AW26 Brown Colour Trends: Toffee and Tonka Bean

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“Brown interiors have been the buzzword for the past few seasons, and there’s no sign of it slowing down for Autumn/Winter 2026. From the popularity of earth tones, Pantone’s Colour of the Year Mocha Mousse, Cafécore, to wooden accents, brown is everywhere, and we’re loving its deep, sophisticated vibe that it brings.

When it comes to interior trends, we have moved away from the classic neutral palette filled with cold, clinical grey tones and are now looking for soft, warm neutrals that feel like a comfy cocoon. Brown offers a rich, sophisticated and cosy spectrum of tones from light to dark, providing plenty of chances to mix and match.

Toffee’s warm caramel finish is the new cosy brown tone to trend. It’s chic yet understated, and it’s a great transitional pick from summer to autumn. Toffee is part of a growing trend of calming, gentle brown tones known as ‘biscuit tones’ that paint companies are tapping into, evoking sweet treats like ganache or a madeleine you like to dip into your tea. 

When chosen as a wall colour, it brings a warm, mellow vibe that envelopes the room, inviting opportunity to layer. Toffee (and many other brown tones) are a great opportunity to highlight rich textures like velvet, plush fabric or leather and contrast with wooden panelling, marble or sparkly accents like gold. Some designers and brands have leaned into the warm and spicy side of toffee and mixed it with red for a rich, textured shade that’s similar to cranberry or cherry (with a brown undertone).

On the other hand, Tonka Bean lies on the opposite end of the brown-tone spectrum. It brings to mind a shot of espresso in the morning, a warm, energetic kick to start your day. Darker than mocha, it works best as an accent when decorating, grounding the room and providing contrast when paired with soft toffee as the base. For those who love retro-inspired interiors, tonka bean is the brown tone to decorate with. Its rich, sophisticated vibe will highlight the stylish curves of a coffee table or make a large dining table feel that extra bit luxe.

Even though toffee and tonka bean tones contrast one another, both celebrate the sweetness of brown tones. When decorating with both toffee and tonka, it’s less about channelling a dark and moody vibe and more about creating an elegant and romantic feel for your home. Aside from the visual and tactile delights, it’s a good idea to bring in tonka bean’s sweet scent, which has a similar aroma to vanilla and caramel. Introducing it through a home scent or a chic candle like their namesakes should be an overall sensual experience.”

For more stylish tips, check out our guide to brown living room ideas for more inspiration.