How To Decorate With The Color Ochre

We live for the richness of the color ochre. It looks stunning in minimal designs or bohemian ones. It's warm. And somehow, it's seasonal, too. Use it in your fall decor or summer styling — and the shade will look equally cool. It's a slightly edgier cousin to the ever-trendy mustard yellow.

But a color this versatile can also prove rather difficult to decorate with. And that's where we step in. Sure, you could go for a monochromatic look and drench your walls and ceilings in an ochre color. It's just as impactful, however, to look for a single item in this hue. That way, you'll have the freedom to incorporate other vibrant shades as well.

Here are a few pieces in varying ochre color tones that you can incorporate in your space.

Sarah Sherman Samuel designed this gorgeous library nook in Mandy Moore's dream house with built-in benches and ochre cushions. But this would make a DIY project, too. If you're handy with a sewing machine, you could use fabric, foam, and batting to create ochre color pads. Or you could take the easy route, buy large floor cushions, and pop them on any bench.

Get the look: Urban Outfitters Washed Corduroy Floor Pillow, $49

So you like ochre colors, but you're not ready to fully commit to a big-ticket furniture item? Test the waters with a few throw pillows, instead. Here, the General Assembly design team mixed the deep yellow cushions with patterned red and blue options. But the tones all complement each other and the rich green wall color.

Get the look: Anchal Array Toss Pillow, $85

Talk about sweet dreams. Even if the rest of your bedroom is white and minimal, an ochre upholstered bed like this one will instantly add the perfect amount of earthy luxury and art deco to your space.

Get the look: Lulu and Georgia Bailee Channel Platform Bed, starting at $1,130

Jenny Komenda of Juniper Home actually refreshed this vintage ochre chair with a little paint. But even before her mini update, it was stunning. And there's just something about combining jewel tones for a supersaturated effect. Your accent seat doesn't have to be thrifted to pack the same punch, though.

Get the look: Zentique Kate Side Chair, starting at $999.99

This entire bedroom is full of great shades, and it proves just how easily ochre colors mesh with bohemian hues. The ochre quilt is clearly the star of the show, though. Throw one on your bed (or even the couch) for an instant mood-booster.

Get the look: Jungalow Like a Lion Quilt (Queen), $165

This ochre color patterned rug has a lot going on, but the tones work together and with the splashy blue cushions in the hanging chair. If you add a rug like this to your space, look for one with warm brown shades, olive greens, and oranges to enhance the ochre.

Get the look: Rugs USA Tribal Panel Area Rug, starting at $129.99

Lamps are small. But add one in the right color, and your whole vignette can change for the better. Here, Heidi Caillier included an ochre option with quirky details in a dark entryway and gave the space depth. The sunny color feels fresh and balances the dark wood console table and gray shiplap.

Get the look: Robert Abbey Dolly Table Lamp, $349.99