If the word “beige” immediately makes you think of outdated ’90s living rooms and overstuffed upholstery, think again. This warm neutral can add character and depth to a room, and has a decidedly friendlier look than plain old white. That’s why designers are bringing it back to the forefront and using it in kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms, and more alike. “Beige has a bad reputation,” says Melanie Olson, founder and owner of Melanie Olson Design Group. “But it’s actually a very attractive paint color that brings depth and warmth.”
Thanks to this pale sandy shade, any room can get an attractive new look. Why not try using it at your own home? With hundreds, if not thousands, of beiges to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Here, we’ve compiled a list of 16 paints that are enthusiastically approved by designers.
Claim by Sherwin-Williams
Gray Joyner Interiors/Ashley Roberts Photography
Beige is a great way to paint a room a neutral shade without resorting to white or gray. A classic beige, crème is an easygoing, warm tone that’s suitable for living and bedroom spaces. “It’s very versatile depending on how you use it,” says Gray Joyner, founder of Gray Joyner Interiors. “It has a light reflectance value of 82, so it’s quite reflective. If there’s a lot of light in the room,[the cream]tends to look a little brighter. In a room with less natural light, it will look a little warmer, a little warmer. ”More rich. ”
Behr Aged Beige
Joe Lyle & Company
Aged beige is darker than other beiges and has a depth that makes it look beautiful in moody rooms with little natural light. Johanna Lyle, president and owner of Jo Lyle & Co., uses it in this dining room, complementing the monochromatic design with beige chairs and printed curtains. Moldings add dimension to a neutral obi.
Analytical Gray by Sherwin Williams
Melanie Olson Design Group
Although Analytical Gray has gray in its name, its warm stone tones lean toward beige. “This beige can bring out both warm and cool tones, depending on the other colors and textures used in the scheme,” says Olson. “It’s not too yellow, it’s not too gray, it has a neutral base. In my opinion, this is the perfect recipe for beige paint.” In this living room, she used that color to match the brass details on the cabinets and It was used to complement the blue accents in the decorations, creating a quiet and inviting space.
Cumulus Clouds by Benjamin Moore
Chew Interiors/Lindsay Brown
Cumulus Cloud is reminiscent of the color of clouds on a cloudy day, and this beige color gives it a majestic look. “It’s a very versatile, cool beige that lends itself easily to both warm and cool color palettes,” says Courtney Hill Att, president and owner of Chu Interiors. In this bathroom, it is used on the vanity to complement the traditional wallpaper.
Sea Salt by Benjamin Moore
cruz moment
Sea Salt is an ideal neutral beige and is a calming color that can be used as a base for both neutrals and colors. “It’s the perfect backdrop to let the rest of the room shine in both cool and warm tones,” says Meghan Kluth, founder and lead designer at Moment of Kluth Design.
Canvas Tan by Sherwin-Williams
Studio Vyas
This living room by Studio Vyas uses Sherwin-Williams Canvas Tan as a warm and inviting backdrop for a room filled with cozy chairs and built-in furniture. It’s a khaki-like beige, but it has a light and bright impression.
Handwoven by Dunn-Edwards Paints
Tracy Metro/Paul Cozzi, Lacey Wood Photography
For a warmer, more yellowish beige, Handwife by Dunn-Edwards Paints is a rich, important-looking choice. “Handlooms go hand in hand with a warm, modern design aesthetic,” says interior designer Tracy Metro. “It’s very approachable and has a good depth of sound.”
White Sand by Benjamin Moore
Sala Madeira Day
White Sand is an easy-to-use beige that looks great in both modern and traditional spaces. It has a warm undertone and is more than just a color, it pairs well with bright whites and neutrals. In this kitchen, artist and home renovator Sarah Madeira Day used it for the cabinets.
Antique White by Sherwin-Williams
Joe Lyle & Company/Abigail Jackson
Sherwin-Williams Antique White is a beautiful beige that leans toward a warm ivory with yellow undertones, perfect for cozy spaces. Johanna Lyle, president and owner of Jo Lyle & Co., used it in her living room, which combines a modern silhouette with a vintage feel.
Saint Sauvin by Portola Paint
Jackie Johnson Design/Ray Barber Photography
Saint Sauvin is a seamless, muted beige, making it the perfect calming background color for clean, minimalist spaces. “I love this color because it’s so versatile,” says Jackie Johnson, founder of Jackie Johnson Design. “Many beiges can look yellowish, but this beige has a calming tone. I especially like using it as a wall color in homes with high ceilings.”
Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams
Daily Home/Madeline Harper
When beige is labeled as accessible, you know it’s an easy color to use. “Choosing the right beige can be difficult, but Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige is the perfect shade for us!” said Shelby Van Daly, founder and principal of Daly Home. speak “I love how all the metal finishes have a warm feel to them, and where there’s no contrast, they’re not too light.”
Aged White by Sherwin Williams
Chew Interiors/Lindsay Brown
Aged White’s yellow tones give it enough warmth to work in any space: living room, bedroom, hallway, or office. “[It’s]the perfect warm beige paint color,” Atto says. “It’s as bright as an off-white, but it has depth and really warms up the space.”
Shiitake mushrooms by Sherwin Williams
ATX Interior Design/Madeline Harper
As the name suggests, Shiitake by Sherwin-Williams has a pleasant mushroom hue. It’s a little gray, a little warm, and easy to use anywhere in the house. “Shiitake is the perfect warm, understated neutral that pairs beautifully with brass finishes and ornate countertops,” says Laura Williams, owner and principal of ATX Interior Design.
Manchester Tan by Benjamin Moore
Woodbury Home/Drew Flanagan—Marigold Visual Photography
Beige is often associated with traditional interiors, but it’s also suitable for modern, minimalist spaces. “We recently used a beautiful beige paint, Manchester Tan by Benjamin Moore, on one of our projects,” says Alexis Woodbury Urman, interior stylist at The Woodbury Home . “It immediately added incredible warmth to the space and complimented the furniture and accent pieces.”
Litchfield Gray by Benjamin Moore
Moria Franz Designs
Litchfield Gray is a color from Benjamin Moore’s historic collection that combines familiar beige tones with a touch of lavender. Moriah Franz, founder and president of Moriah Franz Designs, sought out the most relaxing neutral color palette for this bedroom. “Beige is definitely becoming the new black,” she says. “All shades. Even shades that make you wonder if they’re leaning toward white. Right now, it’s all about texture and warmth.”
Farrow & Ball drop cross
cantlay & company
Beige has always been a classic choice in the kitchen and is a more attractive alternative to white cabinets. Cyndy Cantley, owner of Cantley & Company, used Farrow & Ball’s Drop Cloth for this kitchen space. “It’s the perfect neutral, not too yellow, not too white, and always pairs beautifully with deep shades of blue, green, and white,” she says. “Pick up the subtle variations in marble veining and add a touch of patina to your new kitchen cabinets.”
