By Cathy Hobbs
Tribune News Service
Fall is here and brown, orange, and green are classic fall colors, that can help infuse warmth and comfort into your home décor. When used thoughtfully, these hues can make a home feel cozy and stylish without being overwhelming.
Here are some dos and don’ts for using classic fall colors.
A living room layered with shades of green, natural textures, and touches of gold for a rich, inviting feel. Handout/TNS
Do
- Do layer different shades. Combine burnt orange, rust, terracotta, chocolate brown, and forest or sage green to create depth and richness.
- Do pair with neutrals. Pair fall colors with neutral colors such as cream, beige, or taupe.
- Do infuse texture. Materials like wood, leather, wool, and woven fibers work beautifully with earthy, fall tones.
- Do add accents and accessories. Try orange or green pillows, throws or accents to refresh a room with subtle changes.
- Do incorporate metallics. Copper, bronze, or antique gold accents can add a glow that enhances the warmth of fall colors.
A playful family space where warm rust tones and patterned pillows add comfort and personality. Handout/TNS
Don’t
- Don’t let the palette get too dark. Too much brown or deep green can feel heavy.
- Don’t use colors that are overly bright. Instead use colors with gray undertones for a more muted look and feel.
- Don’t forget balance. Mix warm hues with cooler tones in order create a sense of color balance.
- Don’t overuse patterns. Plaids, florals and prints in these earth shades work well when paired with neutral solid colors.
- Don’t limit these colors to autumn. Brown, orange, and green can transition into year-round palettes when used thoughtfully and purposefully.
A modern living area combines earthy orange chairs with neutral furnishings and layered textures. Handout/TNS
Cathy Hobbs is the owner of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes, a home staging company based in New York City (www.cathyhobbs.com). She is also the owner of Highland Passive House, a Home Staging + Design Center based in New York’s Hudson Valley (www.highlandpassivehouse.com). Cathy’s practical, how-to design advice can also be found in her book, “Home Design Recipes.” Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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