Posted on May 14, 2021 by KylieMawdsley
Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige: LRV, Undertones & a Little More
When it comes to paint colors, the world is slowly transitioning out of the gray trend and into the warmer end of things, but we’re NOT quite at full-blown beige…yet. This is just ONE of the reasons why Balanced Beige might be your new best friend as it bridges some of the gaps between icy cool colors and warm golden colors. It’s also WAY beyond your standard builder beige.
Let’s find out why…
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What type of paint color is Balanced Beige?
Balanced Beige is a beige, which means it’s a WARM paint color. However, it’s VERY atypical as it doesn’t have the usual golden undertone that can be found in some of the more popular beige paint colors. In fact, it leans slightly into gray…but this doesn’t MAKE it a taupe or a greige – it’s definitely beige.
If you have north-facing light, you may find Balanced Beige leaning a bit more into that subtle gray, while still holding a soft, passive warmth, which can be a nice balance to cooler northern or afternoon eastern light. However, with south-facing or afternoon western light, Balanced Beige will be in its full glory, leaning that wink warmer without going TOASTY warm.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
What’s the LRV of Balanced Beige?
Balanced Beige has an LRV of 46. This puts it on the light-medium end of things – not as fresh and bright as its lighter version, Accessible Beige, but also not heavily weighed down either (learn more HERE).
Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.
What are the undertones of Balanced Beige?
Balanced Beige has VERY passive undertones. Because it leans that bit into gray, it can pick up a vague green undertone in the VERY odd light. However, if you partner it with a finish that has a bit of a green undertone, it could look a bit more TAUPE in comparison. While this makes Balanced Beige FLEXIBLE, it can also be a bit unpredictable, which is why sampling is SO IMPORTANT!
What’s the best way to sample Balanced Beige?
Like with every paint color, I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE. Samplize is a peel & stick paint sample that you can easily move around your room for over HALF THE COST of traditional sample pots – and they deliver right to your front door!
SAVE MONEY ON PAINT SAMPLES HERE
If I’m painting my walls Balanced Beige, what’s the best white paint color for my trim?
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Benjamin Moore White Dove
SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE
The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
Is Balanced Beige a good color for the exterior of my home?
If you want a warm paint color that isn’t TRADITIONALLY golden, Balanced Beige could work well on the exterior of your home. It suits a wide variety of brick and roof colors but doesn’t suit as many stone surfaces.
5 Tips to Choosing an Exterior Paint Color
Is Balanced Beige popular?
VERY. While the world hasn’t transitioned entirely into the WARM end of things yet, it’s slowly making its way from the cool gray paint colors into softer, warmer versions. Balanced Beige is a great way to get a warm look, without the Tuscan vibe.
Which paint colors are similar to Balanced Beige for comparison’s sake?
You won’t find an exact match for ANY color between brands – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature and depths. However, there are some with similar intentions, but different approaches…
- Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth
- Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe
- Sherwin Williams Shittake & Loggia
And if you’re thinking of color matching between brands (ie: getting BM to make an SW paint color), you might want to read THIS first.
What type of paint colors look good with Balanced Beige?
- Balanced Beige doesn’t like to be partnered with gray or greige paint colors that are lighter than it (so LRV higher than 46)
- Balanced Beige LOVES earth-tones as long as they have a SOLID neutral base to calm them down (Sherwin Williams Argos)
- Balanced Beige looks especially nice with colors that are cooler, such as Sherwin Williams Gray Matters, Magnetic Gray and MANY more. But remember, just because a color suits Balanced Beige, doesn’t mean it will suit the room it’s going in and its exposures, so be sure to do your research!
The Best Gray and Greige Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
Not sure if Balanced Beige is right for you? Want a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!
READ MORE
Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Shittake & Loggia
The Best Paint Colors for Cream Kitchen Cabinets & Trim
Paint Color Review – Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
Paint Color Review – Sherwin Williams Anew Gray
Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!
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Kylie, thankyou.You are incrediable, informative and awesome.Witty as all get out.If i ever get to meet you, Id be shaking🙈🙊🙉😄😁
Author
Oh Kim, I love you ;). Thank you for this comment, I hope we get to meet someday – and don’t worry, I’ll be blushing!
Could you tell me your thoughts on pairing this with a mid toned stained wood trim that leans ever so lightly into red/orange undertones?
Author
Hi Rachel! It could depend on how strong it is. My first thought wasn’t NO, it was just wondering if it will seem a bit taupeish in comparison?
I would so much love an opinion on this one. Balanced beige or perfect greige in this very sunny family room with red oriental, cherry trim and oak flooring.
Author
Oooo, from the sounds of this I would lean into Perfect Greige 🙂
What is best carpet color to go with warm gray walls?
We painted our family room with accessible beige on top balanced beige on bottom. Top looks yellow blah. We like the balanced beige but not sure if we should do both up and down. The room looks similar to the picture with chair rail. Ours is same tone of wood. It has a lot oh windows and faces southwest. What are the colors used in that room. Thanks for your help. Also I have left several comments trying to reach you because I bought you e book but can’t get back in to review it. It won’t take my password or allow to reset. It comes up 520 or 502 error on your end. Thanks
What color hardwood floors go best with Sherwin-Williams balanced beige walls
Thx
What trim color would you recommend with Balanced Beige – Sherwin Williams Pure White, Alabaster, and/or High Reflective White
Author
Oooo, it would have to be Pure White for me!
Hi Kylie! We did a color consultation with you for our kitchen about 3 years ago and just wanted you to know how much we love it!!! We should have done it sooner but I kept changing my mind about painting our wood cabinets and then it took several months to convince my husband. You gave us many great suggestions and we decided on White Dove. Our walls were already painted something similar to Balanced beige. It turned out great and we got a new floor last year so it feels like a new kitchen. Thanks again! I like the suggestion of adding dark gray and this may help our all beige family room next to the kitchen.
Author
Oh Liz, i’m JUST catching up on my comments – THANK you for this, I’m so glad you’re happy! Of course, I would LOVE to see photos ;).
I painted our home inside balanced beige. I love it!! Having a hard time picking a wood floor color . Any suggestions 🤔
We are painting our kitchen Balanced Beige, what color do you suggest for cabinets? We want to go light
Author
It actually matters less what suits Balanced Beige and WAY MORE what suits your backsplash and countertop, specifically. I could throw colors at you that look good with Balanced Beige, but there’s no saying they’ll suit your main hard finishes!
While searching for new exterior paint I found a sample of Balanced Beige next to Evergreen Fog. All the posts I see about Evergreen Fog mention pairing with Accessibile Beige – so it’s causing me pause pairing the two. What are your thoughts on this? Thinking of doing Shoji White trim and a pretty Blustery Sky or Refuge blue door. 🤔
Author
Hey Jami, I LOVE this and wouldn’t worry about it, as long as you’re going for a moodier room. As for trim, I’d stay away from Shoji White as it’s a tricky off-white that isn’t best for trim, and not with Balanced Beige. If you REALLY want off-white trim, hit Aesthetic White, but otherwise, I’d head into SW Pure White for long term flexiblity, should you want to change your wall colors down the road!
Awesome! Thanks so much for your response. This is my first big project without a wingman to bounce ideas and thoughts off of. I’m doing it though!
I am thinking of using balanced beige on the siding of my modern architecture home I’m building. I will have stucco next to it. What would be a good complimentary color for the stucco? The window frames are black. thank you.