Taupe: A Sophisticated Backdrop for Today
See Why Versatile, Stylish 'Greige' Continues to Warm Our Walls
Debbie Snider
April 1, 2011
Houzz Contributor.
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.
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.
Here, it is soothing and elegant as part of a subdued palette of light taupe, blue-gray and cream.
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.
Ask a professional painter to weigh in on your color choice
Ask a professional painter to weigh in on your color choice
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.
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.
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!)
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.
Frame windows with colorful curtains
Frame windows with colorful curtains
A butter yellow side chair and floral art are eye-catching against taupe.
Or maybe, you want taupe to be the main color? (Another very popular image at Houzz.)
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.
This is the other side of the room. Did you notice that these crystal sconces match that fabulous chandelier in the previous photo?
Taupe with a touch of olive invites you to sit down and surf the web or get a little work done.
A stylish vignette features a very pale taupe.
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
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I'm looking for a shade of taupe that will go well with teal and turquoise. Any suggestions? Thanks!
What is the name and brand of the OLIVE TAUPE USED by Heather Kleim?
My walls are painted with Behr Parisian Taupe & Valspar Mesa Tumbleweed also. Started with the dining room doing 3 walls in Parisian Taupe & 1 wall in Mesa Tumbleweed. Fell in love with them. Painted the entry & hallway Parisian & the living-room Mesa Tumbleweed with trim in a soft white. I love how the colors change all the time with different light. No matter what I put in the rooms, the walls look great!