Hi, my name is Katie and I am a certified color expert. I help people pick the right paint colors for their home. And I’ll cut to the chase, the answer to all of these questions is: “it depends!” There are many factors to consider when picking a neutral paint color for your walls and there is no one-size-fits-all paint color that goes in every space. Read on to read the step-by-step process to figuring out which color is best for you!

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But first, what does neutral even mean? Or let’s cut to the chase, simply skip ahead to the steps to picking the best neutral paint color.

How Do You Define Neutral in Paint Colors?

Here are the main neutral paint color categories:

White and black are technically neutrals, and the shades and tints in between that lack any significant saturation are considered neutrals. Those would be greige, taupe, gray, beige, tan and brown. There are additional variations of these categories, such as khaki, which is a subcategory of beige.

• White: True white paints are those without any discernible undertone and are very bright with an LRV over 90. These are colors like Sherwin Williams Pure White, Extra White or High Reflective White, Behr Ultra Pure White or Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace or Super White.
• Off-White and Cream: These are slightly darker than pure whites with LRVS in the 70s and 80s. Creams are warm whites with complex undertones that keep them from entering “pale yellow” territory.
• Gray: No longer in fashion, gray is still undeniably a neutral because it doesn’t have a distinguishing hue. Gray ranges from off white to deep charcoal and everywhere in between. There are also warm grays that lean toward greige and cool grays with blue undertones.
• Greige and Taupe: Greige (pronounced gray-zh) is an in-between category of neturals that encapsulates those lighter taupes and colors between gray and beige. These are generally a touch warmer than gray but still have very little saturation. Taupe is like dark greige and often has a little green undertone that can feel like putty or mushroom.
• Beige: Beige is a light tan or very pale grayed out brown color that is not discernibly any hue. Beige has a range of undertones from pink to yellow.
• Tan and Brown: These are darker in value than greige and beige. Where they differ is in their parent hues. Tan is essentially dark beige. Brown is also in this category and can range in value from tan to nearly black. Brown can have red or purple undertones.
• Black: Don’t forget that black is also a neutral color.

What all of these colors have in common is that they are not highly pigmented and only offer a small amount of warmth or cool without a strongly colored undertone.

What is the difference between taupe and beige? <<Find out here.

What Neutral Paint Color is In?

While cool gray tones were the popular neutrals over the last decade, followed by an obsession with all-white, we are now in the middle of a warm neutral trend cycle. These macro trends tend to last about 10 years and are enormously influential on building materials and decor. So even if you don’t think you will be affected by them, you will, simply by an availability standpoint.

Will gray come back? I cannot tell you how many of my Color Consulting clients tell me they never want to see another scrap of gray anywhere again. But, it wasn’t that long ago the word “beige” was a bad word! Now Accessible Beige is one of the most popular paint colors sold! I know that the pendulum will swing back in a while, but currently warm neutrals are very much in.

Step 1: Analyze The Fixed Elements

The first step in picking a neutral is determining the temperature and undertone of the fixed elements in your space. This will be key for making your color scheme feel cohesive.

Before you can pick your neutral wall color, you need to analyze your fixed elements in your space. These are surfaces in your interior you are not going to change, like tile or flooring. For example, if your backsplash looks like the above Calacatta marble, you may notice some subtle yellow or green undertones. Conversely if you have Caraerra marble, you will notice cool undertones.

Here you can see how seamlessly the green and yellow undertones in the backsplash marble tile pairs with the khaki cabinets and creamy Wool Skein walls.

If you have a brown granite countertop, you will be better choosing a warm natural like cream, beige or tan. The main rules to remember are:

• Warm neturals go better with warm fixed elements
• Cool neturals go best with other cool fixed elements
• Don’t mix neutrals with different undertones (like a pink beige with a green gray for example)

What is the difference between warm and cool colors?

Step 2: Consider Chroma Preference

Next, you’ll need to narrow down the neutral based on your style for decorating.

Do you like to decorate with neutral wall paint and then accent with bright, splashy colors? If so, this means you prefer clean colors. Clean colors go best with white, black, grey, taupe and greige. Stay away from beige as it can look dirty, dingy or “off” next to brighter hues.

Do you like muted earthy colors? If you like low chroma colors, which are typical in the New England Style Homes I often work in, you have much more leeway and can use any of the neutrals. These softer and less saturated colors look great with beige, tan, brown, greige, taupe, cream, white and black! Aka they get along with everyone!

Step 3: Pick The Right Category of Neutrals

At this point, you have analyzed your fixed elements and chroma. So you are ready to choose a category of neutrals.

• Greige or Taupe: Best for minimalists, people who don’t like yellow undertones and folks who are hoping to warm up gray fixed elements. These are on the cooler end of the spectrum. Greige is lighter in value than taupe. Often taupes have a discernible greenish undertone. These can also be called putty or mushroom. These do not do a lot of heavy lifting in terms of warming up a space. So if you like a warm feel- this may feel too cool for you.
• Cream, Beige or Tan: In my consulting appointments, I have found the majority of people are looking for these colors for their neutrals. Cream is warm off-white. Beige usually has a yellow or orange undertone, though sometimes it can lean pink or green if it veers into khaki territory. Tan is like a light brown basically.
• Gray: There are a surprising number of gray paint colors, and they too range from cool (blue) to warm (bordering on taupe.)

Step 4: Pick a Value (Light To Dark) Depending On Your Lighting

Once you have decided on which type of neutral, you’ll need to analyze the light in your room. Darker rooms will need bright LRVs above 60 to 80. Rooms with moderate to bright light can be 45 to 60. If your room is very dark you’ll want to read my tips below in the FAQ section.

Best Greige and Taupe Paint Colors:

• Dark: I adore Shiitake by Sherwin-Williams (LRV 51) or Pashmina by Benjamin Moore (LRV 44)
• Medium: I love Sherwin-Williams’ Accessible Beige (LRV 58) and Smoky Taupe (LRV 54)by Benjamin Moore both of which are soft and relaxed and not yellow at all
• Light: I love Benjamin Moore Ballet White (LRV 71)for its versatility and lack of bossy undertones

Best Cream Paint Colors:

• Dark: Neutral Ground (LRV 70) by Sherwin-Williams or Ben Moore’s Natural Wicker (LRV of 71) are both tried and true cream colored neutrals that works in pretty much every house
• Medium: BM Linen White (LRV 81) and Sherwin-Williams Creamy (LRV 81) are two of the best creamy paints to brighten even the darkest spaces
• Light: Dover White (LRV 83) and Whitetail (LRV 86) both by Sherwin-Williams are two workhorse cream paint colors I use over and over again.

Best Beige and Tan Paint Colors:

• Dark: Pensive by Benjamin Moore (LRV 42) would provide tons of moodiness without a lot of bossy pigmentation
• Medium: Bungalow Beige by Sherwin Williams (LRV 53) or Bleeker Beige (LRV 51.66)
• Light: White Sand by Ben Moore (LRV 66) is a great catch-all beige that doesn’t pull too yellow for modern sensibilites.

Need help choosing the right color?
If you’re feeling stuck or want a second set of eyes, I offer Virtual Color Consultations to help you make confident, intentional choices for your home, wherever you’re located.

The post What’s The Best Neutral Paint Color For Walls appeared first on A Season For Home.

Home Color Combinations: Expert Tips and Tricks!

I get it! Choosing the perfect color combinations can feel overwhelming when designing your home’s interior. The colors you select will set the tone for each room and create the atmosphere you want to live in. Whether you’re working with an open floor plan, designing a cozy living room, or selecting paint for a small space, this guide will help you confidently navigate the world of colors. Here are five top tips to find the best home color combination. Here’s a line up of the tips and tricks I’ll be sharing:

• Why flow and cohesion are important.
• How to use tried and true color pairings for a harmonious interior.
• Why neutrals are the easiest part to mess up!
• Keeping chroma consistency is key!
• Why lighting makes all the difference.

Plus I will share some fun and fabulous pre-made color palettes to get your creative juices flowing!

TIP 1: Consider Whole House Color Cohesion and Flow

One of the most important lessons I learned from my mentor (and have seen how this plays out in real life during my color consultations) is that cohesion is very important. You probably already understand that, since you are researching color schemes!

The flow from space to space and the cohesive feeling of the combination of colors makes effortless flow. Like designing a capsule wardrobe, picking a whole house paint scheme relies on curating a selection of colors that all work together. That way the entire home feels cohesive.

The good news is, it will naturally narrow down all the choices. My advice is to start with one color you love and then build from there.

While the colors all need to flow, it is important to consider that every room in your home serves a unique purpose. Don’t forget that the color combinations you choose should reflect the room’s function and mood. In every home color consultation, I ask homeowners what the room is used for and how they want to feel in each room!

Tip 2: Use The Color Wheel To Make Color Choices

The color wheel is a fundamental tool for both interior design professionals and homeowners decorating their homes. It organizes colors into a circular format, showing relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

Ways to Use The Color Wheel To Create Your Home Color Palette

Understanding the color wheel will help you create harmonious paint schemes for your home.

• Complementary Colors: These are opposite on the color wheel, like blue and orange or red and green. They create vibrant, high-contrast combinations, ideal for spaces where you want energy and drama.
• Analogous Colors: These sit next to each other, such as blue, green, and teal. Analogous color schemes offer a soothing, cohesive look perfect for bedrooms or living rooms.
• Monochromatic Colors: Variations of a single color, such as different tones of blue, create a sophisticated and calming atmosphere.

Keep in mind, there are varying degrees of intensity of colors! You can use these elements of color theory while using an entirely low-chroma or dirty color palette to keep everything feeling muted and soft. More on this in the next section!

By leveraging the color wheel, you can experiment with different schemes to find what works best for your home.

Tip 3: Pick A Color Chroma and Neutrals That Harmonize

If you haven’t read up on chroma yet, you may want to read this post about clean colors and what that means. From there, you’ll be able to do the next step effortlessly!

In general if you like bright splashy colors, they go better with cooler less saturated neutrals. And the converse is true of the more muted shades you would find in New England-style interiors. These do well with creamy off whites and warm beige, tans and khaki tones.

Knowing this will help you craft your home color palette and pick your neutrals!

• Decide whether you like low chroma or high chroma and keep all the hues your palette within the same rage- don’t mix!
• From there, you’ll be able to pick your neutrals because vibrant and clean colors go better with whites, off-whites and grays.  

PRO TIP: If your room feels off, it may be due to the blend of neutrals in your palette. Most neutrals have a subtle undertone (for example, khaki has a subtle green undertone) and when mixed together they can clash, making the room seem off. Compare them side by side and if one feels oddly pink for example, you probably mismatched your neutrals!

Tip 4: Pay Attention To Light

Lighting dramatically affects how colors appear in your home. Natural light changes throughout the day, altering the way paint looks in a room. For example, light colors, such as light green, can appear washed out in rooms with a lot of natural daylight, while deeply saturated colors like royal blue can seem dull in artificial light. 

