Q3 2025 Trend Report: Earth Tone Resurgence

Sustainability Connection

The earth tone resurgence isn't just aesthetic—it's ideological. As sustainability becomes a core value for businesses and consumers, color palettes that evoke natural materials and organic processes have become visual shorthand for environmental responsibility. Brands adopting earth tones aren't just choosing colors; they're making a statement about values.

These colors work because they feel honest and grounded. Unlike synthetic brights or digital gradients, earth tones reference physical materials—clay, wood, stone, foliage—creating tangible associations in digital spaces. They convey authenticity, longevity, and connection to nature.

Featured Palettes

Industries Adopting

• Organic Food & Beverage: Earth tones have become synonymous with organic, non-GMO, and sustainable food products—from farm-to-table restaurants to packaged goods.
• Wellness & Fitness: Yoga studios, meditation apps, and holistic health brands use greens and browns to convey natural, whole-body wellness.
• Sustainable Fashion: Clothing brands committed to ethical production embrace earth tones to visually communicate their environmental values.
• Home & Lifestyle: Furniture, home decor, and lifestyle brands adopt these colors to create calming, biophilic design experiences.
• Outdoor & Adventure: Camping, hiking, and outdoor gear companies naturally gravitate toward colors that blend with natural environments.

Implementation Guidelines

Layer Multiple Earth Tones: Don't limit yourself to one shade of green or brown. Layer multiple natural tones to create depth and visual interest while maintaining the organic feel.

Use Texture to Enhance: Earth tone palettes benefit enormously from textural elements—grainy backgrounds, natural photography, organic shapes—that reinforce the connection to physical materials.

Balance Dark and Light: Earth tones span a wide range from deep forest green to pale sand. Use darker tones for grounding and contrast, lighter tones for breathing room.

Authenticity Matters: Don't adopt earth tones purely as aesthetic trend if sustainability isn't part of your brand identity. Audiences are increasingly savvy about greenwashing.

Consider Cultural Associations: Green and brown can have different meanings across cultures. Research your target audience's associations with these colors before committing.