Everyone Had It In The '80s — Now Its The Color Scheme That's Making A Comeback

For the style-forward, the 80's are back. Chunky necklaces and boat necklines are en vogue amongst your most fashionable friends. So too are the home design trends — like rich brown color schemes — that we haven't seen since the days of Miami Vice. But this earth-toned palette is making its way back into the spotlight for good reason. It's the warm color that designers love because it's soothing, cozier than the sterile gray colors that dominated the 2010s, great for adding the depth to our homes that many of us have been missing. (As an added bonus, it also photographs well for social media.)

In retro-inspired homes that are embracing on this color scheme trend, you might see a lot of chocolate brown upholstery and dark wood furniture, offset by creamy walls or metallic accents. The more dramatic might opt for espresso-dark lacquered furniture with contrasting ivory upholstery. In today's design landscape, you often see it offset with a complimentary color scheme like the classic terracotta, brown, and olive, for example.

If you'd like to incorporate a rich, brown, '80s-esque color scheme into your home, start by hitting the antique store (or Facebook Marketplace). Sourcing a couple of real wood pieces, like a rocking chair or dining table, immediately adds that natural, earthy depth to your home. From there, it's all about building on the brown with textiles. A toffee-toned rug, velvety chocolate brown pillows, and camel-colored curtains all work beautifully. Of course, if you're all in on the trend, you can paint your walls. Mushroom brown functions as an excellent neutral, while a deeper cocoa can feel almost cinematic. Up the ante with tobacco brown leather coasters or a chestnut serving tray on the coffee table.

To keep the look modern rather than overly monochromatic, it's a good idea to mix in some accent colors. The good news is that a lot of tones pair spectacularly with shades of brown. For a home inspired by soothing woodland walks, incorporate lots of green. Olive, sage, moss, and eucalyptus are all natural fits. Or, if you're going for a little more drama, rich reds look elevated. Burgundy, oxblood, wine and cranberry accents can help to recreate the quiet luxury trend in your own home. You can even pair your browns with navy, denim, or slate blue for a contrast that feels invigorating, but not jarring. To learn more, read about how to embrace the brown furniture trend and the right way to do it.