Posted on June 2, 2023 by KylieMawdsley
The Top 6 LIGHT-MEDIUM Depth Beige Paint Colors
Gone are the days of boring old beige! Beige has reached new heights in the last few years as homeowners have embraced the versatility of what was once considered a basic ‘builders’ color.
One of the front runners in the Battle of the Beige is Sherwin Williams, as they’ve created a range of dark neutral colors that will satisfy even the pickiest connoisseur (like me…). And while I’ve written several articles on the lighter end of the beige world (links posted throughout), this one focuses on beiges with just a WINK more depth.
1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS KILIM BEIGE 6106
Kilim Beige is warmer than many popular beige shades without fully committing to yellow, orange, or pink. However, of the undertones found in beige, Kilim Beige leans more to the orange end of things, not the yellow end, without becoming obnoxiously peach-toned. Compare it to Sherwin Williams Macadamia to see the difference.
TIPS FOR USING KILIM BEIGE
- Kilim Beige loves north-facing rooms as its warmth helps balance the cool light but can look OVERLY warm in southern or western afternoon sun.
- It DOES have a wink of red (pink) tucked inside, so make sure it jibes with the undertones of your interior finishes.
- Kilim Beige looks good with many wood tones, but avoid OVERLY yellow ones.
- The LRV of Kilim is 60, so while it will reflect some light into the room, don’t expect it to work ANY great wonders in a dark room.
Is Beige Back? You Might Be Surprised!
Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige Paint Color Review
2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS NOMADIC DESERT 6107
Nomadic Desert is a beige with a bit more meat on its bones. With an LRV of 50, Nomadic Desert adds decent visual weight to a room and a stronger contrast with white trim, especially compared to some of the popular lighter shades of beige. Really, Nomadic Desert is like a darker version of Kilim Beige, having similar features (and an orange undertone).
When thinking of ‘beige,’ Nomadic Desert is likely a little bit darker than the average person traditionally thinks of but isn’t so heavy that it will weigh down a well-lit room.
The Best Tan Paint Colours: Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams
TIPS FOR USING NOMADIC DESERT
- Nomadic Desert LOVES most wood tones but can fight a bit with OVERLY yellow or red ones.
- Nomadic suits both north or south-facing rooms, as long as they’re well-lit. With an LRV of 50, Nomadic Desert won’t add nor absorb light in a room, meaning it could feel a bit heavy in a low-light or dark room.
If you’re game for a BIT more depth, check out the delicious warmth of…
3. SHERWIN WILLIAMS LATTE 6108
Latte is a lovely, rich shade of beige with more depth than the average shade. While colors like this were popular in the early 2000s, many of my clients are still looking for these warmer shades when they want a color with a bit more personality than the average neutral.
Latte has an LRV of 38, making it a soft, medium-depth color. This depth means it can be used as an accent wall color when partnered with lighter beiges.
TIPS FOR USING LATTE
- It’s even better when it’s made with almond milk and you throw a little vanilla syrup in (wink wink)
- Latte suits many of the beige carpets and tiles from the early 2000s.
- Latte can be a beautiful exterior color, well-suited to various finishes.
- While some light beiges can be fussy with their trim colors, this depth can suit quite a few soft, warm whites and off-white beiges.
NEED HELP?
Check out my ONLINE PAINT COLOR PACKAGES – let’s get painting!
4. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ACCESSIBLE BEIGE 7036
Accessible Beige is gorgeous with its soft and subtle gray undertone, making it look the LEAST like a typical golden beige paint color. Accessible Beige is also the LIGHTEST and most popular shade on this page!
A lot of people are nervous that their beige is going to look reminiscent of the early 2000s. If you’re in this group, Accessible Beige is a great way to get the warmth of beige, without a heavy or dated look. However, if you’re a traditional beige lover and want some serious warmth, Accessible Beige could be too gray for you.
Paint Colour Review Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
The Best Beige Paint Colours for Today’s MODERN Home
TIPS FOR USING ACCESSIBLE BEIGE
- Accessible Beige can be a bit fussy with wood stains that have a lot of red/pink in them, but humors many others (it told me so)
- It’s a great color for a north or south-facing room; neither too warm nor too cold (check out its FULL-colour review here)
- Accessible Beige doesn’t have a super high LRV, sitting above 55, but not by much. So, while it’s a lighter color, it might feel a bit flat and drab if you have a dark room.
- Of the colors on this page, Accessible Beige and Balanced Beige are the most popular.
5. SHERWIN WILLIAMS BALANCED BEIGE 7037
Balanced Beige is like a slightly darker, light-medium version of Accessible Beige. And while Balanced Beige has a nice warmth to it, it’s subdued by a subtle gray base, making it one of the more MODERN beige paint colors in this range.
