Julianne Hough may have just written a book, but based on the look of her living room, she could write a whole new one on how to decorate with brown. The actress’s stunning space skillfully combines different textures and materials in shades ranging from near-white linen to deep chocolate brown. The result is a cozy, grounded oasis.
A recent Instagram post announcing the book shows Hough sitting on a sofa in her brown living room. Behind her, layers of striped pillows and a chocolate brown throw blanket add warmth and visual variety. Her light, dark brown and white oriental rug adds texture to the floor, complemented by a leather ottoman. White walls brighten the room and keep the brown layers from looking too dark.
Not only do Hough’s “warming cocoa tones” look beautiful in her home, they’re also becoming a big colour trend of the year. “Make way grey, brown is the new neutral,” says Lena Gierasinska, interior designer and colour expert at Barker and Stonehouse. She continues: “First seen on the catwalks of SS24, brown is now emerging as a major interiors trend too. Warm, organic and with more character and depth than grey, brown is the perfect neutral base layer for the home as it works well with so many different colours and materials.”
What’s more, the benefits of decorating with brown aren’t limited to one shade, it’s so popular because it’s so versatile. “Brown is a cozy, earthy and versatile shade, so its renaissance isn’t surprising. From oak to hazelnut and caramel to butterscotch, many shades of brown can be incorporated into the home to create a cozy retreat,” says Shelley Cochrane, design expert at Furniture Village. The variety of shades in Hough’s living room showcases the beauty of color layering.
A textured brown living room by Studio Duggan, similar to Julianne Hough’s
(Image credit: Studio Duggan)
Hough’s living room follows the most important rule of decorating with brown: use texture in interior design. Gierasinska explains, “Since brown is a neutral shade, I would suggest amping up the texture to make a statement – combine mahogany and oak tones with plenty of tactile textures, from rustic wood furniture and shaggy rugs to supple leather armchairs and cozy velvet sofas.”
Therefore, Hough’s combination of a leather stool with linen cushions and a wool blanket is a perfect reference for decorating in warming neutral tones.
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If you want to decorate with this neutral palette that always works, Cochrane suggests some starting points. She recommends, “For those who want to style brown in their home but aren’t sure where to start, I recommend investing in a buttery soft leather sofa in a deep chocolate shade. This will only get better over time as the leather gets worn in and well-loved. I’d also encourage you to think of wood as a color scheme rather than just a material, meaning you can effortlessly incorporate this trend into every inch of your home.”
Cochrane is also taking the interior design trend to your home, explaining: “Make a chic statement in the hallway with a wooden sideboard in a deep walnut tone. Adorn it with accessories in different shapes to add dimension and height, such as candlesticks or a vase full of branches – a visually stunning addition to your home. In the kitchen, opt for open shelving to display your favorite cookware and ingredients – this would be a complete addition to any home.”
Layering different shades of brown creates a cozy, inviting color scheme that will be on trend for the coming year. Julianne Hough’s living room is a prime example of how to do it right.
