Earth-Tone Color Palette – How to Use the Colors of Nature

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Imagine a life where we can live with nature inside the home as well as outside. The earth-tone color palette is perfectly named as it denotes all the various earth tones available when choosing a color scheme for inside the home. So, what are the earth colors, and what is an earth-tone color scheme? As we navigate with the understanding of the earth-tone color palette, we will explore muted earth tones and earth-tone color schemes that will give a better knowledge of the earth-tone color palette. Nature in all its wonder is one massive earth-tone color palette, and we are able to incorporate this beauty into our homes effortlessly and encouragingly. 

The Meaning of Earth Tones

Psychologically, all colors have different meanings for different people. Colors can have various effects on people. They can change the atmosphere of a room and affect a physical response. Colors have positive and negative attributes. Using an earth-tone color palette in the living room will create a mood that is also inviting and comfortable.

So, what are the earth colors, and what is an earth-tone color scheme? Earth tones can also fall under the umbrella of neutral colors and will include the ever-popular white and black, but typically, the earth-tone color palette will incorporate browns, camels, beiges, grays, and creams.

The earth-tone color palette is created with the inspiring colors we see in nature. 

Just taking a walk to the store – when looking around we are reminded by everything we see just how wonderful the earth-tone colors are. From the blue sky to the bright sun, to the green grass, the brown sand, and the blue and purple mountains, we see that the color palette just works.

Muted Earth Tones

Muted earth tones are those colors that usually contain some brown such as soil. The muted color scheme can also include a dark purple and a denim blue color. Muted earth tones are usually those we call “dirty colors” that add an earthy hue to brighter colors.

The muted colors work very well alongside the more vibrant hues.

Using the Earth-Tone Color Palette

How should you use the beautiful natural earth-tone color palette in and around your home, and what are the advantages and disadvantages thereof?

Earth Colors and the Exterior of the Home

The earth-tone color palette is not only used for the interior of the home, it has become trendy to paint the exterior of the home in various combinations of earthy colors that complement not only the home but also nature.

When deciding to paint the exterior of the home by using an earth-tone color palette, it is hugely functional as dirt and grime are not as noticeable as when painting white walls. 

Advantages of Using Earth Colors for the Home Exterior

The advantage of using earth colors for the home exterior is that they are soothing and versatile. Earth tones are rich in color and add warmth to an area where the room gives off a feeling of comfort. Earthy colors and rustic styles have a huge potential to be just as trendy and engaging as any other color. 

When using the earth-tone color palette for the home, the earth tones can be incredibly calming, making them an excellent color of choice, especially for bedrooms and living rooms where a calm atmosphere is needed.

By incorporating earth-tone colors into the exteriors of our homes, we are assured that the look is timeless. This also makes the earth-tone palette that much more appealing, as we will ultimately save money by not having to re-design spaces every time the color becomes old-fashioned or tired looking.

Disadvantages of Using Earth Colors for the Home Exterior

While there are very few disadvantages to using the earth-tone color palette for the exterior of your home if the color tones of browns are not incorporated correctly, these outdoor spaces could become dowdy and boring. A suggestion is that once you know what colors complement the earth-tone color palette, you will be able to make the space brighter and more modern.

It is safe to say that the earth-tone color palette for exteriors will never go out of style.

If earthy colors are grounded well with other vivid colors, balancing the neutral color will complement the vivid colors instead of working as a stark contrast. 

Earth Colors and the Interior of the Home

Organic green colors are earthy colors that remind us of the leaves on trees. Emerald green is a soft bluish-greenish shade that adds sophistication to a room and is very inviting. This earth-tone color scheme is inspired directly by nature and is available in different shades.  

The sage green color marries up very nicely when wood countertops or side tables are in a living area.

If walls are painted white, then sage green is one of the earthy colors that will provide texture to a room and elevate the natural wood colors of the various furniture pieces.

Nutty brown is a shade of brown that resembles the same color as that of a nut. Multiple layers of brown can be incorporated into one living space to add warmth to the area.

Blue and red colors are good colors that match up with a brown earth-tone color palette to provide a bit of contrast to the room.

When thinking of adding earth tones to a room, a beautiful wooden floor and even wooden ceilings will add warmth to the space and make the room appear what we call a cozy earth tone. A statement piece in a room could be a stone fireplace.

By putting a beautiful, soft lemon-yellow accent chair next to a fireplace, the yellow color scheme will lighten up the muted brown colors, and the white walls will also provide a clean balance to all the rich earth tones.

A fresh garden palette is another earth tone inspired by the beautiful flowers and vegetables that grow freely in nature’s garden. The colors that make up the garden-fresh palette stem directly from citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges, right through to green peas and beans.

The color white belongs to the earth tone palette. Some other colors to consider include Indian saffron, olive, and forest green.

