Paint Colour Review: Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan 7531

Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan: a soft warm muted neutral paint colour

Just when we thought the whole world was going gray, we’re starting to see some warmth on the horizon. I mean, we’re not quite at the BEIGE end of things yet, but we’re certainly tiptoeing the boundaries, and I know that Canvas Tan will be one of the frontrunners when warm colours finally take over!

What type of paint colour is Canvas Tan? 

Canvas Tan is a tan paint colour (I’m not just good looks, you know). Many people call beige and tan by the same name, and you CAN, but I find it easier to separate them. Most shades of tan are a bit more muted (less rich and golden) and tend to favour a yellow undertone, whereas beiges tend to favour an orange undertone.

I also find it easier to ignore colour NAMES when figuring out what they are, as I’ve seen some GORGEOUS tan paint colours with ‘beige’ in their name (i.e. Grant Beige, for example). I’ve also seen some beautiful beiges with ‘tan’ in their name (i.e. Softer Tan).

Long story short, when it comes to beige and tan, I judge them ONLY on how they LOOK (same with husbands – wink wink, thank God Tim’s so darned cute!).

E-Design by Kylie M, Photo via Tim Hanson Photography

Is Canvas Tan a warm or cool paint colour?

Canvas Tan is a WARM paint colour with a kind of ‘khaki pants’ look. If you have a north-facing room or eastern afternoon light, Canvas Tan could add a nice balance to your space. If you have a south-facing room or warm afternoon western sunshine, Canvas Tan could look beautiful without going OVERLY golden/yellow.

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

What’s the LRV of Canvas Tan?

Canvas Tan has an LRV of 64, which makes it a light-depth paint colour (learn more HERE). It’s also in a GREAT place within the light range, not so high that it washes out in bright light, but not so low that it gets overly heavy or muddy looking.

Before, this central fireplace looked heavy and dated…

But after, Canvas Tan was a great colour to brighten and update the ENTIRE open-concept space…

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

What are the undertones of Canvas Tan? 

Canvas Tan DOES have a slightly more creamy backdrop than other popular tan and beige paint colours. So, whereas some tans will lean a wink gray, pink or even green, Canvas Tan is more likely to stay muted and neutral while still having warmth. I’ve never had it go pink on me; however, the ODD time I’ve seen it pick up a weeee wink o’ green (fractional at best).

What’s the best way to sample paint colours?

Like with every paint colour, 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!

LEARN ALL ABOUT SAMPLIZE HERE

If I’m painting my walls Canvas Tan, what’s the best white paint colour for my trim?

When choosing the best white paint colour from trims, doors, cabinets or ceiling WITH Canvas Tan, it can depend on the other finishes in your space, but I lean the most into…

• Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Sherwin Williams Alabaster can be quite soft and pretty

However, for those who prefer a soft approach, a warm colour like Shell White can look quite pretty. Remember that if you want to change your wall colour in the future, Shell White could be a bit limiting…

SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE

The 4 Best White Paint Colours from Sherwin Williams

Is Canvas Tan a popular exterior paint colour?

I won’t say that Canvas Tan isn’t GOOD; it just isn’t popular right now. Many people lean more into gray, greige or white for their exteriors rather than the warmer tan or beige end of things.

A soft, warm white like Sherwin Williams Alabaster is MASSIVELY popular right now

When it comes to exteriors that DO look good in warmer colours, a lot of them have stone or brick that prefer beige paint colours over the potentially slightly more cream undertone of Canvas Tan. Canvas Tan can work well if you have the right roof colour and NO stone or brick to worry about.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Colour

What paint colours are similar to Canvas Tan?

You won’t find an exact match for ANY colour between brands – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature and depths. However, there are some with similar intentions but different approaches…

• Sherwin Williams Natural Tan
• Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan

And if you’re thinking of colour matching between brands, you might want to read THIS first.

What type of paint colours go with Canvas Tan?

• Canvas Tan loves some gray paint colours that are the same depth as it OR darker, especially ones with a blue undertone. It isn’t AS happy with a gray paint colour that’s lighter than it (so LRV higher than 64)
• Check out greige paint colours with a green undertone
• Canvas Tan loves some soft cream paint colours
• Canvas Tan loves feature walls in navy blue, earthy greens and charcoal

Not sure if Canvas Tan is right for you? Want a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!

READ MORE

Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige

The 16 Best Paint Colours to Go With Cream Cabinets & Trim

Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Natural Tan

Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore Ballet White

Chat soon,

Not sure which paint colour is best for YOUR home?

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

WRITTEN IN 2020, UPDATED FOR PHOTOS & CONTENT IN 2022