Beige is a versatile neutral color that can work with a variety of color palettes. When decorating with beige, it’s important to choose complementary colors that will make the beige really sing. The right color combinations can warm up a beige space, add contrast, or give it a cool, relaxing feeling. With so many potential beige color combinations, where do you start? Here’s a quick look at some of the best colors to mix with beige for beautiful, put-together rooms.
Warm Colors That Go With Beige
Some warm hues that pair nicely with beige include:
Browns
Rich chocolate browns are an obvious pairing for beige. They bring out the warmth in the beige while adding depth. Different shades of brown such as mocha, cocoa, cappuccino, and espresso all complement beige walls or furniture. Brown and beige is a foolproof combination for traditional or rustic interiors.
Tans
Lighter tans and camel hues blend seamlessly with beige for a monochromatic look. Try beige walls with tan leather furniture or tan and cream striped pillows on a beige sofa. The subtle variation adds nice interest while keeping a cohesive feel.
Reds
Certain reds work surprisingly well with beige. Look for muted reds like brick, terracotta or muted tomato shades. These earthy reds add a rustic, Southwestern vibe to beige rooms. Reds with orange or yellow undertones tend to look best with beige.
Yellows
Warm golden yellows and ochres complement beige beautifully. They bring light and optimism to a beige interior. Try mustard yellow, gold or burnt orange accessories against beige backgrounds. Just avoid pairing beige with lemony bright yellows as this can look washed out. Soft golden yellow is a better match.
| Warm Color | Specific Shades |
|---|---|
| Browns | Chocolate, mocha, cocoa, cappuccino, espresso |
| Tans | Camel, khaki, sand |
| Reds | Terracotta, brick, muted tomato |
| Yellows | Gold, mustard, ochre |
Cool Colors That Work With Beige
Some cool shades that pair attractively with beige include:
Blues
Different shades of blue complement beige in interesting ways. Soft powder blue and steel blue add a calm, relaxed feeling to a beige room. Navy blue makes for a bold, nautical contrast. Turquoise and teal blues inject energy and vibrancy when paired with beige walls or furniture.
Greens
Earthy sage greens blend seamlessly with beige for a natural, organic look. Mossy greens work well too. Mint and seafoam greens add a fun retro vibe when combined with beige. Olive green is another great option – it has gray undertones that tie in nicely with beige.
Grays
Grays are versatile with beige. Light dove grays blend in softly, while charcoal grays make a striking contrast. Silvery grays add a contemporary accent. Pair beige with different gray tones to create depth.
Purples
Certain muted purples like lavender, lilac and mauve complement beige interiors. These soft shades add a romantic, feminine touch. Avoid brighter purples and stick with dusty tones for pairing with beige.
| Cool Color | Specific Shades |
|---|---|
| Blues | Powder blue, steel blue, navy, turquoise, teal |
| Greens | Sage, olive, mint, seafoam |
| Grays | Dove, charcoal, silver |
| Purples | Lavender, lilac, mauve |
Neutrals That Work With Beige
Other neutral shades that pair well with beige include:
Whites
Clean bright white offers a crisp contrast against beige. Try white trim or furniture against beige walls. White also helps lighten up any dark beige shades. Natural linen or cream whites blend a bit more seamlessly for a softer look.
Blacks
For dramatic contrast, pair beige with jet black accents. Black lampshades, throw pillows or rattan furniture make beige pop. Stick to black in small splashes though, as too much can overwhelm the calm beige base.
Nudes
Look for neutral nudes like sand, almond, nude pink or taupe. These sit in the same color family as beige, allowing them to effortlessly blend together. Nudes with pink, peach or rose undertones help add subtle warmth.
| Neutral Color | Specific Shades |
|---|---|
| Whites | Bright white, cream, linen |
| Blacks | Jet black |
| Nudes | Sand, almond, taupe |
How to Combine Colors with Beige
When putting together a beige color scheme, follow these tips:
Use 60-30-10 Rule
This popular interior design rule guides you in combining colors. 60% should be your dominant color (in this case beige), 30% your secondary color, and 10% for accents. This creates balanced, harmonious rooms.
Mix Neutrals for Texture
Pair beige walls with nudes, whites, blacks and grays in different textures – glossy, matte, wood, velvet, etc. This adds depth and dimension.
Repeat a Secondary Color
Tie your look together by repeating your secondary color in multiple places – throw pillows, chairs, artwork, rugs, etc. This creates a cohesive flow.
Add Pops of Contrast
Use your accent color in bold splashes – toss pillows, vases, lamps, artwork. This dynamic contrast makes the beige sing.
Vary Tones of Secondary Color
Work in lighter and darker shades of your secondary color. For example, pair beige with both navy and powder blue. This variation stops the palette from becoming flat or predictable.
| Color Combining Tips | Examples |
|---|---|
| 60-30-10 rule | 60% beige, 30% navy, 10% yellow |
| Mix neutral textures | Beige walls, linen and velvet grays |
| Repeat secondary color | Beige sofa, navy chairs and pillows |
| Add bold pops of accent color | Beige and white with yellow vases |
| Vary tones of secondary color | Light and dark blues with beige |
Beige Color Combination Ideas
Here are some fabulous color schemes to inspire you when decorating with beige:
Beige, Sage Green, White
The soothing combination of beige, fresh sage green, and bright white evokes nature. It’s perfect for bedrooms or bathrooms. Use sage green in upholstery, art and accessories against beige walls. Add white bedding, trim and furnishings.
Beige, Navy Blue, Yellow
Nautical beige and navy blue get a lift from cheerful yellow accents in decor accessories, toss pillows, vases or upholstery. The bold contrast between navy and yellow makes the beige sing.
Beige, Terracotta, Gray
Warm terracotta adds rich character to beige and gray rooms. Use it in clay vases, ceramic lamps, tile floors or wall art. Cool gray bedding, curtains and furniture keep it grounded against beige walls.
Beige, Lavender, Metallics
Soft beige and lavender create a sweet, romantic bedroom or living area. Play up the feminine vibe with metallic accents in rose gold, silver and copper on lamps, decor and furniture hardware.
Beige, Brick Red, Charcoal
For dramatic contrast, pair earthy beige with bold brick red and charcoal black. Brick red makes a striking accent wall or front door against beige siding. Charcoal trim, shutters and decor add definition.
| Color Palette | How to Use |
|---|---|
| Beige, sage green, white | Green upholstery on beige walls, white bedding |
| Beige, navy, yellow | Beige sofa, navy chairs, yellow pillows |
| Beige, terracotta, gray | Terracotta lamps/art, gray linens on beige |
| Beige, lavender, metallics | Lavender walls, beige sofa, rose gold accessories |
| Beige, brick red, charcoal | Brick red door on beige with charcoal trim |
Conclusion
Beige is an extremely versatile neutral that allows for lots of creative color combinations. Pairing beige with warm hues like red, yellow and brown creates an earthy, cozy feel. Cool colors like blue, green and gray give beige a relaxing, airy vibe. Neutrals like white, black and nude blend seamlessly with beige. Follow basic color theory rules to put together balanced, harmonious beige color schemes. With endless possibilities, you can give your beige space any mood or style you wish!