How To Do Boomer Brown Tones In Your Home
Boomer brown is trending, and it’s gorgeous! Here’s how to incorporate brown tones in your home
By Diane Small
For the past decade, millennial grey has reigned supreme in interior design. Think: cool, muted tones dominating walls, furniture, and everything in between.
But as decor trends evolve, so do our homes. Now, interiors are taking a nostalgic turn with the rise of boomer brown — a warm, inviting palette rooted in traditional wood tones and mid-century style.
So, what exactly is boomer brown? And how can you use it to refresh your home?
Charlotte Ford, interiors expert and Senior Marketing Director at Ruggable, shares her insight on this growing trend and how to add boomer brown tones in your home.
What Is Boomer Brown?
“Boomer brown is a term used to describe the re-introduction of wood and more traditional styles in the home,” says Ford. “This reintroduction of brown comes at a time when more people are looking towards vintage and antique pieces to decorate their homes rather than buying new, modern furniture in muted tones of grey.”
Driven in part by sustainability and a shift toward mindful consumption, boomer brown appeals especially to Gen Z homeowners and renters. Instead of opting for ‘fast furniture’, they’re scouring vintage and antique stores for unique, well-crafted pieces that bring warmth and history into their homes.
We love everything about this! The warmth, the sustainability, and the style.
The Psychological Effects Of Brown Interiors
Of course, brown is inextricably linked to nature. It’s the colour of soil, of tree trunks, of rocky mountains. This connection to nature imbues brown with a sense of stability and groundedness. When we see brown, we’re subconsciously reminded of the solid earth beneath our feet, providing the foundations for life.
This association with stability extends to more abstract concepts as well. Brown often symbolises reliability and dependability. That’s why it’s often used in the uniforms of soldiers, delivery people and sheriffs.
But brown also carries strong connotations of comfort and warmth. The rich, deep tones of coffee, soil and chocolate can create a sense of coziness and intimacy, perfect for creating inviting spaces.
How To Incorporate The Look Into Your Interiors
1. Choose Mid-Century Modern Pieces
The backbone of the boomer brown aesthetic lies in its use of wood — particularly deep, rich, stained varieties. Mid-century modern furniture is a great way to add boomer brown tones in your home. In fact, interest in these pieces from the last century is on the rise, with Google searches up 70% in recent months.
“Look for vintage sideboards, coffee tables, or armchairs,” suggests Ford. “These can be seamlessly integrated into modern homes. Just be mindful not to use too much of the same tone, as this can make the space feel flat.”
Break up the wood with contrasting textures. Think: a velvet cushion on a wooden chair, or pairing your coffee table with a linen or cotton sofa to create balance and interest.
2. Pair Brown Wood With Warm, Earthy Tones
When it comes to styling, colour is key. Cool tones like grey or navy can clash with boomer brown, making a room feel cold and cramped.
Instead, Ford recommends embracing warm, earthy hues such as burnt orange, olive green, mustard, rust, and caramel. “Painting your walls in a warm neutral allows you to add richer tones through textiles and accessories, creating a cosy, cohesive space.”
These shades don’t just complement brown furniture — they enhance its timeless appeal.
3. Lean Into Vintage-Inspired Accessories
To fully embrace the boomer brown look, focus on details. “Accessories are essential to making brown wood furniture feel intentional rather than outdated,” says Ford.
Traditional-style rugs can add depth and visual interest, while vintage artwork, patterned throw pillows, and antique lamps reinforce the trend’s nostalgic charm.
Books also play a big role — whether stacked on a coffee table or lined across wooden shelves, they personalise your space and tie in beautifully with the vintage vibe.
4. Use Brown as a Base for Layering Natural Materials
Boomer brown works especially well when layered with other natural elements. Consider styling your home with jute rugs, rattan baskets, terracotta pots, or woven light fixtures. These materials create visual variety while enhancing the grounded, earthy feel that brown tones naturally bring.
The contrast between the polished, rich brown furniture and these more raw, organic textures can add dimension and a curated feel to your space.
5. Bring in Greenery to Soften the Look
One of the easiest ways to refresh a brown-heavy space is to introduce plants. The deep green of houseplants contrasts beautifully with wood tones, breathing life into the room while softening the overall aesthetic.
Whether it’s a statement fiddle leaf fig or a collection of smaller potted herbs and trailing vines, greenery will help balance the heaviness of brown and create a more inviting, lived-in feel.
The Revival Of Traditional Interiors
Boomer brown isn’t just a colour trend — it’s a broader movement toward authenticity, craftsmanship, and character in the home. We can see this reflected in the popularity of another trending hue that compliments brown: olive green.
By blending mid-century pieces, earthy tones, and vintage-inspired details, you can add boomer brown tones in your home that create a space that feels both timeless and grounded.
And with the addition of natural textures and lush greenery, this warm, nostalgic trend becomes more than just a style — it becomes a statement.
Our 5 Sustainable Boomer Brown Accessories Picks
1. West Elm Mid-Century Pop-Up Coffee Table
This is a great way to add boomer brown tones in your home. And it’s practical, too! This classic mid-century piece is crafted from sustainably sourced wood, featuring a rich acorn finish and hidden storage.
Sustainability: GREENGUARD Gold Certified, responsibly sourced materials.
2. Chairish Vintage Wood Bookshelves
These unique, pre-loved bookshelves add character and reduce waste. We love the way vintage, leather bound books look on these shelves!
Sustainability: Secondhand, promoting reuse and sustainability.
3. The Citizenry Handcrafted Mirrors
If you’re looking for an easy way to add boomer brown tones in your home, why not try these elegant mirrors? Each one was handcrafted by artisans using sustainably harvested wood.
Sustainability: Fair trade practices, ethically sourced materials.
4. Revival Vintage-Style Rug – Rust/Multi
Looking for a touch of brown that’s effortlessly stylish? Beautifully faded designs made with recycled and natural fibres in brown add a deep richness to any room.
Sustainability: Reclaimed textiles, zero-waste manufacturing.
5. Sabai The Essential Sectional – Recycled Velvet
Oh, how we love the look and feel of recycled velvet! This is a modular, repairable sofa made with recycled and FSC-certified materials, available in rich earthy tones.
Sustainability: Circular model, non-toxic, U.S.-made.
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