Which paint colours go well with terracotta

Warm, earthy terracotta evokes images of summer evenings in Tuscany. Translated from the Italian, terracotta means ‘baked earth’. The colour is reminiscent of sun-baked landscapes, but also Mediterranean home decor with terracotta floors and roof tiles, as well as garden pots. With its natural, earthy tones, terracotta is a warm and comforting colour to incorporate into your interior design. It is a versatile shade that works well with various interior styles - and should not just be saved for a Mediterranean aesthetic.

Popular in Scandinavian countries, these rich neutral tones can be incorporated into a minimalist style. It also lends itself to Bohemian chic, rustic home decor or mid-century styles. The question is -  which colours should you pair with terracotta? Here we will recommend complementary colours that work together seamlessly in your living spaces.

Walls and Ceiling in Egerton Place™ No.297, Woodwork in Egyptian Grey™ No.154 - @thecountryhousediaries

About terracotta

There is not one single shade of terracotta. It spans burnt orange, deep red and pinky brown shades. These are all warm tones that are derived from nature. Bringing a feeling of comfort and calm - welcome traits for any living space.

Terracotta is not just for interior design. It is an essential accent colour in any landscape or garden. Simply adding terracotta pots to your garden will bring pops of contrasting colour to the green space. Or you could bring that colour combination indoors, by adding terracotta pots with trailing green plants to your interior decor.

Walls in Egerton Place™ No.297,  - @therenovation_at_no18 

Living Rooms Walls in Egerton Place™ No.297 

5 best terracotta colour schemes

Which colours should you match with terracotta tiles? Which accent colours pair well with terracotta walls? No matter whether you have warm terracotta floor tiles, a soft terracotta wall colour or a few terracotta textiles, there are several colour schemes that will work well alongside this sumptuous earthy tone.

Neutral colour palettes

Neutral colour palettes are always a popular choice. Shades like stone, cream, taupe, and light grey can balance the warmth of terracotta without overwhelming the space. These colours provide a calming backdrop, allowing the terracotta accent colour to stand out.
A classic, serene white colour scheme will be lifted by the addition of terracotta elements. In a stark white bedroom, terracotta cushions, throws or curtains will soften the look to make it more cosy and inviting.

This neutral kitchen colour scheme is made more interesting by the addition of a terracotta window frame. It draws your eye to the focal point of the window. It is a simple yet effective way to add a splash of the rich, warm colour.

Walls and cabinetry in Old Man's Beard No.03, Window in Crayfish Party No.19, both colours are from the Beata Heuman collection, The Dependables

Jewel tones

Rich jewel tones such as sapphire blue, teal, emerald green, and deep ruby red can create a striking contrast with terracotta. The depth of these beautiful colours complements the warmth of terracotta, adding sophistication and drama to your interiors. This is a striking colour scheme for a bold room - welcoming, inviting and stylish.

Vibrant blues pair particularly well with terracotta. They are a winning combo as they are opposites on the colour wheel. Think of sun-baked earth against a bright blue sky - a stunning complementary colour combination. Richer, deeper shades of blue - like teal or royal blue - make a dramatic impact when paired with terracotta.

Walls in FTT-018™ - Ultramarine Blue, Windows Recess and back of Door in Peach Flesh Pink, Mirror and Shelf in Pale Lilac™ No.246

Walls in FTT-018™ - Ultramarine Blue, Windows Recess and back of Door in Peach Flesh Pink, Mirror and Shelf in Pale Lilac™ No.246

Nature-inspired green colours

Earthy tones, like olive green, forest green or sage green, resonate beautifully with terracotta. The natural colour combination enhances the organic feel of your living space. Being reminiscent of nature, earthy green and terracotta colour schemes create a serene and tranquil environment. As such, it is an ideal colour scheme for living rooms and bedrooms.

Walls and Woodwork in BH.04 Bone, Ceiling in BH.22 Boiled Dill, and Floor in BH.18 Henna from the Beata Heuman collection, The Dependables

Bedroom Panel in Pleasure Gardens Green™ No.214 - @our_journey_at_81

Walls and Woodwork in Lamb's Ear No.06, Radiator in Crayfish Party No.19, both from the Beata Heuman collection, The Dependables

Soft pastel tones

For a more subdued and delicate aesthetic, pastel tones like blush pink, baby blue, or soft lavender complement terracotta beautifully. These lighter shades add a freshness to the warm tones of terracotta. This can prevent smaller spaces from feeling too dark and enveloping.

Pink and terracotta are next to each other on the colour wheel, so they sit quite comfortably together. Terracotta can have coral undertones, or venture towards a pinky-brown. This colour combination feels fresh and interesting, yet still gentle and reassuring. It is a great design choice for any living space.

Walls in Bespoke, Ceiling, Skirting, and Back Wall in Bedroom in Pale Lilac™ No246, Bedroom Ceiling Behind Archway in Bespoke Colour 

Front Door in Bond Street™ No.219

Contrasting deeper shades

To the other extreme, deep and dark contrasting shades can also sit easily with terracotta. Deep charcoal grey, navy blue or even black can create a stunning juxtaposition with terracotta. It is a sleek and contemporary interior design style.
Navy blue kitchen cabinets are hugely popular at the moment.

They do not only pair nicely with glossy marble or pale wooden flooring, but also with terracotta floor tiles. Adding metallic gold or silver hardware to the dark cabinetry will add a touch of light-reflecting glamour and sheen.

Thanks to its warmer undertones, terracotta works with deeper shades of brown too. Build this colour scheme with a couple of shades like terracotta and sienna which will not compete for attention or merge into each other.

Introducing Mylands terracotta paints

Terracotta is a versatile and inviting colour. It pairs beautifully with light and dark shades to achieve different moods and styles. Whether you prefer the calmness of neutrals, the boldness of jewel tones, or the softness of pastels, there is a perfect colour palette utilising warm terracotta.

New this season, Mylands Crayfish Party is one of the beautiful colours in our Beata Heuman collection. This soft terracotta paint has pink undertones, which enrich the colour. Mylands Blomster JB.01 is a rich mineral terracotta red colour designed by Jinny Blom. It comes from her strong memory of living in Denmark. It is a strong and warming, natural tone.

All of our paints comprise natural earth pigments, making them sumptuously deep and colour rich as well as eco-friendly. Available in a range of finishes including our signature Marble Matt Emulsion and Plant-Based, Multisurface Eggshell paints.
If you are tempted to explore a terracotta colour scheme, you should order a sample pot or our colour wheel to find your ideal colour pairing.