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Paint colors that go with beige


11 Beautiful Colors That Go With Beige

By

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 09/09/22

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

If you think beige is boring, think again. Beige is one of the best neutrals to enhance a variety of rooms, regardless of size, natural light, or style. No matter your decorating approach, there's a beige paint color out there for you.

Because beige is so versatile, many gorgeous colors pair perfectly with it to create exciting or understated accents. Whether you're aiming for color or contrast, one of the 11 colors on this list is sure to go gorgeously with your shade of beige.

11 Colors That Go With Beige

16 Colors That Pair Well With Beige Every Time

Ashley Montgomery Design

Beige is an incredibly easy color to decorate with. The neutral plays well with just about anything—warming up crisp whites, softening sleek blacks, and balancing out the boldest shades in the rainbow. The only problem? When a color is that versatile, it can be tough to know what to do with it. Your options are basically unlimited, and that can make committing to a design choice pretty tough.

“We love beige because it is a versatile neutral that can work in any space,” Mary Maloney, the owner of Bee’s Knees Interior Design Studio, says. “Beige can be used to warm up a space that is too white or cold. And in reverse, it is a great neutral to keep strong pops of color from getting too crazy.” 

Thankfully, there are some colors that beige looks particularly great next to, and we’ve rounded up 16 of them below. Ahead, you’ll find 16 colors that pair excellently with beige—and you’ll get to see how interior designers used those color pairs in their work.

01 of 16

House Nine

Jewel tones like dark emeralds, deep sapphires, and rich garnets demand attention in any space, and since beige is a warm neutral, it can be a great way to balance out some of these striking shades. Use beige instead of white in some of your jewel-tone color pairs, or double up on neutrals and use them both to soften out the bolder colors in your space.

02 of 16

Julian Porcino

All-white-everything is a classic for a reason: it’s crisp, clean, and easy to pull off. But, if you’re hoping to warm up your space just a little, consider throwing in a few beige accessories. The color should make your space feel cozier and more dynamic all without disrupting your minimalist color scheme.

03 of 16

Becca Interiors

Beige is an incredibly subtle color, but fill a room with it, and you might be surprised by what a statement it can make. To keep things interesting, weave a little almond into the mix. The color is slightly warmer and darker than beige, so it will add visual interest without messing up your monochromatic palette.

If you want to stick to neutrals, do it, and keep things dynamic by switching up your textures and prints. “For our color-fearing clients, we can layer beige with lots of yummy textures and patterns,” Maloney says.

04 of 16

Cathie Hong Interiors

Burgundy is an intense color—even in small doses. But when paired with beige, it can look incredibly earthy. This tempers the color’s intensity just enough to make it easier to decorate with, giving you a burgundy that feels soft rather than striking.

05 of 16

House Nine

Beige and olive green share warm undertones, so they look incredible together, and as is the case in any great color pair, the shades bring out the best in each other.

Beige softens olive green while olive turns beige into a statement-maker. Since both colors are versatile, it's easy to pair these shades with other colors, like cool shades that need a little warmth.

06 of 16

Becca Interiors

Navy isn’t a neutral, but it might as well be. The dark blue plays well with just about every color it’s paired with, and since the same is true of beige, it should come as no surprise that the two shades are a match made in heaven.

Beige’s warm undertones make navy look even richer, creating a combination that feels striking, sleek, and elegant all at once. “For a more traditional feel, navy is a perfect pairing with beige,” Brenna Morgan, owner and principal designer at Brenna Morgan Interiors, says. “It evokes that preppy New England vibe that I love so much.”

Maloney agrees: “We love navy with beige. Throw in a little white, and you have a timeless and classic combo—think Ralph Lauren.”

07 of 16

Ashley Montgomery Design

Beige and caramel is a classic color combination, commonly used in living rooms and other cozy spaces. Since both colors are warm neutrals, pairing them is a no-brainer. The pair promises to play well with other colors, so you can bring vibrant shades into the mix without giving it a second thought.

