What Colors Go With Terracotta? How to Complement This Timeless and Grounding, Earthy Tone

Perhaps you've inherited a home with traditional clay tiles, or you're looking for ways to introduce rich, earthy accents into your space — either way, you may be surprised to discover what colors go with terracotta. Even as a highly pigmented shade, it's incredibly versatile in its pairings, which has contributed to its timeless appeal.

"I think terracotta is the ultimate neutral," says Ashley Macuga, principal designer of Californian-based studio, Collected Interiors. "It's been grounding spaces for centuries, and is a truly timeless, versatile color, pairing as beautifully with teal as it does with sage."

Whether you're planning on decorating with terracotta accents, or have selected a tile or paint in the shade, we spoke to design experts to discover colors that complement the earthy tone, which we've detailed below.

1. Terracotta and Forest Green

In truth, terracotta is a color that goes with greens of all shades. "Green is an environmentally harmonious pairing with terracotta," says Charleston-based interior designer Cortney Bishop. "The two work well together across a variety of materials, including paint colors, fabrics, wall coverings, and metals."

In order to pick the right shade to complement terracotta, Kristen Fiore, principal designer at Sacramento-based Kristen Elizabeth Designs says you need to ask yourself: "What feeling or cultural aesthetic are you trying to create?"

For a bolder and more contrasting look, a deep forest green or richer blue-green makes for a strong pairing, as seen in the kitchen scheme above, where a deep glossy green wall tile beautifully balances the terracotta floor tile.

2. Terracotta and Sage Green

For a more calming and soothing scheme, terracotta is also a color that goes with sage green. "Lighter, yellowish greens are a nice accent," says Kristen. "Avoid the green-red Christmas feel by differentiating the shades, whether lighter or darker."

For the entryway scheme above, the team at Arkansas-based Meet West Studio wanted to create a connection with nature through the palette. "We chose this Red Earth terracotta from Zia Tile to restore a sense of earthiness and place in this historic farmhouse," says the studio's principal designer Whitney Romanoff. "The playful sage green (Farrow and Ball's 'Breakfast Room Green') softens and grounds the bold hue of the terracotta and provides another connection point to nature outside."

3. Terracotta and Blue

It's likely you've seen terracotta and various shades of blue used together before; terracotta is a classic color that goes with blue. "Terracotta and blue is a natural combo," says Kristen Fiore. "They’re great contrasting colors to create a more dramatic effect. Pair your blues in a richer deeper shade for an optimum pairing — royal blue is a great companion."

The dining room shown above, by Brooklyn-based interior design studio Jesse Parris-Lamb, demonstrates just how well different shades of blue respond to terracotta tones. The deeper navy on the seat provides a sophisticated pairing, while the teal adds interest and playfulness.

"Beautiful blues paired with terracotta tones is a winning combo, as they are opposite colors on the color wheel," explains interior designer Julia Dempster. "The combination is reminiscent of sunset-clad desert vistas filled with sand and blue sky."

4. Terracotta and Pink

While color theory dictates that choosing complementary colors is how to perfectly balance a scheme, rules are made to be broken. Opting for colors that sit next to each other (also known as analogous color schemes) can also produce interesting results.

Case in point: terracotta and pink. "Pink tones that emit coziness and a sense of ease are made for pairing with terracotta," explains Cortney Bishop. "The combination feels fresh and energetic."

The best entry point into this palette is to use terracotta as the accent color — through a lamp or side table — against the wash of pink wall, as seen in the space above.

"Terracotta and pink reminds me of a Mai Tai on a warm, breezy Hawaiian day," says Ashley Macuga. "The rich tones combined are both grounded and lively — and deeply youthful."

5. Terracotta and Yellow

Finding colors that go with yellow can be a little trickier, but as another unconventional pairing, yellow and terracotta can add a sense of sunniness to a scheme. It's a perfect combination if you're looking to create an uplifting space.

"Both yellow and orange pairings are analogous to terracotta on the color wheel, so this combination works," explains Kristen Fiore. "We like it when you want a more chill, earthy vibe. We see this a lot in today's trendy color palette. It's earthy, organic and calm."

