What doesn't match with the colour chocolate brown?

Question

I bought a chocolate brown sofa today.... I was wondering what decorations and what colours to stay away from?.... also, what colour curtains do you recommand? I am painting the walls a light tan colour.

Answer 1

You have picked a neutral color pretty much that anything can go with. I would recommend deep red, tans, olive green and deeper gold - I would use one darker and one lighter throw pillow, and then bring your favorite color of the two onto the walls for the curtains if you want - the lighter the curtain, the bigger the room will look. I would pick a nice iron curtain rod with a decorative end too - they sell them in black iron, brass and a silver finish - you may be best off with the brass.

I have an olive green couch and decorate with the colors above and some black though with your couch, black may be the only color to avoid since it would not add any color to the room and there is some black brown controversy anyway.. haha.

The only blue you could not do is navy blue - And I really would not use green throw pillows - I wouldn't use blue but some people love light blue with brown - it softens the brown. Not my favorite but it does work. I would use a deep red and then a lighter tan - that would look nice. Also - any color green other than olive or deep green would not really work. Even an olive green on the brown would not look right - but you can add that color around the room just to add more color to the room. I would stick with browns, tans, deep reds, olive green, and a deep gold/yellow. That is my theme here (but black works for me too since my couch is green) and I love it - it is warm and natural.

I would stick to a sheer curtain - maybe some bamboo blinds with a white sheer or tan sheer over them just to add a mediterranean feel. I have one wall painted Ralph Lauren Suede Finish in Arrow Wood - it is an excellent finish - you kind of paint it on in strokes (on the 2nd coat) that are not so even - you get a look of suede to the wall.. it is easy to do since you don't have to be too neat - you just make Xs across and down the wall with the brush and it sets perfectly. They sell this paint at Home Depot and they make it in a tan or even a deeper golden/dark yellow color - which sounds not so nice but really is nice and would look really good with brown.

For other decor, I would recommend Pottery Barn and Pier One Imports (my favorite home decor stores). Pier One has a lot of tribal feel to it - earthy tones and metals and woods - unique looking vases and items that add a nice touch to the room.

Have fun!! :o)

Answer 2

Brown and tan is an excellent neutral combination.
The only (non)-colours I would stay away from would be black and white and silver. (these are too stark for the warm look that you have)

The best colour for general wide purposes with brown is cream - use it as your main colour and then accent with whatever you like below:
Brown looks excellent with sky blues and navy's - maybe stay away from royal blues - that looks sort of weird.
Brown also looks great with warm (not cool) reds and oranges and golds - although I would probably not do yellow (just because brown and yellow are kind of '70's looking).
Most shades of green look great (probably not hunter/forest green or any other really intense green).
Almost all pastels look fabulous - pinks, lavenders, etc. (again, stay away from yellow).

here are some ideas for colour combinations - keep in mind that we don't know what colour your floor is.
brown, cream, olive green, and accents of warm red/orange. (curtains could be soft olive green).
brown, cream, sky blue, accents of pink/lavender (if you are girly) - also this looks good with or without the blue. (curtains could be cream with pink/lavender accents).
brown, cream, blue, accent of orange - a shot of bright colour never hurt anyone! (curtains could be orange if you are brave).

Please do try samples of everything you can in your home first to make sure that it is the proper colour warmth (for instance, warm red will look good, and cool red will look bad - trust me that you will know right away if that sample will/won't work for you) What it looks like in the store is almost NEVER what it looks like at your house.

Mix and match to your hearts content - you could not have picked a better starting pallette from which to decorate!

Answer 3

Various combinations available:
Teal, tan, light rust, brown or
Light brown, tan, orange red, black. or
Pale pink, lt. brown, Beige, Black, or
Lt Brown, 2 different shades of citrus orange, Lighten with a white accent. or
Teal, Vanilla color, Orange. or
Neutral, Lt. Brown, Grey.
oops sorry these are the colors for your chocolate brown couch. Sorry I misread the question.

Answer 4

tan walls will make it look like a coffee house
you need beige-or it will always feel busy/overpowering
soft furnishings-cream-not white-you take it from here on in

Answer 5

I'd avoid blues. Any earth tone would be nice - but try to accent with white or ivory as you have chosen two darkish colours.

Answer 6

earthy colors and the red family should work out pretty well... more likely in deeper tones... have fun!