Decorating with earthy colours: a guide to relaxed interiors

Author Whinnie WilliamsCreative director and co-founder of Poodle & BlondeWritten 21/09/2026

Floor-to-ceiling patterned curtains frame large garden-facing windows in a contemporary dining room with a wooden table and chairs.

Earthy interiors are having a moment – and I for one couldn’t be happier about it.

There’s something about those rich, warm tones that just feels so homely and inviting. Here’s my advice for using earthy colours in your home.

A living room with a dark brown wall, a blush pink sofa, parquet floor and French doors dressed in cream floor-to-ceiling curtains with a bamboo print.

Set the tone with colour

When I'm planning a room, I always start with colour – it dictates the mood before a single piece of furniture goes in.

Using earthy tones doesn’t mean you’re limited to shades of brown – far from it. Your earthy colour palette could be anything from deep ochre to sunbaked terracotta, olive green to warm plaster. In this room, we balanced the dark statement wall with a lighter blush pink, plus sage green accents. Our Poodle & Blonde curtains in Money Tree Bamboo bring the whole thing together.

“My love for bold prints, maximalist designs, and rich, earthy tones heavily influences my choices for window dressings, allowing me to create spaces that feel both timeless and contemporary.”
Luke Catleugh, interiors content creator

A living room with dark terracotta walls, a teal carpet, a brown leather swivel chair and a retro sideboard housing a record player. French doors are dressed in pale olive curtains with a micro rectangular pattern.

Layer in plenty of texture

Using earthy colours in your home always makes it feel cosy and cocooning. Lean into that with natural textures, like wood and rattan, and introduce plenty of textiles. Choose curtains or Roman blinds to dress your windows and add a cosy chair and cushions for extra softness.

This room feels warm and welcoming thanks to its rich mix of textures and earthy tones. The antique wood and buttery leather furniture bring plenty of character, while patterned curtains add another layer of comfort.

Bedroom with a gold bed adorned with patterned cushions and a vintage phone, draped fabric suggesting relaxation, under a sculptural chandelier. Windows with green blinds frame autumn foliage.

Liven things up with a contrasting colour

I think people sometimes worry that earthy interiors will look drab and dreary. While I don’t think that’s the case, there’s no rule that says you can’t liven things up with a brighter contrasting shade.

The bright teal of these 1970 Oceano Roman blinds and coordinating cushions really brings this room to life and prevents the terracotta pink from looking muddy.

Large picture window framed by patterned curtains brightens a wood-panelled living room with a tan corner sofa and coffee table.

Take it back to the 70s

It will surprise absolutely no one that the 1970s is my favourite decade. I just love everything about the style of that time – the colours, the art, the laid-back glamour of it all. 

Colours drawn from the natural world were huge in the 70s: warm gold, burnt orange, chocolate brown and avocado green. To get the look at home, try mixing in a few pieces of vintage or reproduction furniture and décor. Here, we’ve got the corner sofa, statement rug and, of course, the cowboy hats. For soft furnishings, oversized geometric prints are the way to go – this one is called Chain of Fools.

“There’s so much fun to be had from introducing a retro vibe into your home. Look for 70s furniture pieces on auction sites like eBay and Vinterior – even something small like a magazine holder will have impact.”
Bo Fentum, interior designer and architect

Dining room with wide windows dressed with Roman blinds, framed by deep red walls, a polished wooden table, patterned chairs and statement lighting.

Go bougie with metallics

I love using chrome and gold as accent colours in rooms with earthy colour schemes – it has that same retro vibe and just feels very luxurious. 

The burnt terracotta shade on these walls gives a warm-and-cosy vibe. But adding gold elements – as well as the contrasting flooring and bright artwork – brings something unexpected. The result is a quirky, characterful space that’s just made for socialising. Who wouldn’t want to be invited to a dinner party here?

A sunken living room with a curved, black leather sectional and patterned cushions, surrounded by large windows and spotted curtains. Indoor plants enhance the bright, mid-century modern space.

Try earthy neutrals

I don’t do minimalism! But you can still take inspiration from an earthy colour scheme if you favour more neutral interiors.

This beautifully tranquil living space is a great example. Here, the walls have been kept to a soft white, with earthy tones brought in through the Tottenham Dalmatian curtains and natural wood finishes. Plants and fresh flowers complete the look.

Cushions with botanical and animal prints rest on a tufted, light green sofa. Beige curtains with floral and bird patterns hang nearby, and sunlight streams through a window overlooking greenery.

Earthy interiors: my tips

Start with colour. Whether it’s ochre or terracotta, olive green or plaster pink, find an earthy tone you love.
Layer in natural textures like wood, rattan and woven textiles for a cosy, cocooning feel.
Don't be afraid to add a contrasting accent shade to liven things up.
Vintage and retro pieces are a natural fit in earthy interiors.
Gold and chrome accents add a touch of glamour and lift a warm, earthy scheme.
Earthy tones work just as well in neutral, pared-back spaces as they do in bold, statement ones.

A home with heart

Warm, grounding tones will always win me over. I want my home to be somewhere I can retreat and relax, and those colours set the tone perfectly. Find colours you love, then add in the textures, décor and quirky touches that bring you joy.

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