What color does not go with beige?

 

 

 

An elegant color, beige is a classic in interior decoration. Like white or brown, it is a neutral shade, to be used as a base. However, it is warmer and more luminous than these two sisters, available in a palette of shades that are as natural as they are sunny. Even if beige seems to be unanimous, not all colors agree with it. Some make it dull instead of enhancing it. An interior designer and a painting expert tell us their secrets for pairing beige with other colors, without missing a beat! 

 

If you are looking for an elegant and timeless color for your decor, beige is for you! It warms up a room with discretion and lets other colors express themselves. This neutral shade is also natural, reminiscent of the beach and its fine sand. If beige combines well with other more or less organic colors, some shades take on too much importance and break its luminosity. It is therefore recommended to accompany it with the right colors, whether in painting or decoration. The interior designer Inès Deschodt and the color expert of the Little Greene brand, Vincent Vallée, explain to us which colors do not go well with beige and how to use it in decoration. 

 

What color does not go with beige? 

Softer than white, which can be a bit cold, beige is part of the neutral family. This implies that it blends with many colors, and that it is rather simple to work with. "Beige is a base on which you can rely to accessorize your interior afterwards", explains Inès Deschodt. Choosing this shade as the main shade of your decoration allows you to have fun with the colors of furniture and accessories. For the interior designer, there is also "no faux pas possible". She nevertheless specifies: “Be careful that it is not bland!” and advises to warm it up. Vincent Vallée is more nuanced. "Beige likes to be in contrast," he explains. This implies that shades that are too neutral and cold - like blue or pale green - will not be highlighted by this color. You should also avoid shades that are too close, such as yellow, orange or gray. This can make the beige look a little "dirty" and especially dull. 

However, there are several shades of beige, from sand to pinker undertones, to taupe versions. Some variations are rather warm, while others are bright and can turn out to be cold. "White is not beige's best friend either, unless you have chosen a fairly dark shade", adds Vincent Vallée. He concludes by explaining that mixing beiges should be avoided. "We take our time to choose a beige. And we keep this one for the whole room. Even if it means choosing another beige for the room next door which does not have the same sunshine, the same luminosity." 

 

The colors to associate with beige 

To enhance beige in an interior, it must be associated with strong colors. A timeless duo is beige and a dark color. "There is the great classic of black: beige and black, very Coco Chanel", explains Vincent Vallée. Always in intense shades, Inès Deschodt advises browns and in particular "all wood species, to warm up beige". Wood can be installed on fittings as well as on furniture. It is also possible to replace it with a warm brown paint, with red undertones. The interior designer also advises to turn to intense greens, especially dark shades, such as fir or even olive. She recalls that the idea is to create contrast so that the two colors used stand out. Again, it depends on the chosen shade of beige. Vincent Vallée adds that graphic shades like blue are a great option. "There is a sea and beach effect which is very natural as an association for the eye", explains the color expert. Turn to strong shades, such as a Majorelle blue for example. Even red can be a good option!

 

  

 

In a white room, beige accents pair with pink hues for a romantic vibe. 

 

How to use beige in decoration 

To adopt beige in its decoration, all shots are allowed! Whether in paint, on furniture, or even in textiles, it is a basic, relatively warm color that helps create an elegant and welcoming atmosphere. "Beige is used like white. For rooms that you want to lighten and for which you do not want a marked color, explains Vincent Vallée. And it is used all over: walls, ceiling, woodwork. The beige is light enough to go on the ceiling without overwhelming the room." The color expert, on the other hand, advises against the beige wall and white ceiling duo which is - for him - not very modern. Inès Deschodt evokes the play of materials: "Today we find more and more natural colors and materials, such as beige, in lime paints, waxed concrete". The interior designer also tells us about beige textiles, at the heart of the trend: "The fabrics, sofas, cushions, rugs, curtains, very sober, but very elegant". She explains that it is better to choose contemporary materials and lines, with "tables in travertine or resin for example". In short, play the card modernity so as not to fall into a style that is too bland and past.