Chocolate Brown Is the Fashion World’s Favorite Color Right Now, but It Works at Home, Too

David Land

As every fashion lover knows, you can never go wrong with black. But, when the winter turns the world around us gray, that cool color can start to feel a little lifeless. If you’re looking for all the same drama with a healthy dose of warmth, we have the hue for you—meet chocolate brown.

Dark brown has been dominating autumn and winter catwalks, and interior design lovers are taking note. The saturated color has depth that feels rich and inviting in a way that cooler dark neutrals like black, grey, and navy just don’t match. And with variations of the color ranging from caramel to espresso, there are plenty of ways to add this tasty tone to your home.

While brown interiors can get a bad rap, prompting images of shapeless, oversized sofas in muted 1980s-style rooms, its latest incarnation is much more lush and luxurious—and leaves behind everything dull and dated. To ensure that your chocolate-inspired decor looks more haute coco than bland brown, we spoke with an interior design expert who can get you started with this dramatic decorating trend.

Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Brown is such a versatile, easy-to-use color, so it’s no surprise that designers and homeowners everywhere are turning to its tones. Maggie Winshall, principal designer at MW Interiors, says that much of chocolate brown’s popularity stems from a collective return to organic, natural decor.

“It can be used as the primary color, a base with pops of brighter colors, or an accent,” says Winshall. “Brown has many different shades with its grounded, earthy base and need to feel connected to nature; there is a sense of coziness and warmth to create an inviting space.”

Gone are the days of gray and white interiors that lack depth, or black tones that miss