Colour trend – Brown: grounding your space

In recent months we have noticed the colour brown stepping back into the spotlight as one of the most stylish interior design trends, with wallpaper taking centre stage. Pantone's Colour of the Year 2025, Mocha Mousse, embodies the essence of this rich, earthy revival, offering a warm, velvety hue that brings both sophistication and comfort. Whether in deep, chocolate tones or the subtle warmth of neutral taupes, brown wallpaper designs create spaces that feel intimate, inviting, and speak to the desire for natural and grounding aesthetics.

Above: Marigold from Morris & Co. Exclusive Wallpapers 2

When the Wallpaperdirect team teamed up with our friends at Morris & Co. to reimagine and re-colour classic designs from their iconic archive, we knew a rich, chocolaty brown would breathe new life into the timeless Marigold pattern. This vibrant reinterpretation of the 1875 classic remains faithful to its engraved origins, showcasing a delicately intricate two-tone design of marigold blooms and foliage. With its elegant undulating vertical stripe effect, Marigold embodies the craftsmanship and artistry that defines Morris & Co. Seen here in the sumptuous Chocolate colourway, it’s a design steeped in history yet perfectly suited to contemporary interiors.

Above: Summer Fields from Majvillan

Taken from the gorgeous children’s wallpaper collection Vintage Journey by Swedish based brand Majvillan, Summer Fields is perfect for a whimsical nursery space. We love the combination shown here in this pretty bedroom where the story-book illustrative design has been used around the top two-thirds of the room and below, within the panelling, it is complemented by the sweet Dots design in teddy brown. This combination is a great contemporary and gender-neutral choice for little ones.

Above: Stitched Birds from Josephine Munsey

This wallpaper offers so much style impact – it’s a contemporary twist on a classic folk design which beautifully blends tradition with modernity. The intricate, stitched birds are inspired by the delicate artistry of ornamental needlework, with each feather carefully detailed to capture a sense of craftsmanship. The red-brown colourway brings a rich, earthy tone, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. 

Above: Edvin from Sandberg

This kitchen, with open-plan shelving against a small-scale, brown wallpaper is a gorgeous example in balancing old and new. We love the nostalgic charm and homely warmth of the trellis pattern and the earthy brown tones which bring a cosy, organic feel. The minimalism of Scandinavian design paired with the open shelving allows the wallpaper to create a curated, layered look that is both on-trend and very inviting. 

Above: Victorian Lineal from Coordonne

Nautical-inspired red stripes bring a refreshing and vibrant aesthetic to interior decorating and this serene space perfectly encapsulates the charm and nostalgia of coastal living. This classic design choice marries tradition with modernity, creating a space with absolute grace and style.

Above:  Alice in Wonderland from Disney Home x Sanderson

One of the most exciting collaborations we have seen in recent years has been the one produced by Disney and Sanderson, a celebration of both nostalgia and artistry in equal measure. There is an unexpectedly sophisticated  charm when these images of childhood are interpreted in more gown-up settings, such as this kitchen which shows the Alice in Wonderland wallpaper in the Chocolate colourway—a digital reimagining of original Disney artwork. Showcasing beloved characters in these designs whilst adding rich, earthy palettes adds depth and maturity, making it a striking choice for a grown-up space. 

Above: Under the Elder Tree from Boråstapeter

Neutral tones of beige and cream are great for wallpaper designs to serve as quiet backdrops and particularly useful for elevating hallways and linking spaces. This versatile palette ensures the wallpaper complements various interior styles, adding depth and warmth while maintaining a light, airy elegance.

Animal Kingdom from Little Greene

In the wallpaperdirect office we are so enthusiastic about the Storybook Papers from Little Greene! There is so much to love in this collection which is a playful journey into the nostalgia of childhood and features eight enchanting designs inspired by a diverse array of historic artefacts and original artworks. These treasures, discovered in beloved historic houses in the UK, from Somerset to Cumbria, are lovingly preserved by the National Trust. The combination of pea-green and earthy browns in the wallpaper below make this our most liked combination so far. What do you think?

We love seeing your wallpaper makeovers. Share with us (and perhaps our 135k plus followers!) on instagram @wallpaperdirect 

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From rich hues to soft touches – a roundup of some of our favourite brown fabrics…..

Urban collection from Clarke & Clarke

Brown fabric enhances adds warmth and depth to the raw textures of concrete and metal in this industrial minimalist scheme. The earthy tones bring a cosy contrast to the stark industrial backdrop. 

Kalya from Clarke & Clarke x Breegan Jane Fabric collection

Brown tones in contemporary settings work best when layered thoughtfully, with the softest, barely-there shades forming the foundation for larger pieces, while deeper, more saturated hues serve as striking punctuation marks within the overall scheme.
 

Serpenti Velvet from Harlequin

Inspired by treasures traded along the silk route, such as luxurious textiles and jewels, Serpenti juxtaposes with one of nature’s most feared animals. Produced on cotton velvet the design’s heavily saturated colours are ideal for statement upholstery or curtains.

Owlswick from Sanderson

This light and airy fabric is an example of how a nod to the brown trend can be kept light and fresh. This cotton mix fabric, country style fabric is  kept natural with teal green and russet browns on a neutral linen colour background.

 

Maltese from Prestigious

A very simple pattern rule is that stripes and checks work seamlessly together. You will never get this wrong, particularly if you choose the same hue for both. The pattern combination offers a dynamic contrast while maintaining a sense of harmony as the precision of stripes complements the structure of checks, creating a visually cohesive effect.