Contents:
Free three-day course on creating a stylish and cozy interior for your home
Find out moreTerracotta color has remained relevant in the world of design for the past millennia. According to a number of religious teachings, the first man was created by God from red-brown clay, and in ancient Mesopotamia, these are the shades used to build houses. In 2025, terracotta continues to decorate the interiors of the most stylish establishments around the world.
We explore what makes this color so attractive, how it can be combined with other shades, and present examples of famous and original interiors.
The color of clay
The term "terracotta" has its roots in Latin and is translated as "baked earth," which refers to clay dried in the sun in the open air. When clay contains a significant amount of iron, it acquires a reddish-brown color as a result of interaction with oxygen, which gives this shade its name.
This clay is one of the most ancient materials used in both construction and art. It is known to humanity across vast areas of Africa, East and Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean region. Due to its plasticity and availability, it was used to build houses, as well as create pottery and sculptures.
One famous example is the Terracotta Army, consisting of more than 8,000 clay warrior figurines that were buried with the Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang between 210 and 209 BC. The ancient Greeks and Romans used terracotta to create roof tiles and various architectural elements, while medieval European builders used the material to decorate cathedrals and castles.
Despite the influence of industrialization, elements and finishes with a characteristic clay color have not disappeared from the handmade past. In the 19th and 20th centuries, their mass production began, and manufacturers did not limit themselves to using only terracotta raw materials; they also began intentionally coloring other materials, such as cement tiles, in this shade.
Natural clay has a variety of shades, ranging from bright red and rich brown to delicate peach and gray-pink. Thus, terracotta color is a whole spectrum rather than a strictly fixed shade.
At first glance, the shades of clay can It evokes associations with the simple life of the natives, their closeness to nature and hard work in the sun. However, terracotta can also look magnificent and majestic. It is found both in the historical interiors of luxurious cathedrals, palaces and estates, and in modern living spaces and ceremonial halls.
Terracotta color is a complex shade, which in the Itten system It is classified as tertiary, meaning that its complementary and contrasting colors are various greenish and bluish hues.
- turquoise,
- blue,
- olive,
- sage.
Read also:
The Itten color wheel is a tool developed by the Swiss artist and color theorist Johann Itten. This wheel helps visualize different color hues and their relationships, allowing you to effectively select harmonious color combinations.
The color wheel is divided into primary, secondary, and complementary colors. The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow, from which other hues can be created by mixing. Complementary colors, which are located opposite the primary colors, create contrast and enhance the perception of each other. For example, red and green make a pair of complementary colors.
When creating color combinations based on the Itten circle, you can use several approaches. One is analogous pairing, when choosing colors located next to each other on the wheel. This creates soft and harmonious combinations. An alternative method is to use complementary colors, which are located opposite each other. Such pairs create a bright and expressive contrast.
Furthermore, you can use triadic combinations, choosing three colors evenly spaced around the wheel, which also provides balance and dynamism in the composition. Thus, Itten's color wheel serves as a practical tool for artists and designers, allowing them to find aesthetically pleasing colors and create balanced color solutions.
In addition, combinations of:
- terracotta and cream
- terracotta + taupe
- terracotta and gray
Read also:
What are the meanings of different colors and how to combine them correctly?
Terracotta shades in the interior: harmony of comfort and loft style
The delicate red-red-brown tone contributes to the creation of a feeling of comfort and security, and also helps people to stabilize emotionally. Perhaps its influence on the psyche is due to the fact that this color is deeply rooted in our perception and in almost all cultures is associated with the concept of home, family hearth and trust.
The characteristics of terracotta, such as "home", "warmth", "protection" and "comfort" should also include the concept of "return to nature." In this regard, shades of reddish-brown and reddish-brown have become especially popular over the past five years, when the general trend towards eco-friendliness and naturalness has strengthened.