• South-Facing Rooms: These spaces get bright, warm light, making cool colors like soft blues and greens a great choice to balance the warmth. Pick main colors with a low to medium amount of saturation for a softer look.
• North-Facing Rooms: These tend to have cooler, dimmer light. Avoid cool undertone colors for these spaces. Warm colors, such as creamy yellows or terracotta, can help make these rooms feel more inviting. While exterior paint colors tend to get brighter when painted on a whole house, interior colors can darken, especially in North rooms. 
• Artificial Lighting: Consider how your light fixtures affect color. Warm light bulbs will enhance warm colors, while cool LEDs complement cool tones. Color experts recommend looking at the bulbs’ CRE and to opt for those above 90 for the best color rendering. 

Testing paint samples on your walls and observing them at different times of the day is essential to ensure you choose the perfect color.

Tip 4: Use Neutrals To Bring a Whole House Paint Scheme Together

Neutral tones like white, cream and beige are versatile and timeless. They serve as the foundation of many successful interior color schemes. I tell my color consulting clients that if they’re not committed to a particular color, its always safe to use a neutral on the walls and to add colors in pops in the form of furnishings, an accent wall, an area rug and accessories. This is called an Accented Neutral Scheme and it is relatively easy to create.

• White Walls: White walls provide a blank canvas, allowing you to experiment with bright colors in your furniture and decor. Benjamin Moore’s Navajo White is a popular choice for its subtle warmth and peachy undertones. I love a warm white paint color or cream paired with wood and earth-tone textiles.
• Earthy Color Palette: Soft taupe and sandy beiges like Tapestry Beige, Ben Moore Muslin or Edgecomb Gray, and muted greens like Creekside Green or Nantucket Gray create a grounded, calming effect. Pair these with natural materials like wood and stone for a cohesive look.
• Layering Neutrals: Use different shades and textures within the neutral family to add depth and interest to a space without overwhelming it.
• Soften Contrast: While I love rich tones like dark green and dark blue they can create a lot of contrast. I used mid tone neutrals in my master bedroom to soften a high contrast paint color scheme. The light wall colors and dark wallpaper on the accent wall created drama. I was able to soften the contrast by adding a mid tone natural Belgian Linen duvet cover and neutral carpet to help bridge the gap. Another way to do this is to use a less saturated version of the same hue that is also lighter in value. For example, instead of a brighter red, try a rusty peach paint instead.

Neutral tones are particularly effective in open floor plans, where they provide a unifying backdrop for varying design elements.

Free Home Color Scheme

If you are looking for a jumping-off point, try one of these free color palettes I created. You can use them as a starting point and then tweak them to suit the needs in your home with your fixed elements and lighting conditions!

You can access them here. You can also get more tips on how to use these paint color schemes here.

Finding Your Best Home Color Combination

Choosing the right color combinations for your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By considering the flow between rooms, understanding the role of light, and using tools like the color wheel, you can create a color harmony. Start by identifying your desired mood for each space and build your palette around those goals. Remember, every room has its own function and personality, so your color choices should enhance both. Whether you opt for a bold complementary scheme or a soft, monochromatic look, let your vision guide the way.

Neutrals remain a timeless choice for creating balance and cohesion throughout your home. They serve as a versatile foundation, allowing you to layer in color and texture through furniture, accessories, and accent walls. Don’t forget to test your selections in different lighting conditions to see how they truly look in your space.

With these strategies, you can confidently transform your home into a space that reflects your style and meets your needs, one thoughtfully chosen color at a time. If you do this right, you’ll also have the added benefit of moving furniture from one space to another and it will all work together!

And remember if all else fails you can do a virtual color consultation with me. Learn more about working with a color consultant here.

The post Picking The Best Home Color Combination: 5 Top Tips appeared first on A Season For Home.

If you are new here, my name is Katie. I am a certified color expert and all-around paint-obsessed gal. Through my color consulting business, I have helped everyday homeowners choose paint colors for their homes, from the Rocky Mountains to sunny Florida. In today’s post, I am sharing the best taupe paints from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams that I actually use with my clients.

If you like Accessible Beige, you’ll Love These Taupe Paint Colors

If you love the idea of using a warm neutral wall color but want to avoid a true beige (that would slide straight into early-2000s vibes) you are not alone! A lot of my clients have this same quandary and inevitably ask me about Sherwin-Williams’s super popular Accessible Beige.

This is arguably the most popular taupe paint on the market. {Aside: Though the name calls it a “beige”, it is actually much less saturated. Read the difference between beige and taupe here.}

While I love Accessible Beige, and in fact it is included below in this lineup of my favorite taupe paint colors, I wanted to create a more comprehensive collection of paints that have a similar vibe, but vary in value and undertone to fit every home’s unique lighting and needs.

What Is Taupe Color?

• Taupe is a warm neutral color that sits between tan and gray.
• When lightened, it becomes greige.
• Taupe is similar to beige in value, but it is far less saturated and has a relatively cool color temperature.
• Some mushroom-leaning taupes have a slight green undertone, while others are more sandy and lean a little peachy. While these are all technically taupes, the distinguishing factor is the relative amount of gray mixed in.
• In northern exposure with cooler or bluer light taupe can have an almost purplish cast.

16 Taupe Paint Colors (Lightest To Darkest)

Below is my list of taupe paint colors I recommend to clients and have used in my own home.

Pro Tip: The taupe paint colors in this list are medium-light to medium-dark. (65 to 30 LRV.) If you are looking for something lighter than these colors, then you are probably looking for a greige paint color. Ballet White and Natural Cream are two favorite greige colors. You may also find my Minimalist Paint Colors helpful- there are some other options listed there that you’d like.

I’ve arranged them from lightest to darkest, and you will see in the below graphic that there is a range of tonality due to the undertones. These are all technically taupe, but some lean sandy (reddish) and some lean green. Theres another interesting thing about taupe in that it can do funny things in low light. So make sure to look at actual paint chips before buying samples! As with all paint colors, these will look different on the screen than in real life- and taupe is especially prone to variations from screen to reality!

Sherwin-Williams Dumpling – LRV 64

When a client wants a lighter shade of Accessible Beige, a lot of times, they will ask me about lightening it by a certain percentage (which is a common internet thing that I do not recommend). Instead, I say go with a known entity and try Dumpling!

This designer collection color is bordering on greige territory but has enough depth to still feel like a taupe. I love it with tone-on-tone pairings (like with White Duck or Minimalist by Sherwin-Williams) It is soft and bright but doesn’t look gray.

Sherwin-Williams Modern Gray – LRV 62

I included this one for the true minimalists here. It is a barely there wall color for people who do not like a hint of yellow. Which is another way of saying it can look gray to those of you who have a higher tolerance for warmth.

If you are leaning toward this color, make sure to buy a sample from Samplize before you commit to buying a whole gallon of this paint as it can skew pink in certain light.

Benjamin Moore Cedar Key – LRV 61.05

As you can see from my above graphic, Cedar Key is super similar to Dumpling and Modern Gray. It is a little creamier than Modern Gray and can still skew purplish in darker rooms so make sure to check out our troubleshooting tips below for this issue. Cedar Key by Benjamin Moore is on the same paint chip as Wind’s Breath (see my Minimalist Colors), Smokey Taupe and Indian River (see below.) It’s a really good wall color in Southern-facing rooms and would be lovely on kitchen cabinets or a bathroom vanity.

Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige – LRV 58

Accessible Beige is like the homecoming queen in a John Hughes film. You kind-of hate her because she is so perfect. Even still, I love this color and have specified it more times than I can count. What can I say, if it ain’t broke…

Seriously, Accessible Beige is a great whole-house taupe paint color because it has plenty of depth without being too dark. Above you can see Accessible Beige in my client’s home. They have a two story Great Room that is flooded with light. We paired it with crisp white trim for a tradtional look. It looks great with their low-chroma decor.

Sherwin-Williams Slumber Sloth – LRV 56

If Accessible Beige is the it-girl of taupes, then Sluber Sloth is like Jan Brady. This gorgeous taupe paint color needs more recongnition IMO and I have no idea why it isn’t as popular as Accessible Beige! They are virtually the same but it is just a touch moodier/ darker.

This is a great color for a bedroom to create an enveloping feel or for a home office where you want it to feel elevated, peaceful and den-like.

Note this list is arranged by value and with this paint color we are getting into the values of taupe, where I personally like them better with a darker trim color (like SW White Duck.) These taupes that fall in the mid 50s LRV and below are good ones to use for contrast trim or on wainscotting.

Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe – LRV 54.53

I’ve used this paint color a bunch. I heart it! I’ve written a full review of Smokey Taupe with more photos.

You can see in the above photo how it looks in our guest bedroom. This room faces south and gets plenty of light, but I do live in Vermont and we don’t get tons of sunny days. I have observed this paint color a lot and it can go oddly purple on low light overcast or snowy days. And in warmer sunny light it can look pink. Here you can see it at around noon on a snowy day. It is paired with White Dove by Benjamin Moore here.

Sherwin-Williams Minimalist – LRV 52

Promise me you will check out this mid-tone taupe paint color from Sherwin-Williams. While on paper it looks too saturated, once you buy a large sample of it, you will see it has gorgeous warmth without looking yellow or like an old-school beige paint color.

It is a good choice if all the colors you are looking at look gray/flat in your space. Minimalist pulls through in these rooms! I’ve used it as a feature wall behind a headboard to add grounding to a bedroom. I have also used it in brightly lit living rooms and sunrooms. (Pair it with Dumpling for a super dreamy designer look!)

Sherwin-Williams Shiitake – LRV 51

When all else fails, Shiitake is to the rescue. It has a sandy tone that works well for cabinets and millwork, giving it softness and warmth without feeling like a dated yellow beige. It’s a popular look when paired with black hardware (I recommend it with Oil Rubbed Bronze over matte black) and deep chocolate brown accents.

My clients who love white oak furniture and Champagne Bronze hardware love Shiitake for a cabinet color for a warm neutral kitchen. It goes equally well on walls with White Oak cabinets!

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth – LRV 48.45

If I had to describe the aesthetic of Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth, I’d say it gives Farrow & Ball vibes in the best way. It is sort of like a putty or mushroom paint color that was sent to it’s room to think about what it has done. It is a little moody and little deep and I love that about it.

Stone Hearth is exactly the kind of paint color I love to see on plaster walls in older homes here in New England. It has old-world charm but feels modern because it lacks any gold tones.

Unlike Shiitake and Minimalist (both listed above), Stone Hearth has a faint green undertone that keeps it feeling cool, but it will not go pink or violet in low light. If anything, it can get a little too serious or austere looking in darker rooms, so make sure to buy a sample and test it out. If your room is darker, it is also a good one to use for woodwork and use your brighter off-white on the walls.

Benjamin Moore Gallery Buff– LRV 46

Everything I just said about Stone Hearth above goes for this color too. (Same about the moodiness and hidden green undertone.) It is just a click darker.

If you are one to try cool decorating trends like color drenching (or color capping) Gallery Buff is a great color to do it with- and it won’t make your space feel like a cave!

