Posted on January 2, 2021 by KylieMawdsley
BENJAMIN MOORE & SHERWIN WILLIAMS: TOP 12 Warm Neutrals
Guess who’s BAAAACK? That’s right – BEIGE, BABY! Okay, so maybe trends haven’t swung QUITE that warm, but I’m definitely seeing a shift out of those cool grays and into…well, into white and greige. Okay, so maybe beige isn’t back quiet yet, but IT’S COMIN’!
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This dog is patiently waiting for beige to come back
Which is why I’ve pulled together THE BEST beige and tan paint colors from Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore. These are colors I refer to ALL the time in my Online Paint Color Consulting, colors that go above and beyond boring old builder’s beige. Because let’s face it, not EVERY HOME can handle greige or white, sometimes beige is JUST what a home and homeowner need – it’s about picking the best Ginger BEIGE for the job (or both, really).
What we WON’T be looking at today are more traditional ‘golden’ beige paint colors. Why? Well, they aren’t popular. Sure, they were top tier in the early 2000s, but these days, my readers and clients have been wanting a more subtle approach to beige…and I’ve got it covered.
1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ACCESSIBLE BEIGE SW 7036
Accessible Beige is hands-down, the most popular beige in my repertoire. I have a Rolodex of paint colors in my brain (you younger folk might want to look that one up) and Accessible Beige is always top of mind when sitting down with a client’s home.
Accessible Beige is a light depth paint color that leans a bit gray, so it doesn’t have an even REMOTELY golden-approach. It’s also a great way to lean slightly into the gray-greige world, without going so far that you totally alienate a beige-inclined home.
But keep in mind, some beige tiles, countertops and carpets still can’t handle the muted approach of Accessible Beige and you might need to go warmer!
Learn more…
FULL Color Review of Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
YOUTUBE COLOR Review of Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CANVAS TAN SW 7531
Canvas Tan is a wicked warm neutral paint color. It has the warmth we expect from a beige with an almost creamy backdrop, taking any golden tones away.
Photo JR Photography
Before, this entryway was heavy and dated looking…
And after, it’s like a breath of fresh air, with Sherwin Williams Black Fox on the front door for contrast…
Learn more…
Full Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan
YOUTUBE Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan
And remember, exposure and interior lighting play MASSIVE roles in how a paint color looks, so don’t expect any of these paint colors to look exactly the same in your own home – SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE!
3. BENJAMIN MOORE STONE HOUSE CC-120
Stone House is a popular, considerably warm beige paint color. But, because it doesn’t have QUITE the richness of colors like Benjamin Moore Lenox Tan and Sherwin Williams Nomadic Desert, it’s still being used in homes that need a bit of extra warmth.
Seriously, some of my clients have AMAZING style…
What gives Stone House that warmth? Well, while its main undertone is orange, it’s a bit ‘pink-friendly’ as well, making it a versatile choice for some of the late 90s and early 2000s homes.
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Stone House
4. BENJAMIN MOORE GRANT BEIGE HC-83
Grant Beige SAYS it’s beige, but if you ask me, it’s a tan. Most beiges are a bit warmer and slightly more golden (not all, but many), whereas tans are more muted, subtle and MORE likely to lean a wink into gray. Of course, there are exceptions, but I find those exceptions are usually just named wrong – which means Grant Beige should really be Grant Tan. Am I talking too much? STORY OF MY LIFE!
Grant Beige has an LRV of almost 57, so while it’s a light depth paint color, it’s close to the light-medium range with more depth than the average light color.
See the WHOLE project HERE
Grant Beige also has a sneaky undertone to consider, which you’ll learn ALL about in its FULL color review (I can’t give it ALL away here!).
FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Grant Beige
Check out your packages HERE!
5. BENJAMIN MOORE CLAY BEIGE OC-11
Because I rely 100% on photos from my Online Paint Color Consulting clients, I don’t always have photos that are clear enough to use on my blog – which is the case with Clay Beige. However, as far as warm neutrals go, it really is a beauty.
Clay Beige is a light depth tan paint color with SUPER subtle undertones that rarely nod towards green (but can).
Clay Beige is the sample on the far left, you know, the one that got gnawed on by Chewbacca. These comparisons will give you a GREAT EYEBALL on how some of the different neutrals mentioned on this page compare to each other.
No photos of this bad boy – if you’ve used my Online Paint Color Consulting services, please think about sending some in – they MAKE MY DAY!
6. SHERWIN WILLIAMS NATURAL TAN SW 7567
Natural Tan, something I’ll never know about given my pasty white Ginger arse. Oh, not THAT type of natural tan…silly me. Natural Tan is the EPITOME of tan as it’s muted, subtle and in the right light (ie: north-facing), seems to lean a weeee willy wink into gray (although it really doesn’t). However, once in a BLUE moon (or a green one might be more the point), I’ve seen it pick up a flash of green, but it rarely shows up to the party.
Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Natural Tan
Let’s take a quick break to talk about paint samples…
Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a FEW reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…
- Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on location
- At $6.99, they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needing for traditional paint sampling
- If you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE
7. BENJAMIN MOORE MANCHESTER TAN HC-81
Manchester Tan has to be one of Benjamin Moore’s most ASKED for beige/tan paint colors as it’s been kickin’ it longer than Abby Wambach…I’ll wait while you Google her name to get the pun of it.
However, all is not what it seems as Manchester Tan isn’t a totally neutral paint color – it has a very slight green undertone that can QUICKLY clash with the wrong partner, so make sure you sample carefully!
