Picking a color, especially a neutral, is one of the most challenging aspects of decorating because the true color of something can only be determined by how it looks next to other colors. Beige has emerged as the new go-to color in interior design, replacing gray.
Beige is replacing gray as a popular interior color, offering warmth and versatility for various design styles. Sandy beige is ideal for creating inviting atmospheres in kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms, enhancing overall decor without overwhelming the space.
Trend Forecast: Why Beige Might Dominate in 2024
Beige, with its understated charm and calming effect, is expected to lead the way. As lifestyles evolve, homeowners are seeking a sanctuary, and beige offers a neutral canvas for creating serene and inviting spaces.
One of the most prominent colours stepping in to replace grey is beige. This versatile shade is celebrated for its ability to brighten spaces while evoking a sense of calm and timelessness. Unlike grey, beige offers a warmer, more organic feel, making it a perfect backdrop for a variety of design elements.
Brown, especially taupe, is the new beige in interior design, and it is easy to see why. Reminiscent of velvety cocoa, a mid-brown taupe is a striking color for any room.
A person who gravitates toward beige, she said, values comfort and warmth: It's classic, it never goes out of style, and it is soothing. “Beige creates that sense of calmness and tranquility,” she told me. It's also versatile; with an underlying palette of beige, it's easy to add pops of color at your discretion.
Both colours are on the neutral spectrum, but since grey is often deemed a colder colour, while beige is a warmer tone, the two feel like opposites that don't quite match.
'Beige is a classic neutral color that never really goes out of style,' says interior designer Montana Labelle. 'It provides a versatile base that can complement various design styles, from traditional to modern.
Light Gray. Light gray is a pale shade of gray with the hex code #D3D3D3, an achromatic color made by adding just a tiny bit of black to a white base. Out of a list of nine standard web color shades of gray, light gray is the second lightest after gainsboro.
Beige: The Neutral Backbone of Any Room
This versatile neutral never goes out of style because it effortlessly complements any space while adding warmth and balance. Its ability to blend into different décor styles has made it a go-to for creating cozy, welcoming rooms.
For a natural scheme, use bright white, just off white or the palest of warm grays; for bolder schemes, consider blues and greens with tones that match the beige you've chosen in intensity; and for bright rooms, you could venture to terracotta very effectively to create a warm, cozy glow.
One of the standout colour trends for Fall/Winter 2024 showcased during fashion month is the array of sandy taupes and beiges. These understated yet impactful neutrals bring a refined and natural elegance to the forefront of fashion.
Classic Gray is an almost off-white light gray that's soft and warm. It's one of Benjamin Moore's best-selling neutral colors and a popular choice among interior designers. It's a versatile light gray with barely-there warm undertones that appear greige when the lighting is dim.
Anew Gray is categorized as a neutral paint color by Sherwin Williams. It's definitely a greige – gray and beige are equally present in its makeup. This color is incredibly popular in interior design because it's understated enough to use all over your house, though far more interesting than a simple white.
'As we enter into 2024, the use of bright neutrals is going to be popular,' comments interior designer Luis Carmona. 'Colors like Alabaster from Sherwin-Williams and Harvest Moon from Backdrop allow the palette of the space to still be neutral, but with some added brightness.
When should you NOT use Edgecomb Gray? Be careful with Edgecomb Gray in dark rooms that don't receive a lot of natural light, especially north-facing rooms.
Beige is a warmer alternative to gray, making it a great choice for designers who want to create a more cozy and welcoming space. Not quite as warm as tan, beige is beautifully bright and airy. Jump on this sand-inspired trend and watch how beige can transform your home.
Ultimately the consensus is that gray will never fully be out of style, but in 2024 there's a shift towards using warmer tones in our homes. 'For years grays have dominated the 'neutral' spaces in our homes, but warmer tones are making a comeback.
Warm, light brown will replace gray as a neutral of choice in the new year. “After years of gray tone and monotone rooms, I think we all want to see some warmth and color in a room while still keeping to that earthy palette,” says Hayward.
Number One On The List: Sherwin Williams Natural Tan 7567. Sherwin Williams Natural Tan is a beautiful, light, warm, inviting, and transitional beige paint color that pairs well with earthy and bossy fixed elements.
Beige is the type of color that can be absolutely chic, elegant and timeless or can be downright dreadful, boring and dull if not worn well.
What Gray Paint Color Is Most Popular? The most popular gray paint colors are Agreeable Gray by Sherwin-Williams and Coventry Gray by Benjamin Moore. Both are gentle shades with slightly varying undertones that work in pretty much any space, no matter how big.
Beige is variously described as a pale sandy fawn color, a grayish tan, a light-grayish yellowish brown, or a pale to grayish yellow. It takes its name from French, where the word originally meant natural wool that has been neither bleached nor dyed, hence also the color of natural wool.
While it may not be as dominant as it once was, it is significant in various design elements. A survey by the Interior Design Association (IDA) in early 2024 found that 40% of interior designers still incorporate grey in their projects. This suggests that grey is somewhat out of style but is used more selectively.