Read also:
Boho style, both in interior design and in fashion, is a unique combination of freedom of expression and creativity. It is distinguished by its eclectic nature, which allows for a mix of different elements, textures, and colors. Boho interiors feature vibrant, saturated hues, varied patterns, and natural materials such as wood, rattan, and linen. Open spaces, abundant plants, and cozy textile details create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.
In terms of fashion, boho style is characterized by layering and loose fits. Clothing is often decorated with ethnic motifs, embroidery, and fringe, lending individuality and originality to the look. Importantly, boho allows for unique combinations, where each element emphasizes personal style rather than following strict fashion trends. Thus, this style becomes a reflection of a person's inner world, tastes, and preferences.
However, terracotta is not limited to interiors in the boho, Japandi, or "warm minimalist" styles. This shade also resembles exposed brick, making it a popular choice for loft spaces.
However, that's not the only influence: warm brick tones and reddish clay-stained wood also reflect elements of modernism.
Read also:
Organic modernism is an architectural and design approach that emphasizes the harmony between built objects and the natural environment. This style strives to create buildings and spaces that naturally blend into the landscape, using forms and materials inspired by nature.
The main idea of organic modernism is that architecture should embrace the environment, rather than resist it. This approach includes the use of environmentally friendly materials, as well as the design of buildings that minimize the negative impact on nature. Architects inspired by organic modernism often employ flowing lines and organic forms that evoke natural elements.
This style gained widespread popularity in the early 20th century thanks to prominent architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, who emphasized the importance of integrating buildings with their surroundings. Organic modernism continues to influence contemporary architectural thinking, encouraging designers to seek a balance between functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability.
Let's take a look at how interior architects, designers, and decorators are using terracotta in the creation of both residential and public spaces.
Terracotta Tiles
For some, the classic red-brown floor color may be associated with aristocratic estates in Central America, for others - with Moroccan riads, and some may recall the inexpensive oil paint used on country house stairs. To avoid an undesirable impression similar to the latter, it is recommended to choose tiles with a relief texture or formats that allow you to create interesting patterns when laying.
Terracotta tiles can serve not only as a simple background or base material, but also as an expressive decorative element. Uneven, imperfect, and unshaped pieces look particularly striking, creating a sense of handcrafted craftsmanship and naturalness. Natural clay is known to be susceptible to deformation: it can flow, crack, dry with an uneven texture, or have traces of firing, which gives it a unique look.
Read also:
12 fresh trends in interior design for 2025
Terracotta walls
Since ancient times, mankind has left its traces on the walls of caves using a red-rusty pigment. Examples of such patterns can be found, for example, in the Shulgan-Tash cave in Bashkiria. Interestingly, people in the Middle East and North Africa still live in reddish adobe dwellings. This color is versatile, perfectly suited to luxurious, minimalist, and creative interiors.
Terracotta walls are a way to bring a cozy and soft light into any room, reminiscent of the warmth of a fireplace or the soft glow of a sunset on the prairie.
If you feel that using terracotta in the interior can be depressing and create the effect of narrowing the space, you should consider using this color only for finishing architectural details or painting individual sections of the walls.
Terracotta Furniture
Red-brown wooden furniture is found in both history museums and the interiors of "granny apartments." However, if you want to create a space without vintage elements and references to the past, you should pay attention to modern models with smooth surfaces and clear geometric shapes. In this context, the terracotta shade will look fresh and modern.
Textiles and decorative elements in terracotta
Using elements of the natural color of red clay, you can create an atmosphere of comfort in any room, conducive to friendly conversations and communication.
Despite the fact that these elements may have strict and restrained forms, color will still play a role in creating psychological comfort, filling the space with a feeling of coziness and warmth.
We have a lot of fascinating information about design in our Telegram channel. Join us!
Read also:
- Pinterest forecast for 2025: six main trends in decorating.
- Architectural trends for 2025.
- Top 10 fashion trends that will be relevant in 2025.
- Industrial design trends for 2025.