beige is the new black: 20 of our favourite shades for beige walls throughout your home

Some say life is better in beige. And if that resonates, oh boy, do we have the post for you! In this colour guide, we’re going to share some of our favourite shades for beige walls that you can use throughout your home. So whether you’re simply curious about creating a peaceful neutral interior scheme or you’re a beige fanatic, there are plenty of options to sample.

What makes beige beige?

Okay, this is kind of an important question – what exactly is beige? Well, colour consultants would say it’s a pale shade of fawn, light brown or tan that sits somewhere on the hex colour code spectrum around #F5F5DC.

In general, it’s used to describe pale and light brown shades and typically features yellow, pink, peachy or green undertones. In other words, it’s a classic neutral.

Now here’s a fun fact: if you trace the word’s origin, you’ll find that it was first used to describe a fine, woollen fabric or cloth that was left raw or undyed. Which is exactly why this versatile shade comes with associations of nature and earthiness.

Why beige?

If you’ve been observant over the last few years, you may have noticed a bias towards beige filtering into every aspect of life from so-called “sad beige parenting” to the internet’s obsession with “greige” – that is – the colour and amalgamation of both grey and beige.

Perhaps one of the reasons why this soft tan colour has become so popular is down to its symbolism or personality if you like. Beige is thought to be dependable, traditional, harmonious, minimal and understated in its elegance. Of course, this might vary depending on culture, but it’s safe to say that beige is both inoffensive and sophisticated.

People who tend towards beige for their walls and home interior may want a conventional décor that isn’t too flashy; they may be humble and value simplicity, nature and calm. Beige is also a good choice for painting as…

• It’s versatile
• It’s perennially in vogue
• It’s uniquely calming
• It can make a room feel bigger and brighter
• It’s less stark than white
• It works beautifully with practically any décor or architecture

Types of beige for your walls

What’s that? Beige doesn’t have to be boring?

On the contrary, with so many different varieties of the shade thanks to different combinations of undertones and sheens, picking out a specific vibe might be more complicated than many people give credit to.

There are several directions you can take a room’s ambience in with beige, but here are just a few to get you thinking.

Contemporary

On the beige spectrum from moody to light, crisp pale shades can create a lovely fresh feel. Those with muted and cool undertones in particular make for a mature and laid-back look, ideal for contemporary spaces.

Traditional

Mid-toned neutral hues create a much-loved traditional foundation for you to add your personal touch. With one of these shades, you can lean into convention with a long-established décor scheme and see the addition of furniture and styling help the theme only become richer.

Timeless

If you want the timeless feel of grey without going too cool or dark in undertone, a balanced beige with an uplifting blend of undertones is a wonderful alternative. With a subdued taupe like Farrow and Ball’s Dimity, for example, you can reach rich and stimulating depth.

Warm

Beige’s bursting with yellow, brown and peachy undertones are warm and inviting. Slap one of these colours on the walls and you’ll find yourself enveloped in a sense of snugness and repose.

20 designer shades for beige walls

Now you have an inkling of whether you fancy going contemporary, traditional, timeless or warm, it’s time to take a look at some specific shades. Here are some distinguished options from some of our favourite designer brands, going room by room.

beige bedroom colours

1) mouse’s back – farrow and ball

Quiet, soft and grounded in nature like its namesake, this rich grey-brown shade has lovely greenish undertones that work seamlessly in both big and small spaces. Bedrooms can really benefit from its wholesome yet sophisticated hues.

2) paper iii – paint and paper library

Some spaces call for simplicity and this lovely architectural colour allows you to achieve just that. With this subtle yet pigmented beige, you can bring a sense of harmony into a minimalist bedroom with no qualms.

Struggling to find a complementary shade? There are plenty of other formulations of this colour that are just as flexible – see Paper I through Paper V. Or if you fancy a bit of contrast Morning Room will help your beige walls pop.

3) mushroom – little greene

Another nature-inspired beige bedroom colour, this gentle mushroom brown is ideal for perking up a space in need of some life. With an inner warmth from red undertones, it has the power to make once-flat walls feel cocooning.

4) leather iv – paint and paper library

A middle-of-the-range shade from Paint and Paper Library’s Leather collection, this traditional beige pairs wonderfully with both contemporary and classic colours. If you’re after some ceiling colour advice, here’s a tip: you can really make beige bedroom walls stand out by complementing them with white accents on the ceilings, panelling or trim.

beige living room walls

5) smoked trout – farrow and ball

Smoked Trout is a darker beige with the chameleon ability to appear mushroom, taupe or even a dusky reddish brown depending on the light. Effortlessly uplifting it can make living rooms feel enchanting, refined and cosy all at once.

6) elephant’s breath – farrow and ball

Elephant’s Breath is a crowd-pleaser, and when you take a look at a sample you’ll see exactly why. This greige shade, with its warm mid-tones, reads quite differently depending on the lighting – either more grey or slightly lilac. Either way, it’s a refined touch for those looking to paint beige living room walls.

7) sand ii – paint and paper library

This light and airy beige is ideal for north-facing living rooms thanks to its warmer undertones. As you’d expect from the name, this paint is sandy in appearance, evoking images of white beaches along a rustic coastline.

