Sitting as a finished piece in our workshop, walnut furniture is truly stunning. There's something undeniably special about it, with its dark color and beautiful grain pattern. But sometimes we wonder how it can stand out in our clients' homes. Will it clash with certain colors? Which ones will emphasize its lovely color and grain? Even the most gorgeous material needs the right colors around it to truly shine.
Before we jump into color combinations, though, let's first understand what makes walnut wood so special. Walnut often has a neutral undertone, but it can also lean rich and warm, sometimes even cool, depending mostly on the material and finish. Note that no two natural solid wood boards are ever exactly alike. Some display deep, chocolatey browns with touches of espresso, while others reveal a golden and reddish brown. This natural variation is part of what makes walnut so prized in furniture design.
So, without further ado, we'll guide you through seven colors that complement walnut furniture best.
7 Best Color Combinations That Work with Walnut Furniture
1. Soft Warm White
There's a reason warm white is the go-to color for interiors. It's the perfect base to work with, especially if you want to use bold colors and dark wood, such as walnut.
Soft, warm white keeps a space feeling open and fresh while drawing more attention to the natural beauty of walnut wood. Unlike a stark, cool white that can feel sterile, a soft white or cream has enough warmth to balance with walnut's neutral undertones.
This color complements Scandinavian, transitional, and modern farmhouse styles that prioritize a light and airy atmosphere.
Pieces featured here: Modern Dresser and Atomic Platform Bed in beautiful natural walnut. Check Modern Collection.
Tips:
- Paint the walls in soft, warm white, serving as a neutral base for walnut wood to shine.
- Layer in soft white fabric like linen drapes to maintain the light, airy vibe. Go for pops of color such as soft green, yellow, or blue as accents.
- Choose a light color for flooring to keep the palette cohesive and allow the walnut furniture to stand out.
2. Earthy Greens
If you want to bring out the earthy, organic side of walnut furniture, go for earthy greens. These colors deepen the warmth of walnut's rich brown tones, a color combination inspired by nature herself. The effect? A space that feels cozy and grounded.
Forest green and walnut work especially well in moody, mid-century modern interiors, where natural wood and earthy palettes are celebrated. Meanwhile, subdued earthy greens, such as olive green or sage, create a softer pairing with walnut, perfect for transitional interiors.
Pieces featured here: Apollo Desk and Apollo Dresser in walnut with brass handles, plus, the Stressless® Mayfair Home Office Chair. Check the Apollo Collection.
Tips:
- Use sage or olive green on walls for a light, earthy backdrop that emphasizes the beauty of walnut furniture.
- For a moodier look, go for forest green. Balance the palette with light colors through accessories like linen curtains and pillowcases.
- Add accents made of natural materials, such as a rattan rug or woven baskets, to enhance the earthy, organic feel. Other furniture pieces made of a lighter wood can also serve as accents.
- For a slightly retro vibe with a touch of luxury, pair earthy greens and walnut with metal fixtures and leather upholstery.
3. Slate Blue or Navy Blue
Cool blues such as slate, dusty blue, navy blue, or blue gray are a beautiful counterbalance to walnut's chocolate color. Slate blue offers a softer contrast for a more subdued look, while navy blue creates a more dramatic effect. Either way, both variations of blue, when paired with walnut, help create a calming atmosphere.
These cool colors are perfect for contemporary homes, especially coastal-inspired interiors, where they evoke a calmness reminiscent of the sea on a sunny day.
Pieces featured here: Enso Platform Bed in all walnut, Enso Side Table in walnut with cherry handle, and Enso Upright Dresser in cherry with walnut handle. Check the Enso Collection.
Tips:
- Use slate blue or navy on an accent wall or through large pieces like a sofa or a rug. The dark color of walnut and cool blues is a refreshing contrast against a true white, which is key to that coastal vibe.
- Pair with brushed gold or brass accents to warm up the cool tones and create a luxurious feel.
- Balance the color scheme by adding neutral or light accents to prevent your space from feeling too dark.
4. Soft Gray or Greige
If you want neutral colors that aren't white, soft gray or "greige" (a blend of beige and gray) might be what you're looking for. They provide a neutral backdrop for dark wooden furniture to stand out, although the contrast is softer than it is with a white wall color.
This color combination is especially effective in minimalist, transitional, or Japandi-inspired interiors.
Tips:
- Use a soft gray or "greige" for 60 percent of your space, primarily the wall paint color.
- Layer in natural textures from houseplants, linen, jute, rattan, wool, or stone to keep the space visually interesting and inviting.
- Use clean-lined, black, or white accents for a modern finish.
5. Mustard Yellow or Ochre
You're likely imagining how mustard yellow or ochre paired with dark furniture creates an overstimulating space. That's possible if you don't try to balance the striking colors with muted ones. When used well, vibrant, earthy yellows can actually bring out the warmth of dark walnut.
Mustard and ochre work well as accent colors, perfect for spaces that embrace an eclectic or bohemian style.
Pieces featured here: Modern "One" Platform Bed and Modern Dresser in walnut. Check the Bedroom Collection.
Tips:
- Introduce mustard or ochre through accent pillows, artwork, upholstered chairs, or small ceramics.
- Balance the bold colors with neutral or soft white walls to keep the space from feeling too busy.
- Layer in other bright and earthy hues, such as rust or terracotta, to make your space more cheerful.
6. Terracotta or Burnt Orange
Terracotta and burnt orange bring a sunbaked warmth to the natural colors of walnut furniture. This color combination evokes a rustic, Mediterranean, Spanish, or desert-inspired aesthetic—complete with exposed wood beams, colorful tiles with intricate patterns, ornate fabric, and arched doorways.
These warm, earthy colors work beautifully in any space where you want to create a sense of warmth and connection to nature, with a more rustic and Bohemian vibe.
Pieces featured here: Stressless® Mint Dining Chair, Strata Extendable Dining Table in Walnut, and Enso Buffet in Cherry with Walnut handles.
Tips:
- Use terracotta or burnt orange as an accent wall, an area rug, or through floor tiles. If used as the main wall paint color, create balance by painting the ceilings in soft white.
- Layer in these warm tones through fabric, like blankets, cushions, and rugs.
- Use natural materials such as jute rugs, clay pottery, rattan baskets, light wood decor, and aged leather to deepen the rustic vibe.
7. Charcoal or Soft Black
Yes, charcoal or soft black can work with walnut. This dark-on-dark color combination helps bring out the color of darker wood types like walnut, especially when offset strategically with a neutral base.
You'll often see this color palette work well in modern and industrial spaces that feature strong lines and contrasts. Keep in mind that plenty of natural light is key here, as it really emphasizes the contrast created by the colors.
Interestingly enough, darker shades for wall colors can even serve as a frame for the outdoors when you have large windows bringing in lots of natural light.
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Walnut wood is one of the most versatile and beautiful locally available materials you can bring into your home. And, the right color pairing can make it look even more stunning. No matter which interior style you're aiming for—cozy, rustic, sleek, or modern—there's a color palette here to help you create the space of your dreams.
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