08 of 16

Erin Williamson Design

In many ways, beige and mint shouldn’t work. One of the colors is warm, while the other is cool. Despite their many differences, the colors have the same visual weight, which should all but guarantee a clash.

Somehow, combining the shades doesn’t create an absolute aesthetic mess. Instead, it creates a pair that feels fun, welcoming, and of course, surprising. The combination may not be one of the most sophisticated around, but it’s certainly one of the most exciting.

09 of 16

Michelle Boudreau Design

It can be tempting to pair beige with bolder, more striking shades, but the color can look just as great next to similarly subtle neutrals, like gray. For a higher-contrast pairing, choose a darker gray, like charcoal. If your goal is to find a color duo that feels sleek and refined, combine your beige with a gray that’s exactly as light as it is.

10 of 16

Ashley Montgomery Design

Mauve isn’t the kind of color you see every day, but the soft purple-gray can make a lovely addition to your interior. When paired with a warm neutral like beige, it can feel both cozy and luxurious.

Sure, a beige-mauve color pair is unlikely to feel as bold as something involving a vivid jewel tone, but since the combination is so commonly overlooked, it offers a subtler way to make a statement.

11 of 16

Katie Hodges Design

Beige and brown make a pretty obvious color combination. After all, the colors fall within the same family, as beige is just an incredibly light shade of brown. So, you can combine them to create a monochromatic palette that feels both varied and dynamic.

Layer your coziest beiges with your deepest chocolate browns, and watch as your space becomes a nuanced landscape of rich, textured browns. “I love that beige gives a room a warm and cozy feeling,” Morgan says.

12 of 16

Michelle Boudreau Design

Sage has recently become a favorite in the interior design world, and it’s not hard to see why. The color is soft but vivid, sleek but fun. When paired with beige, it looks even more striking.

Since the colors have similar visual weight, neither stands out more than the other. Instead, the two combine to form an irresistible wall of color you simply can’t look away from.

13 of 16

Katie Hodges Design

Pink can be a tough color to decorate with. Pair it with pastels, and it looks fit for a nursery. Combine it with darker shades, and it almost disappears. But, since beige falls between these two extremes, it makes an excellent match for pink.

Since both colors share warm undertones, they combine to form a vibrant but mellow pair. And because beige isn’t darker than pink, it’s unlikely to overwhelm the often-delicate color.

14 of 16

LeClair Decor

Black looks good with everything, and if you’re craving something a little less obvious than black and white, consider trying black and beige instead.

Morgan says she loves to pair beige with other neutrals—like black and white. “My favorite is always black and warm white,” she says. “The contrast of these two colors makes working with beige more dynamic. Just be sure to keep your white and beige tones pretty warm."

15 of 16

Studio Peake

It’s hard to imagine a more classic partner for beige than mahogany. Both shades fall within the brown spectrum, but where beige skews yellow, mahogany skews red—and the result is a color combination that looks classic and traditional.

The elegant pair naturally emerges when you combine antique wooden furniture with warm marble or vintage paper. Since it’s such a classic, it offers a decidedly unpretentious way to decorate your space.

16 of 16

Jenn Pablo Studio

Maize yellow can be an incredibly vivid color. But, paired with beige, it gains a kind of softness, making it surprisingly easy to decorate with. This is because both colors boast warm undertones.

Instead of forming a high-contrast pairing, they form a congruent one. Beige serves as a warm backdrop for maize yellow, holding its own against the bold shade. The result feels both vivid and versatile.

Kristin Bartone, creative director and principal at Bartone Interiors, says she loves to pair beige with maize yellow. “It ends up deepening the color palette without adding a large variation in hue,” she says. “This makes it appear like an all-neutral color scheme but with the added depth to make it more interesting.”

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Beige color in the interior > What colors are combined with beige

In this article we will figure out what to combine with and how to correctly use beige so that "elegant" does not turn into "boring".

