The Arts and Crafts color palette stands as one of the most distinctive and enduring aspects of the movement. Born from a philosophy that valued natural materials and harmony with the environment, these colors remain remarkably relevant today. Unlike the pastels of Victorian homes or the stark whites of modernism, the Arts and Crafts palette draws directly from nature: earth, stone, forest, and field.
The Philosophy Behind Arts and Crafts Colors
Gustav Stickley, the movement’s most influential American voice, wrote extensively about color in his magazine “The Craftsman.” He advocated for colors that were “in harmony with the woodwork” and that created “a sense of repose and restfulness.” The goal was never to make a bold statement but to create an environment where natural materials and handcrafted objects could shine.
The Arts and Crafts color philosophy rested on several principles:
- Nature as Guide: All colors should appear in the natural world
- Muted Over Bright: Subdued tones were preferred to vivid hues
- Harmony with Wood: Colors should complement, not compete with, natural wood tones
- Timeless Over Trendy: Choose colors that would remain pleasing for decades
- Regional Appropriateness: Colors should reflect the local landscape
The Core Arts and Crafts Color Palette
Greens: The Foundation
Green was perhaps the most significant color in the Arts and Crafts palette, appearing in dozens of variations:
- Olive Green: The quintessential Craftsman color, appearing on walls, trim, and textiles throughout period homes
- Moss Green: Slightly grayer than olive, excellent for creating calm, forest-like atmospheres
- Sage Green: Lighter and more subtle, perfect for bedrooms and smaller spaces
- Forest Green: Deep, rich green used as accent color or in libraries and studies
- Verdigris Green: Blue-green inspired by aged copper, popular for trim and decorative elements
These greens worked beautifully with the oak, mahogany, and other dark woods prevalent in Craftsman interiors, providing contrast without harshness.
Browns: Earth and Wood
Browns ranged from light tans to deep chocolates:
- Tobacco Brown: Warm, medium brown with slight red undertones
- Burnt Umber: Rich, deep brown with hints of red and orange
- Tan/Khaki: Light neutral browns perfect for large spaces
- Chocolate Brown: Deep, saturated brown for dramatic accents
- Taupe: Gray-brown that bridges cool and warm palettes
Golds and Yellows: Warmth and Light
Yellow tones added warmth without brightness:
- Ochre/Mustard: Earthy yellow with brown undertones
- Golden Yellow: Warm but muted, like autumn leaves
- Butter Yellow: Soft, creamy yellow for kitchens and breakfast rooms
- Amber: Orange-yellow inspired by art glass
Reds: Accents and Warmth
Reds appeared less frequently but made powerful statements:
- Burgundy: Deep wine red used in dining rooms and libraries
- Brick Red: Earthy red-orange reflecting terracotta and clay
- Rust: Orange-red with brown undertones
- Terra Cotta: Clay-inspired red-brown
Blues: Sky and Distance
Blues were less common but still period-appropriate:
- Slate Blue: Gray-blue inspired by stone
- Colonial Blue: Muted medium blue
- Navy: Deep blue used sparingly as accent
- Teal: Blue-green bridging two major color families
Neutrals: Foundation and Balance
Neutral tones provided balance:
- Cream: Warm off-white, never pure white
- Ivory: Slightly yellower than cream
- Natural Linen: Beige with slight texture undertones
- Parchment: Warm tan-cream
- Stone Gray: Warm gray with slight brown undertones
Room-by-Room Color Applications
Living Rooms and Common Areas
Living spaces received the richest, most developed color treatments:
- Walls: Moss green, sage, or warm taupe
- Trim: Natural wood (oak, fir) or cream
- Ceiling: Cream or parchment, often with exposed wood beams
- Accent Colors: Burgundy, rust, or deep forest green in textiles
A classic combination: olive green walls, natural oak trim and built-ins, cream ceiling, and accents in burgundy and amber.
Dining Rooms
Dining rooms often featured darker, more dramatic colors:
- Walls: Deep burgundy, chocolate brown, or forest green
- Trim: Dark stained wood or deep cream
- Ceiling: Cream or light tan to prevent oppressive darkness
- Wainscoting: Natural wood or painted to match trim
The darker colors created intimacy and made Arts and Crafts lighting fixtures more dramatic.
