brilliant white when it comes to decorating our homes, and since then there’s been a new team of earthy neutrals dominating the interior design landscape. But what exactly are warm neutrals? And how can you incorporate them into your home?

What are warm neutrals?

Replacing magnolia as the core shade in your colour palette, warm neutrals are grounding, rich and ultimately more stylish shades to use in your home. In contrast to cooler shades of white and grey, these neutrals have warm undertones such as lilac, yellow, red and pink. They’re particularly effective in darker, North-facing rooms that don’t get much sunlight and need a little injection of warmth.

“There’s something so comforting about warm neutrals. These muted, earthy tones create a sense of grounding and belonging’

Cosy and contemporary

The earthy undertones of these soothing shades bring a cosy quality to our interiors, adding character whilst maintaining a timeless neutral colour palette. Ranging from pale greiges to rich taupes, a warm neutral design scheme is a great way to add depth and colour to your home, in a considered and often understated way.

Colours to pair with warm neutrals

Warm neutrals are brilliant bases in your colour schemes. Choose your core neutral and build upon this, layering in tonal shades or complimentary/contrasting colours.
 

Layered neutrals

For a cohesive colour pairing, pick out the undertone in your neutral and combine this with a deeper shade. For example, use a warm, light beige across your walls with a rich caramel highlighting your woodwork. This layering of neutrals creates a curated and contemporary look, with an inherently timeless aesthetic.

Rich reds and brooding browns

To bring out the warm undertones of these neutrals, pair them with rust reds, terracotta and ochre. The popularity of these rich, earthy colours shows no signs of fading, with The Little Greene Paint Company choosing Mochi, a deep neutral with muted pink tones, as their colour of the year for 2025. Their warming Affogato and deep-ochre Bassoon are also perfect for pairing with lighter warm neutrals.

Shades of green

With our favourite paint brands diversifying their collections, it's time to rethink our idea of what constitutes a 'neutral'. Undertones of green can be seen running throughout warm neutrals, making them perfect for pairing with dramatically deep olives or saturated mid-greens. COAT Paints have a gorgeous selection of neutrals with green undertones, and we especially love the pairing of their pale, beige-green And Breathe with the atmospheric tones of Nomad.

Black accents

If you’re looking to lift your neutral colour palette add an injection of black. From accessories through to paint, black contrasts with warm neutrals whilst simultaneously highlighting their softer quality. Yasmin Wyatt of @yas.wyatt.home is an expert in neutral styling with chic black accents. Perfectly positioning her dark accessories, Yasmin adds interest to the space with dark lighting fittings, black-edged mirrors, and graphic art prints.

Top tips from our Insiders

For expert advice on mastering a muted colour palette, watch our video tour of Hill Home Design founder Claire Hill's beautiful Clifton home. Sensitive treatment of the original features and purposeful exaggeration of its Georgian proportions have been at the core of Claire's approach. We adore the tonality of Claire's design, in its constraint, but also its confidence. 

How to use warm neutrals in your home

These versatile shades can applied to any interior style and type of property. That being said, they work particularly well with Japandi and Organic Modern schemes, which use neutral colours to create warm, inviting, and soulful spaces. 

The subtlety of warm neutrals means they also work well in any room, and can be used alongside some of the latest paint trends, including colour drenching and painted woodwork.

Asides from paint, warm neutrals can be introduced through tactile textiles, furniture, tiling, rugs, you name it! For more inspiration, take a look at some of our favourite warm neutral homewares below - perfect for bringing this gorgeous colour scheme into your home.