9 Trendy Clay Color Paint Shades To Give Your Home A Natural Look And Feel

Nature-inspired colors have taken center stage in the world of interior design, and they're here to stay. Nature's color palette creates a perfect balance of calming tranquility and contemporary allure. Though the natural world is full of stunning colors, perhaps none are as distinctive as clay. Reminiscent of the stunning mesas, deserts, and adobe of the southwest, clay paint colors continue to be a top trend in contemporary living spaces. Clay shades are both versatile, visually intriguing, and practical. They are among the best paint colors to brighten up a low light room, and can be paired with a wide variety of statement colors, accents, and decor themes. All you need is a little bit of creative vision, and the possibilities are endless. 

When incorporating clay colors into your interior design, terracotta is likely the shade you think of first. In addition to being a vibrant, popular color, terracotta will add an earthy feel to your space. However, many people don't realize just how many variations this color can have. For example, Coral Clay by Sherwin Williams is a terracotta-inspired shade with strong pink and red influences. Red River Clay by Benjamin Moore is also on the same spectrum, but with slightly rosier undertones. There are many other clay colors to explore, including soil-like brown, gray sculptor's clay, and sun-baked orange reminiscent of golden hour. Clay colors are a beautiful way to bring the outdoors into your home. These trendy shades have a certain warmth that evokes a comforting, peaceful ambience in any room. 

When it comes to trendy clay paint colors, Cavern Clay is perhaps the most iconic. This popular shade was Sherwin Williams' color of the year in 2019, described by the retailer as a "warm terracotta color with ancient, elemental roots." It's a quintessential shade for achieving the desert modern aesthetic, which combines mid-century modern influences with the rich color palette of the American Southwest. Cavern Clay is both energizing and inviting, with a reddish-orange hue that adds visual depth to any space. Pair it with a variety of accent shades like navy blue, tan, sage green, and even violet. 

For a clay color with a cooler tone, consider Studio Clay by Benjamin Moore, a versatile brown-gray paint shade inspired by traditional potter's clay. Studio Clay is both earthy and modern, allowing it to blend seamlessly with a wide variety of interior design styles. According to Benjamin Moore, contrasting shades like muted green and off-white could give your Studio Clay walls an effortless pop of color. 

For a vibe that is equal parts moody, earthy, and warm, consider El Cajon Clay by Benjamin Moore, a distinguished burgundy shade that looks just like a rich desert soil. El Cajon Clay is the perfect paint shade for a study, home office, den, or bedroom to enhance the cozy and intimate atmosphere. However, before you paint your room with dark colors, know that the color can look different depending on the size of the space and available natural light. A large window can help illuminate the room and make your dark color scheme appear more inviting.

Coral Clay by Sherwin Williams is an energizing yet gentle terracotta-like shade, characterized by warm pinkish-red and orange undertones. Whether you have a coastal, contemporary, or boho-chic interior design scheme, Coral Clay will liven up your living space and infuse it with personality. Coral may be a distinctive color, but it is incredibly versatile. Give it an upscale feel by pairing it with navy blue and gray, or for a more delicate color palette, explore complementary tones like pastel pink and cream. 

A softer alternative to straight terracotta, Sonoma Clay by Benjamin Moore is a soothing neutral-inspired clay color with touches of light red and violet. Sonoma Clay is both soothing and chic, making it an excellent choice for illuminating bright and airy spaces and infusing them with a little visual interest. Though dark shades like burgundy could complement this shade beautifully, Sonoma Clay pairs elegantly with sandy beige or white with subtle pink undertones. 

On the more whimsical side of the spectrum, you'll find Rio Rancho Clay by Benjamin Moore, a vibrant yet earthy orange shade with a rusty clay-like edge. This playful color evokes a warm and sun-drenched atmosphere, perfect for an accent wall in a family room, solarium, or even a bedroom. There's no shortage of creative ways to complement and style this color. Curate a natural color palette with sage green and an abundance of houseplants, or keep it contemporary with taupe, cream, soft gray, and neutral accents. 

Inspired by the mountains and mesas of the American Southwest, Canyon Clay by Sherwin Williams is both down-to-earth and sophisticated. Described as a deep red with cool violet undertones, you might not associated this moody color with relaxation and tranquility at first. However, Canyon Clay does resemble a color that you'd find in nature, giving it an unexpectedly calming effect. This paint shade coordinates beautifully with neutrals like grey-beige, slate grey, and white with subtle hints of violet. 

Reminiscent of a block of pale clay you'd find in a pottery class, Clay Beige by Benjamin Moore is the perfect blank canvas to bring your artistic dreams to life. This muted yet warm light beige is beautiful on its own, but also lends itself well to creative pairings with a variety of colors, making it one of the more versatile clay shades out there. If you love a coastal color palette, consider pairing it with indigo and blue-gray. Alternatively, pair it with taupe and sage green to give your space a relaxing, nature-inspired aesthetic. 

Red River Clay by Benjamin Moore is a rusty rose clay color that is bound to give your space a romantic, vintage atmosphere. It's an intriguing shade, ideal if you love to make a bold style statement in your living space. Despite its dramatic hue, Red River Clay is also versatile. Add depth to your color palette by pairing it with soft neutrals, such as cream with hints of yellow, and light gray with subtle hints of mauve.