Embracing Earth Tones: Incorporating Brown into Event Designs

In 2024, one of the most interesting and welcome design trends is the reemergence of Earth tones, and brown is leading the way. Instead of stodgy and outdated, this year, Earth tones like brown represent sophistication and warmth. This resurgence stems from the integration of these colors in more natural settings. Trendsetters are redefining neutrals into more natural hues, and integrating brown into designs offers an opportunity to create modern, inviting environments.

In this article, we’re going to dive into the return of brown, explore why it’s trendy again, provide tips for incorporating it into your designs, and showcase visual inspirations from CORT's catalog.

For far too long, tastemakers have ignored brown, but now the ultimate Earth tone is making a comeback. The resurgence of brown as a trendy statement color began last year but its rise has continued well into 2024. Brown isn’t only making a statement as a standalone color but also as a vital component in color contrasts, enhancing the overall mood or atmosphere of a space.

Designer Nicole Gibbons tells Homes and Gardens, “Looking back at our 2023 sales, one of the most noticeable trends we saw was a sharp uptick in sales of brown paint colors which grew by nearly 100% year-over-year. These colors are not just popular; they are revolutionizing the way we think about interior spaces, bringing a sense of warmth and earthiness that has been long overlooked."​

Not only is brown a welcome natural tone in an era in which natural colors and textures are all the rage but there’s a specific psychology to it as well. The association between brown tones and stability and warmth means that it’s a versatile choice for various design contexts.

According to Color Psychology, brown evokes sensations of resilience, safety, and security. It connects us to the Earth and inspires warmth and comfort. The earthiness of brown doesn’t suggest luxury but rather the basics of life, making it an ideal choice for creating grounded, inviting spaces​​.

The versatility of brown makes it ideal for layering different shades. Doing so adds depth and interest to event spaces. Here are some tips for how to layer various brown tones.

Start out by choosing a shade that will serve as a base color. Your primary shade of brown will serve as the foundation of your design. A neutral or medium brown that is neither too dark nor too light is a good candidate for a base color.

Midtone shades of brown can create a smooth transition between the base color and lighter and darker accents. Bring these midtones in on larger furniture pieces or surfaces like walls. Pair the different shades of brown with neutral colors like off-whites, beiges, and grays. This helps to avoid monotony and adds a balanced, sophisticated look. For instance, CORT’s Cheyenne Rug combines neutrals and different browns for a striking statement piece.

Dark accents in brown can add contrast and depth. You can bring darker shades in with focal points like statement furniture pieces — for example, CORT’s Valencia Loveseat in Coffee Brown Velvet is a rich, luxurious statement piece. Lighter brown shades are good ways to highlight specific areas, provide a soft contrast, and help brighten the space. CORT’s Aspen Chair in Pebble Fabric is a great piece that uses a lighter brown while accessories, textiles, and smaller decor items in lighter browns work equally well.

Brown also lends itself to varied textures. Because it’s a color that occurs so often in nature, it’s easy to find textures that go well with Earth tones like brown. Here are some recommendations for how to incorporate textures to enhance the richness of brown.

Mixing materials like wood, leather, and fabric can create visual interest. Pieces like CORT’s Taos Side Table with Barnwood Top incorporate Earth tones with striking yet familiar textures and materials. Bring in textural accents like woven rugs, such as CORT’s Buffalo Rug, plush cushions, and metal decor items to add depth.

Finally, you can incorporate natural elements like wooden and leather furniture, bamboo accessories, and stone decor to add an organic touch. Items like CORT’s Terrace Accent Chair are sophisticated, tactile, and comfortable.

If you want to introduce browns — and other Earth tones — in more subtle ways, you can integrate this color into event designs using brown accents and accessories. Here’s how to do it:

Your accessories and accent pieces can become focal points that draw attention when you place them strategically. Brown vases, pillows, or decorative bowls can become conversation pieces. For example, CORT’s Succulent Bowl and Polka Pillow work well as focal accent pieces. Larger pieces that incorporate brown like the Planter Divider with Ferns can serve multiple purposes.

Combining brown accent pieces with complementary colors can enhance both colors. Pairing pink and brown can create a warm, soft vibe while putting brown and green together suggests a connection to nature.

Earth tones like brown are offering a fresh and sophisticated approach to neutrals, which means that they’ll be dominating interior design trends in 2024 and beyond. Shades of brown are versatile, especially when you layer those hues, bring in textures, and introduce strategic accents.

CORT Events can be your ideal event furniture rental partner. From an extensive catalog of options to cutting-edge planning tools to the expertise to carry out these designs effectively, we can ensure that your event looks fresh and combines timeless appeal with contemporary sophistication.

In conclusion, brown is more than just a color. It's a design element that can transform a space, evoke specific emotions, and create a unique aesthetic. Whether you're incorporating it in small accents or making it the foundation of your design, brown brings warmth, versatility, and sophistication to any space. The question is, how will you use brown to redefine your next event design?