Julianne Hough may have just written a book, but, based on the appearance of her living room, she could write a whole new one on how to decorate with brown. The actress’s stunning space expertly combines varied textures and materials in shades of color from almost-white linen to deep chocolate. The result is a cozy, grounded oasis.
A recent Instagram post announcement of the book shows Hough perched on a settee in her brown living room. Behind her, layers of striped cushions and a chocolate brown throw blanket bring in warmth and visual interest. Her light, dark brown and white oriental rug adds texture to the floor, complemented by a leather ottoman. White walls brighten the space and keep the layers of brown from looking overwhelmingly dark.
Beyond just looking beautiful in her home, Hough’s ‘warming cocoa hues’ are becoming a huge color trend for the year. ‘Move over gray, brown is the new neutral,’ says Lena Gierasinska, interior design, and color expert at Barker and Stonehouse. She continues: ‘First seen on the SS24 catwalks, brown is now emerging as a key interior trend too. Warm, organic, and with more character and depth than grey, brown is the perfect neutral base layer for the home because it works well alongside so many different colors and materials.’
Further, the merits of decorating with brown aren’t limited to one shade, it’s popular largely because it is so versatile. ‘Brown is a cozy, grounding, and versatile hue so its renaissance is unsurprising. From oak to hazelnut and from caramel to butterscotch, many shades of brown can be incorporated into the home to create a comforting retreat,’ says Shelley Cochrane, design expert at Furniture Village. The variety of shades in Hough’s living room demonstrates the beauty of layering the color.
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 for decorating with brown: using texture in interior design. Gierasinska explains, ‘As brown is a neutral shade, I’d suggest dialing up the texture to make a statement – combine mahogany and oak shades with lots of tactile textures, from rustic wooden furniture and shaggy rugs to supple leather armchairs and cozy velvet sofas.’
Thus, Hough’s combination of a leather ottoman with linen throw pillows and a wooly throw is a perfect reference for decorating with the warming neutral.
Shop the Brown Living Room Edit
Ground a chocolate brown design with this warming and cozy home fragrance from Nest
Chocolate Brown Throw Pillow
This set of 2 chocolate colored throw pillows brings texture to a neutral color scheme
This cotton throw blanket is perfect for curling up on the couch with a cup of tea and its larger than usual size is perfect for sharing
If you are hoping to decorate with this neutral palette that always works, Cochrane suggests a few jumping off points. She recommends, ‘For those who wish to style brown in their home, but are unsure where to start, I recommend investing in a buttery soft leather sofa in a deep chocolate hue. This will only grow better with age as the leather becomes worn-in and well-loved. I’d also encourage you to see wood as a colorway, rather than just a material which means you can effortlessly work this trend into every inch of your home.’
Cochrane continues on placing the interior design trend around your home, stating: ‘In the hallway, make a chic statement with a wooden sideboard in a deep walnut hue. Dress it with accessories in varying shapes to add dimension and height, including candlestick holders or a vase filled with branches – a visually striking addition to the home. In the kitchen, opt for open shelving to display your favorite cookware and ingredients – this would be a wholesome addition to any home.’
Layering shades of brown creates a cozy, inviting scheme that’s right on trend for the coming year. Julianne Hough’s living room is the blueprint for how to do it right.
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