My Colour of the Month: Ochre
A deep dive into one of the hottest colours that are set to rule in 2025, including how to decorate with this sunshine hue and my go-to paint shades
I started writing this article a few weeks ago after I had numerous clients asking about this deep yellow with rich autumnal undertones. Ochre is not a colour I use or talk about a lot, but due to popular demand, I thought it was time we gave it some time in the spotlight.
In between writing (last week in fact) I returned from a trip to South Africa (incredible!) where we stayed in the Timbavati Nature Reserve. While most of the interior design at our lodge showcased natural materials and neutral colours, ochre was their stand-out colour story - painted as a feature wall in the reception and in the breakfast dining room against a backdrop of natural woods and African objects. For a colour that I'm rarely drawn to, ochre in this context felt like the perfect choice.
Ochre backdrops in the Verandah Bar at Motswari Lodge, Kruger National Park
Ochre can feel like a daring colour, so I want to focus today on how we can introduce this gorgeous hue in smaller accents in our home.
Colour Psychology
According to the Psychology of Colour, yellow affects our emotions and impacts our nervous system. Pale yellows are emotionally soothing, while rich, deep yellows are emotionally stimulating…and perhaps this is exactly why you don’t see this colour used a lot in homes. Ochre with its muddy black undertones feels warm and cosy, oozing a richness that is rarely seen from other colours, almost like honey. Used in the right place and proportion, yellow is the colour of joy and optimism. So, how can we use ochre in a way that celebrates this autumnal shade?
How to Decorate with Ochre
Accent Ideas
If you’ve fallen in love with an ochre paint colour, but naturally painting all four walls feels a tad too much, introducing accents of ochre might just be for you. Now, adding pops of colour is not a new idea, but how about using paint in unexpected places, not just by adding an ochre cushion or a vase into the space? Why not paint the inside of your wardrobe, cabinets, drawers or even the pantry if you’re lucky enough to have one? Using ochre in these small, hidden-away spots ensures you feel the benefits of this colour, but don’t have extended exposure to it. Create a subtle surprise as you open your cupboards, by wrapping this colour on the interior walls and shelving, just like this gorgeous example below.
Ochre accents in this gorgeous kitchen found on Pinterest
Another simple yet effective idea is to extend your painted accents to the woodwork. If you haven’t seen it already, Kate Watson-Smyth from Mad About the House, recently launched a paint range of 12 Italian-inspired colours with Graphenstone. One of these yummy hues is a soft mustard shade, aptly named ‘Sole’. Although not a deep ochre colour as we know it, I think Kate’s use of yellow on the woodwork is perfect for showcasing how we can introduce ochre as an accent. Kate wrapped ‘Sole’ onto the skirting and window frames, to create a warming bedroom scheme so that ‘it feels like the sun is always present.’
Ochre woodwork paired with pastel pink walls in Kate’s retreat in Turin. Photographed by Rachael Smith.
Clever Colour Placement
Yellow kitchens are having a moment and although buttery and light dusky yellows are reigning the roost, a deeper ochre can look just as good in these busy spaces.
A picture-perfect ochre kitchen by Apron Kitchens, for Gem Boner at Paradise Farm
I must admit, the thought of painting ochre on all kitchen cabinets (for me) feels a touch overwhelming, but then I stumbled upon Gem’s kitchen at Paradise Farm. If there’s a lesson to be learnt when using ochre, it’s here.
“I went for this colour as it resembled the sunset set hues on the farm, the colour sparks joy and has this wonderful ability to enhance your mood. It takes on different tones in the summer light, transforming the space throughout each season.” - Gem Boner
The key here is clever colour placement. Gem has paired her ochre cabinets with a warm neutral paint colour on the walls and ceiling, creating a tonal colour scheme. The terracotta tiles offer a secondary colour and texture to the room, grounding the space, whilst the soft neutral walls keep the room feeling light and open. Finally, the addition of a green zone to define the small entry area (perfect for throwing your farm shoes away and hanging your coats up) brings this whole room scheme together. The green balances the warmth of ochre and terracotta, toning down those yellow hues so it feels warm, yet not too yellow.