6. Terracotta and Gray

If you're using cooler shades like gray in your interior scheme (seen in the space above with concrete walls, but would work just the same with polished concrete floors), incorporating terracotta accents can help to provide much needed contrast and an element of warmth.

"Terracotta is one of those materials that feels warm, familiar, and cozy," says Brigette Romanek of Romanek Design Studio, a 1stDibs 50 designer. "The color is strong and pleasant, but somehow soft and calming. Not an easy feat for one material — but some terracotta achieves that."

7. Terracotta and Black/Brown

Those who prefer a more dramatic scheme will enjoy the contrast of terracotta and black, as seen in this interior by renowned interior designer Kelly Wearstler. But for something a little bit softer, terracotta is equally a color that goes with brown, thanks to its warmer undertones.

"Terracotta and brown are both very grounding pigments so they work well together to create a rich, inviting, soothing pallet that is transformable really in any aesthetic," says interior designer Sarah Solis, founder of eponymous Malibu-based full-service interior design studio.

"Though not quite as intense as black or orange, chocolate brown can add depth, warmth, and a hint of moodiness," agrees Julia Dempster. "Because brown is an earthy tone, it can be easier to match terracotta to complement it."

"I love the combination of terracotta and brown," adds Brigette Romanek. "I see it in a powder room with brass fixtures, or a conservatory with lots of greenery. The reason this will work is because the colors complement each other. They’re both rich and warm tones."

8. Terracotta and White

If you're partial to a more neutral living room scheme of whites, grays, and beiges, terracotta can add a grounding element, helping the scheme to transition from stark to earthy and warm.

"I like the use of terracotta as the ground color against variations of creamy whites and taupe tones, allowing the terracotta to be the singular moment and have its voice in the space," says interior designer Sarah Solis.

One way to add cohesion to this paring is by introducing texture. "Terracotta looks lovely paired with sculptural white bouclé furniture, which is having a major moment right now," says Julia Dempster. "It also shines alongside mid-century modern wooden pieces."

For the scheme above, by South Bay-area interior designer Cathie Hong, a base of pure brilliant white is brought to life with warm shades. "We wanted to fill the living spaces with warmth by utilizing terracottas, warm oaks, mustard yellows, and rusts," she explains. "We repeated the terracotta notes in the womb lounge chair, original painting, beni rug, and accent pillows to create a cohesive color palette that wasn't overwhelming."

9. Terracotta and (more) Terracotta

Who's to say you even need another color to make terracotta work — especially when the color is already so varied? "As a warm, earthy material traditionally made up of clay, terracotta can vary from a deep red to lighter, softer hues with oranges and pinks," says Kristen Fiore.

In the monochromatic color scheme above, Kelly Wearstler pairs plaster-like, almost peachy walls with deeper red tones, creating a scheme that's both dramatic and cocooning — and draws on terracotta as its base.

It's a technique that Sarah Solis also uses. "Terracotta is sultry, it's rich, it's grounding," she says. "I'm a monochromatic addict so I choose variations within the terracotta family to either deepen or lighten, and then refer to complementary pigments."

How should you use terracotta in your home?

There are numerous creative ways to bring terracotta into a scheme beyond tiled floors and traditional pottery — be it terracotta paint, textiles, wallpaper, or accessories. "To use terracotta in the bedroom, I like layering it with other natural tones," says Julia Dempster. "It mixes easily with nudes, sands, and blush, or if you prefer a darker contrast, can be mixed with chocolate browns and even dark gray."

Thanks to its natural origins, terracotta also works well with popular wood tones, including walnut and oak. It also has much more depth to it than similar but more vivid shades of red and orange, so can be visually impactful without looking harsh.

Ultimately, using terracotta is about embracing the organic richness of this shade. "I look towards warmer colors and earthier hues that will complement the richness of terracotta — think organics and naturals that’ll allow terracotta to truly stand strong in a space," says Cortney Bishop. "Terracotta is unique in many ways. From tones that can range in warmth and shade to its worldly essence, it’s an inspiring material that speaks to a timeless design energy no matter its form."