The Beiges Are Back in Town
These examples just might make you reconsider this comeback hue
I must confess that I am guilty of being a beige-basher. It was everywhere back in the 1990s, when I first became interested in interior design, and I think I grew tired of its ubiquitousness. I don’t tend to specify beige too often with my current design clients because I figure they are paying me good money to get them out of a beige rut. So while shades of gray remain my go-to neutral, I’m definitely seeing a renewed interest in warmer neutrals, such as taupes, tans and, yes, even beige. Here’s how to make it work in today’s interiors.
Here’s an example of a warmer beige. This wall color appears to have orange, almost pink undertones. It therefore pairs nicely with the bolder shots of color in the room — the orange and red hues in the artwork, and the magenta upholstered dining chairs.
Oftentimes homeowners pick a single beige paint color and then go to town slapping it on every single wall in the house. A better way to go is to pay attention to the undertones of your chosen neutral wall color to make sure it complements the other colors in the space.
Oftentimes homeowners pick a single beige paint color and then go to town slapping it on every single wall in the house. A better way to go is to pay attention to the undertones of your chosen neutral wall color to make sure it complements the other colors in the space.
How do you figure out what undertones a paint color has? I have found that the easiest way to do this is to gather up swatches of various shades of your chosen hue. You will immediately notice differences among them. In the case of beige, one will look more yellow than another, or one will almost turn pink against a cooler shade. Those are the undertones at play.
This wall color appears a bit cooler than the last example, which could be partly due to all the other warm hues in the space.
This wall color appears a bit cooler than the last example, which could be partly due to all the other warm hues in the space.
One of my favorite ways to use a very light neutral hue, such as beige, is as a visual break in an otherwise white or mostly white space. It’s very difficult to pull off all-white decor without it appearing cold and stark. If you want to keep your room super light-filled and airy, think about adding beige tones to the white elements for warmth and variety.
Tour a home that’s easygoing and elegant in white, cream and gray
Tour a home that’s easygoing and elegant in white, cream and gray
Beige can be called upon to bridge different materials, and their varying hues, in a space. Bathrooms, especially, tend to have many different surface materials, including flooring, backsplash, tub deck and shower walls. When different materials are used for each element, the room can start to look busy. A neutral beige wall color can help unify the look.
Browse more beige bathrooms and save your favorites
Browse more beige bathrooms and save your favorites
It’s also a solid choice when different wood tones are combined in a room. This kitchen features light wood floors and cabinetry, along with many clean, crisp white elements. The beige wall forms a nice link between the wood and the white.
Get ideas from dreamy kitchens that combine white and wood
Get ideas from dreamy kitchens that combine white and wood
But beige needn’t be limited to wall color. This kitchen oozes charm, and I think the beige-painted cabinets are a big part of why it’s so successful. There are quite a few wood finishes here, so the cabinets really beg to be a different finish. I think white cabinets would appear too modern; this light kiss of beige is the perfect choice.
Cabinet paint: Drab, Farrow & Ball
Learn how to paint kitchen cabinets
Cabinet paint: Drab, Farrow & Ball
Learn how to paint kitchen cabinets
There are many different soft neutral shades in play here — some warm and some cool — and I like how they interact with one another. The cooler shades give a modern edge, but the beige wall color keeps the room from looking too cold.
Wall paint: Oxford Stone, Farrow & Ball
Your turn: How have you incorporated beige in a modern way in your home? Please share in the Comments section below.
More
Rethinking Beige in a World Gone Gray
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Choosing Color: 1 House, 5 Exterior Paint Palettes
Wall paint: Oxford Stone, Farrow & Ball
Your turn: How have you incorporated beige in a modern way in your home? Please share in the Comments section below.
More
Rethinking Beige in a World Gone Gray
7 Soothing Spaces: How to Use Color to Create Calm at Home
Choosing Color: 1 House, 5 Exterior Paint Palettes
The wall color here appears to be a cooler beige, with gray undertones. This is one way to give beige a modern boost. It’s a nice background color here, where a cooler hue — such as true gray or a stark white — might appear too cold.