Decorating & Design
November 30, 2023
When Is Beige Not Boring? 20 Spaces Where This Timeless Neutral Shines!
For some, beige equals bland. But it doesn’t have to be that way. This versatile neutral shakes off its ubiquitous “builder’s beige” reputation when it’s used to complement natural materials, or is reimagined in classic wallpaper prints. Plus, we’ve seen a revival in beige kitchens, where the color is a warmer alternative to white on clean lined, flat-front cabinets. Scroll down for all the ways beige can sing!
In the kitchen of this mid-century modern home in Steinbach, Manitoba, the designer uses loads of warm neutrals to enhance the spare lines. These beige cabinets are a perfect accompaniment for the the white oak herrringbone floor and wood island.
A wraparound linen and velvet headboard in two soft beige tones team up to create a layered, enveloping effect.
In a combination laundry room-office, beige cabinets are the perfect quiet choice on cabinets: it lets the wallpaper shine and looks crisp against white appliances.
Beige helps temper a busy wallpaper pattern to soothing effect. This botanical beige wallpaper by Schumacher wallpaper also helps soften the awkward ceiling angles and brings interest and elegance to this principal bedroom.
In the dining room of this newly built home, cool beige walls pop against crisp white trim and highlight moldings. Matching dining chairs create a sophisticated, tonal envelope.
Cabinets painted in pale beige Benjamin Moore’s Balboa Mist have an authentic, heritage look when designing a rustic kitchen like this one. This tone is a natural when paired with brass pendants and a dark wood island.
Painting the wainscotting and the trim beige makes this hallway seem cosier, and highlights the texture better than white, for an updated country look.
The driving idea behind this bedroom was to create a serene oasis with a palette of neutrals and minimal decorating. A commissioned piece over the bed by artist Teri Leese embodies the cool, quiet vibe.
This deep beige channelled banquette is plush and practical, offering plenty of seating while being practical in disguising spills.
This Toronto kitchen is a medley of soft tones: the banks of beige cabinets recede while complementing the woodgrain, so it becomes the focal point.
A beige sectional and drapes echoes the warm woods in this Eastern Townships cottage, providing a soft transition between the trees outside and the dining space.
When it comes to driving home a casual, rustic vibe, beige linens are a natural choice. In this cottage, a pick-stitched beige coverlet, rug and roman blind add warm texture but the look is still clean and tonal.
In this Calgary Craftsman, pale beige paint adds distinction to the ceiling beams and walls, while soft furnishings like dark beige drapes and a plaid rug create a mellow, cocooning effect.
Varying tones of beige create a harmonious vibe in the bay window of this front parlour.
Pale grasscloth wallpaper always adds texture to walls, and in this Florida golf cottage, it’s amped up by a daybed with beige caned side panels for a tropical, beachy feel.
Who says palm prints have to be green? Going neutral with this sunbleached beige colorway has the benefit of injecting a tropical vibe, while keeping things serene in this guest room.
Taj Mahal quartzite counters are shot with varying tones of beige veining for a rich look that makes this kitchen feel luxe, even though it’s on the small size. Flat-front cabinets in a warm beige with warm metallic knobs ground the lively quartz.
A medley of beige tones in the tadelakt plaster walls are the perfect palette to harmonize with the white oak reeded vanity, stone counter and original travertine flooring in this Montreal bathroom.
In this lakefront condo, “the color palette is more tonal, and there’s lots of texture to make it feel sophisticated and comfortable,” says designer Karen Shearim. Beige bedding and wall color lets the subtle leopard-print accent wallpaper and waterfront view pull the focus, and downplays the column near the window.