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8 Best Brown Paint Colors for Bedrooms

These rich hues lend a sense of calm to your living space

Light brown painted bedroom dressed with blue and white linens

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Often overlooked in interior decor, the color brown isn’t a color that's known to steal the spotlight. But is it boring? Not at all. Brown evokes the color of earth and is incredibly deep and relaxing. Brown, a mix of colors, is typically considered a warm color, but if it has a green undertone (the dominating tone when colors are blended), it may be cooler. The immense depth that brown hues carry helps create a sense of calm that can make a brown color best for a bedroom. If you're trying to select a color bedding that goes with brown walls, consider creamy neutrals for a soothing feeling, and depending on the undertone, incorporate other warm or cool shades as accents.

There is a shade of brown for every preference and decorating theme, whether you love the weathered look of country decor or the sleek and clean contemporary vibe of minimalism. But choosing the right shade can be tough. Visit any home improvement center and you'll be overwhelmed by a multitude of available brown paint colors. However, with all of the options available, the right shade is well within reach.

  • Color Family: Browns, neutrals
  • Complementary Colors: Blue
  • Pairs Well With: Varies by shade; can work well with white, black, blue, pink, green, yellow, and more
  • Mood: Cozy and inviting
  • Where to Use: Any room including living rooms and bedrooms

Consider the following inspiring shades of brown paint to add some warmth to your bedroom walls.

  • 01 of 08

    Best Light Brown: Farrow & Ball Buff No. 20

    Farrow & Ball Buff paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Buff from Farrow & Ball is a popular shade of brown because it might just be the perfect neutral. It has more depth and character than beige or tan, but it doesn't demand attention the way darker browns might. It plays well with just about any other color and complements pretty much every decorating style. If you're searching for a bedroom neutral that's not bland or chilly, this is a great choice.

  • 02 of 08

    Best Medium Brown: Magnolia Elemental

    Magnolia Elemental color swatch

    The Spruce

    Magnolia Elemental is a rich, medium brown with subtle yellow undertones that make it a perfect color for bright sunny bedrooms with a lot of natural light. This hue, which will play off of other warm tints, looks regal without feeling pretentious. We love this color in nearly any bedroom style, but it would look particularly stunning with a mix of rich, real wood accents.

  • 03 of 08

    Best Dark Brown: Farrow & Ball Tanner's Brown No.255

    Farrow & Ball's Tanners' Brown paint swatch

    The Spruce

    A deep, rich brown is the perfect color to make a statement in the bedroom. Farrow & Ball Tanner's Brown No. 255 is a wonderful color to create a den-like feel in your bedroom that screams elegance and comfort. Pair it with other rich colors or pops of bright neutrals for the most oomph.

  • 04 of 08

    Best Beige: Benjamin Moore Grant Beige HC-83

    Benjamin Moore Grant Beige paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore's Grant Beige is a brighter, airy brown with just a bit more depth than a traditional neutral. This color has a bit of a yellow undertone and feels stately without feeling pompous. Pair it with warm whites or lighter shades of the same tone to create a warm, neutral bedroom that welcomes relaxation.

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  • 05 of 08

    Best Tan: Sherwin-Williams Ligonier Tan SW 7717

    Sherwin-Williams Ligonier Tan paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Sherwin-Williams' Ligonier Tan just oozes ambiance and gives off super cozy autumn feels. Try this soft, warm tan as a way to make your bedroom feel welcoming and create a varied neutral palette with rich colors that invite sleep. It's also a good color if you want to curate a stylish farmhouse feel in your bedroom.

  • 06 of 08

    Best Green-Brown: Glidden Khaki Green 60YY 33/130

    Glidden Khaki Green paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Glidden's Khaki Green is a brown hue with lots of green undertones and reminds us of a freshly brewed cup of tea. The nature-inspired shade is incredibly earthy and would look stunning in a room full of muted colors such as mustard, blue, or pale purple. It also looks great behind a river rock fireplace.

    Tip

    Invest in high-quality roller covers and brushes to avoid getting fuzz and lint on the walls when painting. Low-quality brushes also run the risk of leaving unsightly brush marks.

  • 07 of 08

    Best Gray-Brown: Clare Shade

    Clare Shade paint swatch

    The Spruce

    This rich warm hue from Clare reminds us of pewter and has deep gray undertones that make it the perfect color for an industrial bedroom or a modern contemporary one. Pair it with neutrals such as white or lighter greige for a minimalistic feel that's perfect for large bedrooms or smaller ones alike.

  • 08 of 08

    Best Red-Brown: Benjamin Moore Charlton Brown CW 265

    Benjamin Moore Charlton Brown paint swatch

    The Spruce 

    For a paint color with a little more personality than some of the other browns, try Benjamin Moore's Charlton Brown. This earthy brown has hints of clay and red, not to mention it looks sophisticated and stately. Try it in bedrooms with more of a traditional style for a classic feel.

    Determine how much paint you need with The Spruce's Paint Calculator.