The word "beige" makes some people yawn - too boring, banal, neutral. But designers lovingly use color in interior coloring. They choose it for its versatility and a rich palette of tones and shades with which you can always experiment.

Let's see how beige finds a "common language" with all the colors in the interior.

Psychology of color

(source design-seeds)

The perception of beige is complex and ambiguous. Beige is considered the color of stagnation - there is no emotional coloring. In other words, none.

But beige is not as easy as it seems. He is multifaceted. Soothes, carries a quiet, warm and calm energy.

Since beige is the color of natural landscapes and wildlife, it is associated with a natural, simple, natural state. People who prefer beige to other colors are sincere and harmonious natures. In all life situations, they strive to maintain neutrality.

This natural color in the interior eliminates aggression and relaxes. It is not warm and not cold, while the atmosphere is soft and gentle. When the lighting changes, the perception of the room changes: in the twilight everything looks mysterious, and in bright light - solemn and festive. Beige can expand or reduce space depending on the shade.

What colors are combined with in the interior

Let's first understand what is meant by beige in design. Beige is called differently: sand, cream, caramel, cappuccino and ivory, biscuit, wheat. And everyone is right.

It has many shades and midtones:

Therefore, beige is a godsend for the designer, it can make friends in the interior with both neutral and bright colors:

Beige-brown interior

Therefore, the combination of these colors is natural and calm. Beige-brown will visually enlarge the space, make it lighter. For contrast, dark brown shades are added to the interior.

It is easy to play with brown on different textures of wood, silk fabrics, stone or brick, leather.

Beige-brown combination suitable for classic, elegant bedroom or living room interiors.

Grey-beige interior

It is quiet, sustained and able to "cool" the room.

In order not to get a faceless and dull interior, you can add bright spots: yellow, turquoise, coral shades.

There is no dominance in the tandem "gray + beige" - the shades dissolve into each other. To enhance the mixing effect, the colors alternate: gray pillows are placed on a beige sofa, a bed in gray tones is covered with an ivory bedspread.

Interior Beige Blue

Beige is warm and blue is cool. Colors complement and balance each other. Beige is the main one, and blue is a bright addition.

In the living room, it could be a blue armchair or a small rug in front of the sofa. In the bedroom, such an accent can be a headboard or a curtain. In the kitchen - dining chairs, dishes or a refrigerator.

Beige-purple interior

Calm and smooth combination. Beige dims the light coming from purple and “powders” it a little.

Two color options:

Even distribution of beige and purple. For example, wall decoration in light beige tones + purple furniture (dining chairs, countertop and kitchen set or dark eggplant curtains). Or, purple walls with an abundance of beige decor, light furniture.

Accent purple details: lampshades, prints on furniture, carpets, vases, individual nightstands or tables, etc.

Beige-pink interior

Light and light pink shades can reduce the level of aggression and tension.

An experienced marketer knows that if you want products to sell like hot cakes, put them in pink packaging. Pink evokes a craving for sweets and is associated with sweets, cakes, and candies. Therefore, beige-pink is ideal for the kitchen, it will improve appetite. For those who are losing weight, it is better to refuse such a combination in the kitchen, and use it in the bedroom.

Pink as an additional color - a romantic mood, but as the main color - relaxation and rest.

Beige yellow interior

Yellow is the color of sunlight, warmth and light. Like the sun, yellow warms, invigorates, energizes and uplifts. Beige dilutes it and prevents the interior from overheating.

Do not get carried away with yellow, let it be a bright accent. We follow the color formula: primary color 60% + secondary color 20% + accent color 10%. (If no secondary ratio is 80%-20%).

Beige in the living room

For sincere family gatherings and fun meetings with friends, beige is a suitable option - it will suit everyone and will not annoy anyone. It is important not to overdo it with the relaxing and calming influence of beige.

Beige can be used here with other colors:

Beige in the living room is suitable for a classic style in the interior, Provence, country, minimalism, modern. When using color, you should follow a few rules:

If the walls are beige, then it is better to make the floor dark. The same situation with furniture

We prefer monophonic wall decoration, and use color accents in furniture, textiles, decor wood species, rattan. Atmospheric look stone or wooden parts made of raw material, metal trim or jewelry made of bronze, copper, silver.

