Colours play an important – and often underestimated - role in every space.  They can create a calming or energizing effect when entering the space, optically enlarge or minimize it, cover individual imperfections, and more. This article looks at brown colours.

When searching for inspiration to help choose the ultimate colour scheme for your home, you may have already questioned how one even goes about choosing the right colour. The answer is, so to speak, in the palm of your hand. Colour theory is a scientific method that can be applied when choosing colours. You will be familiar with the science of mixing colours and colour theory, which is taught at school in art class, from a large colour wheel. This diagram, filled with coloured triangles, illustrates the relationship between different shades: between the primary colours red, yellow and blue; the secondary colours purple, orange, green and others, which result from mixing two of the three primary colours; and tertiary colours, which are made from mixing primary and secondary colours.

Choosing new colours for your home can be done in three ways, based on colour theory:

• A monochromatic scheme includes various shades from the same colour group (e.g. various shades of red).
• Colours that are opposite each other on the wheel are considered to be complementary colours. These stand out and can easily become a distraction in the space. 
• The third option is to choose adjacent colours in the wheel. They are considered to be harmonious as they result in an inevitably successful combination. 

Choosing a brown colour 

Brown is one of the most predominant colours, along with green. Brown is most often seen in nature. It is pleasant, warm and calming.  In terms of the colour wheel, brown is a typical example of combining primary and complementary shades. Although it is quite a neutral colour, it can be created in several ways.  So, how to create your favourite shade of brown or an elegant shade that will liven up your home? We present four combinations that ensure the best shade of brown. 

Blue + red + yellow = brown

One way to mix colours to produce brown is to combine the three primary colours, blue, red, and yellow. This combination produces a darker yet still neutral shade of brown. 

Red + green = brown

Combining red and green is a process of mixing a primary and secondary colour, which are opposite to each other in the colour wheel. This combination produces a rich shade of brown. 

Blue + orange = brown

Another example of mixing a primary and secondary colour to produce brown involves blue and orange. This has the power to produce a gentle and warm shade of brown that brings calm and warmth to the space. 

Yellow + purple = brown

A third example of mixing a primary and secondary colour is with yellow and purple. This combination produces an elegant shade of brown that brings a measure of sophistication to the space.

The choice of brown really depends on the feeling you wish to create for the space.  Choose lighter shades to create open and airy space; darker shades are wonderful for an extra layer of comfort. For added drama, opt for richer shades of brown.

Brown, which is one of the most neutral colours, opens a wide range of possibilities when combined with other colours and transforms the space into something inspiring, pleasant, warm, and elegant. Brown is well suited to white, grey, (light) pink, navy blue, olive green, beige, red, yellow and orange. 

You can find additional shades of brown for your home in our HGMIX Interior Colour Collection colour chart.