The 12 Most Popular LIGHT Beige & Tan Paint Colours
SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK paint samples are more affordable and EASIER than traditional sample pots.
And you get them delivered to your doorstep in 1 DAY!
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE
6. SHERWIN WILLIAMS BUNGALOW BEIGE 7511 or PAVILION BEIGE 7512
If your home’s finishes suit a beige with a bit more commitment, Bungalow Beige or Pavilion Beige could be your colors! Like the MAJORITY of today’s beige finishes, these two beautiful shades nod just a bit more towards an orange-pink undertone – more so than the others on this page.
Similar to Sherwin Williams Bungalow Beige, Dhurrie Beige, or Pavilion Beige
Sherwin Williams Pavillion Beige
TIPS FOR USING BUNGALOW BEIGE OR PAVILION BEIGE
- Bungalow Beige has an LRV of 53, parking it nicely in the higher end of the light-medium range.
- Pavilion Beige, which is very similar, has a lower LRV of 48 but is still considered a light-medium depth.
- For a lighter approach, check out Sherwin Williams River’s Edge.
- More so than MANY other popular beige and tan paint colors, these two shades suit various interior finishes.
WHAT COLORS GO BEST WITH BEIGE?
While it can depend on the depth of the beige you choose, here are some color combos to consider…
- BEIGE & GREIGE: Greige paint colors (green undertone) that are the same depth or darker than your beige.
- BEIGE & GRAY: These gray paint colors should have green or blue-green undertones and be the same depth or darker than your shade of beige.
- BEIGE & LIGHTER BEIGE: Choose a lighter version of your chosen beige for a tone-on-tone look.
- BEIGE & BLACK: Black is a great way to update a beige home, especially as it relates to hardware and light fixtures.
- BEIGE & BLUE: Beige can be fussy about its blue partner, but a darker shade of blue, including navy blue, can look classic.
- BEIGE & GREEN: When it comes to colors, beige is happiest with green, including warm and cool shades.
Get your SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK samples of Kylie M’s recommended neutrals.
Check out my SUPER cool video on Accessible Beige…
READ MORE
The Best Benjamin Moore Beige & Tan Paint Colors
Is Beige Back? You Might Be Surprised!
The Top 11 Paint Colors that AREN’T Beige!
THE 8 Best WHOLE HOME Warm Neutral Paint Colors
Want a beige that’s custom-tailored to your personal tastes?
Check out my E-Design / Color Consulting and Decorating Services!
Chat soon,
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2019, FULLY UPDATED FOR YOU IN 2023!
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This is a very helpful format. I like to know the undertones in colors and also woods, ect. that they work well with. Very well done.
I have come back to this article a lot! I am wondering if you’d ever recommend Canvas Tan to help neutralize forest green in a north facing room? We are in a new house and will be replacing all green surfaces eventually, but that whole time and money thing prevents it from happening until next year. Thanks for all of your helpful articles. Your website is like my design encyclopedia 🙂
Hi Kylie,
I love your vids. I need help choosing two additional colors for our flip properties. We typically work with Repose Gray in all the common areas and then switch things up in the bedrooms with Sea Salt (green) and Krypton (blue). Both are stunning colors that work well transitioning from the gray hallways. I need two more neutral SW colors for our rehab homes that have 3-4 bedrooms. We like to paint each bedroom a different color because it shows better in listing photos and identifies each room as separate. So……can you recommend a pale yellow and a beige/tan that would blend well with the other colors?
Author
Hi Joanne, thank you for your note! When it comes to questions like this, if the info you’ve found on my site isn’t quite enough then I do need to refer to my Online Consulting. I get dozens of questions like this in a day and I do have to give priority to my e-design clients 🙂 It’s affordable and if it interests you at all, you can check out the packages here. You’d probably just need the Single Room package to cover what you need… https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/product-category/interior-paint-colors/
Hi there!
Thank you for this post! Quick question, I am painting my walls SW balanced beige, and was wondering if you thought wool skein could work as the kitchen cabinet color against this? If not, do you have recommendations for a color that will work well on the cabinets?
Thanks,
Amanda
Author
Hi Amanda! When it comes to personal questions (as I get dozens in a day) I do need to refer to my E-design services. This way I can take a look at your home/countertops/backsplash/etc… and come up with the right solutions for you. Yours would fall under the ‘Random Questions’ package under Decorating and Design Ideas which is $65. If that interests you at all, here’s the link! And just a heads-up, I’m not a big fan of Balanced Beige and Wool Skein as WS can pick up a vague greenish undertone. https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Also, when you say 25% lighter in your video for accessible beige do you mean mixing 3 parts AB and 1 part white?