Learn more…
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan
8. SHERWIN WILLIAMS KILIM BEIGE SW 6106
Okay, so Kilim Beige isn’t at the top of MY fave list, only because I personally prefer more muted beige and tan paint colors. However, Kilim Beige is MASSIVELY popular due to its unique blend of undertones, making it a top choice for homes built in the late 90s and early to mid-2000s, and this next picture will show you exactly why…
MANY of the tiles and countertops from the late 90s and 2000s have a slightly pink undertone, meaning MANY of my favourite beige and tan paint colors won’t make the cut. Kilim Beige, however, often hits it RIGHT on the money, even for those averse to a pink undertone.
Read more…
FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige
YOUTUBE COLOR Review of Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige
9. SHERWIN WILLIAMS BALANCED BEIGE SW 7037
Oh, Balanced Beige. If I had my druthers (I wouldn’t talk like an 85-year-old English lady) and I’d also put Balanced Beige at the top of the list. However, I DO like to mix things up, so I don’t weigh the start of every article with all of the good stuff – I like to make you dig for it.
Balanced Beige is more or less a light-medium depth version of Accessible Beige, so it’s AB with a bit more meat on its bones.
Balanced Beige has just the body I want in a beige paint color – not washed-out, not chunky and golden, just soft and relaxing.
Coming in a HOT SECOND place to Balanced Beige are the very comparable Sherwin Williams Shiitake and Loggia, both of which I have mad love for.
Read more…
FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige
10. Sherwin Williams Sandbar SW 7547
Sherwin Williams Sandbar is kind of picking up where Natural Tan left off – with more depth. It’s a pretty typical looking light-medium depth tan paint color that can pick up a flash of green. Generally, that green isn’t a concern UNLESS you partner it with products (ie: carpet/tile/etc…) with a pink undertone.
11. BENJAMIN MOORE MUSLIN OC-12 / CC-110
Muslin has been a LONG-time love of mine, not just for its versatility, but for its subtle, soft approach.
Muslin is a light depth beige paint color with a gentle orange undertone and a wee wink of pink tucked in there, making it suited to SO many tiles from 20-30 year ago. And while I might not have some great ‘after’ photos to show you (send them in E-Design clients, I’d love to see them!), it’s a GORGEOUS beige paint color that’s worth sampling up!
FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Muslin
12. SHERWIN WILLIAMS TONY TAUPE SW 7038
Tony Taupe is one of the darker options on this page, but don’t let his depth put you off, as Tony can be a GREAT choice in the right space!
Before, the green looked abrasive and uneasy with the orange-toned wood…
And without tipping the scales TOO warm (considering all the warm-toned woods), Tony Taupe saved the day…
Again, the green was NOT making this gorgeous stone fireplace very happy…
After, everything breathed a BIG sigh of relief – including the homeowner!
Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Tony Taupe
Want to see MORE great neutrals? Go to the bottom of the page to the READ MORE section – you’ll be reading for DAYS!
NEED HELP? Not sure which beige is best?
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting
Chat soon,
READ MORE…
The 8 Best WHOLE HOME WARM Paint Colors
The Best Cream Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams
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I love all your posts and videos!! You’re so good at explaining colors and undertones!! My question for you is my kitchen/dining room is painted SW agreeable gray and I want to repaint my adjoining living room with more of a warmer beige/tan. What colors should I look at that would pair good with the agreeable gray? Thanks so much!
Author
Hey Chelsea! Have you looked at the likes of Accessible Beige, Natural Tan and Aesthetic White?
what about a 1982 house with a orangish brown fake wood floor? My husband wants to paint our bedroom beige and likes Kilim beige, but I also like balanced beige. Would either of those go good with a brown-toned floor with definite orange tones? Now that I look at it our dresser has an orange tone to it too. Would beige even work with our room?
Does Clay Beige have a pink underdone at all? I’m looking for something that will coordinate well with Ballet White and really don’t want anything that flashes pink. I’m toying with the idea of Manchester Tan as well. Thank you!
Author
NOPE! You should be good with either ;).
I am picking out paint colors now and I have tried sample of some of the colors that you displayed, but it shows differently in my house. What do you think of the Benjamin Moore color palette starting with lighthouse landing 1044-1046 and palette with winter wheat 232 -233? I like the light beigey look but wonder if it will be true to its color.
Is there a beige that will work with Edgecomb Gray and not enhance the green undertone. Currently the beige (Shaker Beige) is clashing with the Edgecomb and making it seem more green. Is there another beige you can suggest that might work better. Thank you so much.
I have painted my lake house open concept main living area Alabaster and hate it. The windows reflecting the trees outside the windows line the area on the south facing side is a sickening green yellow color. Please help. I want a neutral color. Accessible beige?? I’ve also heart SW base is green which is another potential cause. I’m so frustrated.
Author
Oooo, it’s TOUGH to balance out that green light, and sometimes you can’t, short of choosing an overly orange, pink, or violet hue for your walls. The thing is, of the beiges, ACcessible is a BIT more likely than others to pick up a vague green undertone, so I imagine it will go ‘next level’ with your exposure/trees. I mean, I can see how Alabaster wouldn’t be great as it would go sicky yellow-green BECAUSE of the degree of yellow in it. I even get a wink of that with White Dove, which isn’t as warm as Alabaster.
I’d love to tell that one color will fix it all, but sometimes the color that fixes it is either a) SUPER dark or b) overly orange-pink in the evening hours, and even then even they sometimes grab green.
If I were you, and without knowing your home, I would look at something like Sherwin Williams City Loft, Alpaca, Popular Gray, Benjamin Moore Collingwood, Balboa Mist. These are all warm violet-based colors that ‘usually’ stand up well to green light. The darker a color is, the less light it reflects. As for darker colors, you can choose a darker color to reflect light…but then your lake home is painted a dark color. Having a lake home myself, I can’t see this being a big hit ;).