Benjamin Moore Pashmina – LRV 44.2

Pashmina is a really popular Benjamin Moore color from their Affinity deck. I have recommended it in color consultations, and I always love seeing the after photos because it looks great in every home I have seen it!

Above, you can see it in a real homeowner’s music room. This space was a challenge because it didn’t have any windows. We decided to embrace the den-like feel and use Pashmina to make it feel even cozier!

I love the fact that it has a secret green undertone that you would only notice if you were comparing it side by side with a bunch of other similar colors. It is this quality that keeps it feeling cool, and modern and not like a yellow beige. Artificial lights can eliminate this green color and make it feel gray. So if you use this space mostly at night, keep this detail top of mind!

Sherwin-Williams Tony Taupe – LRV 37

Confession: I have tried to get my clients to use Tony Taupe, but I have yet to have someone take the plunge. It is just a touch too dark for walls in most houses here in New England. I am including it here anyway because it is a beautiful color, and an excellent example of a darker taupe.

This taupe is one of the more brown ones I have included, and doesn’t have the same cooler gray feel that some of the others in these darker values. If you are thinking about a brown for color drenching, I vote for Tony Taupe. Look at this bedroom for an idea of how it would look! Stunning!

For my New England peeps, and those of us who live in old houses with small windows and low light, use Tony Taupe as an accent color for a kitchen island when paired with one of the lighter taupes mentioned above, or even White Duck. It is in fact on the same paint chip as Accessible Beige, so if you are looking for a kitchen accent to pair with Accessible Beige, consider Tony Taupe!

This is also a great taupe to look into for an exterior- but it can look a little brown depending on the exposure of your main facade. More on that below!

Benjamin Moore Indian River / Ranchwood – LRV 36.6

This darker taupe color is known by two names: Ranchwood and Indian River. It is one of those taupes here that leans more green and less sandy but it is minimally so.

I used Indian River in our guest bathroom. Friends, this tiny room is in serious need of a remodel, so I almost didn’t want to include photos here. But… I feel like this is helpful for you to see, so here goes.

OMG please do not judge. Fixing this space is on our five-year plan but there have been bigger fish to fry in this old house! Anyway, these photos show the depth in value, lack of saturation and super-subtle green undertone.

Indian River/Briarwood is an excellent choice for an exterior paint color scheme. I think it would also be a lovely addition to a room painted in lighter colors used only for accents (like on a mantle or built in cabinets or bookshelves.)

It is also the kind of color that works well in small spaces (like this tiny bathroom) or in a mudroom or office.

Benjamin Moore Cole Stone – LRV 32.87

From the Benjamin Moore Williamsburg collection, Cole Stone is a colonial-inspired paint color with a deep, grayish tone. This taupe feels like it belongs in a building on Independence Mall. It is beautiful for interiors and exteriors.

I chose it for the trim and wainscotting in these pictured areas to give a historical vibe to this space. I used it for the trim and wainscotting, and paired it with Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee wich is a warm bright white with a touch of green in its undertone.

As you can see in my photos here of this space, Cole Stone is another one of the taupes that lacks a sandy quality and instead feels a little like a warm gray-green. If it feels to gray to you, go back and take a second look at Tony Taupe!

Benjamin Moore Weimaraner – LRV 30.99

Weimaraner is another winner from the Affinity Deck from Benjamin Moore. This dark taupe is a beauty for exteriors or for accents (like furniture, cabinets, stairs etc.)

It has great depth of value if you need a darker element in your space and everything else feels too soft. For example, if you are decorating with white oak and champagne bronze and mostly soft neutrals, your space may feel flat. Adding in a dark taupe will help to make the space feel dimensional and interesting.

This paint color gets along well with others because it doesn’t have an overtly sandy or too-green cast to it. It sits right in the middle- which can also make it feel kind of gray! I’ve noticed in darker light it does have a purple tone that may not be what you are looking for so make sure to look at it in all different lights before you paint. It has a soft chalkiness to it that is very trendy at the moment and would look great in a color-drenched space.

Sherwin-Williams Moth Wing – LRV 29

Moth Wing is like Weimarainer but with a bit more gusto.

It is so similar that you may not be able to tell them apart but if you have low light or are planning to use this in a space that will mostly be used at night, Moth Wing is more saturated and warmer. It reads like a brown by comparison.

Exterior Taupe Paint Colors

In general, for an exterior paint color, pick darker taupes with less saturation or go toward green. Remember, outdoors your paint color will appear 3x brighter than it does on the paint chip! And sunlight will make warm colors appear warmer. If you like the gray quality of taupe, avoid the sandy-toned taupes because they will look warmer on an exterior.

My 3 top choices for exteriors would be:

• Pashmina by Benjamin Moore AF-100, LRV 44.2
• Cole Stone CW-60, LRV 32.67
• Weimaraner AF-155, LRV 30.99

Complete The Scheme: You can pick another softer taupe from the above list for your trim color or go with a greige for a brighter contrast. These colors look great with a bronze roof and windows. They are also pretty with dark green, rusty reds or nearly black accents too. For more tips and pro-tricks on picking an exterior paint scheme, read my tutorial here.

Best White with taupe

When pairing white paint with taupe, undertone matters more than brightness.

If you like a crisp, clean contrast, I suggest a grayed white like Sherwin-Williams Pure White (LRV 84). It will not feel oddly stark or like a value-grade “white” that the handyman picked up.

If you prefer a subtle, tonal and more modern look (this is becoming increasingly popular) I tell my clients to choose a white with a darker LRV and low saturation, such as Sherwin-Williams White Duck (LRV 74). It is not too creamy so it won’t feel strong next to these dusty taupes. This pairing feels softened and frankly like when your friends come over, they might think you had a decorator pick out your paint colors!

Color Palette For Taupe

Most of my paint consultation clients who gravitate toward taupe opt to use it as their main neutral and then build a small supporting color palette around it. These are the accent colors I return when building out these schemes:

• Blue: From complex historic navy blues like Benjamin Moore Hamilton Blue HC-191 to softer blue-grays like Benjamin Moore Wales Gray 1585
• Green: Soft greens such as Benjamin Moore October Mist or Benjamin Moore Raintree Green
• Red: Deep, muted reds with a rusty or burgundy quality work best. For painted accents or furniture, look at colors like Benjamin Moore Coyote Trail or Benjamin Moore Chestnut

Taupe acts as a calm backdrop that lets these colors shine without competing.

Do you need help picking paint colors? I offer one-on-one paint color consultations. Read more here!

The post Taupe Paint Colors appeared first on A Season For Home.

As a certified color expert, I spend most of my days helping homeowners sift through endless paint chips and talking them off the ledge of second-guessing (because trust me, we’ve all been there). But my love for New England color didn’t start in a color studio. I grew up in a home on the Historic Registry, surrounded by quirky charm and old-house soul. And later, during our own multi-year Vermont farmhouse renovation, I learned just how transformative paint can be. The right color doesn’t just change a room,  it makes an older home feel warm, grounded, and true to its bones.

Over the years, I’ve noticed I return to the same tried-and-true hues again and again. Not because I’m stuck in a rut, but because these colors work beautifully with New England architecture and light. They feel timeless, cozy, and instantly welcoming. Today, I’m sharing those five go-to colors with you, plus the color principles behind why they’re so reliable.

Photo Credit: Crisp Architects

What Paint Colors Are Best for a New England Home?

You might be thinking, Why would paint colors behave differently here? I promise, they do. New England homes come with a special set of characteristics that influence how colors show up on your walls. Here’s what makes this region unique:

• Cooler, softer natural light. Many of my clients, especially those in rural areas, also get strong green reflections from surrounding woods, fields, and mountains especially in the summer months.
• Antique or unpainted wood tones. Older homes often feature warm, rich wood that plays beautifully with some colors and completely clashes with others. Add to that slate tile floors in the mudroom and brick fireplaces, and you have distinct russet browns and reddish earth tones that must be considered when picking paint colors.
• Classic architecture. Colonial lines, farmhouse bones, millwork, and low ceilings give older homes charm but can also create darker spaces. The right paint color can enhance this character instead of fighting against it.
• Major seasonal shifts. Summer sun washes colors out; winter brings cool shadows that make some hues look minty, dingy or muddy. The goal is to choose colors that ride these swings gracefully.
• Bright whites can fall flat. If clean modern whites feel harsh, sterile, or oddly gray in your home, you’re not imagining it. Luckily, there’s a workaround.
• Timeless New England style favors earthy, desaturated color. Ou color palette in New England is rooted in Colonial Pigments. As a result, low-chroma colors (aka dirty colors) and historically inspired hues feel naturally at home here (and no, you don’t have to stick to the “Historic” fan deck to get the look!)

With that foundation in mind, here are the five paint colors I recommend over and over for New England homes.

1. Warm, Creamy Off-Whites

It’s hard to pick a favorite, but one of my most reliable creamy off whites that looks gorgeous (even in the darkest spaces) is Sherwin Williams Dover White. This is the white paint I go to again and again for ceilings, trim and white walls.

Sherwin Williams Dover White. Photo Credit: @hatcliffconstruction

Why We Love Dover White By Sherwin Williams

• One of the biggest mistakes I made when we bought our 1790s farmhouse was painting the walls of our dark dining room White Dove by Benjamin Moore. What I didn’t know was that certain white paints look terrible in dark spaces! Silly me, I was just trying to brighten it up.
• What I learned in my Color Expert Certification traing is that this is a common misconception. In fact, bright whites can look flat or dingy in low light, but creamy whites glow in dark interiors with small windows or porches overhanging. Warm whites with yellow undertones can even handle the cool northern light we get in the winter!
• Now I know that Dover White is stunning in low light rooms. It has the same high LRV (83) as White Dove but carries more warmth, perfect for darker New England rooms.
• It plays beautifully with antique furniture, patina-rich wood, and traditional trim.
• While it isn’t stark, sterile, or overly yellow it also feels classic, cozy, and quietly historic.
• I highly suggest considering a warm off-white like Dover White as a softer alternative for trim when you want white but not builder-basic white.

Best for: Trim, ceiling and anywhere you want to use white. It looks great in foyers, on kitchen cabinets, living rooms, bedrooms and hallways.

2. Soft Beiges, Taupes & Warm Greiges

I feel like a broken record sometimes, but I will happily admit that Sherwin Williams Neutral Ground is one of my most recomended paint shades when coming up with clients home color combination . I literally cannot count the number of clients for whom I have specified this creamy warm neutral beige paint color!

But don’t run away when you hear me say “beige” this is much softer and lighter than the beige paints of yore. This is much lighter and not as intensely yellow of the beiges of the early 2000s.

Neutral Ground on The walls with darker contrast trim in a mudroom. Photo: @buildingacasehouse

Why It Works

• Neutral Ground handles both summer’s strong directional light and winter’s cool blue shadows.
• A higher LRV (70) brightens darker homes with low ceilings and small windows.
• Feels grounding and warm during long winter months.
• Doesn’t clash with earthy fixed elements like brick and antique floors.
• A perfect backdrop for the muted greens, reds, and blues often found in historic New England homes. Having a workhorse neutral like Neutral Ground is key when using an accented neutral scheme for interior design.

