The best terracotta and clay paint colours range from soft plaster pinks to deep, earthy reds and browns. Our favourites are Farrow & Ball's Setting Plaster (231), Red Earth (64) and London Clay (244), and Little Greene's Tuscan Red (140). Between them they cover everything from a gentle bedroom blush to a rich, enveloping dining room.
What links these colours is earth. They are built on the warm reds, browns and yellows of natural pigments, which is why they feel grounded rather than bright, and why they sit so comfortably with wood, linen, stone and plants. They are warm without being sugary, and they flatter both period and modern rooms.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Setting Plaster (231)
What makes a good terracotta
True terracotta is a balance of red and yellow, softened with a little brown. Too much red and it tips towards brick or tomato; too much yellow and it becomes orange. The colours that work best on walls are slightly chalky and muted, so they read as warm and earthy rather than loud.
Light changes them more than you might expect. Farrow & Ball note that Red Earth looks deeper and cosier as daylight fades, and that is true of most of this family: they glow in the evening. In a cool north-facing room they bring welcome warmth; in a sunny south-facing room, a softer clay may be all you need. Our guide to why a colour looks different at home explains more.
Soft clays and plaster pinks
- Setting Plaster (231). A dusty plaster pink, named after the blushing walls of a newly plastered house. Farrow & Ball add a little yellow pigment, which gives it a softness that suits bedrooms and sitting rooms.
- Middleton Pink (245). A paler, gentler option that Farrow & Ball suggest for the golden light of west-facing rooms.
These are the colours for anyone who wants warmth without commitment. They work as a backdrop in the same way a neutral does, as we explored in the new neutral: rediscovering pink.
Photo Credit: Little Greene; Colours Used: Tuscan Red (140), French Grey (113)
Classic terracotta reds
- Red Earth (64). A warm, light terracotta red made from a blend of red and yellow pigments. Farrow & Ball say it takes its name from the soil beneath our feet, and it suits homes old and new.
- Tuscan Red (140). A chalky, intense, deep terracotta red based on iron oxide pigment. It looks wonderful on a lower wall beneath a soft grey such as French Grey (113), as the bedroom above shows.
- Bamboozle (304). Farrow & Ball call it their most spirited red. It sits at the fiery end of this family, for a dining room or hall with real presence.
You may also see Little Greene's Carmine (189) suggested alongside these. It is a lovely colour, but Little Greene group it with their strong pinks, so it reads as a vivid raspberry rather than a true clay. Sample it next to Tuscan Red if you are unsure which way you lean.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Bamboozle (304)
Deep clays and earthy browns
- London Clay (244). A warm, charming brown loaded with magenta pigment, which gives it a rich, earthy depth. Farrow & Ball describe it as a deeper accent to London Stone (6), and it is superb on woodwork, in halls and in snugs.
- Chocolate Colour (124). A rich brown from Little Greene for anyone who wants to take the earthy look darker still.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: London Clay (244)
What goes with terracotta
- Soft greys and stones. Grey calms terracotta down. Little Greene suggest neutral greys such as French Grey alongside Tuscan Red.
- Greens. Sage, olive and deep green are natural partners, like terracotta pots against foliage.
- Warm whites. A soft, warm white on ceilings and woodwork keeps the scheme gentle. Brilliant white can look harsh beside earthy colours.
- Natural materials. Oak, rattan, linen, leather and stone all sit beautifully against clay tones.
For a cocooning effect, try a single clay colour across walls, woodwork and ceiling. Our guide to colour drenching explains how.
Questions we are often asked
Is terracotta a good colour for a bedroom?
Yes, especially the softer clays and plaster pinks. They feel warm and restful, particularly by lamplight.
Will terracotta make a room feel smaller?
Deeper clays draw walls in slightly, which can make a large room feel cosier. In a small room, a lighter clay such as Setting Plaster keeps things airy.
Which finish should I use?
A flat matt shows earthy colours at their best on walls. For woodwork in the same colour, choose an eggshell such as Intelligent Eggshell or Farrow & Ball's Flat Eggshell.
