Blue and brown is the unexpected pairing that's more livable than you think – here's how to decorate with this trending combination

Blue and brown is a color pairing that sounds more dramatic than it appears. Pairing a bold cool tone with a dark warm tone? It does go against a lot of color rules, but done right it's a combination that's surprisingly livable, unexpectedly versatile, and endlessly chic.

A lot of brown color combinations have connotations with retro decor, the '70s in particular, loved bringing brown into a color scheme. But in 2025, brown has shed its dated skin, as have the colors you can pair with it. We've seen plenty of evidence of brown and blue coming together beautifully, creating rooms that are rich, full of interest and elegance.

‘Browns and blues are both organic colors,' explains designer Stephanie Larsen. 'We see them appear naturally in the world around us all the time, and that's a big reason why they're such a beautiful and easily accessible pairing. As humans, we're drawn to colors that we see appear in nature, and studies have shown that incorporating these organic tones in our spaces can have calming effects on our well-being.'

Here, we delve into the dynamic pairing of blue and brown, offering practical ideas and examples on how to successfully incorporate this unexpected color pairing in your own home.

1. Lift dark brown walls with soft blue highlights

This beautiful chocolate brown paint on the walls couldn't be more stylish. Chocolate brown is one of the biggest color trends of 2025, and the rich earthy brown trend has firmly taken root and shows no signs of fading. Paired here with Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue – an extremely popular blue paint which has been ‘blackened,’ with a definite muddiness in its undertones – it pairs beautifully with the tobacco richness of the brown.

For two statement-making colors, this pairing feels surprisingly very natural to the eye. ‘Blue and brown form nature’s perfect palette, representing earth and sky,’ explains Paula Taylor, the Head Stylist and Trend Specialist at Graham & Brown. ‘These calming, grounding hues surround us daily, offering a sense of balance and serenity. The rich warmth of chocolate browns paired with cooling blue tones creates a harmonious contrast.’

2. Create a calming scheme with muted blues and browns

Softer, muted colors have an innate calming and grounding effect. Remember, browns are earthy and warming, whilst blues are notoriously fresh and wakeful. But unsaturated versions of both colors bring them much more in line with one another.

‘I would avoid pairing overly bright, almost fluorescent blues with browns that have red undertones, as the intense vibrancy of the blue wouldn't complement this shade of brown,’ advises Emily Kantz, Color Marketing Manager at Sherwin Williams. ‘Instead, consider softer blues paired with a wood-tone brown for a more harmonious look.’

3. Soften the contrast with pattern

In this chic London home office designed by Cotswolds-based interior designer Sean Symington, the blue and brown color pairing has been used within patterns and finishes, achieving a subtle but deeply sophisticated look.

‘When I used the blue-painted fireplace with the subtle Sanderson pattern, it added this lovely depth to the room. It's a perfect example of why this combination works so wonderfully. The rich green-blue tones against those golden-brown elements are actually complementary, which is why they feel so naturally balanced together,’ explains Sean.

‘The blue brings a sense of tranquility and depth, while the brown grounds everything with its warmth and natural quality. When these colors are layered with different textures and materials, they create this beautiful richness that makes a space feel like it's evolved over time.’

4. Choose a neutral base and add accents of brown and blue

A wonderful way of introducing blue and brown into a neutral scheme is through smaller accents throughout the room. You don’t need to overhaul your space; this pairing will complement a neutral space without ever competing or overwhelming it.

‘Blue is an incredibly versatile color that pairs beautifully with virtually any neutral,’ explains Micaela Quinton, Director of Design at Copper Sky Design + Remodel. ‘I especially love how it complements brown tones, from rich wood finishes to brass accents, which I consider a variation of brown. Combining stained wood or brass fixtures with the color blue creates a timeless, classic look that works well in many areas of a home. The rich warmth of brown paired with the cool tones of blue creates a contrast that feels both cozy and calming.’

5. Add a pop of electric blue to a brown scheme

Using an invitingly rich cocoa-toned brown with a powerful depth of color envelopes the room in an earthy darkness. Paired with a bright and bold flash of color, like this clean and vivid blue, imbues a space with depth and energy – provocative yet captivating. A shock of zesty lime green or a bright, vital pink paint would be equally as striking.

‘Bold saturated hues are having a major moment right now,’ explains Micaela Quinton. ‘Embracing dark paint colors and color-drenching can instantly add drama and transform a space.’

6. Ground lighter blues with brown

Whole walls needn’t be painted floor to ceiling in a riot of blue and brown to achieve the same grounding, calming effect. ‘Draw inspiration from your favorite fabric patterns, wallpaper, and artwork to create unique color combinations,’ advises Micaela Quinton. ‘Blue and brown is especially successful in transitional decor where homeowners want to introduce a touch of color and contrast.’

Penny Morrison, the designer of this beautifully chic dining room, has painted the walls in a classic and utterly timeless duck-egg blue, and pulled in pale, soft brown hues in the sisal carpet and upholstered dining chairs in her beautiful fabric, in a muted brown, gold, and blue scheme. The overarching color pairing is pale blue and hushed, faded browns, in small doses. The result of this subtle color pairing? A classic, timeless aesthetic that she describes as ‘free-spirited in style.’

7. Color drench with brown and blue

If you are browsing color drenching ideas but feel apprehensive that one color may dominate the space, making it too cold or too stifling, consider instead double drenching by cleverly combining two colors to offset each other, creating a bold, layered effect that ultimately rebalances the overall tone of the space.

Statement combinations such as rich blue and brown create a real wow factor, while adding unexpected contrast. This technique has been mastered by Nicola Harding & Co. in this UK-based period home, who says, 'Color really is a series of magic spells, brilliant at transforming the atmosphere of a space. This is the snug of a Georgian townhouse that we transformed into a comfortable family home. Walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Tanner’s Brown and ceiling and window trim in Stone Blue, a classic combination that works beautifully with the preserved Bath stone hearth.'

Nicola suggests painting the area with the lowest level of light in a darker color to pull you in, achieving a cocooning, cozy atmosphere. Meanwhile, by opting for Farrow & Ball’s ‘Stone Blue’ for the ceiling color, light bounces and lifts the room.

So, as you can see, incorporating blue and brown into your home design can be tailored to any style. Whether used as subtle accents or bold statement pieces, his dynamic pairing proves that with thoughtful execution, even the most unexpected color combinations can bring a space to life.