Author
Hi! 25% lighter is basically ‘taking 25% of the recipe ingredients out’ 🙂
My Sherwin Williams rep suggested accessible beige for my living room kitchen area as I have dark brown furniture and sliding blinds and cherry kitchen cabinets , but Inthink it’s too drab. I want a light color with a tan/gray undertone but not sure if this is too light. thank you.
Author
Hi Susan, if your gut says it isn’t right then I would say it probably isn’t right! I love SW Canvas Tan for a neutral soft look…Neutral Ground is also pretty with a bit of a creamy backdrop…
Will lightening accessible beige change the LRV?
My entire home is SW urban putty. Trying to lighten things up.
Author
Hi Lori! Yes, lightening a colour by 25% WILL change the LRV. Now I don’t know the exact science, but as I’ve played around I’ve found that 25% usually is 3-4 ‘points’ higher. So with Accessible Beige being 58, I would say that lightening it by 25% would bring it up around 61-62. Did you read my latest blog post, it was actually about this colour range – check it out and it might help you in your paint travels! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-paint-number-for-your-home-62/
~Kylie
Hi! Thanks for the pictures- we purchased a house that needs repainted to lighten the rooms- the baseboard trim is a dark wood so I was wondering if you think the Accesible Beige would go ok with darker trim?
Thanks, Heather
Author
Hi Heather! There’s a lot more to consider, like furniture/countertops/exposure/lighting, but in general, yes, Accessible Beige can work with darker trim! If you’d like me to take a look, I do have an affordable and fun E-design Services so I can suggest 3 colours specifically for you and your home! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hello, I was wondering if you could tell me what your trim color was? I am considering using this color, but we are doing a dark knotty Alder woodwork. It seems to be so hard to find a picture of accessible beige with anything other than white. Thank you
Author
Hi Rena! You could check out SW Alabaster which would look very pretty with Accessible Beige…
Yes!! Alabaster is the best trim color. I used it with agreeable grey in my kitchen even!!! Practically the best trim paint color EVER!!
This article is so helpful! I can’t decide between canvas tan and wool skein. We have dark, cherry wood trim in our living room, and it does not get much light. We want a neutral, warm color.
Author
Hi Portia, I would lean a bit more toward Canvas Tan than Wool Skein, simply because WS can sometimes pull a wink of green 🙂
I have really enjoyed reading your site. Do you believe agreeable gray and accessible beige would both go good with medium wood color trim and floors? Do you believe they would look good in adjacent rooms? Thank you
Author
Those are both nice with medium wood and generally speaking, they suit each other quite nicely. Each can change a bit depending on the exposure in each room though, but they compatible… 🙂
Hi again! I have another questions that you can hopefully help me with. My kitchen and dinning room face west so I tried using Wool Skein, however, I must be the rarity because it came out so darn yellow. Would canvas tan work better?
Author
Hi Sarah! Wool Skein is tricky as it has those warm tones in it, but it can also pick up a wink o’ green! Yes, you might find Canvas Tan a bit better or even Natural Tan. That’s without seeing your home/finishing, but its at least a place to start!
I have Canvas Tan walls with stained oak cabinets and trim in my utility bathroom, and it looks great. I also painted Canvas Tan in a long bedroom hallway that receives minimal natural light. The hallway trim has 13 year old white oil-based paint that has yellowed considerably through the years and looks awful with the walls. I need to re-paint all the trim– which Sherwin Williams white do you suggest to pair with Canvas Tan (and Softer Tan because that’s what’s painted in other areas of my home)? Thank you.
Author
Hi Donna, you could try SW Pure White which is a fresh, bright look (with a wink o’ warmth) or the soft, subtle look of SW Alabaster…
What would be the best accent wall color for canvas tan in a Den?
Author
Hi Kim! When it comes to personal questions, unfortunately, I don’t have an answer! There’s a lot more to consider such as size, flooring, furnishings, personal tastes! If you’d like me to take a look I do have a FABULOUS E-design service for just this purpose! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
I have SW Navajo white woodwork (and a lot of it). I am looking for a neutral for the entry and main living area. The color sample of Wool Skein definitely changes every time I walk by and look at it . Would you put Wool Skein with SW Navajo white trim? The main window wall is west facing.
Thank you!
Author
Hi Evonne! Wool Skein can pick up a slight green undertone (very slight) and I might worry about that a bit with Navajo White. You may need to warm things up a bit!
Thanks Kylie- I have learned a lot from your site.
I see that green undertone in some light.
What would be a warm option?
do you have anything written about white paint colors???? I only have east facing windows in a condo–plantation shutters cut some light–i have stark white cabinets i inherited from previous owner–she liked cool colors–how do i warm this up with a white???
