The Covid lock downs are not a time I like to dwell on, but they did teach us something: when we feel threatened, we want to batten down the hatches and curl up in our dens like little foxes.
Interior design reflected this trend, with the cool and sophisticated grays and whites being passed over for warm, earthy tones that reflected our desire for coziness and comfort.
Our love of earth tones hasn’t subsided, so let’s explore the best earth-tone paint colors.
The best Behr earth tone paint colors are Pure Earth, Ecological Green, Wild Truffle, and Earth Tone. Benjamin Moore’s earthy palette includes Venetian Portico, Majestic Sage, Amber, and Bittersweet Chocolate. Try Sherwin-Williams’ earthy Shoji White, Accessible Beige, Gauntlet, or Bakelite Gold.
Choosing the Best Earth Tone Paint Colors
Earth-toned color palettes are inspired by the natural world, and colors from the soil, stones, and trees are popular. These shades are known to create feelings of comfort, restoration, and welcome, making them ideal for our homes.
Apart from their soul-soothing benefits, earth tones are beautiful, grounding neutral, and more colorful schemes. What earth-tone colors are available, and which are the best?
From the lightest of sandy beiges to the richest of earth browns, earth tone colors are fast becoming a classic rather than a trend.
These calming neutrals add warmth to an interior and work well with several different aesthetics, including my current favorite, coastal grandma, cottage core, rustic, farmhouse, and even industrial.
Here are my recommendations for the best earth-tone paint colors by three top luxury paint producers.
Top Behr Earthy Paint Colors
Behr’s selection of earth tones celebrates our environment and its bounty of colors and textures.
Be inspired next Earth Day (or any day you choose to celebrate) to update your home and invite the outside in.
#1. Pure Earth PPU7-5
Let’s begin with a paint color that’s literally earth-toned: Pure Earth is the color of rich soil, a delicious grounding brown with a warm organic feel.
Envelop your interior in cozy brown accessorized with natural wood, grass, jute, and wicker textures for a Boho delight. Or add metal and aluminum for an industrial interior.
#2. Ecological Green S380-6
Muted, muddy greens are a stalwart of earth-tone interiors. This deep green has a gray undertone inspired by wet clay — not the most appealing image, I know, but this green-gray is the perfect moody neutral.
Pair with warm beige and chocolate brown for the coziest of bedroom palettes.
#3. Wild Truffle HDC-NT-27B
Taupe is one of the most underrated earth tones — I urge you to try this lush brown-gray with the slightest of pink undertones.
Wild Truffle infuses a space with a gently restorative mood, perfect for peaceful Scandi or Boho interiors.
#4. Earth Tone 230F-6
How could I not include a paint color with the perfect name? Earth Tone is also a perfect color, being a rich rusty brown, similar to sunbaked terracotta.
This shade has been popular in recent years, appearing in paint colors, accessories, textiles, and furniture — and it’s going nowhere.
Timeless terracotta adds soothing warmth to your home, especially when paired with other neutrals. Or add spicy mustard to the palette for a heartier welcome.
Best Benjamin Moore Earth Tone Paints
Earth tones are ideal for our modern homes and busy lifestyles as they reduce stress and create a peaceful haven to retreat to at the end of the day.
Benjamin Moore’s selection of earth tones is vast: these are my favorites.
#5. Venetian Portico AF-185
If you prefer faded terracottas, Venetian Portico is the color of choice. It’s on my list because it’s the color my fantasy Italian villa is going to be, baked under the Tuscan sun.
Meanwhile, I can paint my living room in this gorgeous, balanced shade with the slightest hint of a pink undertone.
#6. Majestic Sage 1532
Sage has been on-trend for a couple of years now, and we’re seeing a darkening of the color, like this earthy Majestic Sage. Green is nature’s neutral, as many have said before me, but the truth is that this color is soothing, gentle, and restorative, like a mountain pool.
Pair Majestic Sage with deep clay browns and reddish terracotta in your organic modern interior.
#7. Amber 168
Deep orange with a swirl of brown, this paint color mimics the fossilized resin so beloved for jewelry. Amber is one of the brighter earth tones, adding a layer of spicy color to an otherwise neutral palette.
Pair with warm woods and deep browns to ground the space, especially in a Southwestern or desert-inspired interior.
#8. Bittersweet Chocolate 2114-10
If you like your earth tones moody, take a bite out of the appropriately named Bittersweet Chocolate. An intense blackish brown, Bittersweet Chocolate has a slight violet undertone to give it warmth and depth.
This color feels like a hug from an old friend, comforting and familiar, so it’s perfect for a bedroom or cozy family room.
Top Sherwin-Williams Earthy Colors
Many of Sherwin-Williams’ best-sellers are earthy neutrals, proving just how popular this color trend is.
Earth tones are easy to live with and pair well with wooden furniture and floors, making them an ideal choice.
#9. Shoji White SW 7042
Earth tones include lighter shades, and Shoji White is an excellent example. This warm, earthy white edges close to greige, giving a feeling of coziness, security, and welcome.
Shoji White marries well with muted and brighter earth tones and shines in a simple neutral palette with layers of off-white and beige.
#10. Accessible Beige SW 7036
This classic of the Sherwin-Williams range is your perfect light earth tone to anchor a Scandi, Boho, or organic modern interior.
This comfortable neutral has a gray undertone, which means it works with both cool and warm colors and creates an endlessly tranquil impression.
#11. Gauntlet Gray SW 7019
Yes, gray can be considered an earth tone, especially if it is a muted, greige mushroom color like Gauntlet. This paint color has a dollop of brown in it, making it a particularly earthy gray.
Gauntlet is the ideal earth tone for minimalists — it’s simple and serene but adds depth and richness whether painted on walls, cabinetry, or furniture.
#12. Bakelite Gold SW 6368
Add brightness to your earthy palette with this cheerful yellow-orange. Bakelite Gold is an autumnal shade that pairs beautifully with this season’s muted greens and warm whites.
Layer with other yellow tones of mustard and turmeric in a gorgeous eclectic or ethnic interior, or add black and white for monochrome magic.
Final Thoughts
Create a cozy sanctuary in your bedroom or living room by decorating with warm, inviting, earthy tones. Behr, Benjamin Moore, and Sherwin-Williams all have beautiful paint colors ranging from comfortable white to darkest brown and spicy orange.
Related Paint Color Resources:
- Top 16 Blue Paint Shades
- Top 13 Blue Green Paint Shades
- Top 12 Black Paint Colors
- 15 Popular Brown Paint Colors
- 12 Best Jewel Tone Paint Colors
- 16 Paint Colors that Go Well with Dark Wood Trim
