What color is espresso? Designers weigh in on this on-trend, moody neutral and share how to decorate with it

Decorating with neutral colors throughout the home will always be one of the most timeless and versatile choices. Pairing effortlessly with a range of design styles, neutrals are calming, sophisticated, and easy to decorate with.

In 2024, we're seeing more and more appeal for darker colors within the neutral category, and one such hue that's gaining popularity is espresso, the latest color trend to have on your radar.

But what color exactly is espresso, and what's the best way to decorate with it throughout the home? We spoke to designers who reveal all below about this on-trend take on decorating with neutrals, perfect for adding depth and drama to many rooms in 2024.

What colors is espresso?

The color espresso gives a lot away solely by its name, conjuring images of the rich brown tones of coffee. What sets espresso apart from other shades used when decorating with brown, is its unique combination of both black and brown tones, giving it a dark appearance when used in interior spaces.

'Espresso is a luxe mix of black and brown,' explains interior designer Nadia Watts. 'Similar to black coffee, it exudes feelings of warmth and comfort.'

'I tend to lean away from using a lot of black in my designs, however, espresso offers rich depth and drama with a touch of warmth which creates a beautiful balance,' continues Nadia. 'Espresso goes well with everything from earth tones to jewel tones; it’s a brilliant neutral that makes a statement and works with a wide variety of styles.'

When it comes to paint ideas, interior designer Jenny Luck recommends Farrow & Ball's Tanner's Brown as one of the best espresso picks.

'It makes the perfect shade of espresso: it's dramatically dark and has a cooler shade of brown,' says Jenny. 'I have found it incredibly transformative in various spaces from bathroom walls, kitchen cabinetry, decadent dining rooms, and cozy snugs. It pairs well with nude pinks, warm neutrals, mustard tones, and even a splash of mint green.'

7 ways to decorate with espresso

Below, we've rounded up seven of our favorite interior projects that use the color espresso. From relaxing bedrooms to modern kitchens, there are plenty of stylish ways to embrace this color throughout your room color ideas, achieving a slightly moody and sophisticated look.

1. Create a moody kitchen

Espresso makes a stylish kitchen color idea, stepping away from ever-popular light neutrals, as seen in this space designed by Cohesively Curated which channels Sherwin-Williams' Iron Ore across the kitchen cabinets.

'Dark kitchen cabinet ideas provide the perfect level of contrast to lighter walls and lighter wood floors,' explains Emily Ruff, owner and principal designer at the design studio. 'People want their kitchens to feel cozy and a bit moody and dark cabinet colors help to achieve that vibe.'

2. Use espresso in place of black

While decorating with black can often feel harsh, dark brown tones offer a softer alternative while maintaining the same amount of drama.

'We are huge fans of using dark brown in our spaces and use it as a wall paint color, in textiles, and in furniture,' explains interior designer Alex Yeske of Alex Yeske Interiors.

'We like using it instead of black when we want a space to have more warmth. It pairs beautifully with so many colors, especially blues, greens, and other neutrals.'

3. Decorate with dark wood tones

Beyond the color of the walls, another way to incorporate espresso hues into your interior schemes is to opt for dark wood tones through furniture.

'I love using espresso to add unexpected depth and to elevate lighter color palettes,' says Karolina Wierzbicka, Head of Design at August. 'We weave it into our homes through artwork and dark wood accent pieces and antiques.'

'For example, in this London apartment renovation, we used lots of fresh white and cozy neutral colors, and anchored spaces with clever placement of espresso-hued antiques and minimalist artwork.'

4. Create a cozy bedroom

In bedroom ideas, espresso tones work well to create a calming and cozy space all year long, as seen in this space designed by R. Higgins Interiors.

Roger Higgins, principal designer at the Nashville design studio tells us that the color not only adds visual appeal but helps to make small rooms feel bigger. 'Using espresso as a canvas for spaces can make areas look and feel bigger. In smaller rooms, enveloping the space in a rich espresso tone can help push the walls away.'

When decorating with espresso hues, Roger recommends pairing them with light neutrals to achieve balance: 'Decorating with lighter colors when using espresso as the backdrop makes the accent pieces pop more to create additional contrast. As seen in our Yellowstone project, chocolate brown walls paired with white art make a statement.'

5. Use dark brown in a sophisticated dining room

The dining room is another room in the home that lends itself to espresso hues, as seen in this space designed by Houston-based Meg Lonergan featuring a dark-brown wallcovering across the walls.

'Espresso is a rich, deep chocolate brown that adds a sense of luxe sophistication to this dining room, featuring a Quadrille Arbre de Matisse wallcovering,' explains Meg Lonergan, founder and principal designer.

6. Pair espresso with light neutrals

In this living room designed by Emily Winters Posselt for Peabody's Interiors, an espresso-colored sofa is teamed with white walls to create contrast, ensuring a light and airy feel throughout the room is maintained.

'I love pairing espresso with high contrast neutrals and textures,' says Emily. 'It brings a warmth to the party that gray simply can’t. It also pairs beautifully with brass in a cabinetry situation, allowing the brass to sparkle, while maintaining a classic sophistication.'

7. Decorate with wallpaper

Lastly, another expert-approved way to incorporate dark brown hues into your interior schemes is to opt for espresso-colored wallpaper. While dark brown paints can feel daunting, wallpapers can be less intense by patterns providing some visual break.

This is demonstrated in this living room corner which was designed by New York-based Young Huh Interior Design. The brown and white color combination ensures the dark hues don't overwhelm the space, resulting in a timeless look complete with layered neutral furnishings.

Espresso is a timeless color to incorporate into your interior schemes, adding depth and a cozy feel. Whether you use it as a wall color for a dramatic look or opt for smaller accents teamed with light neutrals, espresso is an elevated take on decorating with neutrals.