Textiles - only natural materials: linen, silk, wool. For curtains, it is better to use heavy fabrics. They should contrast with the shade of the walls. Designers prefer plain curtains, for example, walnut or with floral ornaments.

Beige in the kitchen

Creamy cappuccino, cream puffs, honey cake, vanilla and cream - this charm is associated with beige in the kitchen. Beige here is a good choice for a “delicious” interior.

Since the color is neutral, it can be safely used on any surface: floors, walls, ceilings. Furniture and suites can also be in beige tones.

In order not to turn the kitchen into a monochromatic cream spot, you can:

Let's take a closer look at kitchen furniture.

The set is the face of the kitchen, you should pay special attention to its color. A light top, a dark bottom is a practical solution, since the lower facades of the headsets get dirty faster.

Headsets of cappuccino color look noble, as well as in combination with brown, burgundy, purple. You should be careful with green, blue and dirty gray - too much with these colors, and the beige kitchen will seem untidy and dirty.


Beige and brown kitchen design is a classic. For example, beige is diluted with chocolate, using the latter in an apron, wallpaper and curtains. Wenge color is combined with natural and natural materials - this is country, eco-style, Provence.


When choosing a gray-beige interior, metal, steel materials and glossy surfaces are used. This palette is typical for high-tech style.


Burgundy and red kitchen furniture or lower fronts are modern and retro. In the first case, the gloss and textured finish of beige walls is used. In retro, the design can be openwork, and the set can be matte, using classic decor (moldings, milling, patterns). Openwork can be wallpaper, curtains, a dining set.


Blue and turquoise combined with beige are suitable for Provence-style interiors. Wallpaper and curtains with a floral pattern are appropriate, the color of which can repeat the shade of the headset. A Provence-style apron is most often covered with tiles with a similar pattern.

Beige in the bedroom

Since beige carries a quiet and calm energy, it is a godsend for the bedroom. It is cozy and everything is conducive to relaxation.

So that the bedroom does not turn into a featureless beige spot, you can use several shades of beige, while introducing different materials, textures, textures, patterns. So walls, floors, furniture and textiles will not merge with each other. Close in color, they should be different "to the touch." For example, a sofa can be velvety, and a blanket can be fluffy.


You can mix beige with different colors. Ideal formula: beige + natural partner of beige (brown or gray) + bright color. From bright colors we take blue or green - a light, calming, relaxing atmosphere. Red, orange and black can also be in tandem with beige, but the main thing is not to overdo it and use these shades as color accents.


Beige bedroom furniture should not merge with the floor, walls or carpet. It is better if its color is several tones darker than the background. A spectacular technique is decorating the wall at the head with wooden finishing materials. It can be wall panels, solid parquet, laminate.

Beige visually enlarges the space - you don't have to be afraid of bulky furniture - surrounded by a light background, it will seem lighter and more elegant than it really is.

Pros and cons in the interior

Pros

Beige rich and friendly color. For this they love him. It is that rare case when it is very difficult to spoil the interior with it - its perfect combination with other colors will give a lot of opportunities for experimentation. And here is the ideal formula for a boring beige interior = bright accents + metals (bronze, brass, copper) + patterns and different textures.

How to get a beige color when mixing paints - an overview of methods

Shades of beige are widely used in architecture, design, painting. They are considered neutral, because they can both “dilute” a too bright palette, make it more muted, or emphasize another color.

Contents:

It happens that the desired color is not available, besides, beige is not included in the main range and is rarely sold in stores. How to get a beige color, professional artists are well aware. To do this, you need to mix gouache or other paints in a certain combination.

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Beige, or beige, is a light brown color with an admixture of cream or yellowish tones. Due to its neutrality and compatibility with a huge number of shades, beige occupies a special place in the palette. It often serves as a background, but can also focus on various design elements and cuts. Bright colors are perfectly revealed on a beige basis, become deeper.

