Orange

Cozy Up With Warm Clay Colors

Give your space an autumn color splash with shades of pumpkin and persimmon

My name is Kelly Porter and I'm the owner of Porter House Designs. As a designer, color expert and contributor here at Houzz, my goal is to help you make the right color and design decisions for your home. Visit my blog, too at http://www.porterhousedesigns.com/colorsizzle

My name is Kelly Porter and I'm the owner of Porter House Designs. As... More »

Bookmark

Embed

Color such as burnt sienna, terra cotta and russet may not be the vivid show-stopping colors of autumn, but they are still hues of the harvest. These are the quiet cousins of outrageous orange and radical red. They represent clay chimineas, chrysanthemums, ornamental corn and apple cider. These muted, earthy hues provide instant coziness and warmth to your home, which is just what you may be looking for during the colder months. These are definitely colors that will bring the autumn outdoors inside. I feel toasty just thinking about it!

by Gelotte Hommas Architecture

Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »

This bar area is a great example of how to use muted, autumn hues to create a monochromatic look. Here, soft shades of russet and apricot surround this space and gives it a very sumptuous feeling.

Private Comment

by Mark Newman Design

Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »

Clay colors are earthy, but you don't have to limit them to traditional and rustic spaces. Terra cotta works very well in this contemporary dining room and it also accentuates the artwork.

Private Comment

by LKM Design

Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »

Burnt orange upholstered chairs pick up all the other natural tones in this kitchen. This enticing color invites guest to pull up a chair to the island, and perhaps enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie!

Private Comment

by Maria Killam

Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »

Soft clay tones work very well with other light hues. Used as an accent, this shade of persimmon adds interest without overwhelming the room.

Private Comment

by Schnarr Craftsmen Inc

Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »

In this bathroom, a burnt sienna wall color complements the slate flooring which creates a very harmonious look. This type of orange is flattering to all skin tones, so it is a great choice for the bathroom.

Private Comment

by House + House Architects

Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »

Even in a space painted with a saturated cool blue, pops of terra cotta add instant warmth and create a beautiful contrast.

Private Comment

by House + House Architects

Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »

A rusty color is a great choice for a fireplace wall because it accentuates the warmth of the flame, and that doubles the cozy factor.

Private Comment

by Echelon Custom Homes

Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »

Umber is a color that leans more toward brown, but it has subtle orange undertones making it a warm and comfortable color for any gathering space in your home.

Private Comment

by Smith & Vansant Architects PC

Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »

Even a small amount of rusty orange can warm up a space, so consider using it for an accent wall in your home.

Clay Colored Paint Picks:
Chrysanthemum 6347 by Sherwin Williams
Chilvalry Copper 240D-6 by Behr
Harvest Moon 2167-30 by Benjamin Moore

More Color Inspiration:
Color Inspiration: From the Mediterranean
Color Watch: Cozy Up With Brown

Private Comment

Browse more dining room photos »

Comments

steve2426 says:

Beautiful ideabook and very inspiring - thanks for including the paint brand & color specs in the last photo! Is that a faux finish in the fireplace wall with white vase photo? Is that technique making a comeback?

8 months ago · Like

Roseanna says:

I painted my family room in SW "cavern clay" a few years ago, still love it. The color invites you in. Very nice ideabook!

8 months ago · Like

solty says:

very nice ideabook, Kelly! Love the earth tones - they seem to be warm and inviting!

8 months ago · Like

A & D Glass says:

I've loved my terra cotta bedroom walls for years! They are cozy and striking.

8 months ago · Like

LC Home Staging & Redesign says:

Roseannab, I'm jealous I wanted to paint my master SW Cavern Clay, brings out the color in my new bedding, however my husband just doesn't feel the love I do. I still have the swatch painted on the wall and have been putting off the painting in hopes to change his mind, but just doesn't look like that's going to happen.
I love all the spicy, warm colors in every photo above.

8 months ago · Like

nightind says:

Could you please tell me the umber color and company used in the dining room?
Also, I am searching for a muted clay or muted rusty color for our MB. The carpet is soft olive green. thank you.

8 months ago · Like

susieqdesignstudio says:

what I love about these colors is that just about any other color looks good with them. In different houses I've lived in I've used a pinker salmon, a burnt orange to a butterscotch gold and anything I ever bring in my rooms always looks good.

8 months ago · Like

Bobbi P says:

Terra cotta, rust, burnt sienna, whatever you want to call it, it's one of my all-time favorite colors. Love all the autumnal colors! Great post!

4 months ago · Like

"It's the Flickr of design idea sites"

"The online equivalent of clipping decor inspiration from magazines"

"A digital look book for interior-decorating ideas"

"So long scrapbooks and online bookmarks! ...it can be hard to stop. Consider yourself warned."

"One of the most comprehensive collections of home design images"

"One of Home and Living's favorite websites"

"Just click on the image you like and save it to your own Ideabook... It's quite an addictive site"

More press »