Best For: living rooms, dining rooms, parlors, historic trim moments

3. Earthy Sage Greens

Examples: Benjamin Moore Nantucket Gray (shown above in my office) or Sherwin Williams Grassland

Why It Works

• Soft, muted, low-chroma greens feel naturally at home in New England’s landscapes and historic architecture.
• Timeless without drifting into “colonial kitsch.”
• Beautiful for cabinetry, wainscotting, and even exterior trim.
• Adds color while keeping the overall palette calm and refined.
• Looks great with muddy and complex undertones of fixed elements like stone, brick and aged wood.

Best For: mudrooms, kitchens, libraries, guest rooms

4. Dusty Gray-Blues

When I meet with my clients before our color consulting appointments, I always make sure to ask what colors they are drawn to. Three quarters of the time the answer is often greens or blues. When I sift back through the paint schedules I have created, these dusty blues come up time and time again.

Examples: Brewster Gray, Wales Gray, Templeton Gray, Puritan Gray (all Benjamin Moore)

Brewster Gray by Benjamin Moore is a perfect example of a New England paint color that can be used on walls, trim or accents and always feels timeless.

Why It Works

• All of these above mentioned blue gray paint colors have enough weight for traditional millwork but stay soft and livable thanks to gentle graying.
• These mid tones vibe effortlessly with historic wood, clear old-growth pine planks, aged oak, even yellow-leaning maple.
• Look New England coastal, farmhouse, or traditional depending on your styling.
• I love these colors for reverse trim in spaces with lots of ornamental woodwork.

Best For: Stairwells with tons of woodwork, bathrooms, bedrooms, mudrooms, breezeways, Federal-era home’s foyers and stately home offices.

5. Earthy, Desaturated Reds (Brick Tones)

While red is not a paint color that comes to mind for most people, earthy brick colored pigments are traditional early New England and always look at home in the classic homes of the North East. I use these red paint colors in moderation for my paint schemes. The key is to use them for a pop of contrast!
Examples: Benjamin Moore Audubon Russet, Walnut and Boston Brick

A rusty red bench in a mudroom gives a pop of contrast. Photo: @sanfordcollectiveinteriors

Why It Works

• Browned, earthy reds with warm undertones feel rooted and authentic, never costume-y like blue or purple-leaning burgundies. I love those that look like they were created using natural pigments.
• Provide the “pop” most color schemes need while still looking natural and historic.
• Perfect for unexpected moments of charm: interior doors, stair risers, a kitchen island, or built-ins.
• Echo classic New England barn reds and brick tones.

Best For: front doors, dining rooms, interior doors, built-ins

How to Choose the Right Color for Your New England Home

Keep these principles in mind as you narrow your options:

• Pay attention to light direction, it changes everything. North facing rooms and those with small windows or low ceilings get less warm direct light and the colors will need to be adjusted accordingly.
• Consider your wood undertones, they’re part of the palette whether you want them to be or not. A lot of older wood floors and beams have orange tones which pair well with blues and greens but clash with taupes. Keep that in mind when you are picking your main neutral and your highlight colors.
• Look down. Your floors matter more than most people realize. As do the other fixed elements in your home including brick, stone and slate.
• Your personal style determines how muted or saturated you should go. While traditional New England colors are based on colonial era pigments, if you prefer a bit more saturation, the key is keeping it consistant throughtout your whole home palette.

The post The Essential New England Color Palette: 5 Foolproof Paint Colors for Classic Homes appeared first on A Season For Home.

Beige and taupe are both timeless, versatile, and endlessly useful, but they each bring a different mood and undertone to a space. Understanding those nuances can help you choose the right neutral for your home, especially as current color trends evolve.

But wait, what is a warm neutral? If you need a refresher on what is the difference between warm and cool colors, take a look at my post about it then head back over here to read on!

What is Beige?

Beige is a catch-all term for a warm neutral color with a sandy tone. Beige is technically a light brown with a good deal of white pigment added to it to lighten its value. Beiges include a wide swath of warm earthy light tans that can have undertones including pink, orange, yellow and green.

What Is Taupe?

Taupe is a warm neutral that lacks saturation. When compared to a neutral gray like Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams, it is definitely warmer.

Comparatively it feels much cooler than brown or beige. It is like a desaturated version of tan that falls midway between tan and gray. If it were to be lightened in value it would become a greige.

Taupe can have hidden undertones that can feel violet, purple or blue, however it comes from a base tone of orange or brown. These sneaky undertones are best identified when compared to other shades of gray, taupe and tan.

If you are looking for the perfect Taupe Paint, make sure to check out my collection of favorites here.

What is the difference between Beige and Taupe?

Both taupe and beige come from a base color of orange (a mix of red and yellow.) The difference is in the amount of gray that is mixed in. Taupe has more gray which gives taupe a desaturated cool feeling when compared to beige. Conversely beige feels warmer and more saturated than taupe.

Which to pick: Taupe or Beige?

I have found in my Color Consulting business that clients tend to shy away from the warmer rich beige paint colors associated with the late 1990s and early 2000s. And they are simultaneously trying to avoid gray, which dominated interiors for the last ten to fifteen years. Now, homeowners are looking for warm neutrals that do not feel yellowed, dated or too gray. The key is to find either contemporary beiges (that lack gold tones and too much saturation) or taupes that have enough warmth that they don’t feel gray!

So how do you know which to pick? Should I use taupe or beige? Well, if you have read my tips for picking your home’s color combination then you already know that the first step is to analize your home’s fixed elements!

If you have a golden granite countertop or other surfaces in your home with distinct pink or yellow undertones, you will need to pick a beige that will harmonize with the undertones in these materials. Conversely, if your space was last updated in the gray trend you can use taupes to warm it up without clashing.

Next, you can determine which you like better by comparing taupe and beige paint colors side by side. I have some favorites listed below! A lot of times you will gravitate toward one or the other.

You can also compare your taupe or beige to a known neutral like Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray. Repose is a true, balanced gray that can act as a benchmark. If your taupe looks significantly warmer than Repose, it’s likely a good middle ground. If it looks cooler you’re back in the gray trend all over again!

Avoid These Pitfalls

Warm or cool lighting afect these neutrals considerably. I have noticed in my color sonsutation appointments that vaulted spaces and open concept floorplans that have windows on opposing sides of the house, but no natural light in the middle can create havok on neutral paint colors! So below make sure you read what to avoid before you get out your paint brush!

While my clients are gravitating toward taupe more and more, I have noticed in some homes that taupe’s gray influence is both its beauty and its challenge. If you choose a taupe that leans too gray, it can start to feel too cool or oddly purple, especially in rooms with low natural light or north-facing exposure.

Whereas certain shades of taupe can look too gray, some beiges can appear too yellow! The main pitfall with beige paints is that its warmth and saturation can sneak up on you really quickly. I’ve noticed that on the paint chip, a color like Benjamin Moore Carrington Beige can look squarely in the beige category. However, when brushed out in a whole room, Carrington Beige can appear decidely yellow, which many of my clients want to eschew.

The moral of the story? Make sure to test your paint color by brushing it out before committing to the whole space! I always recomend starting with large scale paint sample sheets, like the ones from Samplize. These are a great mess-free way to see the paint color in your space on a larger scale.

Taupe Paint Colors to Try

If you’re looking for a balanced taupe, start with these tried-and-true favorites:

• Accessible Beige (SW 7036): Probably the most popular taupe today. With an LRV of 58, this taupe is light enough that it won’t darken a room but any lighter and it would be considered a greige and not a taupe. It’s beautiful for cabinets or walls.
• Smoky Taupe (BM 983): Soft and sophisticated, Smoky Taupe reads as a classic mid-tone taupe. This is one of Benjamin Moore’s most versitile mid-tone taupe paint colors and only get’s purplish notes at the very end of the day or in darker days of winter.
• Bungalow Beige (SW 7511): More saturated than Accessible Beige, and a great one if you’re torn between beige and taupe because it has more warmth that my other picks.
• Indian River (BM 985): With an LRV of 36 I’d reserve this for high-drama spaces (like a moody dining room or small bathroom) or to paint cabinetry or millwork. I used it in a small guest bathroom and Smoky Taupe in the adjacent guestroom.
• Stone Hearth (BM 984): I adore this color and think it is a great alternative to Accessible Beige. They have a similar value, but stone hearth has more green to it, so it will goes nicely with warm wood tones.
• Shiitake (SW 9173): I’ve used this one in my color consultations. If you like Accessible Beige, this is like a darker version of it.
• Pashmina (BM AD-100): Super popular taupe with a darker LRV 44.2. This can even work on an exterior! It’s lovely with grayed out off-whites and ashy pale oak wood tones.
• Briarwood (BM 1016): A deeper, earthy taupe that adds depth without going too gray.

Beige Paint Colors to Consider

For those drawn to a lighter, more traditional neutral, these updated beiges stay clear of the heavy gold tones of years past:

• Neutral Ground (SW 7568): A modern beige with subtle warmth that works beautifully in open spaces. One of my all time go-to paint colors!
• Canvas Tan (SW 7531): While it lives in the off-whites collection for Sherwin-Williams, don’t let that fool you. There is plenty of beige personality in this paint color to call it part of this collection. It has nice warmth wihtout heaviness.
• Natural Linen (SW 9109): In low lights this warm neutrals is bordering on greige but in sunnier spaces it feels warm and creamy. I’ve used this in color consultations quite a bit. It is a good fall-back neutral that can work on kitchen cabinets or walls.
• Wool Skein (SW 6148): This khaki-backed beige is light and soft. While Wool Skein does have subtle hidden green undertones they are lacking in saturation so it plays well with other colors, especially earthy greens and brick tones.
• Natural Tan (SW 7567): A light and airy beige with balance. It is a modern take on a beige which gives it appeal for designers.
• Timson Sand (BM CW-140): This cooler beige comes from the Williamsburg Collection, which means it’s based on a historically researched pigment. Today it brings warmth into a space without harsh yellows.
• White Sand (BM 964): This has a whisper of pink undertones in it without becoming bratty thanks to a bit of yellow that balances it. It is light in value (LRV 67) which makes it a great whole-house option paired with white trim.

The Bottom Line

The best way to tell taupe and beige apart is to compare them side by side and to a neutral gray. Beige tends to feel warmer and more saturated, while taupe feels a bit cooler and grayed out.

As design trends have shifted away from gray, homeowners are looking for warmth in their space, but they are not quite ready to head back to the rich gold tones of the early 2000s. Todays beiges are softer and less saturated, and are a great option if you have fixed elements in your home (like tiles and countertops) that have a good amount of warmth. Taupes may be your best bet if you are looking to warm up a gray interior, or find yellow tones too harsh for your taste.