According to Feng Shui, beige carries the calmest energy, is recognized as the embodiment of stability, comfortable life. It is close to human skin tone. It is important to know that beige is not an independent color in the interior - it must always be skillfully combined with other tones, otherwise all surfaces will merge.

In the category "beige" there are various undertones and shades:

There are also tables according to which all tones of beige can be conditionally divided into warm (with a hint of brown) and cold (with a bit of gray). Beige is best combined with coffee and brown tones, as well as with blue, light blue, olive, light green, wenge, burgundy, sandy yellow, lavender, pink.

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Beige color instructions

To make a beige color yourself, no special knowledge is required. It is important to prepare the right paints and follow simple tips.

Materials needed

Beige is obtained by mixing paints, so you should prepare a set of colors of different shades for work. Also useful is a container for combining pigments, if the finished paint is needed in a large volume, or a palette, if a beige color is needed for painting. You also need brushes for taking paints, a coating for checking the finished tone of the material.

Beige paint uses different color mixing techniques. It is necessary to prepare the following dyes:

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Paint selection

Gouache is the most popular medium among artists and beginners. It gives the most juicy, beautiful tones that can be lightened by adding white. Watercolor is also suitable for mixing, but it is more difficult to make beige out of it - the finished pigment can turn out to be watery, too nondescript.

A good result is the combination of acrylic colors, a number of water-based building paints and varnishes. You can even get the desired color by mixing pencil strokes or pieces of plasticine - if desired.

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Preparation and basic process

There is the easiest way to create a beautiful beige paint shade. To do this, you need to prepare only two colors - white (white) and brown. You should take a little brown, then add white to it until you get the desired paint. Usually 1 part brown and 2-4 parts white are required. In the finished mass to increase the contrast, you can drop a little yellow pigment.

Since there are many shades of beige, you can experiment and get paint in other ways:

  1. Mix yellow, red, brown and dilute with white. Very little red tone is needed, it is required to get orange when combined with yellow. The largest share in this combination falls on white and yellow.
  2. Mix yellow, pink, white. Pink tone is added in small quantities, otherwise you will have to spend too much white.
  3. Combine white paint and golden ocher (about 60% and 40% respectively). To soften the tone, add a drop of red, to “cool” it - a little green.
  4. Combine scarlet, blue, yellow colors, dilute the mass well with white. Also, to give a "zest" to the finished color, you can add a little gold. This method allows you to get a natural skin tone.

After production, the paint should be immediately tested on the canvas, then wait for complete drying. It is not uncommon for a beige to change tone as it dries, and you may need to lighten or darken it. To darken the paint, you can add black or brown. It is important that their number is scanty, otherwise the finished tone will turn dirty gray.

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Beige plasticine

Plasticine figurines can also be made in a variety of colors. This is achieved by combining different shades of this material. Take bars of white, pink or red, yellow, orange (coral) colors. Dark tones are connected to each other in equal proportions, and then they are mixed with white (only 10-15% of the remaining tones and 85-90% of white plasticine are needed).

The process can take a lot of time, it will require perseverance, because the material will have to be kneaded very carefully. As a result, it should not have ugly veins, unevenly colored blotches. You can warm the plasticine a little by putting it in a bag and in warm water - this will make mixing easier.

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Beige for walls

Various types of paints are used for walls. Before starting the repair, it is important to clarify the properties of each and try to tint the paintwork materials in a small amount. Next, you should calculate the consumption in order to prepare the entire portion of the paint at once. The fact is that it will be difficult to re-create exactly the same shade of beige - you will have to contact a colorist.

Here are the most popular interior paints that are easy to mix:

  1. Acrylic water-dispersion. Made on the basis of acrylic, water, dispersion of various particles. They are environmentally friendly, have no smell, give a beautiful matte surface, are elastic, wash well. Usually sold in white, which can be tinted at your discretion.

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