Is terracotta the new black? Why this '90s colour is back with a vengeance

Author: Laura Wheat on Houzz

Try to forget the rag-rolled trauma of 1990s TV makeovers for a minute and appreciate this new take on terracotta.

It’s time to embrace the tone’s organic, mineral quality again and discover the ways it can relieve the stark finish of an all-white scheme. Think soft shades, small doses and rustic accents, which you can use to introduce subtle colour.

These terracotta-themed interiors should give you some elegant yet earthy inspiration.

Try full saturation
This sumptuous space includes lots of similar warm tones layered together to form a rich tapestry of colour. The terracotta paint on the walls is bordered by two other shades to create a blocking effect that mimics having a picture rail.

Try this modern paint technique to create a feeling of intimacy in rooms with very high ceilings.

Drop a hint
An unexpected touch of terracotta overhead enhances the soft neutral tones in this room’s decor. Combining small amounts of colour in this way feels contemporary when juxtaposed with lots of wood, to create a mixture of manmade and natural materials.

Adding a terracotta table lamp would have a similarly grounding effect – think small mineral accents rather than gaudily glazed ceramics.

Keep it simple
There’s no need to go to great lengths to incorporate the terracotta trend – you probably have some suitable plant pots already. Rustic-looking examples (complete with lichen) bring effortless texture into a sleek, minimal kitchen.

Using pots for displaying herbs such as basil and rosemary will mean you’ll always have them on hand for cooking.

Tackle rich tones
Warm wood and terracotta might not sound like natural bedfellows, but this divine dining space shows how well the two can work together. Mid-century furniture has the clean lines and simplistic shapes required to carry off all kinds of creative colour combinations.

Go for green accents, including plenty of plants, to stave off any ‘1980s peach’ associations (in case you don’t remember, it was a particularly sickly shade of the soft fruity hue).

Add an accent
For a hint of vibrancy without the risk of whole-room decoration, paint a small section of wall where there’s a natural divide. This chimney recess behind the oven provides a flash of colour to contrast with the room’s muted blue palette.

Terracotta accessories have been added to emphasise the two-tone effect and tie the scheme together.