Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe: Undertones, Best Uses, & Real Homes

With trends shifted firmly away from gray and into warmer shades, it’s no wonder colors like Smokey Taupe are showing up.

But is it beige or taupe? How dark is it? What makes it the best color for walls, cabinets, or exteriors?

These are good questions to ask, and you’ll get answers below (and more). Learn Smokey Taupes natural bias (undertones), most common uses, coordinating colors, and more!

WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS SMOKEY TAUPE?

Smokey Taupe is a beige paint color. Does it nod hard at taupe? Heck yes, thanks to a rampant gray undercurrent that threatens to take over, especially in certain exposures and lighting conditions. For example, you might see Smokey Taupe as a ‘beige with a hard hankerin’ for taupe’ in a grayed-out north-facing room. However, give it a south-facing room or one with western afternoon sun, and its warmth rises while still tempered by a grounded taupe-gray base.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S SMOKEY TAUPE’S LRV?

Smokey Taupe has an LRV of 54.53, putting it on the edge of the light range but winking at the light-medium depths. This bodes well if you have an overly bright room; the lighter a color is, the more it can wash out. Sure, it’ll lighten up with a hit of natural light, but it’ll hold itself better than colors with higher LRVs.

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On the other hand, if you have a darker room, it can add a cozy warmth without looking overtly colorful. Could it look a little muddy? Of course, but its soft base still offers an interesting warmth that doesn’t fall as flat as some other taupe and beige colors. If you’re trying to avoid muddy, you’re barking up the wrong tree (this small shrub is much better).

Look at how gorgeous Stone Hearth is with the brown leather furniture and the orange-pink hues of the wood ceiling…

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

WHAT ARE SMOKEY TAUPES UNDERTONES (BIAS)?

Smokey Taupe is a tough one. Sure, it favors taupe, but it’s not wild and crazy about it. Smokey Taupe is more like a beige that’s swiped right but isn’t looking for marriage (for all you Tinder lovers). However, unlike Stone Hearth, which is a (tiny) touch more inclined, Smokey Taupe doesn’t love leaning green – you’d have to work pretty hard to swing it that way.

The Ultimate Guide to Paint Colors & Undertones

Paint sampling just got a whole lot easier (and more fun!)

Get your Samplize PEEL & STICK SAMPLE HERE!

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH SMOKEY TAUPE?

Smokey Taupe is reasonably open, as long as your white isn’t overly creamy.

• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
• Sherwin Williams Pure White

The 8 Best Benjamin Moore White Paint Colors

IS IT A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME?

Smokey Taupe can be an awesome exterior color for siding, stucco, or trim. Its flexibility allows it to be used with a range of bricks, mortars, and stones (as well as fiberglass roofs). Many homes can’t handle lighter shades, as they wash out in intense light. With its LRV, Smokey Taupe can be a great place to start regarding depth.

On this next exterior, Smokey Taupe is bangin’ on the trim with warm, taupey-gray siding and beige/taupe windows…

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

IS IT A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

It certainly cooooold be, but I’m not aware of many countertops it will work with. Also, at this depth, you’ll have one HECK of a time finding a great coordinating wall color. I recommend reading this blog post before going any further.

The Best Off-White & Light-Depth Cabinet Colors

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO SMOKEY TAUPE

While there are no perfect matches from brand to brand, there are always colors worth sampling and comparing. Often, that tweak in undertone, temperature, or depth makes one shade the better choice!

• Check out Stone Hearth for a color with a similar approach but a bit more depth (I prefer it over Smokey Taupe as a cabinet color).
• Sherwin Williams Bungalow Beige offers a bit more beigey warmth.
• Sherwin Williams Loggia is an interesting tweak if you want to drop some taupe.

WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH SMOKEY TAUPE?

While not every color can be placed right up against Smokey Taupe, many work as colors for adjoining rooms or as gorgeous accents to Smokey Taupe, including…

• Some muted, off-white neutrals, even a few beiges and taupes
• Medium to dark shades of green and greige
• Moderate shades of greige can be gorgeous with Smokey Taupe as organic accents.

READ MORE

The 6 Best Beige Paint Colors With More Depth (Benjamin Moore)

Sherwin Williams Best Shades of Beige (Slightly Darker)

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth Paint Color Review

The Best Stone-Inspired, Beige, Taupe, & Greige Paint Colors

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Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!