Aqua & Brown Home Decorating Ideas

Walls

• Paint the walls to establish your color scheme. Aqua can be overpowering if you use too much of it, especially the brighter shades. However, painting the walls a light aqua shade can make a small room feel larger, as the cool color visually recedes, such as when you look at the aqua ocean that appears to go on forever.

  Lighter shades of brown, such as beige, are good options for the walls as well. Alternatively, paint one wall in a deep chocolate brown or bright aqua color as an accent wall. Paint a pattern or use peel-and-stick decals to create a pattern, such as stripes or circles if you want something visually interesting.

Furniture

• The furniture you choose should complement your color scheme, while creating the style and feel you want in the room. For example, a coastal or beach-themed living room might include white slip-covered sofas and chairs and white wicker tables with glass tops. Chocolate brown furniture would fit in bedroom with beige, white or aqua walls. Arrange your furniture to work with the walls, such as placing an aqua sofa or chair in front of a chocolate brown wall or placing brown leather furniture in front of aqua walls.

Linens

• Fabric, such as bedding, throws, curtains and even rugs, can establish the color scheme or add to it. Linens allow you to introduce patterns and bold colors without making permanent changes, especially if you have plain white walls. For example, drape an aqua throw over a brown sofa, chair or ottoman to brighten the space in your living room. Pair aqua sheets with a reversible comforter that has chocolate and aqua stripes on one side and circles on the other for a modern bedroom, whether the master or a teen's room. Choose curtains or a rug with the same colors, featuring patterns or in solid brown or aqua.

Accessories

• Play up your color scheme with accessories, especially if you have a particular piece that inspired the color scheme, such as artwork. Display a collection of aqua-colored glass, vases, pottery or aqua stones and beads in clear crystal vases and bowls on a chocolate brown floating shelf or on a chocolate tray sitting on an ottoman or table. Put aqua lampshades on brown lamps or dress up brown sofas or bedding with aqua throw pillows. Frame black-and-white pictures in alternating aqua and brown picture frames. Use a chocolate brown plate or tray to hold a trio of white- or cream-colored pillar candles surrounded by clear aqua pebbles.