Beige is No Longer Boring: How to Paint with this Neutral Color
For years, the safest, sometimes easiest shade to go with on walls is a white, eggshell color. It goes with everything, can be painted on multiple walls, and is kind of a no-brainer. When you think of a basic paint color, it’s usually eggshell. But there is another color that’s come upon the scene that might give eggshell a run for its money.
The color that’s in right now is beige. Beige is no longer boring. It’s the “it” color for living rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms. With PPG giving it the Paint Color of the Year award for 2021, we know that beige is here to stay.
It’s no longer the beige of the ’80s. The new shade is a bolder, more dramatic and warmer hue. It works with virtually all colors and gives way to a calming, inviting mood in any room. Given the year we’ve had, a calm space is something we could all use.
Let’s dive into the different shades of beige determined by their undertones, as well as some fun info on what room and in what style it can be used. Since we know that this beautiful shade can be used almost anywhere, there is a ton of room for inspiration. Let’s get started, shall we?
Color Family
Yellow, Orange and Red Undertones
Shades with these undertones are considered warm beige. It can make a space feel cozy or energetic depending on what you pair it with. Warm beige shades with yellow and orange undertones are beautiful with dark wood floors and a white trim. It’s an all around great choice for family rooms, basements, foyer and even bedrooms.
Peachy-pink undertones are great for kitchens, powder rooms, bedrooms and especially rooms with natural wood accents. The warm shade is inviting and warm, while giving the other neutral hues (like green or white), the space to come through.
Blue, Green and Purple Undertones
Shades with these undertones are considered cool beige. They are typically soothing and sophisticated and tend to recede into the background more. A great pick for those that like minimalistic designs.
Shades with purple undertones are considered taupe, a popular choice for those wanting something more soothing for a bedroom or bathroom. Shades with green undertones are considered khaki, which can be great in kitchens or outdoor patios.
Gray undertones are also in the cool beige family and work well with blue and green color schemes. If your home has a lot of greenery in it, a gray-beige would compliment it nicely.
Brown Undertone
Shades with brown undertones are considered tan. True tan colors are pretty neutral in temperature, making them warm or cool and have the ability to get along with both color undertones.
Room Palette
Now that we covered the different shades of beige, let’s talk about what room they fit well in depending on the mood, style and accent colors you want.
For a monochromatic palette, beige and tan are great together when paired with white, ivory, cream and brown. If a traditional, farmhouse or coastal style is what you’re after, go for these shades.
A more modern and trendy look would look great in beige and tan with black accents. The black is super trendy, but will give some warmth and sophistication when combined with earthy beige shades.
A Tuscan style home looks beautiful with warmer shades like reds, oranges and yellows. There is something truly soothing, welcoming and luxurious about the sandy, blonds, camels, cashmere and tan shades.
One thing to note is that some undertones can be matched more easily than others. Green and pink undertones are typically thought of as the hardest to work with, so keep that in mind and steer clear of those when looking, unless you’re up for the challenge.
Bottom Line
The verdict is out and beige is no longer boring. In fact, it’s trending in kitchen cabinets right now and showing up on a lot of home remodel project idea boards.
Whether you have a monochromatic color palette or have some jewel tones you want to incorporate in the space, beige is a magic tool that can make an ideal backdrop. From farmhouse to minimalism, this awesome neutral color is so versatile and works with pretty much any room in the house.
Beige has the ability to make a home more inviting, approachable and is considered timeless for good reason. If you are currently searching for a paint color that is easy to work with, plays well with others and is on trend, beige might be the one you’ve been looking for. Happy brainstorming!
