In today’s technology-driven world, sometimes we all just need to touch grass. And for some, that means bringing a little greenery into your home by using earthy color palettes in your interior design. Maybe you’ve been toying with the idea of getting a mossy rug, or found yourself gravitating toward an olive couch. Maybe you’re thinking of painting your bedroom walls a rich brown, or crafting a cozy, neutral-toned reading nook that takes decor inspiration from a treehouse?
If so, you’re in good company: Earthy colors seem to be everywhere in 2026. This year, actual moss, grass, and other earthy materials have made appearances at fashion weeks and at art museums, including a flax and hemp sculpture by artist Klára Hosnedlová that recently debuted at the New Museum. At least one fashion designer’s collection included a piece of clothing that looked like a wearable, living terrarium. Interior designers have noticed the down-to-earth trend at home, too.
David Flack of Flack Studio in Melbourne—who designed Troye Sivan’s home in the Australian city—previously told Vogue that he expected to see more earthy brown and umber-based colors in interiors in 2026. “Muddy neutrals feel like a warm hug—they can command a larger space and a through-line with connecting colors throughout the home,” he said.
That said, you may want to wade into the water before diving in headfirst. Here is what you need to know about decorating with earthy colors.
A layered, textural green bathroom designed by Kelly Zerbini of Dunnam Zerbini Design.
Photo: Read McKendree, Courtesy of Kelly Zerbini
What are the best earthy color palettes?
What exactly is an earthy color, anyway? When I think of earth tones, I mainly think of sage green, sand, terracotta, and charcoal. But the definition can be a bit broader than that, expanding to include a range of colors unified more by their vibrancy than their shade.
“To me, earthy colors are hues that feel rooted in the natural world,” interior designer Kelly Zerbini tells Vogue. “They tend to be slightly muted versions of their pure color, with the saturation dialed back. People often confuse earthy with muddy, but it doesn’t mean you’re limited to beige and brown.” Zerbini, a principal at New York-based Dunnam Zerbini Design, adds that she thinks of colors found in nature—like clay, olive, camel, ochre, slate blue, and moss—as earth tones, which she likes to call “color non colors.”
“Technically, something may be green or blue, but once it’s softened into an earthy version, it begins to behave almost like a neutral and becomes incredibly versatile,” Zerbini says.
What is the appeal of earthy colors in interior design and home decor?
For Elizabeth Graziolo, founder and principal at Yellow House Architects, the appeal of earthy colors is that they provide “moody comfort,” she says. “If our client is looking for a calm space, these types of colors are where we try to steer their direction.” Graziolo notes that in her work, she aims for timeless design instead of adhering to trends, but she has noticed a shift toward earthy colors in recent years.
“I also think they are evolving beyond trend status,” Graziolo adds. “For years, interiors leaned very cool and minimal, and now there is a collective desire for spaces that feel warmer, softer, and more human. Earthy palettes reflect that shift.”
An earth-toned entry space designed by Elizabeth Graziolo of Yellow House Architects.
Photo: Joshua McHugh, courtesy of Yellow House Architects
What is the best way to use earthy colors in your home?
If you’re looking to incorporate earthy color palettes into your home design or decor, you might be considering a statement wall, starting with just one color. But Zerbini recommends taking a layered approach. “Don’t be afraid to layer multiple shades of earthy tones together. A room doesn’t always need one obvious pop of color to feel dynamic,” she says. “I often treat earthy tones as the neutrals of a space and build them up in layers. These colors play nicely together and create richness without feeling overly designed.”
It also helps to think of placement within your home. Graziolo says earthy colors can help create a welcoming and familiar atmosphere, so she loves to use them in foyers and entry spaces, as well as cozy dens and libraries made for unplugging and relaxing a bit. She explains: “When a room is painted in a deep earth tone, it relaxes the senses.”