Ultimately testing the colors in your space is the best way to tell if they are right for you. And if you are still struggling with a paint color choice, I am just a click away. Shoot me a message via my contact page or sign up for a virtaual color consultation!

The post Taupe or Beige: What is the difference? appeared first on A Season For Home.

My favorite thing about BM Ballet White OC-9 is that it lacks any bossy tonality or noticible undertones. I go to it over and over again when someone wants a paint color other than white, but doesn’t really want much color at all!

What Color is Ballet White Benjamin Moore?

Ballet White (OC-9) is a beautifully balanced, soft neutral that sits somewhere between an off-white and a light greige. It’s part of Benjamin Moore’s Off-White Collection, which includes some of their most versatile, designer-loved shades. Ballet White has a creamy warmth that gives it a gentle, inviting feel without trending yellow.

In natural light, it feels fresh and soft without being stark. In low light, I’ve noticed that it deepens into the gray side of its personality, while retaining just enough warmth to prevent it from looking like a gray paint color. In sunnier rooms it can lean peachy at times.

In my house I used it in our primary suite. Our bedroom is painted Benjamin Moore Natural Cream, and I used Ballet White which is a bit lighter, just in the darker hallway and dressing room. In my work as a professional color consultant, it is one of the Minimalist Paint Colors I turn to again and again for clients who don’t want to paint their walls white but who are looking for a bright neutral that won’t darken their space.

What is the LRV of BM Ballet White?

Ballet White has an LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of 73.54, which means it reflects a good amount of light while still having enough body to show up clearly on the wall. Its color value is bright enough to keep a space feeling open and airy but not so light that it washes out. In other words, it’s the kind of neutral that looks intentional, not just “painted white.”

What Are Its Undertones?

Ballet White has warm undertones with a mix of beige and gray, and a very subtle hint of peach. It’s like a greige with a creamy twist. The undertones are soft and muted, which helps the color stay neutral and flexible. It rolls from lightly peachy to warm gray depending on the lighting exposure.

Notes About Lighting and Exposure

As with any paint color, lighting makes all the difference.

• In the winter, I have noticed a cooler green-gray tonality in the spaces in our primary suite (those that don’t have much direct light.) While I personally do not have Ballet White in North Facing spaces, I can surmise that without direct light, you’ll notice this cooler gray quality more.
• In our daughter’s East Facing bathroom, there is quite a bit of reflection that pulls out the warmth.
• When the setting sun hits our West-facing dressing room, Ballet White has a soft peachiness that feels lovely. In rooms with southern exporsure warm light brings out any paint color’s warmth.

If you’re using Ballet White throughout your home, these shifts in tone can actually be a strength. The color adapts beautifully to changing light, which is one reason it works so well as a whole-house color.

Whites to Pair with Ballet White by Benjamin Moore

Because Ballet White leans warm, it pairs best with softer, warmer whites rather than crisp, cool ones. A few great options include:

• Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17): a soft, creamy white that complements Ballet White without feeling too yellow. All of the photos in this post show White Dove trim and ceilings.
• Sherwin-Williams Pure White SW 7005: This tried and true all-purpose white is a great match for Ballet White. I’ve included it in our Ballet White Color Palette below.
• Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117): Slightly brighter and cleaner than White Dove, it’s perfect for trim if you want more contrast.
• Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (OC-45): adds a tone-on-tone warmth that feels cohesive and cozy.

Ballet White Color Palette

Ballet white is an ideal whole-house color! Use this Ballet White Color Palette to plan your home’s interior. It’s lovely for large open concept living spaces. Or use it in transitional spaces (like your foyer and hallways) and the accent colors for rooms off of the main space.

• Sherwin Williams Pure White: This softened white has a smidge of gray and warmth to it that goes with nearly every paint color. This is a beauty paired with Ballet White. It is crisp without feeling dated or stark
• Benjamin Moore Pashmina: Use this soft taupe in spaces adjacent to BM Ballet White when you want an enveloping coziness. It is great for a family room or home office.
• Benjamin Moore Brentwood: I love the way rich terracottas and low chroma reds look with Ballet White Benjamin Moore. Paint built-ins or cabinets in this russet color with Ballet White on the walls for a look with classic appeal. I’d encourage you to fins accessories in this hue as well to repeat this color through your space.
• Benjamin Moore October Mist: This softened green is a notch lighter than Creekside Green and appeals to those who favor lighter tones like Ballet White. October Mist and Ballet White would make a stunning combo in a kitchen!
• Benjamin Moore Puritain Gray: Don’t let the name fool you, this is a blue paint color without any vibrant saturation. It looks so good with reverse trim. You could also use it to paint furniture pieces in a bedroom painted Ballet White.
• Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal: Instead of a harsh black, opt to give your scheme depth with a little softness. I love Kendall Charcoal for its warmth while lacking any overt yellow tones.

If this paint color scheme isn’t perfect for you, but you love the idea of having a planned out cohesive color palette, make sure you download our 5-free color palettes.

How to Use in Your Home

Ballet White is one of those colors that truly shines as a whole-house paint color. It flows beautifully from room to room, creating a sense of continuity and calm. It’s especially well-suited for open-concept homes where you want subtle variation without sharp transitions.

As you map out your home’s color palette, remember that it’s important to create flow from room to room. Ballet White can help smooth this transition in any hallways or spaces where a more colorful hue would feel jarring. I like to use colors like this in hallways and large

It brightens a space and pairs well with warm wood tones, woven textures, or brass accents. This is the ideal color to use in an Accented Neutral Color Scheme. In bedrooms and living spaces, it provides the perfect soft backdrop for art and textiles without feeling flat or sterile.

If you have a vaulted ceiling, Ballet White is light enough to use on the walls and ceiling, which will help to avoid the patchy effect created by the angles where the walls and ceiling join.

Ballet White for Exterior

For exteriors, Ballet White reads as a creamy off-white. It won’t look stark in bright sunlight, and it maintains just enough warmth to complement both stone and brick. Paired with a crisp white trim and soft black accents like Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron, it creates a balanced, classic look.

Ballet White Cabinets

Ballet White kitchen cabinets are a great option if you are thinking of white cabinets, but want something a little creamier or warmer. Pair the cabinets with marble-like quartz or natural stone countertops, light wood floors, and brass hardware for a lighter feel. To balance the brightness of the Ballet White you could opt for a darker countertop like granite or soapstone to offer contrast. If you love the trend toward a Cashmere Kitchen, defintely look at Ballet White as an option!

Similar Colors to Try

If you’re drawn to Ballet White but want to explore a few close alternatives, consider:

• Benjamin Moore Classic Gray (OC-23) – a lighter, cooler and whispy option that passes as white when color drenched. To see its effermal warmer character pair it with a stark white like Chantilly lace or a cool white like Decorator’s White.
• Benjamin Moore Natural Cream – Natural Cream is a touch darker than Ballet White and a good choice to paint in adjacent spaces with more natural light. This is a very popular color (for a reason) and another great one to look at for cabinetry.
• Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige (SW 7036) – a comparable taupey greige paint color with considerably more depth.
• Benjamin Moore Winds Breath (OC-24) – similar softness, a bit less warmth. This paint color can look light gray in certain houses- but is a good shade to look at if you want a barely there look.

How to Know if Ballet White Is Right for Your Home

The best way to know if Ballet White will work in your space is to test it. Paint a few large swatches on different walls and observe how it changes throughout the day. Look at it next to your trim, flooring, and furnishings—these fixed elements will affect how the undertones appear.

If you’re looking for a color that feels calm, timeless, and elegant without being too white or too beige, Ballet White might just be the perfect middle ground. It’s one of those colors that quietly supports everything around it, and in my experience, that’s exactly what makes it so enduring.

More Warm Neutral Paint Colors

If you are researching neutral paint colors don’t miss these other color reviews.

• Benjamin Moore Tapestry Beige: This greige has a subtle touch of green
• Benjamin Moore Collingwood: This is a more gray option if Ballet feels too warm for you.
• Muslin by Benjamin Moore: A soft pink undertone gives this beige a bit of character without clashing
• Navajo White by Benjamin Moore: A popular cream paint color with peachy undertones
• Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein: A soft khaki with very little saturation.
• Smoky Taupe by Benjamin Moore: A mid-tone taupe without any brassy undertones. So if you like greige and taupes vs beige, this is one to look at. Consider it for additional spaces in your home if you like Ballet!

If you are still not sure, sign up for a one on one virtual color consultation with me!

The post Ballet White Benjamin Moore Review appeared first on A Season For Home.

What Color is SW Universal Khaki?

Universal Khaki is a mid tone beige paint color with minimal undertones. It is slightly lighter than a true tan, yet darker than an all-purpose warm netural. Sherwin-Williams picked it for their color of the year for 2026 for its foundational and essential qualities.

In the accompanying media blast SW pushed when they announced this choice for Color of the Year, they claim it’s meant to be versatile and grounding, but in my experience working with everyday homeowners (those who are looking for livable paint colors) SW Universal Khaki is outside the scope of what most people will be comfortable with.

As I said, I have this paint color in my Living Room and I can personally attest that it comes across with a lot more personality than your typical “safe” neutral. Due to its deeper value and hidden undertones it is not as safe a choice as you may think!

Universal Khaki is on the same paint strip as Wool Skein and Relaxed Khaki, both of which are gorgeous paint colors. Interestingly, I did a little digging and found that Universal Khaki is exactly the same hue and saturation as Accessible Beige, one of the most popular colors that Sherwin-Williams makes. The only differnce is that Universal Khaki is 18% darrker than Accessible Beige.

Read on to find out if this is the right color to try in your home and where I think it works really well!

Undertones for Universal Khaki Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki comes from a base color of orange and has hidden yellowish-green undertones. It is relatively low chroma; meaning it is a dirty color, is lower in saturation and has quite a bit of gray in it.

In my North-facing living room, it leans warm—sometimes even too bronze or golden in the warm afternoon light. That warm undertone and deep value is what makes it cozy, but it’s also what makes it a little tricky to work with.

LRV for SW 6150 Universal Khaki

Universal Khaki is a dark mid-tone paint color with an LRV of 40. This means on a scale of 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white) it is moderately dark and can be used for exteriors or interiors. LRV is our way of measuring color value.

Now if you are wondering why the LRV is important, I’ll explain. To put this in context let’s look at the uber popular Sherwin-Williams color: Accessible Beige. As a paint color consultant I have recomended Accessible Beige in countless homes. However, with an LRV of 58, homeowners are often reticent to use such a “dark” color. While I personally have plenty of darker paint colors in my house I find that most folks are comfortable with walls in the 60s or higher.

Now let’s look at Universal Khaki. It has the same exact hue (base color 36 on a hex scale) and saturation (21) as Accessible Beige. But it is just a lot darker (LRV 40 vs 58.) {FYI heres a refresher on color hue.} Having seen it in the flesh in my own home, I can tell you this is not necessarily a “universal” color for walls because it way too dark for the vast majority of people. That said, it is a great choice for other (non-wall) purposes and I LOVE it in my living room. Read on to learn more about this color.

