What Colors Make Brown? The Complete Guide to Mixing Paint Shades

When it comes to interior and exterior design, brown is one of the most versatile colors you can work with. It’s grounded, earthy, and timeless, making it the perfect backdrop for everything from rustic spaces to modern architectural designs. But what if you can’t find the exact shade of brown you’re after? The good news is that you don’t need to rely solely on pre-mixed paints — you can create brown yourself by mixing a combination of other colors.

Learning what colors make brown gives you complete control over your palette. Whether you want a warm caramel for a cosy living room, a deep espresso for cabinetry, or a muted taupe for your home’s exterior, mixing your own paint allows you to achieve that bespoke shade. Beyond painting, this understanding is also useful for selecting textiles, artwork, and accessories that harmonise with your color scheme.

In this guide, we’ll explore exactly what colors make brown, how to create light and dark variations, and how to pair it with complementary tones to achieve a stylish, cohesive design. Let’s dive into the world of color mixing and discover how to master brown in all its rich forms.

1. What Colors Make Brown: The Basics

At its simplest, brown is created by mixing the three primary colors — red, yellow, and blue. By adjusting the proportions of each, you can achieve an endless variety of shades. Too much red and you’ll end up with a warmer, brick-like brown. More blue will give you a cooler, earthier tone. Adding yellow creates brighter, golden browns that lean towards ochre or tan.

Another way to make brown is by combining complementary colors. On the color wheel, complementary pairs are directly opposite each other, such as blue and orange or purple and yellow. Mixing these will neutralise the brightness of each color, resulting in different shades of brown. For example:

• Blue + Orange = a cooler, green-based brown

• Red + Green = a balanced, earthy brown

• Purple + Yellow = a warmer, golden brown

The magic of brown lies in its adaptability — no two mixes will ever look exactly the same, which means you can always create something unique for your design project.

2. What Colors Make Brown: Creating Lighter Shades

If you’re after a soft, subtle backdrop, you’ll need to learn how to make lighter shades of brown. The simplest way is by adding white paint to your base brown mix. The more white you add, the softer and more muted the tone becomes. This technique creates light browns such as beige, taupe, sand, or tan.

To customise further:

• Add more yellow for a sunny, warm tan.

• Add more red for a pinkish taupe or rose-brown.

• Add grey instead of white to create greige, a highly popular neutral in both interiors and exteriors.

Light brown shades work beautifully as wall colors, flooring, or exterior render. They provide a neutral canvas that feels welcoming yet sophisticated, pairing easily with both bold accents and muted tones.

3. What Colors Make Brown: Mixing Dark Shades

For a moody, dramatic effect, dark brown is the way to go. To achieve this, start with your base brown mix and gradually add black paint until you reach the desired depth. Alternatively, deepening the ratio of red and blue (while reducing yellow) will also create richer, darker shades.

Dark browns range from espresso and walnut to deep chocolate. They can instantly add elegance to a dining room, create intimacy in a study, or bring sophistication to kitchen cabinetry. When using dark brown on walls, balance is key — pair it with lighter flooring or crisp white trim to prevent the room from feeling too heavy.

A helpful tip: to warm up dark brown, add a touch of red or orange. To cool it down, introduce more blue or even a hint of green.

4. What Colors Make Brown: Undertones and Balance

Every shade of brown has undertones that influence how it looks in different settings. A brown with a red undertone may appear warm and cosy, while one with a green undertone feels more grounded and organic. Identifying and controlling undertones is essential for creating a harmonious palette.

Here’s how undertones shift brown:

• Red undertones → brick, terracotta, or chestnut browns

• Yellow undertones → golden caramel, ochre, or honey browns

• Blue undertones → cooler, slate-like browns

• Green undertones → earthy, mossy, or olive browns

Always test your shade in natural and artificial lighting before committing — what looks perfect in the morning sun might feel completely different under warm evening lights.

5. What Colors Make Brown: Combining with Other Colors

Brown is an incredibly versatile neutral that works well with a variety of colors. The key is to match undertones for a cohesive look.

• Brown + White: Timeless and fresh, perfect for Scandinavian-inspired interiors.

• Brown + Green: A natural, calming combination inspired by the outdoors.

• Brown + Blue: Elegant and balanced, great for coastal or transitional spaces.

• Brown + Pink: A playful, modern pairing that adds charm to bedrooms or living areas.

• Brown + Gold/Brass: A luxurious duo, ideal for kitchens or bathrooms.

In architecture, pairing brown exteriors with black or charcoal trim can create a bold, contemporary finish. For interiors, consider using brown as the anchor color, then layering in accents through textiles, lighting, and accessories.

6. What Colors Make Brown: Practical Tips for Mixing

If you’re planning to mix paint yourself, here are some practical tips:

• Start small: Mix small batches first to test your desired shade before committing to a large quantity.

• Keep notes: Write down your ratios of colors to replicate the shade later.

• Add gradually: Always add darker or stronger pigments slowly — it’s easier to darken a mix than to lighten it again.

• Test on walls: Paint a swatch on your wall and check it at different times of day.

By following these steps, you’ll have more control over your final outcome, ensuring you get the perfect shade of brown for your project.

FAQs About What Colors Make Brown

1. Can you make brown without all three primary colors?Yes. You can mix a secondary color with its complement — such as blue and orange or purple and yellow — to create brown.

2. What’s the easiest way to make a warm brown?Increase the amount of red or yellow in your mix for

warmth. Think terracotta, caramel, or honey shades.

3. How do you stop brown from looking muddy?Pay attention to undertones and avoid overmixing. Too many colors combined can result in a flat, dull brown.

4. Can I use grey instead of black to darken brown?Yes. Grey will give you a softer, more muted brown compared to the sharp depth black provides.

5. Is brown still trendy in design?Absolutely. Browns are back in style, with earthy, natural palettes dominating both interiors and exteriors in 2025.

Ready to transform your space with the perfect shade of brown? At BY Design And Viz, we specialise in creating bespoke interior, exterior, and architectural designs that reflect your personality and lifestyle. Whether you’re after a cosy brown interior or a striking exterior palette, our team can guide you every step of the way.

👉 Get in touch today to book your consultation and start your design journey with BY Design And Viz.