Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
Move over beige and step aside, greige—chocolate brown is making a major comeback in 2025.
This deep, decadent hue is emerging as one of the year’s most transformative color trends, bringing depth, drama, and comfort into modern interiors.
Whether you’re craving a cocooning space or seeking to create contrast in a neutral-heavy palette, chocolate brown delivers with effortless elegance.
Interior designers and homeowners alike are rediscovering the power of rich earth tones, and chocolate brown is leading the charge.
According to Rosslyn Tebbutt, founder of SampleBoard.com and an expert in color forecasting, “Chocolate brown anchors a space, adds warmth, and pairs beautifully with both bold and soft palettes. In 2025, it’s all about creating mood and grounding design choices with earthy depth.”
Let’s explore how you can use this luxurious color to transform your space, whether subtly or boldly.
One of the boldest ways to use chocolate brown is through color drenching—painting walls, ceilings, trim, and even furniture in the same tone.
This technique creates an enveloping, cocoon-like atmosphere that feels grounding and cozy, perfect for living rooms, libraries, or bedrooms.
Use a matte or velvet finish for a modern, sophisticated feel. Pair with soft furnishings in creamy whites, sandy tones, or caramel hues to balance the richness and prevent the space from feeling too heavy.
Chocolate brown works beautifully as a backdrop when layered with lighter neutrals. Think crisp white bedding, beige boucle armchairs, or soft ivory curtains.
These tones pop against the dark base, creating visual interest while still maintaining a calm and welcoming aesthetic.
Try adding natural textures like rattan, linen, and wool to enhance the organic warmth that chocolate brown evokes.
Want to take chocolate brown to the next level? Incorporate metallics like antique brass, warm gold, or bronze. These finishes reflect beautifully against dark brown surfaces, adding a touch of glamour and modern refinement. Picture a brown feature wall accented with brass sconces or a deep chocolate dining room paired with a sculptural gold chandelier—elegant, moody, and memorable.
Chocolate brown is incredibly versatile and makes a stunning companion to other 2025 trend colors like terracotta, blush, moss green, or ochre. For a more opulent look, pair it with jewel tones such as emerald, sapphire, or amethyst.
These combinations evoke a curated, layered feel that speaks to contemporary design sensibilities while keeping your space timeless.
Brown doesn’t have to live only on walls. Try it on:
If you're not ready to commit to paint, dip your toe into the chocolate brown trend with accessories:
This allows you to experience the trend in smaller doses—ideal for renters or seasonal updates.
In a world craving calm and connection, chocolate brown meets the moment. It evokes nature, stability, and warmth.
Unlike the stark greys of years past, brown adds a sense of grounding without feeling sterile or flat.
As Rosslyn Tebbutt explains, “Chocolate brown is deeply reassuring. It tells a story of nature, nurture, and nostalgia. Whether used as an anchor or a hero color, it’s a reminder that luxury doesn’t always have to shout—it can also whisper softly and confidently.”
Chocolate brown is not just a passing trend—it’s a timeless hue reimagined for today’s interiors.
Whether you're going for dramatic and moody or earthy and elegant, this color has the power to transform your space from basic to breathtaking.
Ready to bring chocolate brown into your design palette?
Play with textures, pairings, and tones to see just how versatile this trending color really is.
