It’s a colour trend that’s been lingering around for a while, but be prepared to start seeing neutrals, particularly lion brown, take centre stage in fashion and interiors this summer.

The king of colour forecasting, Pantone has painted a timeless picture in the colour trends for the year, with earth tones, from textiles to accessories and even the catwalks adopting this natural hue in the forthcoming ranges.

The psychology of brown

We welcome brown into our homes this summer due to its simplicity. The many hues of brown are associated with nature, and that makes us feel grounded. Inviting this trend into our spaces and wardrobes encourages dependability, reliability and honesty, and who wouldn’t want to design a life on such stable emotions? This is a colour trend taking things back to a simpler time, with lion brown laying down the red, erm, brown carpet. 

What does this mean for interiors? 

Firstly, it doesn’t mean that colour is dead. Earthy tones, specifically lion brown, will be adopted in many forms. Think textures, feature walls and furniture frames. It’s taking the role of timeless appeal in our homes, encouraging us to shift into a calmer state of mind. Colour will still play a part in self-expression, but our interior base will set the stage for a fresh start. 

A timeless space with a homely mood 

As more and more of us struggle with our work-life balance when working and living in the same space, this colour trend is raising its Pantone wand to call for peace in the home. Its inspiration, taken from the great outdoors, is calling us to put our bare feet on the ground and pull the outdoors in through rattan frames like this Belladonna Sofa, coloured amber glassware and natural textured rugs. It’s asking for a focus on accent walls, bedroom linen and wooden carpentry to appeal to our inner zen. It’s about creating a space to speak our own ‘home’ language.

Adding earthy to your home

Start with accessories, fittings and textiles to shape a look on existing furniture. Most trends speak louder in accessories than they do as established future items. By simply replacing last year's trend as a coffee table ornament with an updated piece can allow you to set the scene of your new interior vision. 

Updating light fittings can help centre a room and create a new decorative effect. Look at simple wall spaces to add wall art, mirrors with updated frames or wall hangings that can complement your space and add to the trend.

Arranging ornaments in groups, like ceramics, decorative objects, vases and tableware, helps focus and establish a colour trend. Adding natural textured elements, like dried flowers, can further elevate this look. 

Earthy textiles can be swapped out, updated and rearranged to suit the space they’re in. Simply adding a heavily textured rug, a deep weave throw, or a few scatter cushions to a neutral chair creates interior success. 

What does brown mean for fashion? 

As winter turns to spring, so do the hues of nature start to lighten up. With minimalism and natural beauty propelling the interest of this shade of nature, we’re about to see the shift from the deep tones of chocolate brown to a lighter, more neutral shade of this underrated colour. 

As lion brown starts to dominate loungewear, accessories and secure its reign on the beauty counter, luxury labels like Bottega Veneta and Jacquemus have also used the earthy colour in their latest collections for a chic and grounding effect, undoubtedly inspiring our wardrobes this summer.

Brown doesn’t mean boring 

Lighter days mean lighter neutrals, which is why this colour trend is set to polish up the neutral mania by adding bold prints, safari-inspired patterns and interesting cuts to establish a summer look. Yes, sets are still a thing as colour-blocking becomes the uniform of summer. We can just expect a few shades in various browns to distinguish the top from the bottom. 

Pick your timeless pieces 

Brown is allowing us to spend on the staples and seek out that capsule wardrobe. Investing in summer dresses, tailored blazers and accessories will help you keep up with this trend, where buying smarts sets will allow your look to go further. 

Sets have become the uniform of the current fashion climate. From loungewear to activewear, the top always matches the bottom. Cue summer, and we have one outfit to wear in many ways, allowing your established wardrobe to mix and match with a key player keeping you on-trend. 

Accessories

From vegan leather to organic linen, your carry-on accessories will clutch the lion brown colour trend faster than you can stay “totes.” Invest in quality pieces for timeless occasions, or add a simple jewellery statement to complete your look. 

In the mood for more brownspiration? Have a look at our mood board.

Written by Jemma Park