Spotlight On: Fresh Ways to Decorate Your Space with Beige

Beige has been given the cold shoulder in design for years, while gray, the unofficial go-to neutral for nearly a decade, has dominated the color scene. But color trends come and go, and gray, as popular as it is, can have a chilly energy that leaves us craving more warmth in our homes. Enter beige, the perfect antidote. 

Beige has a new spring in its step this season. It's not just brown's washed out cousin anymore. Sunny and cozy, sophisticated and fresh, earthy and cheerful, beige's versatility is a big selling point. And an added bonus? It also plays nicely with cooler hues, which is great news for those who are looking around their gray homes right now, wondering how on earth beige can make its way into their existing color palette.

What is beige, exactly? Is it tan? Is it off-white? Is it camel? Taupe? It is pinky? Peachy? Greige? Mushroom? Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes and yes. It's all of these colors and more. Like gray, white, and every other color in the universe, there isn't just one singular, absolute definition of beige. It can have undertones of red, which creates a pink or peachy hue. It can lean more toward yellow, which gives us a candlelit glow. It can even be combined with gray to give us "greige," the Pinterest-popular portmanteau (gray + beige). That's what makes beige so versatile.

As you've probably begun to realize, beige is anything but basic, and adding this hue to your home can transform the entire space. Click through for inspiration on how to bring this cozy, neutral hue back into your interior design.

"Palo Santo" by Backdrop is the perfect golden beige paint color. Not quite yellow, and not quite cream, this luminous hue will fill any room with a sun-kissed glow.

Backdrop Standard Paint in "Palo Santo," $49 per gallon,

backdrophome.com

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Layering beige paint and fabrics with natural materials like wicker and wood creates a serene and relaxed monochromatic vibe. Keeping the wall color light allows the space to feel airy and earthy at the same time.

If you already have a room—or house—full of gray walls and furniture, don't worry. You can still take advantage of beige's warmth by layering colors. Take a cue from these textural pillows by Anthropologie and combine gray with beige, ivory, and even black for a beautifully balanced palette.

All Roads "Yucca" Pillow, from $78, anthropologie.com

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For a desert sunset feel, reach towards beige paint colors with a red undertone, like Benjamin Moore's "Sandpiper Beige," shown here. We suggest using just a touch to avoid letting the color turn too sweet in your space. Woven baskets on the wall add graphic interest and an extra layer of warmth.

Benjamin Moore "Sandpiper Beige" Paint, from $42.99 per gallon, benjaminmoore.com

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These stunning wallcoverings bring beige's coziness and gray's sophistication to a whole new level, making it unlikely that beige will ever be called boring again.

Striation Wallpaper in "Sand," $88, anthropologie.com

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