Kitchens
Kitchens balanced warmth with practicality:
- Walls: Butter yellow, cream, or soft sage
- Cabinets: Natural oak or painted cream/sage
- Ceiling: Cream or white for brightness
- Accents: Copper, brass, or terracotta in tiles and hardware
See our complete guide to 1920s Craftsman kitchen design for detailed color applications.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms used the softest, most restful colors:
- Walls: Soft sage, light tan, or warm gray
- Trim: Cream or natural wood
- Ceiling: Cream or ivory
- Textiles: Natural linens, muted florals in period colors
Window treatments in natural fabrics completed the serene atmosphere—see our guide to period-appropriate curtains.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms featured lighter, more hygienic-feeling colors:
- Walls: Cream, ivory, or light sage
- Tile: White subway tile with colored accent tiles
- Trim: Painted wood in cream or soft colors
- Fixtures: Pedestal sinks and vintage-style hardware
Exterior Colors
Craftsman exteriors used earth tones that harmonized with landscapes:
- Body: Warm browns, olive greens, or tans
- Trim: Cream, ivory, or contrasting earth tone
- Accents: Deep burgundy, forest green, or terra cotta on doors and shutters
- Stone/Brick: Natural materials left unpainted when possible
Color Combinations That Work
Classic Craftsman Combinations
The Traditional:
- Olive green walls
- Natural oak trim and built-ins
- Cream ceiling
- Burgundy and amber accents
The Subtle:
- Warm taupe walls
- Cream trim
- Ivory ceiling
- Moss green and rust accents
The Bold:
- Deep burgundy walls (dining room)
- Natural dark wood trim
- Cream ceiling
- Gold and forest green accents
The Light:
- Sage green walls
- White or cream trim
- White ceiling
- Natural wood furniture provides color
Three-Color Rule
Craftsman interiors typically used three main colors:
- Dominant Color (60%): Usually the wall color
- Secondary Color (30%): Trim, built-ins, or major furniture
- Accent Color (10%): Textiles, art, decorative objects
This formula created visual interest without chaos.
Modern Paint Colors Matching Period Hues
Several paint manufacturers offer colors matching the Arts and Crafts palette:
Sherwin-Williams
- SW 6167 Rookwood Dark Green: Perfect olive green
- SW 2835 Rookwood Shutter Green: Deep forest green
- SW 2805 Renwick Golden Oak: Warm golden tan
- SW 2807 Renwick Heather: Dusty rose-brown
- SW 2816 Rookwood Medium Brown: Rich tobacco brown
Benjamin Moore
- HC-110 Salisbury Stone: Warm taupe
- 221 Huntington Green: Classic sage
- 243 Autumn Bronze: Warm brown with gold undertones
- 2074-10 Claret Rose: Burgundy for dramatic spaces
- 232 Bleeker Beige: Neutral tan foundation
Farrow & Ball
- Calke Green: Deep olive
- French Gray: Warm neutral gray
- Eating Room Red: Classic brick red
- Churlish Green: Muted sage
- String: Warm cream for trim
Historic Paint Collections
Several companies offer historically accurate paint formulations:
- California Paints Historic Colors: Based on original paint analysis from period homes
- Valspar Historic Preservation Palette: Authentic period colors
- Pratt & Lambert’s Historic Collection: Colors from actual Craftsman-era homes
Understanding Paint Finishes
Period homes used different finishes than modern construction:
Walls
- Flat/Matte: Most authentic for period walls, though less durable
- Eggshell: Good compromise between authenticity and cleanability
- Satin: Too shiny for most Craftsman applications
Trim and Woodwork
- Satin: Appropriate sheen for painted trim
- Semi-Gloss: More durable for high-traffic areas
- Gloss: Too shiny and modern-looking
Natural Woodwork
- Oil-Based Stain: Traditional choice that penetrates deeply
- Shellac: Period-appropriate protective coating with warm amber tone
- Tung Oil: Natural finish that enhances wood grain
- Polyurethane: Modern and durable but less authentic
Working with Natural Wood Tones
The extensive woodwork in Craftsman homes significantly influenced color choices:
With Oak (Most Common)
- Best Wall Colors: Olive green, sage, warm taupe, cream
- Avoid: Cool grays, pure whites, pastels
- Undertones to Match: Warm, slightly yellow or green
With Mahogany or Cherry
- Best Wall Colors: Deep greens, burgundy, rich browns, warm cream
- Avoid: Colors with blue undertones, which clash with red wood
- Undertones to Match: Warm reds and browns
With Fir or Pine
- Best Wall Colors: Soft sage, butter yellow, warm grays, cream
- Avoid: Colors that compete with the wood’s golden tones
- Undertones to Match: Warm yellows and greens
Creating Color Depth: Techniques
Two-Tone Walls
Many Craftsman homes featured different colors above and below the plate rail:
- Upper Walls: Lighter color (cream, light sage)
- Lower Walls/Wainscoting: Deeper color (olive green, burgundy)
- Dividing Line: Plate rail or chair rail in natural wood or painted
This technique added visual interest while making rooms feel more intimate.
