Decades Before It Was a Trend, Pierce Brosnan's '80s Living Room Turned Brown Into a Chic Statement

Shades of tan, beige, and chocolate brown defined the actor's Los Angeles living room in 1983; now, it's a major 2026 color trend

pierce brosnan in his '80s living room
(Image credit: Bob Riha Jr via Getty Images)

Brown has been one of the most coveted shades of the past few years. The warm, cozy color invites visions of nature and brings in a softer approach to dark tones, and is only growing more popular in 2026. However, decades before the color was a trend, Pierce Brosnan used brown to define his chic living room.

Archival photos of the actor's Los Angeles home from 1983 show a monochromatic space full of beige, tan, and chocolate brown. It's a masterclass in decorating with brown, showcasing a range of tones that complement one another and create stylish contrast.

pierce brosnan in his 80s living room

(Image credit: Bob Riha Jr via Getty Images)

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You don't need to invest in a new sofa or rug to follow Pierce's example. I love injecting pockets of this color with accessories, such as the bowl and pillow I've found below.

So, how are design-conscious people tapping into Pierce's look this year? Interior stylist Victoria Foster explains why the interior design trend has grown so popular: 'Monochromatic color schemes are a trend in themselves this year, but it works especially well with brown,' she says.

Mixing light beige shades with darker, rich tones creates a really soft yet impactful, cozy feeling. To keep monochrome interesting, mix materials and textures when it comes to your soft furnishings - by opting for velvet, boucle, and rattan for things like your sofas, curtains, and rugs.'

She continues: 'Because of the tonal range of brown as a color, there is a shade to match or complement any wood finish – as long as the undertone is the same, so it is easy to pair with wooden accessories and finishes.'


Pierce Brosnan made a range of brown shades look cool, and they still are a coveted design staple to this day. These monochromatic schemes provide an easy blueprint for creating spaces that feel timelessly warm and cohesive.


Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.

In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.

Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.