Even bright lime green belongs to the earth-tone color palette. We usually tie bright green to white walls and furniture, such as a white leather couch or white bedding. The vibrant green palette comes directly from the green leaves of trees.

Incorporating bright green into a living space will evoke feelings of sunshine, lush lands, and crisp earth tones.

Ocean-inspired blue-green colors belong to the earth-tone color palette, and soft sky blue to rich dark navy blue or light sea green can be tied up with various pieces of art in a room can create a feeling of space and a little drama.

Adding ocean-inspired blues to an area will make the space seem light and breezy. 

Rich earth tones are those deep brown colors that inspire the feeling of coziness. The space can be finished off with golden wood finishes by adding a few pieces of copper to the mix. Bronze will give the impression of freshly harvested wheat.

A vase of bright flowers will give the room a refreshing lift when these deep brown colors are used.

Earth-tone color schemes are made up of rich brown colors. When we think of terra-cotta pots, we see earth tones. Rocky landscapes or sandy deserts also give the impression of the earth’s colors. The earth-tone color palette ranges from light to dark and if correctly placed in a living space, will create a relaxing mood.

The deep reds in many earth-tone color schemes will add richness and texture to the wood. 

Tips for Working With the Earth-Tone Color Palette

Earthy colors are easy to work with if one compares the colors to the brighter tones. When starting on an adventure to change a living space with an earth-tone color palette, we list a few tips to help guide you on your journey. Consider a neutral earth color such as white or beige as your primary color, the wall color for instance.  

• The texture will be incorporated into the living space by adding other earth-tone furniture, such as brown leather couches or wide wooden blinds for the windows. A luscious brown rug and curtains will also add texture to the home.
• The living room will display accessories such as earthy colors in terra-cotta vases or other ceramic pieces. Glass vases are also available in various earth-tone color schemes.

Glass vases can also be brought into the room to bring nature into the room. Contrasting color in the room will be achieved by adding colorful flowers to the vase.

• Green plants that grow in terra-cotta pots can be placed in dark corners of a room, which will bring color to a dark corner. 
• Artwork for the walls should complement the rest of the room and a nature-inspired picture such as a forest or mountains will add warmth to the room. 
• When working with the earth-tone color palette, the lighting in the room can make a big difference. Natural light streaming in from windows is the best thing to brighten a room. Hanging mirrors on walls will give the impression of the room appearing larger.  

The Psychology of Using Earth Colors

It is no surprise that color can add to our mood and behavior, especially with children. When choosing a color for the interior and the different living spaces, the homeowner needs to consider how each color can either negatively or positively add to a person’s mood or behavior when spending time in that room.

Psychology has come into focus when determining color in specific rooms in the home. Whilst there is not a lot of documented scientific research done in this field, general research tells us that different moods affect emotions.

When the right color is in a room, then the room will appear very therapeutic.

If, however, incorporating the wrong color, or too much of it, this could make a person feel restless, excitable, or even angry when spending time in a room.

The colors for a room are of utmost importance before massive changes, such as painting walls or purchasing carpets and curtains, are undertaken.

When looking at what type of mood is to be created in a room, the size of the room and the furniture will play a big part when choosing colors. Hospitals and healthcare facilities usually follow a holistic approach to their patients. These institutions receive wall colors in soft greens, such as pistachio, or blues such as periwinkle.

These colors add calmness to an environment as well as warmth. 

When setting up a room, we must know who is going to spend time in the room. We need to know who is going to spend more time in the room. For a child’s bedroom, a calm and safe environment is required. Using the earth-tone color palette with accent pieces will add variety to the room but will not necessarily work against the calming atmosphere.

Peach and cerebellum gray are good examples.

The lighting and the temperature of a room should also be considered. For instance, adding blue color to an already cold room will make the room appear colder, and incorporating earth tones into a cold room, will make the room appear warmer and inviting. 

Red is a color that belongs to the earth-tone color palette but is seen predominantly as a power color as it grabs attention.

Even though red is part of the earth-tone color palette, if bright reds are used as a primary color in the room, it can evoke mood issues and is seen as a lively color. Having this color in a child’s room should be avoided as it will be more difficult for a child to settle down in such a room as opposed to a room with softer earth tones. Nice earthy reds include red berry and El Salva.

Orange also belongs to the earth-tone color palette and adds warmth and security and leaves a sense of fun in a room. Burnt orange is a beautiful option. The color can have a positive effect and give a sense of security.

However, if the room is overpowered with orange, it can create a sense of anxiety. 

Yellow is another color found on the earth-tone color palette and brings a sense of happiness and can make a dull room look bright. It increases energy yet also uplifts the spirit. For children’s rooms, a softer lemon yellow is the wiser choice.