How to Use Universal Khaki in Your Home

I’ll start up front by saying: gone are the days of painting your walls a dark color and your trim crisp white. This look is dated and evocative of paint trends 25 years ago. So keep this in mind if you are looking at any paint color darker than a 60 LRV. That includes Universal Khaki (see above LRV explanation.)

If you’re going to go for Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki, I think it works best in contrast applications like painting your trim khaki and keeping the walls off-white like Emily did here. Other places to use this paint color are built-ins, millwork, wainscotting, or even interior doors. In my own living room we wallpapered the walls and painted Universal Khaki on the window trims, baseboards, crown molding and wooden paneled wall and fireplace mantle in it.

I’ve also seen it used really effectively in a color-drenched space like the above image, where the walls, trim, and even the ceiling are all painted the same shade. That keeps it looking fresh and intentional instead of dated.

Decor To Pair With Universal Khaki

If you are loving the latest interior decorating trends of maximalism, English Country, and the Ralph Lauren aesthetic then this is a paint color to fold into your home’s color scheme. I personally think Sherwin-Williams chose this color for the year 2026 because this look is big and getting even bigger and khaki is a super important part of pulling it off!

Universal Khaki goes great in rooms with lots of textures and patterns. For a family room, pair it with leathers, courderoy, velvet and checks. All of these materials are screaming for Universal Khaki! Or vice versa!

You can also use it in a more minimal way, just make sure to use really softened off-whties, not crisp ones or it can be too high contrast. The key is to pull your tones to the middle ground!

What to Avoid

Universal Khaki is a favorite, don’t get me wrong! But there are some clear don’ts with this paint color:

• Don’t think of it as a neutral when you are looking for a light, airy neutral background color- look at Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein for a light option or Accessible Beige for a moderately light paint color instead. Or look at our warm neutral paint colors for minimalists.
• Do not pair it with bright, crisp white trim. This looks super old-school in not a good old-money way! Instead use it on millwork or color drench with it.
• Warm light can make this color look yellowed. In my living room we get afternoon sun that is very warm and it really makes it look bronze colored. The key is you need to make sure to sample it before commiting!

Similar Colors and Other Colors To Consider

If you like the vibe but want something more forgiving, check out:

• Relaxed Khaki (SW 6149) – This would be my top recomendation for those of you who like the Ralph Lauren vibe of Universal Khaki, but don’t want to commit to the depth. Relaxed Khaki is softer and easier to live with. While you are testing paints grab Accessible Beige and Wool Skein too (both from SW.)
• Benjamin Moore Bennington Gray (HC-82)– This is a little brighter and warmer with more golden undertones. When I put these two colors side by side the Universal Khaki looks more taupe and cool.
• Benjamin Moore Market Square Shell CW-30– Before you look this up on the computer or phone, please note that on a screen this paint color doesn’t look similar but in person these two are a good comp. Market Square Shell is a smidge greener and overall brighter but still firmly Khaki (not gold beige.)
• Benjamin Moore Crisp Khaki 234– A brigeter and warmer option. It has less green undertones, so if you feel like Universal Khaki looks too green, give Crisp Khaki by Benjamin Moore a try.

Complementary Colors for Universal Khaki and Whole-House Color Palette

Universal Khaki plays well with muted greens, earthy terracottas, and soft creams. For a whole-house palette, you could try:

• Universal Khaki (trim, built ins or wainscoting)
• White Duck (walls and ceiling)
• Sagey green accent: Khaki is always gorgeous with sage greens like SW Green Earth. Paint this in adjacent spaces or use this color as inspo for your furnishings in the room painted Universal Khaki.
• Terracotta/rust tones: You can use textiles and furnishings in this color. Or paint a side table or built in with Natural Brown by Ben Moore.
• Navy: Use navy with plenty of depth to stand up to the tonality of Universal Khaki. Mysterious from the Affinity deck by Ben Moore has a whisper of purple in it, giving it a classic military vibe.
• Brown: Skip true black and use a dark brown like Clove by Sherwin-Williams

Together, it creates a grounded, earthy palette that still feels current.

Whites to Pair With It

Instead of going for a bright, stark white, pair Universal Khaki with softer off-whites for a more modern look:

• Dover White (SW 6835): This warm white is great if you are looking for a brighter white to go with it because it has an LRV of 83.
• White Duck (SW 7010): For a slightly darker option go with White Duck. It has an LRV of 74. I love the grayed-out quality of this off-white because it goes with a lot of muted colors without becoming overly saturated. And it doesn’t head in the other direction and look too stark or cold.
• Neutral Ground (SW 7568): This is a great darker off-white (LRV 70) to pair with it. I’d love to see Neutral Ground in a vaulted space on the ceiling and trim, paired with Universal Khaki as the wall color. You could also use Neutral Ground as your “white” for the walls for a contrast trim scheme.

These keep the contrast more subtle so the khaki feels fresh instead of harsh.

Remember I am always a click away. If you need help picking the perfect colors for your home I offer virtual color consultations and in person too. I’d love to help you pick a custom color scheme for your home!

The post Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki Paint Color Review (Color of the Year 2026) appeared first on A Season For Home.

Below you can read more about why I love this paint color, where it will work for you and colors to coordinate with it. As a certified paint color expert, I try to stay neutral (pun totally intended) and not pick favorites. But I cannot lie, Wool Skein is such a dreamy color I cannot help but gush about it.

What Color Is Wool Skein, and what are its undertones?

Think of Wool Skein by Sherwin-Williams as a soft, warm neutral that sits comfortably between beige and greige. It’s a lot like Accessible Beige, but without the cooler taupe tonality. What I love about it is that it doesn’t skew overly yellow thanks to low saturation levels.

Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein (SW 6148) is a light khaki paint color with very little saturation. Its base color is orange but it has a subtle green undertone that makes it a great neutral to pair with green furnishings and accents.

The green undertone is so very soft so don’t worry if you have a hard time seeing it. It can best be picked up when comparing it side by side with a pink beige like Muslin by Benjamin Moore or Kilim Beige by Sherwin-Williams.

Why We Love SW 6148 Wool Skein

As homeowners move away from cooler grays and start craving more warmth, colors like Wool Skein are stepping into the spotlight. Khaki is one of the colors of the moment, according to color trend forecasting experts, and Wool Skein fits squarely into the mold of khaki. Here’s what Sherwin-WIlliams says about this color: “A beige with khaki undertones, this full-bodied neutral will warm up your space and pair excellently with nature-inspired hues…”

Pause here if you are not sure what warm vs cool colors are, read my explanation and then jump back over!

What sets Wool Skein apart is its low saturation. In fact, in certain lights it looks like a greige paint! So while it follows the trend toward warmer neutrals, it doesn’t carry the risk of looking yellow. This is exactly why I am reaching for this color when creating custom color schemes for my Color Consulting Clients. Learn more about my custom color consultations here.

Wool Skein by Sherwin-Williams delivers the cozy, approachable vibe people want, without locking you into an obvious beige. It is mellow enough to use as a whole-house color. And can even be used to “drench” a space, which is paint-nerd speak for painting the ceiling, trim and walls all the same color. I used it on the walls in my kitchen in conjunction with a dark trim color and it passes as a white in this application.

Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein Color Scheme

Because Wool Skein is a light khaki with restrained saturation, it pairs beautifully with muted accent colors. Try soft greens for a calm, organic look, or low chroma reds for a richer, grounded palette. These pairings enhance the natural warmth of Wool Skein without overpowering it.

Here is a custom color palette featuring Wool Skein.

How to Use this Color Palette:

Wool Skein is meant to be the main color to use in the main living space or in an open-concept floor plan. You can use it in the entry way, main living space, and kitchen. Then use these other colors to guide you when choosing featured colors in smaller spaces. Of course, this is just a jumping-off point! Work with the fixed elements, lighting and your personal style to make it your own.

Greens To Pair with Wool Skein

Wool skein is the perfect warm neutral to pair with greens, thanks to its green undertone and low saturation level. This keeps it from looking too circusy and colorful.

• Passion Vine by Ben Moore: I love it with Passion Vine by Benjamin Moore (which is the green in all of the above photos of my kitchen.)
• Nantucket Gray by Benjamin Moore: This gray green is warm and muted anda great match for the khaki undertones in Wool Skein. It would look fab with the Wool Skein on the walls and Nantucket Gray on the trim.
• Liveable Green by Sherwin-Williams: A softer green from the Color Mix 2026 lineup from SW: Liveable Green is also gorgeous with it. Livable Green is soft, muted, and looks lovely with the subtle tones in Wool Skein.
• Creekside Green by Benjamin Moore: Another deeper shade of green is Creekside Green by Benjamin Moore. It’s a sage gray with depth and subtle grace.

Reds and Russets For Wool Skein

Any shade of brick, peach or terracotta clay is going to look flat-out fabulous with Wool Skein, so you really cannot go wrong. I picked a couple for this palette, but really, you could go with a much wider variety!

• Ben Moore Peatmoss: This would be a gorgeous door or shutter color with Wool Skein on an exterior. It would also be a great color to paint your dining room chairs or custom built-ins in a room painted Wool Skein.
• Fox Hedge Tan by Ben Moore: If you know me, I have have a thing for peach tones and I add them to practically every color palette I create! Sorry not sorry! This one would be stunning in a powder room with marble tiles and Wool Skein just outside in the hallway. Or use Fox Hedge Tan to paint your mudroom cubbies and then use Wool Skein on the walls. Wow!! So pretty!

Blue with Wool Skein Sherwin Williams

Go with blues that have a lot of grey in them and a touch of warmth (yellow) to take them slightly more to the green side than the purple side, and they’ll be a good candidate to pair with Wool Skein.

• Waterloo by Sherwin-Williams: A trendy navy color with a good amount of saturation. Waterloo has a slight green undertone that makes it a good pairing with Wool Skein Sherwin Williams Paint.
• Templeton Gray: A moody blue with tons of gray- so it will not read too jewl toned. This color pairing is preppy, classic and utterly timeless.

Earth Tones To Pair with Wool Skein

• Quiver Tan by Sherwin-Williams is one of the many dark earth tones that go with Wool Skein paint.
• Olives and Browns: The key is Wool Skein doesn’t like clean colors, so it’s best to pair it with a lower chroma brown or olive. I love using a higher contrast brown with it so don’t be afraid to pick a darker shade with an LRV in the 20s or lower.

Which White To Pair With Wool Skein

As you can see in the photos of my kitchen, I used Wool Skein as the “white” paint color on the walls. Then I used darker paint colors for the trim and cabinets.

