Taupe: A Sophisticated Backdrop for Today
See Why Versatile, Stylish 'Greige' Continues to Warm Our Walls
Taupe, also know as "greige," is a stylish neutral color for today's interiors. Safe beige instantly becomes sophisticated taupe when mixed with gray. Although there are many variations of taupe, it is generally described as a warm gray. Whether your style is contemporary, mid-century modern or traditional, this versatile color makes a great backdrop for your home furnishings. Let's take a look.
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A warm taupe on the walls lets the blues, eggplant and chartreuse come alive in this colorful contemporary living room.
This color also works well with high-contrast patterns, like this Greek Key rug.
This color also works well with high-contrast patterns, like this Greek Key rug.
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Here, it is soothing and elegant as part of a subdued palette of light taupe, blue-gray and cream.
by Amoroso Design
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Medium taupe is a great background color for this mid-century modern style home. The window casing (trim) and the baseboards have been painted the same color as the walls. Orange makes a striking accent color.
by Amoroso Design
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Here is the entry area in the same home. The white ceiling and light travertine floor tile brighten up the space. And don't the warm wood tones look great against this color?
This paint: Designer Shelly Amoroso used Benjamin Moore Alexandria Beige #HC-77.
This paint: Designer Shelly Amoroso used Benjamin Moore Alexandria Beige #HC-77.
by Amoroso Design
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A deeper tone looks dramatic when paired with crisp white in this traditional style home. This is a very popular image on Houzz.
This paint: Here Amoroso used Benjamin Moore, Mesa Verde Tan #AC-33, flat latex paint.
This paint: Here Amoroso used Benjamin Moore, Mesa Verde Tan #AC-33, flat latex paint.
by Amoroso Design
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The dining room is painted a lighter coordinating tone. Dark accents like the black chandelier, high contrast animal pattern rug and espresso wood tones stand out and add to the drama.
This paint: Benjamin Moore, Bleeker Beige #HC-80, flat latex.
(Thanks to Shelly Amoroso for generously sharing her paint colors!)
This paint: Benjamin Moore, Bleeker Beige #HC-80, flat latex.
(Thanks to Shelly Amoroso for generously sharing her paint colors!)
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This is the dining area for image #1. Again, the quiet taupe lets the other colors sing, from the blue-gray draperies to the eggplant and light chartreuse carpet tiles. As seen here and in previous examples, taupe paired with white ceilings and trim provide a refreshing contrast.
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A butter yellow side chair and floral art are eye-catching against taupe.
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In this monochromatic living area, coral accents look divine.
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If you are a fan of blue-gray and chocolate, consider putting taupe on your walls.
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Or maybe, you want taupe to be the main color? (Another very popular image at Houzz.)
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Here is a serene palette of taupe with butter yellow with a bit of blue-gray. It works nicely with the dark brown dining table.
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This is the other side of the room. Did you notice that these crystal sconces match that fabulous chandelier in the previous photo?
by Heather Kleim
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Taupe with a touch of olive invites you to sit down and surf the web or get a little work done.
by Amoroso Design
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A stylish vignette features a very pale taupe.
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This dark taupe is worthy of framing a spectacular view and great art.
Did I convince you to try out this wonderful color?
Next: Browse more images of taupe in home design
Did I convince you to try out this wonderful color?
Next: Browse more images of taupe in home design
Photos #3 and #4 above show the trim painted the same color as the wall.
@ellie48 and colleen5192, glad you liked this one, thanks!
Thanks to all of you for your comments. It's always interesting to hear what the Houzz community has to say.
Taupe has been a great neutral for a very long time and isn't going away any time soon. There are several included in the Benjamin Moore Historical Color Collection. Although grays are quite popular now, very few people want the grays that have no brown or beige mixed in, so most of the time when a client asks for gray -- what they really want is a taupe that just leans pretty far toward gray but still has the warmth that the brown or beige gives it. A very neutral gray generally feels too cold and blue to most people.
One of my personal favorites for a deep and dramatic taupe is Benjamin Moore Fairview Taupe HC-85.
So many colours look great with this and love the way it darkens in the evening.
Possibly your kitchen accessories could be deep coral. Why not paint your cabinets if you don't like them? Need free advice, my husband is a professional painter for over 35 years.
I am currently trying to find the right taupe. I have two Kelly Hoppen books that I love to refer to. She says taupe loves pure white but hates yellow. Finding the right one can be challenging. I am experimenting with Behr's Parisian Taupe at varying intensities (25-100% darker) and am still analyzing the changes, it's so chameleon-like. Seems to have a great balance of brown and rosy undertones but can look grayish in north light. (Good thing the grays are in) Bleeker Beige looks too safe of a beige, am considering trying Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige and Balanced Beige. Any suggestions? I'd love to hear it.