8) stony ground – farrow and ball

 We love this colour with a passion! Rich, deep and inviting it’s a great starting point for a duotone living room. Complementary shades include Light Gray, Mizzle and Shaded White.

beige kitchen ideas

9) shaded white – farrow and ball

Shaded White is one of the most popular F&B colours for kitchens thanks to its versatility. Bang in the middle of warm and cool, it’s soft and richly pigmented. This makes it ideal for any type of home.

10) thames mud – paint and paper library

Like the bed of the Thames, this colour is brown and silky. As a flexible neutral you can use it for almost any kitchen scheme, whether yours is a modern set-up or a country-style cookery haven.

11) off-white – farrow and ball

Off-white is great because it lends itself to all sorts of surfaces, be they kitchen cupboards, a fireplace feature wall or ceilings. As one of the paints in Farrow and Ball’s original palette, you can say without a doubt that it stands the test of time.

beige bathroom walls

12) drop cloth – farrow and ball

You can’t get more “greige” than this! Formulated from equal parts brown and grey, this mid grey beige is ideal for bathroom walls and panelling – particularly if you want to make a visual impact.

13) rolling fog light – little greene

This cosy, refreshing tone is a perfect base colour for small bathrooms, especially when paired with wallpaper. Historically, used as a white alongside darker colours it can create a contrast that is easy on the eyes.

14) clunch – farrow and ball

Named after the limestone traditionally used to construct East England’s buildings, this shade has a long history. With yellowy undertones, it’s easy to pair with a variety of other neutrals, darker and lighter.

beige office interiors

15) mortar – little greene

Mortar works well in office and study environments, owing to its subtlety and charm. Appearing greyish in certain lights, you can complement it with a range of orange or dark blue themes.

16) shadow white – farrow and ball

Somewhere between a white and a grey, this neutral is a warmer alternative to a true white. Contemplative and understated, this beige is ideal if an uncluttered, focused space is your priority.

17) portland stone – little greene

Victorian houses were once painted in this shade, and still consumers are returning again and again to the colour. Possessing greeny undertones, we suggest using it in north facing rooms where you can really lean into the cooler light with a demurer design scheme.

beige hallways, corridors and landings

18) book room green – little greene

If you want to be bold with beige, this lovely shade is the perfect opportunity to do so. As a grey-based neutral, you get an equal helping of contemporary charm and natural harmony. What’s more, it was practically made for refinement as the muted colour comes from the 17^th century-built Wimpole Hall and its theatrical “Book Room”.

19) school house white – farrow and ball

Need to inject a bit of life back into your corridors? Then look no further than School House White – a timeless beige, off-white ideal for all interiors and north facing rooms in particular.

20) leather i – paint and paper library

Finally, if you’re struggling to pick out a shade for a dark hallway without windows, this might just be your ticket to success. Leather I can create a warming, cosy space whilst reflecting tons of light around the room.

final colour considerations

Before you add your selected paint to the cart, there are a few final bits and bobs to think over. Namely, which undertones will work well in your space, lighting considerations and the paint finish.

undertones

Understanding paint undertones is crucial when selecting a beige as they can subtly influence how the colour interacts with other elements in your room.

As the experts will chorus: paint never turns a colour. It’s all about how it looks in relation to its environment.

This means you should always compare it to existing colours within your scheme such as curtains, furnishings and fixtures that aren’t going anywhere like countertops or a fireplace. The same goes for any other colours you may be using.

If you want the theme to be extra cohesive, consider only using colours with shared undertones. Start by identifying the undertones of your fixed elements. Once you’ve identified them, grab some beige paint samples and place them next to these components.

Every beige has one of four undertones: pink, green, yellow, or orange. Ask yourself which of these undertones is present in your sample. If it matches / complements the ones in your design elements you’re good to go.

lighting

Lighting is another factor that can dramatically change the appearance of your chosen beige. Natural light varies depending on the room’s orientation, with north-facing rooms generally receiving cooler light and south-facing rooms basking in warmer tones.

Testing paint samples on different walls at various times of the day can help you see how the undertones in your beige will behave in your specific lighting conditions.

paint finish

The finish of your paint also plays a significant role in the overall look. A matt finish offers a soft, modern effect, ideal for bedrooms and living rooms, but it may not be as durable in high-traffic areas.

For kitchens and bathrooms, however, a satin or eggshell finish is often more practical, providing both beauty and functionality. Glossy finishes, while striking, are best reserved for accents such as trim or doors, where their reflective quality can add a touch of drama without overwhelming the space but, of course, the choice is yours.

Take your pick

Don’t forget to thoroughly research your colours and their undertones before purchasing. Match your paint to the undertones of your fixed finishes, consider the impact of your room’s lighting, and choose a paint finish that suits both the room’s function and your personality.

By carefully considering these elements, you’ll ensure that your beige walls enhance your home with a cohesive look that’ll have you smiling years down the line.

At splat, we’re on a mission to make painting and decorating both accessible and fun. To learn more about colour theory, check out the rest of the blog.