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The color taupe is a mix of brown and gray. Yellow or red undertones will make it skew warmer while green or blue undertones will give taupe a cool finish. Traditionally a darker shade, variations of taupe range from light to dark.
This versatile neutral is often used as an alternative to gray or white. It pairs well with pastels, earth tones, brighter shades, warm metals such as gold and brass, and rich wood tones in both modern and traditional interiors.
Check out these ideas for decorating with taupe to inspire you to try this easy neutral at home.
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Paint the Dining Room Taupe
Dark taupe walls will give a formal dining room a warm and inviting feel. My 100 Year Old Home paired taupe wall paint with white trim and a rustic wood table and chairs in this farmhouse dining room.
Where does taupe get its name?
Taupe gets its name from the French word for mole, inspired by the color of the furry subterranean mammal.
Soften a Contemporary Space
Soften a contemporary space by using taupe instead of white. Ashley Montgomery Design chose a light taupe for the flat-front cabinetry in this modern kitchen, and paired it with a mix of brown and gold tones for a high-end feel.
Mix Taupe With Pastels
Taupe wall paint creates a soothing accent wall in a nursery or playroom. Gray Space Interiors paired the neutral shade with soft pastels in shades of pink and blue in this calming kids’ space.
Use as an Accent
Mix pale gray cabinets, a dark brown island, and a light taupe backsplash to give a modern open-concept kitchen an earthy modern aesthetic. Jenn Pablo Studio complemented the neutral color scheme with plenty of white, glass pendants, and darker wood tones for a warm feel.
Pair Taupe With Gray
Mix taupe with gray to create an inviting feel in a Scandi-style living room like this space from Fantastic Frank. Taupe walls will create a backdrop for framed photographs or art that is just as easy to work with as white.
Warm Up Your Foyer
Warm taupe paint will warm up a foyer of any size or style. Becca Interiors painted the walls and French door frames in the same shade of taupe and furnished the space with a mix of woven accents and dark finishes to create a timeless transitional space.
Pair With Silver
Pair taupe with silver for a cool-toned feel. Becca Interiors painted both walls and ceiling in this farmhouse bathroom in a warm taupe that veers toward dark beige. A silver bathtub and vintage-style plumbing fixtures bring cool-toned balance.
Vary Taupe Finishes
Mix both finishes and shades of taupe to create a layered tonal feel. Will Brown Interiors combined matte taupe walls, cabinets, countertops, and a darker taupe backsplash with a glossy finish for a cohesive feel in this open-concept kitchen and dining room.
Mix Taupe With Pale Wood
Mix a cool shade of taupe with light wood tones for a modern organic feel, like this living room from Brophy Interiors. The neutral color will make indoor plants or an outdoor view of greenery look even more vibrant.
Combine With Gray Stone
Mix white walls, light taupe built-ins, and a heavily veined gray stone backsplash to add warmth to a modern cottage kitchen. Darker wood flooring and aged brass accents give this space from Whittney Parkinson Design a timeless feel.
Mix With Patterned Textiles
Use taupe paint to create a restful atmosphere in the bedroom. Ashley Montgomery Design used taupe walls as a foil for a mix of patterned textiles on the half curtains and dark floral throw pillows in this vintage-inspired space.
Pair Taupe With White
Lighter shades of taupe can work like beiges and tans to define wood trim or wainscoting, like this modern farmhouse dining room from Michelle Berwick Design.
Mix Shades of Taupe
Use two shades of taupe on walls and trim to create a harmonious feel. Jessica Nelson Design paired light taupe walls with slightly darker taupe window and baseboard trim in this airy farmhouse kitchen.
Accent With Black
Pair taupe with black for a sophisticated feel that can work in modern or traditional spaces. Whittney Parkinson Design paired taupe cabinetry with black countertops and a matching backsplash in this transitional-style eat-in kitchen.
Paint the Vanity Taupe
Paint a small sink vanity in a medium shade of taupe that veers toward gray. Desiree Burns Interiors used a lighter version on the walls and paired with gold-toned accents and patterned tile flooring to add interest to a smaller bathroom.
Paint Shiplap and Cabinetry
Paint the shiplap walls and built-in cabinetry of a farmhouse laundry room in a lighter shade of taupe. Kate Marker Interiors added contrast with dark countertops and black metal hardware in this airy space.
Define Cabinetry With Taupe
Use a lighter shade of taupe to define cabinetry in an otherwise all-white kitchen to add subtle variation while maintaining an overall neutral feel. Hannah Tyler Designs paired taupe cabinetry with gold-toned kitchen cabinet hardware in this modern space.
Contrast With White Trim
Contrast darker taupe walls with bright white trim to highlight architectural details. Arbor & Co. trimmed the windows, built-in bookcases, and mantel surround of this Craftsman-style living room in bright white, and modernized the brick fireplace facade with black paint.
Pair Light Taupe With Beige
Add dimension to a small powder room with light taupe wainscoting and taupe-y beige walls. Becca Interiors paired the wall paint with warm metals and natural wood and woven accents in this farmhouse space.
Mix With Patterned Tile
Mix soft taupe paint with cream wood trim and a graphic patterned tile fireplace surround in shades of gray to create a calming feel in a modern living room like this space from Brophy Interiors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color is most similar to taupe?
Taupe is a cool mix of brown and gray. An in-between color that is similar but not identical to other neutrals, it can be confused with beige, tan, and greige.
What colors match best with taupe?
Because taupe is a mix of brown and gray, it complements either of those shades. Taupe mixes easily with white or black, and works well with contrasting warm metal accents like brass and bronze. Pair taupe with rich wood tones, and shades ranging from pastel pinks and blues to earth tones such as olive.
Read the original article on The Spruce.