Stenciling and Decorative Details
Some Craftsman homes featured stenciled friezes:
- Geometric patterns in contrasting colors
- Stylized nature motifs (flowers, trees, leaves)
- Simple border treatments at ceiling lines
- Repeating patterns inspired by textiles
Ceiling Treatments
Ceilings weren’t always simply cream:
- Exposed Beams: Natural wood or stained dark against lighter ceiling
- Coffered Ceilings: Different tones for depth and dimension
- Tinted Ceilings: Very light versions of wall colors
Colors to Avoid
Some colors are distinctly un-Craftsman:
- Pure White: Too stark and modern (use cream or ivory instead)
- Pastels: Pink, baby blue, lavender were Victorian holdovers
- Bright/Neon Colors: Violate the principle of muted, natural tones
- Cool Grays: Modern industrial grays lack warmth
- Black: Rarely used except in very small amounts
Testing and Selecting Colors
The Testing Process
- Start with Woodwork: Your wood tones dictate everything else
- Purchase Samples: Buy sample pots of 3-5 potential colors
- Paint Large Swatches: At least 2’x2′ on different walls
- Observe in Different Light: Morning, afternoon, evening, and artificial light
- Live with It: Study samples for at least 3-4 days before deciding
- Consider Adjacent Rooms: Colors should flow harmoniously room to room
Lighting Considerations
Colors appear dramatically different under various lighting:
- North-Facing Rooms: Choose warmer colors to counteract cool light
- South-Facing Rooms: Can handle cooler colors with abundant warm sunlight
- Artificial Light: Warm LED bulbs (2700K) show colors most accurately
- Art Glass Windows: Colored glass affects room color dramatically
Historical Color Research
For the most authentic restoration:
Paint Analysis
- Scrape Testing: Carefully remove layers to expose original paint
- Professional Analysis: Historic paint analysts can identify exact formulations
- Archival Photos: Black and white photos reveal tonal relationships
- Period Magazines: “The Craftsman” magazine included color recommendations
Regional Variations
Arts and Crafts colors varied by region:
- Southern California: Warmer terracottas and ochres
- Pacific Northwest: Forest greens and gray-greens
- Midwest: Prairie-inspired golds and browns
- Northeast: Slightly cooler greens and slate blues
Modern Interpretations
Contemporary takes on the Arts and Crafts palette:
Updated Traditional
Using the same color families but lighter, more contemporary versions:
- Sage instead of deep olive
- Warm gray instead of taupe
- Soft terra cotta instead of burgundy
Monochromatic Approaches
Using variations of a single color family creates calm, unified spaces while staying true to Arts and Crafts principles.
Neutral Base with Color Accents
For those uncomfortable with colored walls:
- Cream or warm gray walls throughout
- Natural wood trim provides warmth
- Period colors in textiles, art, and accessories
Completing the Period Look
Color is just one element of authentic Arts and Crafts design:
- Install appropriate period lighting fixtures
- Choose authentic window treatments
- Select simple, well-crafted furniture
- Display handmade pottery, textiles, and metalwork
- Emphasize natural materials throughout
Professional Color Consultation
For significant projects, consider hiring specialists:
- Historic Color Consultants: Experts in period-appropriate color selection
- Arts and Crafts Specialists: Designers focused on Craftsman restoration
- Local Historical Societies: May offer guidance on regional color traditions
Resources for Further Research
- “The Craftsman” Magazine Archives: Original source material from Gustav Stickley
- “Craftsman Homes” by Gustav Stickley: Includes original color recommendations
- Arts and Crafts Society: Modern organization preserving period knowledge
- American Bungalow Magazine: Regular features on color and restoration
- Old House Journal: Historic home restoration resource
The Arts and Crafts color palette remains timeless because it’s rooted in nature rather than fashion. These colors create homes that feel grounded, peaceful, and harmonious—qualities as valuable today as they were in 1920. Whether you’re restoring an original Craftsman bungalow or bringing Arts and Crafts character to a modern home, this palette provides the foundation for authentic, enduring beauty.
Ready to apply these colors to your kitchen? See our complete guide to 1920s Craftsman kitchen design.