For a living room accent wall, an amber color is a nice option.

White is universally popular when it comes to choosing colors for the interior of a home. White reflects and can make a small room appear larger. White forms part of the earth-tone color palette and is often associated with cleanliness and purity.

Peace and simplicity are some feelings gained from the color.

However, too much white can be overwhelming and is not always the perfect choice for a child’s bedroom. Smaller children tend to make a lot of mess in their bedrooms, and the white will become dirty very quickly. Pure white is often seen or used by adding accent pieces to a room set up in more earthy colors as it adds contrast and texture to the room. Ivory is another option.

Wearing Earthy Colors

Not everybody can pull off wearing earthy colors next to their skin types most earth colors will look beautiful on olive skin tones. It may be hard to find the correct shades of earthy colors for light skin tones, which could make a person look pale and washed out.

A few great ideas to add the earth-tone color palette into your daily wardrobe is to wear a brown, tan, or black leather jacket with your outfit. Accessorizing in earth tones can brighten up any dowdy-looking outfit. Dress shirts will look great when paired up with brown or khaki pants.

This way, earthy colors are added to your finished look without any effort. Hats and caps are always an excellent idea for incorporating earth colors to complete an outfit. 

Earth Colors for Different Seasons

The color green falls under the earth-tone color palette and is a trending color for Spring and Summer. This color is synonymous with hope and balance in our daily lives. Find out more about seasonal color analysis.

Earth tones color palettes are always trendier in the fall or autumn seasons as this is when the land is also changing color as it prepares for the winter months ahead. Orange, red, and yellow become the best color to wear as nature changes its colors. 

A brief description of each season and what colors to wear are as follows: in the season of Spring, the favored colors are usually soft yellows, pinks, and blues. During the season of Summer, the trendy colors are usually shades of green with blue and sometimes yellow.

In autumn or fall, colors range from red, browns, and even grays, and during the Winter season, black is a preferred color paired with pale blue and even orange. 

Choosing an Earth-Tone Color Palette for Make-Up

The demure look has been trending in the makeup world for a long time. Garish, harsh, loud colors are a no-no in the makeup world. Instead, we are opting to use makeup to create a simple natural look.

This means that the earth color palette has become very popular.

For the office look during the day, using more earth tones will not only add sophistication to your overall look but will also appear as if you are alert. Your natural beauty will shine. 

Nature is beauty given to us effortlessly and carries no cost to witness. As the seasons change, so do the colors of the earth, which automatically gives rise to the thought of bringing nature into our homes where peace and tranquility can reside. The earth-tone color palette is most appealing to many as it is affordable. The earth’s colors give rise to nature’s way of saying, we are alive, we are full of color and happiness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Earth Colors?

Earth colors are colors seen in nature. The colors of fields, the sky, the sea, and the vegetation are colors that belong to the earth’s tone palette. Earth colors can be considered to be all shades of brown, green, red, yellow, orange, white, gray, and also different shades of black.  

What Is the Best Earth-Tone Color to Incorporate Into a Living Space?

An excellent way to use earth-tone colors in a living space would be to use layers of different hues, from satin whites to off-white hues. These can then be married with accent colors such as sage green or stone blue as contrasting colors. The earth-tone color palette is very appealing as the color is warm. Earth colors are incorporated into a living space where heavy foot traffic may be experienced, such as a living room or a dining room. 

What Will the Earth-Tone Color Palette Do for My Living Space?

Not only will earth tones offer a neutral earth-tone color palette to the living space, but they will also add drama if used as accent colors in a white room. The earth-tone color scheme will exude warmth and serenity without being destructive. All earth-tone colors marry very nicely with white, cream, beige, off-white, and even black.  

Is Gray an Earth-Tone Color?

Yes, grays and browns are earthy colors. The gray is incorporated into the earth-tone color palette. Imagine looking at a mountain from far, you will see shades of gray in rocks which in turn give off the gray color seen in a mountain.  

Larissa Meyer( Art Addict, Illustrator and Graphic Designer )

Larissa Meyer is a 32-year-old mother from Michigan and creative spirit since childhood. Her passion for painting and drawing has led her to an education as an illustrator and a career as a freelance graphic designer. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration and a degree in Graphic Design. Larissa is a talented artist who is able to master a wide range of styles and techniques to bring her artistic vision to life. Her greatest passion is currently fluid painting and epoxy resin art. Larissa’s love for art and her knowledge and experience in illustration make her the perfect Creative Director for our fluid-painting.com team. She is the creative head of our team and shares her passion and knowledge with our community through articles and tutorials.

As a mother of a 2-year-old daughter, Larissa also understands the importance of fostering creativity in early childhood. She uses her experience and knowledge to help other parents inspire their children and develop their artistic skills as well.

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