Of course, you can also pair it with white for a traditional look. Here are a few whites that go with Wool Skein:

• Perfect Creamy White For Trim and Ceiling: I like the creamy, bright look of Whitetail by Sherwin-Williams with Wool Skein. This is a high LRV shade of white (LRV 86) but it is more saturated with plenty of warmth and rosy pink tones. (Look at this color next to Atrium white, which is virtually the same LRV and rose undertone and you can really see the saturation difference.) Whitetail is my top pick for pairing with Wool Skein because it has the same orange base color so it matches really nicely yet adds good contrast.
• All Purpose White: If you are working with multiple rooms and trying to pick a white to go with Wool Skein for your main house color and have coordinating colors in the other rooms you can go with one of my top all-purpose whites like Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams. It will look more grayed than Whitetail, but side by side with Wool Skein and it is still a very nice pairing.
• Tone On Tone Look: Dover White is like a sister from another mother. It has the same dreamy khaki undertone but is much brighter so provides contrast. This is a great option if you are looking for a soft, high-end and elevated look. Use Dover White (LRV 83) if you want your room to instantly look like you hired an expensive designer!

Other Colors To Try

Wool Skein Appears on the same paint chip as Sherwin-Williams Relaxed Khaki and Universal Khaki, the color of the year for 2026. These are both options to check into/test if you are worried Wool Skein will be too dark.

If you like the low-saturation level but want a cooler (less yellowed appearance) try either Slumber Sloth or Accessible Beige from Sherwin-Williams.

If you want a paint color that’s a touch lighter, I have great luck with Neutral Ground by Sherwin Williams. It has the same warmth of Wool Skein without a ton of saturation. It’s a great whole-house color- and won’t pull green if you use white trim.

Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein on Exteriors

Now let’s talk about the potential for Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein exterior color schemes. This color happens to work for trim or siding. Its warm, muted undertone looks amazing on classic house styles such as farmhouse, colonial or capes.

Make sure to read through my recommended process for picking your exterior scheme. And for those of you who read it already, you’re probably wondering if this is one of those beige paints to avoid. Well, good news, there is no pink to this beige paint, so you are safe to use it on your exterior in snowy climates.

Here are four exterior color schemes to use Wool Skein:

UPDATED MODERN FARMHOUSE LOOK:

Wool Skein is a pretty siding colors for a light minimialist look. Say bye bye black and white and warm up with the following combo. If you are sick of the stark contrast of black and white but still want to go with a classic minimalist style, I’d go with the following combo:

• SIDING: Wool Skein Sherwin Williams on your clapboards, board and batten or shakes
• TRIM: Dover White by Sherwin-Williams for your trim and windows (if they are wood.)
• ACCENTS: Urbane Bronze by Sherwin-Williams or Dragon’s Breath by Ben Moore. This would be so pretty with a Dark Bronze standing seam roof and dark bronze windows too! Oh my! I am swooning. These darker elements will read as “black” without looking cheap or stark or dated (like the black and white farmhouse trends of the early 2020s.)

CLASSIC EARTH TONES

Wool Skein SW 6148 works as a trim color when paired with a deeper taupe like Urban Jungle from Sherwin Williams. Go with a black like shade for your doors and accents like Urbane Bronze. Or for a pop on your front door or shutters go with low-chroma greens and earthy reds.

VICTORIAN COLOR SCHEME

On more ornate houses, like Victorian-style homes, try using wool skein on the trim and then use an accent color like Audubon Russet by Benjamin Moore on the window sashes only if your windows can be painted.

CLASSIC PAIRING

I cannot think of a single home where this combo wouldn’t work. Use Avenue Tan on the siding, Wool Skein on the trim and Gloucester Sage on your Accents and Doors. The light green undertones will give an overall appearance of a Green Exterior Paint Scheme, but without looking childish or cutesy.

How To Use Wool Skein In Your Home

This color is one of those rare shades that can be used in a wide variety of applications. Here are some ways to use it in your home:

1. Whole House Color: When paired with Dover White on the trim, this is a beautiful Whole House Paint Color. Use it in open concepts spaces, a great room or entry way and hallways that connect rooms painted in more vibrant shades.
2. Color Drench: This color is a great option if you want to try color drenching a space, painting the ceiling trim and walls all the same color. It is light enough that it will not feel oppresive so it is not as risky as trying this trend in a shade like dark teal.
3. Kitchens: You can use Wool Skein Sherwin Williams on kitchen cabinets or on the walls in your kitchen. While the warm cream colored cabinet trend of late is a perfect way to use this color, I think this paint will endure beyond this trend. It has a timeless feel that you’ll be able to live with throughout several trend cycyles.
4. All Neutrals: If you have moved beyond all white, but aren’t much of a color person, this paint color is for you. Try it with other khaki paint colors in the same family if you like to decorate with neutrals. Instead of black use dark brown and wood tones to provide depth to make this tone-on-tone look work.
5. Contrast Trim: I used it as a wall color in my kitchen paired with dark green paint on the trim. It is light enough that it passes as “white” (see above) without feeling stark.

Final Thoughts

Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein is an up-and-coming warm neutral that fits perfectly into the current shift away from gray. It’s approachable, versatile, and low in saturation, which means it won’t overwhelm your space or feel dated anytime soon. It’s perfect for interiors and whole house color palettes. It’s also great for a siding or trim color for your home’s exterior.

The post Sherwin Williams Wool Skein Review appeared first on A Season For Home.

What is Khaki?

Khaki is beige with a subtle green undertone. At its core, khaki is a warm, earthy neutral but there is a spectrum of variations of this sandy neutral color. Some versions are light in value, some are more golden or gray, and the green undertone can vary from all-there to barely noticeable.

Unlike a pink beige (like Muslin by Benjamin Moore) Kakhi’s distinguishing factor is a hint of green. The word “khaki” comes from the Persian word for “dust,” which is a perfect description of the soft, natural look these shades bring to walls. It came to our common language when khaki clothing, heavy-duty camouflage army wear, was invented in the mid to late 1800s.

Today, the word khaki can be used to describe heavy canvas clothing in varying shades of sandy tan(specifically pants) or it can mean a specific shade of beige. We’re talking about the latter today, and specifically paint colors!

Best Khaki Paint Colors

If you’re considering bringing khaki into your home, here are some of the best paint color options to sample from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams:

Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein

Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein is one of my new favorite neutral paint colors. I personally think this paint color should give ever-popular Accessible Beige a run for its money.

It is the lightest shade in the lineup. You can drench a space with it or pair it with Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee on the trim for subtle warmth and barely there green undertones.

Another way to use it, is as your “white” like I did with green contrasting trim (see below photo.) With an LRV in the low 60s it looks rich and historical without being too saturated.

Benjamin Moore Cream Fleece

Creamy and approachable, this color has a touch of golden warmth. It is similar in value to Wool Skein but has a touch more saturation. It is a slightly more peach shade of khaki and has less greenish underbelly. I’d say the Swiss Coffee for trim and ceiling paint is your best bet since Cream Fleece is on the lighter side. If you love a sophisticated tone-on-tone look, go with one of these darker trim colors.

Benjamin Moore Jonesboro Cream

Jonesboro Cream is a favorite from Benjamin Moore’s Classics Collection. I’d call it a soft khaki-beige with a sophisticated, understated vibe. Unlike some of the more golden hues in this collection, Benjamin Moore Jonesboro Cream is a true khaki because it has a discernible green undertone.

Jonesboro Cream rendering from Ben Moore SOURCE

If you are looking for a lighter shade, go for Jonesboro Cream. It is light and airy and a good choice if you like khaki but don’t want dark walls or too much depth and contrast. It’s a good option for north-facing rooms or small spaces with limited windows because it is a lighter value.

Brush it out and compare it to Bennington Gray and Baffin Island if you want to have an easier time deciding. I always recommend having something to compare your paint color to. A clear favorite will emerge!

Benjamin Moore Crisp Khaki

Crisp Khaki rendering SOURCE

This is a brighter valued shade in our lineup but can read a little gold in some lights. It is not terribly green so if you love the greener hues this is not your color. That said, if you have green upholstery or elements in this space I love the way Crisp Khaki looks with deep sage green velvet and chenille.

Benjamin Moore Bennington Gray

Bennington Gray Dining room SOURCE

Depending on the exposure, this khaki can appear more like a faded pair of taupe chinos than some of our more golden khakis. In warmer morning light, the yellowish undertones can come out more forcefully so make sure to brush it out in your space and look at it in all light conditions.

It has a definite green undertone so watch out with other neutrals. Other cool green-tinged greige colors are great with Bennington Gray but pink beige is a no-no so be careful with natural stones and tiles in your kitchen or bathroom. Bennington Gray a great color for kitchen cabinets, but stick with a white quartz counter to stay safe.

Benjamin Moore Baffin Island

I cannot count the ways I love this paint color. There are too many. It toes the line between a creamy bronze and khaki. I used it in our dining room on the trim with our wallpaper and in our kitchen on the cabinetry. It gives historical vibes without the commitment of vibrant gold tones that were popular in the late 90s.

Make sure you love a green undertone if you are going with Baffin Island, because in some lights it is definitely green. And it goes without saying, it looks awesome with green.

Benjamin Moore Quincy Tan or Oak Ridge

Benjamin Moore Oak Ridge, also known as Quincy Tan is almost too gold to include in this post, but I did so because I wanted to represent a range. To see its greens, you have to compare it to another gold like Shelburne Buff. When you do so the greens are easier to pick out.

Quincy Tan (or Oak Ridge) has an LRV in the low fourties, add to that a healthy amount of saturation, and you have yourself a gorgeous khaki paint for an exterior. Note that it will be warmer looking on a south-facing exposure, so if this is the front facade of your house, I’d avoid this unless you want it to pull gold. If that’s your quandary, look at Bennington instead (see above.) Read more tips about choosing exterior paint colors.

Sherwin-Williams Relaxed Khaki

Friends, if your eyes have glazed over, and you just want to know what the safest choice is when it comes to khakis, I’ll spare you the research… Relaxed Khaki is the way to go. It is a real crowd pleaser! It is not too saturated, but has more personality than a Minimalist Paint Color.

It looks gorgeous with blues, reds, greens and earth tones. Layer creamy off-white textiles for a subtle look. You could use Sherwin-Williams Relaxed Khaki for cabinets or wall color. It is also a great color to do reverse trim color scheme especially if you have interesting millwork and paneling you want to highlight.

Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki

I used Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki to warm up my blue and white living room. I wanted to pull the bronze tones out of the Oriental carpet, and chose this color to coordinate with it and the wallpaper. It is quite bold and not for everyone but Sherwin-Williams named it Color Of The Year 2026. So it is worth checking out.

While Universal Khaki is one shade deeper on the fan deck than Relaxed Khaki, I find these two paint colors to be pretty different. Universal is not for the faint of heart because it is so dark. Look at Accessible Beige if Universal is too dark for you. On an exterior, Universal Khaki would be stunning!

Sherwin-Williams Avenue Tan

I love this color. If you like Jockey Hollow from Ben Moore but want something a little warmer, this or Prairie Grass are good alternatives.

Avenue Tan Living Room rendering

Avenue Tan is on the greener scale of things as far as this paint collection goes, but doesn’t go in the green section of my sample book. It is still definitely a warm neutral. It is also a gorgeous exterior color. Use this color for living room walls or in a finished basement for a cozy den-like feel.