Homewood Bespoke Kitchen in Golden Bliss
Similarly, this kitchen above by the Italian brand, Homewood Bespoke, demonstrates the same clever colour placement. Deep ochre on the lower kitchen cabinets paired with walls and top cabinets in a warm white and flooring in terracotta. When it comes to choosing your wall colour, opt for a warm white or pale neutral with yellow or pink undertones to harmonise the space. Some of my favourite warm whites include White 06 by Lick, Raw White by Bauwerk and Pointing by Farrow & Ball.
The placement of these hues feels comfortable and in harmony thanks to the natural tonal order - the idea that in an interior scheme, the darkest colour is used on the floor and the lightest colour on the ceiling, inspired (hence the name) by our natural world.
Two - Tone
Perhaps you love ochre and feel ready to wrap it onto your walls. If that’s you, simply go for it and do what makes your heart sing! If you love the idea, but feel all four walls might feel overpowering, especially for a space that’s used a lot or requires calm and relaxation, then say hello to two-tone walls. Painting two-tone walls will naturally soften the impact of the deepest colour, in this case, ochre, but still offer a large enough canvas where this colour is more than just an accent.
Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design at Lick, demonstrates the beauty of two-tone walls in her son’s nursery featured below. Tash started her nursery scheme with a gorgeous painting by Emily Powell - a painting she fell in love with before she even knew she was having a baby. Tash wanted to recreate the feeling that this painting gave her, in the nursery - a mystical and magical mood that transported her to another world.
A warm and playful nursery space designed by Tash Bradley with Lick Yellow 02 and White 03.
“As a north-facing room, this space felt really dark. I knew I would be spending a lot of time in here, so I wanted to avoid embracing the darkness, and instead use colour to create a warm, light and playful feel.”
Inspired by the yellow accents from the painting, Tash chose a red-based ochre for the lower half of the nursery walls, creating a scallop border to mimic the shape of the hot air balloons. Tash then paired ochre with a creamy white on top. Introducing a two-tone wall allowed Tash to achieve warmth through the yellow, and a sense of brightness with the warm white - blending the best of both worlds! Wrapping the wall colour over onto the ceiling also gives the illusion of height and space, making this design idea perfect not only for nurseries but bedrooms, offices and living rooms alike!
Get the Look
For a soft ochre (perfect for those who want to dip their toes into the world of yellow), check out…
Sadhika by Atelier Ellis - soft and uplifting
Sole by Kate Watson-Smythe & Graphenstone - an Italian-inspired ochre
Block Print Yellow by Atelier Ellis - balanced and grounding
Balsam by Bauwerk - understated and effortless
For a mid, vibrant ochre, why not take a look at…
Yellow 02 by Lick - undertones of red
House Points by COAT - warm & golden
Sienna by Bauwerk - an ochre that will really come alive on the walls
Pollen II by Paint & Paper Library - rich and traditional
Sudbury Yellow by Farrow & Ball - particularly responsive to changes in light
Topaz by Bauwerk - bold & beautiful
For a deep, earthy ochre here are some of my favourite paint colours….
Sandalwood by Bauwerk - a natural-based ochre
Trumpington by Edward Bulmer - warm and rich
Millet by Bauwerk - muddy and full of umber undertones
Muga by Paint & Paper Library - a deep, Indian yellow
If you feel inspired to bring ochre into your home, I’d love to hear your design ideas and how this colour works for you. Or if there’s a different colour you’d love to learn more about and need help decorating with or building a colour scheme around, just let me know in the comments below and I’ll work on them for the next feature! Grazie, C x
Really enjoyed this article Charlotte! That pantry has featured in many of my moodboards, and I also love the way Kate used her Sole around windows, very clever! Works a treat with the soft pink doesn’t it?