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Cocoa Powder: 15 Ways to Use This Cozy Neutral

September 05, 2016

Though it adds instant warmth to a room, this hue also pairs surprisingly well with cooler tones. Find 15 ideas for using this cocoa-inspired shade in your home.

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Cocoa Powder Color Palette

This versatile neutral falls somewhere between warm and cool, so it complements a wide range of other hues. In this eclectic living room, a cocoa-colored sofa looks plush and inviting against a navy blue wall.

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Comforting Color

This hue feels like a cup of cocoa: instantly warm and cozy. Use it in a bedroom with other soft colors to create a welcoming, restful space.

Transitional Dining Room With Orange Accents and Aqua Chandelier

Photo: Michael J. Lee. From: Ana Donohue

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Vibrant Palette

Cocoa-colored walls can also serve as a backdrop for a lively color scheme. In this eclectic dining room, accents of aqua and orange add a bold splash of color against neutral walls.

White Living Room With Fireplace, White Chairs and Taupe & White Sofa

From: Pulp Design Studios

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Warming Up White

If your all-white living room is looking a tad too stark, warm it up with a hint of cocoa. In this space, the cocoa colors in the chaise longue and the wood floors make the space feel more inviting.

Neutral and White Kitchen With Island and Polished Concrete Floors

Photo: Luciana Corwin. From: Luciana Corwin

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Welcoming Kitchen

Looking for an alternative to the typical white or gray kitchen cabinets? Try a cocoa-inspired shade of brown. The color is perfect for adding a touch of warmth to a sleek, contemporary kitchen, as seen in this space.

Gray Transitional Bedroom With Velvet Ottomans

Photo: Susan Brunstrum. From: Susan Brunstrum

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Warm Retreat

Perfect for a bedroom, a palette of cocoa and cream creates a calming, serene sanctuary. Velvet upholstered stools and a fur throw add a soft, textural touch to this space.

Contemporary Bedroom in White, Cream and Taupe

Photo: David Lauer Photography. From: Design Platform

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Cozy Contemporary

You may associate contemporary design with cool colors like gray and blue, but warmer tones can really bring out the best in a clean, contemporary room. In this bedroom, a palette of cocoa, cream and orange creates a sleek yet soothing space.

Open Dining Room With Narrow Table, Galvanized Chairs

Photo: Jenny Norris. From: Jenny Norris

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Industrial Design

A cocoa-colored accent wall offsets the galvanized metal chairs and minimalist chandelier in this industrial dining room, adding warmth to the space.

Transitional Bathroom With Wallpaper and Pops of Red

From: Kristen Pawlak

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Splashes of Color

You don't have to go crazy with color to create a stylish space. Against a cocoa-colored vanity and neutral (yet bold) wallpaper, hints of red make a big impact in this bathroom.

Photo: Belathée Photography. From: Brian Paquette

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Inviting Nook

With a cocoa-colored tufted bench, a soft throw and muted blue and red throw pillows, this window seat looks oh-so cozy — the perfect place to curl up with a book on a cool day.

Taupe Art Deco Bedroom With Cream Headboard and Vibrant Blue Accents

Photo: Nines

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High Style

While this hue can look rustic and cozy in one space, it can look chic and elegant in another. In this art deco-inspired bedroom, a cocoa-colored wall is paired with a tufted headboard and a lustrous teal throw pillow for a glamorous vibe.

Photo: Tessa Neustadt. From: Blackband Design

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Layers of Neutrals

An all-neutral color palette doesn't have to be boring, especially in a room with lots of interesting features. A mix of cream, cocoa, gray and dark brown lets this dining room's dramatic elements — like the beamed ceiling and beaded chandelier — take center stage.

Bathroom With Glass Enclosed Shower and Taupe Herringbone Tiles

Photo: Stephen Allen Photography. From: John McClain Design

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Eye-Catching Texture

Here's another example of an all-neutral space that's anything but bland. With its herringbone-pattern tilework in various tones of cocoa, this bathroom offers tons of style.

Photo: Durston Saylor. From: Andrea Schumacher

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Gallery Wall

An ideal choice for a gallery wall, cocoa-hued walls can let a collection shine. In this wide passageway, niches with colored lights stand out against the walls, making a lively display.

Photo: Allison Cartwright/ Twist Tours

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Neutral Nursery

A baby's room doesn't have to be pink or blue. Try a warm shade of cocoa instead; as the child grows older, the color won't feel so juvenile.