Sherwin-Williams Prairie Grass

If you are considering Avenue Tan, look at Prairie Grass too. These are lovely green khakis, on the darker end of our scale. Prairie Grass would be great as a moody dining room or bedroom or home office.

I love the depth in SW Prairie Grass for spaces decorated with cream and deep chocolate. Stay away from pairing it with overly bright, splashy hues. In darker spaces or with bluer lightbulbs, it can appear more army green than khaki, so make sure you brush it out first.

Khaki Paint Color Schemes

One of the best things about khaki is how easily it plays with other colors. Here are some tried-and-true combinations:

• Low Chroma Greens – Soft sage or olive greens highlight khaki’s earthy side. Consider using Sherwin-Williams Sage in an adjacent space or Benjamin Moore Passion Vine for a painted accent with the khaki. I love BM Nantucket Gray with Khaki too.
• Rusty Reds and Peach – Warm terracotta or peach accents bring out khaki’s golden undertones. I like Benjamin Moore Italianate, Winthrop Peach, Warm Brownie and Audubon Russet to name a few.
• Blues and Navy Blue – I like grayed out (low-chroma) blues with a touch of green in them such as Greyhound by BM or Brewster Gray. You can also pair khaki with navy paint colors and textiles. Navy provides a nice crisp contrast with the benefit of being timeless and classic.
• Cream and White – When in doubt, whites, off-whites and creams look fan-freakin-tastic with khaki. Layering your neutrals in your furnishings and textiles keep things airy and sophisticated.
• Black(ish) and Brown – Dark accents add depth and modern edge. I also like the way greenish blacks look with khaki because it is less stark than true black. Instead of a pure black, go with Soot or Cabin Fever by Benjamin Moore or Clove by Sherwin-Williams.

What Fixed Elements Go With Khaki Wall Color?

Since khaki is so versatile, it pairs well with a range of fixed elements you may already have in your home:

• Marble – I love the way the warmth of the creamy earth tones in Calacatta marble pairs with Khaki walls. Avoid the blue tones in Cararera marble- it is too cold and will feel disparate. Travertine with gold undertones could work but make sure you look at a lot sample with your paint color as some can pull pink.
• Granite – Earthy granite countertops pair beautifully with khaki without competing.
• Brick – The warm russet color of exposed brick looks great with khaki. They are both low-chroma (aka dirty colors) so they can go together well!
• Dark wood– Walnut and other deep chocolate brown wood looks great with it.
• Pale Oak – White oak is all over the place and has been for years. While I personally think this trend is going to have to end at some point (and I fear will date your reno to 2021-2025) I do have to admit that Khaki looks stellar with it! It has a certain kind of harmony and a few carefully chosen furniture pieces in pale oak with khaki walls can easily help create neutral bones for an organic minimalist palette.

Which White Paints Go With Khaki?

Here’s the thing, if you read my post about how to pick a trim color, then you know I really, really, super-duper want to encourage you to go with a darker trim color than you think you want. In the case of khaki with a bright white trim (like Chantilly Lace) you can easily veer into the Tuscan Trend a la 2006. To avoid that, and to make your space look expensive, contemporary and intentional use a cream paint with khaki undertones for your white. My two favorites are:

• Sherwin-Williams White Duck – A soft, creamy white that blends effortlessly. It has an LRV of 74 which is 9 points darker than popular trim paint colors like White Dove by Benjamin Moore.
• Sherwin-Williams Neutral Ground – Warm and neutral, ideal for trims or adjacent walls. This has as LRV of 70 so it’s going to read “white” against the khaki.

Now if you really want a crisp look then my top choice for a higher contrast look is:

• Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee – I like the yellowish greenish undertone in this paint a lot and in my opinion it is your best white ceiling or trim color to complement to khaki.

What to Watch Out For

Khaki is forgiving, but it does come with a few considerations.

• Saturation and Value: I suggest using caution with some of the more deeply saturated tones in this collection. If you are a minimalist, go with Relaxed Khaki or Wool Skein.
• If you love green, favor Baffin Island, Avenue Tan or Prarie Grass.
• If gold and yellow are not your thing, stay away from the more warm flavors here like Oak Ridge and Crisp Khaki.
• Lighting Matters – North-facing rooms can make khaki look more gray, while southern light brings out warmth.
• Undertones Shift – Some khakis lean green, others golden—always sample on your wall before committing.
• Balance is Key – Too much khaki without contrast can look flat; pair it with crisp accents or layered textures.

Conclusion

Khaki paint colors are trending, but they’re also a versatile, timeless choice. If you’re looking to bring warmth and a little color into your home this is a great way of using a neutral with a bit of personality to make your space feel unique and homey.

If you’re still struggling to choose the perfect khaki paint color—or just want an expert eye to help you land on the right paint colors for your home—I’m here to help! Sign up for a virtual paint color consultation and let’s find your perfect shade.

The post Best Khaki Paint Colors appeared first on A Season For Home.

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Today’s paint color review will include loads of details about this subtle neutral paint color, including undertones, coordinating colors and white paints for trim, LRV and more! Read on to find out if this popular taupe paint is the right color to use in your space.

Looking for the perfect taupe paint color? Here are my 16 top taupe paint colors (arranged from lightest to darkest.)

Why I Love Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe

If I could go back in time, I would have painted our main foyer and upper hallway in Smokey Taupe instead of painting Collingwood. Our attached apartment was the last area in the house to be painted when we bought our Farmhouse fixer upper. For the color scheme, I wanted to decorate with chocolate browns, greens, cream and taupe. So I used Smokey Taupe on the trim in the living room with creamy off white walls and then reversed the scheme and painted the apartment bedroom walls Smokey Taupe with the white trim.

Once I discovered how gorgeous this taupe paint looks on the walls (and trim) I wanted a time machine to use it in the main house, which we had just painted a few months before! Here are a few reasons I love it and recommend it to color consulting clients.

• It is the perfect low chroma warm neutral with minimal undertones to use for accented neutral color schemes.
• The lack of undertones makes it perfect for someone looking for a minimalist paint color or folks who don’t want to add a colorful hue to their walls- but they do want a bit of warmth.
• I just love the way it adds dimension to our interior design and a touch of warmth without looking dated. Plus it doesn’t lean too pink like so many beige paint colors.
• It goes great with gray! So if you have leftover furniture and decor from the gray trend that you’re trying to meld into today’s warmer neutrals, taupe is your friend! I found a rug for the bedroom that has gray, taupe and cream in it to tie our existing grayish nightstands in with the warmer browns and cream.

What is Taupe Anyway?

Before we get too far into this paint color review, I want to define what a taupe color is. Taupe is like a blend of gray and tan. Taupe is similar to greige (which is a blend of gray and beige) but it is darker! If you’ve geeked out and read my Color Theory posts, I can say this and you’ll know just what I mean: Compared to beige, taupe is cooler, less saturated and intrinsically low chroma.

If that was like reading hieroglyphs, you can learn about color saturation, color chroma and color temperature next!

Undertone Of Smokey Taupe

The reason I love this color so much is that it barely has any undertone at all. BM Smokey Taupe 983 has the faintest amount of hue and is almost gray. That said, its parent hue is orange, which you can see in the image below, and where it falls in its degree of saturation.

While taupe is cooler than beige or tan, it is still considered a warm neutral. To illustrate this point, when set next to Repose Gray by Sherwin-Williams, it is clear to see the warmth of Smokey Taupe.

While it is almost imperceptible, this color does have a whisper of pink in it. I have only noticed it in certain lights when paired with green (or other neutrals with green in them, like Tapestry Beige.) It is not unpleasant, and not as prominent as Muslin, another warm neutral paint by BM.

I originally found out about this light taupe paint color, by reading about how interior designers love it precisely because it doesn’t have any pesky undertones. The lack of strong undertones makes it a perfect warm neutral paint color if you do not like yellow or if you are looking for a warm neutral to go with gray furnishings (or floors.)

LRV For Ben Moore Smokey Taupe- 983

The LRV is 54.53 which means it is a mid-tone paint color. LRV stands for light reflectance value which describes how bright or dark a paint is. Pure white would be a 100 on this scale and true black would be 0.

What does all this “Mid-tone LRV” business mean in plain english? Well, if you look at the image above, you can see in our south-facing apartment bedroom that Smokey Taupe has plenty of body to handle direct light, without washing out.

In the image above you can see our Living Room in the apartment, where I used Smokey Taupe for the trim and millwork, and paired it with white walls (painted in OC-17 White Dove by Benjamin Moore. Even with lower light on the north side of the house, Smokey Taupe is still light enough to not feel too heavy or high-contrast.

FAQs for Benjamin Moore 983 Smoky Taupe

White Paints To Pair With It

Whether you’re doing reverse trim or contrasting trim, like I did in our apartment living room, or you want to paint your trim white and the walls Smokey Taupe here are some great whites to pair with it:

My current white paint color obsession is Whitetail by Sherwin-Williams and it is simply stunning with Smokey Taupe. They have the same undertone and so it is a match made in heaven! This is a great ceiling color too because it is nice and bright with an LRV of 86.

For a more subtle effect, with less contrast, use Sherwin-Williams White Duck for your white. It has an LRV of 74 so will have less contrast. It too has a very similar undertone so it will not have any off cast.

I used White Dove for my white and all of the photos in this post show what that pairing looks like. I used White Dove as my universal white for my whole house, so this decision was an easy one. It looks great and provides crisp contrast without seeming too cool.

Check out this collection of my favorite warm whites samples.

What Colors Go With Smokey Taupe?

This light taupe paint color is dreamy to work with for interior decorating because it goes with so many colors! Here are my top picks: Peach, Chocolate, Red, Navy and Green.

Now, it is important to pair it with the right shades of these hues! My rule is to pair warm neutrals with low-chroma colors. These are colors that are less saturated and have more complexity. So pick muted greens, understated navys, rich browns, and subtle terracotta or brick reds. Skip the jewel tones and clean bright colors and pair them with white and gray neutrals instead. Read more about how to pick a color scheme for interior decorating.

You can use these colors as inspiration for your decor, textiles and furnishings, or you can use them for a whole house palette. As I mentioned above these colors would make great accent colors, like for a kitchen island, or bathroom vanity!

Is Smokey Taupe Right For You?

Ultimately, you’re going to have to test out Smokey Taupe in your own home to make sure it works for you. You can buy a sample sheet of it on Samplize or a small pot of it and paint it on the wall. Look at the sample in all different lights and make sure you love it. If it is too dark or light, consider trying some of the other ideas I suggested above.

I love it because it is warm without being yellow or overly tan or beige. It is a light taupe akin to a deeper greige paint color, so it is perfect if you are hoping for the paint to disappear into the background and let the furnishings do the speaking. But it has enough value that it will keep your walls from looking blank!

If you are bugged out about unexpected undertones, you can feel safe with Smokey Taupe. It is expert tested and approved, that’s how I found it! And now having used it in my own spaces I can verify how great this paint color really is!

If you are still unsure, sign up for a paint color consultation online and I can help!

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