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Nov 10, 2024

HGTV Stars Are On Board With This Fall's Chocolate Box Brown Design Trend

When you aren't sure what colors and trends are in style, some of the best places to look are the Instagram posts of HGTV's superstars. You can find a treasure trove of inspiration, and you'll almost

When you aren't sure what colors and trends are in style, some of the best places to look are the Instagram posts of HGTV's superstars. You can find a treasure trove of inspiration, and you'll almost certainly notice a few similarities between the designs. One that we have seen with a strong hold this autumn is the chocolate box trend, where designers are using hues similar to assorted candy, and it's anything but plain.

The palettes include rich espresso brown, creamy off-white, chestnut, and caramel, just to name a few. Plenty of interior design experts are saying goodbye to neutral greys, but for some people, brown-on-brown tones looked drab and feel stuck in the past. However, the chocolate box trend feels classic, cozy, and timeless and really exemplifies how versatile a bit of brown paint can be. To pull you into this chocolate-covered world, we gathered some great inspo photos from some of the top designers and creators on HGTV, including Jeremiah Brent, Jasmine Roth, Erin Napier, and more. Read on to see how these HGTV stars have incorporated the chocolate box trend in a variety of room types and styles.

A post shared by JEREMIAH BRENT (@jeremiahbrent)

Chocolate box tones don't need to be all heavy or dark. If you prefer a palette that leans lighter and airier, take a note from Jeremiah Brent. In this bedroom, he leans into white chocolate and caramel hues. Using a variety of textures, such as the canopy bed curtains and cream boucle bench, keeps the beige tones from feeling flat. And although area rugs can be a great place to introduce vibrant colors and patterns, this solid plush toffee-colored rug makes the bedroom feel warm and comforting.

If you don't want the space to look too dark, try to keep the deeper shades toward the floor, and use lighter colors on the walls and drapes. To create a similar vibe, look for pieces like Hmfule's Boucle Bench and Homore's Chocolate Brown Shag Rug from Amazon. If you want to drape your bed with airy linens, check out options like the Belgian canopy curtain from Pottery Barn.

A post shared by Erin Napier (@erinapier)

While bright white, modern interiors will always have their place, there is something so timeless and elegant about a dark wood table in an earth-tone-clad dining room, like this one from "Home Town" star Erin Napier. On the one hand, the wooden chairs, dining table, and brown-on-brown curtains and paint color look very traditional, but small modern details pull the space into the current century. The light fixture brings a touch of Midcentury modern decor into the room. To break up the deep espresso brown and dark chocolate colors, Napier includes a muted shade of blue that offers some much-needed color without drawing warmth out of the overall design. In her own words, she says this is a mixture of "raisin, black and brown together," and reminds her followers that this dark, moody, masculine style "wasn't designed for everyone."

The table shown in this photo seems to be an antique or custom-built piece, but you can find new classically styled ones, like this Signature Design by Ashley Haddigan Traditional Dining Table. A dark brown paint shade such as Benjamin Moore's Wenge would be perfect as it blends brown, black, and violet. For a similar lighting look, check out options like Living District's Hanson Pendant in Brass.

A post shared by Jasmine Roth HGTV (@jasminerothofficial)

Although many of the chocolate box interiors lean more toward classic, traditional designs, this trend can still be used in modern designs. Jasmine Roth of "HELP! I Wrecked My House" pulls off a perfectly contemporary but cozy brown powder room. Often, designers shy away from using darker tones in small spaces, especially if they're windowless like most petite bathrooms and powder rooms. The fear is that the dark colors will make the room feel dreary and claustrophobic. But used effectively, they can have the opposite effect, and make the space feel warm and luxurious, like this brown-painted bathroom from Roth.

On the walls, Roth opts for a satiny brown shade that still reflects light while adding a rich backdrop for the vanity. Shades like Behr's Dark Truffle can give you a similar look. The cabinets have a natural wood grain that adds texture and color gradient, and the thick white marbled countertop breaks up the darker tones nicely.

A post shared by Carmeon Hamilton - Memphis (@carmeonhamilton)

Carmeon Hamilton of "Reno My Rental" really nails the trend in this bedroom, not just because the headboard evokes a drizzle of chocolate sauce falling down an ice cream cone. The headboard is a very rich, warm shade of brown that verges on red, and is set in front of a neutral but barely pink-painted wall. The combo is accented by soft white bedding, making for a unique Neapolitan ice cream-like color palette. This is great if you love the groovier aspects of '70s style decor but long for the warmth and sophistication of neutral color palettes. This color scheme veers from layers of brown-on-brown, adding in light, blush pinks, and off-whites to balance out the chocolatey tones. To pull off the Neapolitan palette, it's important to make use of a primary color and two accent colors. In this case, the light pink wall takes up the majority of the visual space with the deep brown and more neutral tones working as accents.

A similar wavy headboard as the one shown here can be found from Lulu and Georgia in a variety of chocolate box tones. To create a soothing background, opt for a paint color choice like Benjamin Moore's Basking Ridge Beige. And to keep the bedding light yet warm, look for off-white linens like Softexly's Muslin Duvet Cover Set.

A post shared by Nate Berkus (@nateberkus)

Spaces with historic detailing are beautifully suited to the chocolate box trend, as seen in this project from Nate Berkus. This study has gorgeous details in a stone fireplace, molding, and tall ceilings. Brown hues lend a classical, masculine edge without overpowering these gorgeous accents, which is why you'll often see a variety of brown paint colors in historical collections. Berkus explains that his goal for this project was, "to blend timeless New York charm with modern touches," which speaks to just how enduring brown-on-brown color palettes are. It's especially nice to see a variety of brown tones here, from the medium shade on the walls (similar to Benjamin Moore's Honeycomb) to the camel armchair, and the nearly-black desk and bookshelf hutch.

Lean into this luxe styling in your home with pieces like Lifestyle Solutions' Lexington Chair in Caramel and Sauder Palladia's Dark Brown Executive Desk. However, these antique-inspired accents require a little more thoughtful design than some modern aesthetics. So, be sure to check out how Nate Berkus uses timeless decor to add the perfect touch to any room.