If you have any ideas i would love it or have something already written
Author
Hi Dee, you bet I do! If you go into the search area, which is in the right hand sidebar, and type in ‘white paint colours’ you’ll see that I have 3-4 blog posts about whites!
Hope that helps…
We’re building a home that has a large open concept great room with large windows on the South side. I’ve been leaning towards having it painted in the Wool Skein. I’ve tried the color and like it a lot on the sample board. I’m looking for a color that will coordinate well for a feature wall, (The wall with the large windows and fireplace) And I’ve been looking for a color that doesn’t pull as much of the green undertone, but more of a brown warm color. Do you think Accessible Beige would work well with Wool Skein? Your website has been great and I keep referring back to it.
Author
Hi Carrie, I do try to refer most personal questions to my E-design, so I can spend some time with things, but I wouldn’t pair Accessible and Wool Skein – too similar, but different. I would also think twice about Wool Skein as it is lovely, but CAN pull a wee wink o’ green!
Thanks so much for taking the time to answering my question. What’s another Sherwin Williams color similar to Wool Skein that would look good throughout most of the home? I’ve also looked at Grecian Ivory and like it.
I am so confused on color. I have oak cabinets with yellow undertones. Medium honey color. The Sherwin willams paint specialist I had come to my house picked Modern Gray. I don’t think gray tone is good in my 1960’s traditional house.
Where should I go from here. I have wood floors, face south so no direct sunlight.
Author
Hi Chris, well your instincts are right, I wouldn’t do Modern Gray with medium honed toned cabinets! If you would like some suggestions that make more sense, I do have an affordable E-design service, this way I can look at photos of your kitchen/countertops/flooring and come up with some options that are more up your alley. I also explain about the colours too, so you can understand more about what you need to do! If that interests you, the link is here.. If you’d like any other suggestions, I do have an E-design service created just for questions like yours, so I can actually take a look at your room and learn more about your tastes. If that interests you, the link is here… https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
HOpe that helps!
~Kylie
I am redecorating my bedroom and deciding between worldy gray and accessible beige. My bedroom faces east and I do not get a lot of natural light. Which color do you think would be better and what undertones are they known to have or do you have any other neutral color suggestions?
Thanks
Author
Hi Mary, of the 2, I would lean toward Accessible Beige! If you’d like any other suggestions, I do have an E-design service created just for questions like yours, so I can actually take a look at your room and learn more about your tastes. If that interests you, the link is here… https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Kylie,
I have a bedroom that will be my T.V room and it has light coming from the west window. The molding is painted a camo brown ( my son painted ) which I need to keep that color. Also, there is a roman shade that is dark brown. I would like to have burnt orange assessories in the room. I am having a hard time choose a paint color. I don’t want the room to look dark. I also would like to paint the ceiling either white ( which one ?? ) or the same color as the whole room. What color would I paint one wall a different color to compliment the other wall color
Author
Hi Linda, thank you for your note! Unfortunately, I just can’t guess at it, not knowing the actual colour of your trim, decor, exposure, etc… And I try to give as much free info on my blog as possible and if that doesn’t help, you might want to check out my E-design which is affordable and fun!https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi kylie,
I’m actually lightning my open floor concept a little and I have north and south light coming in from both sides. My kitchen cabinets are white and my counter top is a light grey , my tile has a little bit of cream and beige. I was looking into accessible beige and modern gray. I really don’t want that cold feeling ,but ; I don’t want the yellow gold tone from accessible beige.. I’m looking for the cozy look with a bright feeling ..if that makes sense.. thank you!
Author
Hi Roxanna, when it comes to personal questions, I do refer to my E-design! I try to give as much helpful free info as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t help, it might be time for a closer look, otherwise, I’m totally just guessing as to what your room REALLY looks like. If you’re interested, the link is here, I’d love to help! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi Kylie,
Thank you so much for your articles. I have never heard of LRV before you posted about it. We just picked out Neutral Ground for our new home … it has not been painted yet, and I was wondering if you knew the LRV for that color. Thank you!!
Author
Hi Janet! The LRV for Neutral Ground is 70, and I am a HUGE fan of Neutral Ground!
Thanks for all the helpful info you have provided! I love the look of SW Wool Skein in the picture above. On the wall in my north and east facing bathroom, it looks more yellow and loses that bit of gray feel to it. Perhaps it is the lighting and shades on the scones. What color would be very similar to SW Wool Skein, but with less yellow and more of a gray undertone/feel.
Thanks!
I am painting my kitchen walls and cabinets. The colors need to coordinate with dark emparodor marble. Floors are ivory. I was thinking of painting the walls accessible beige and the cabinets balanced beige. Trim is white and room is south facing. Would this work? I have spent hours looking at SW paint colors. It’s exhausting.
Hi Kylie,
Great article! I have the honey oak trim and hard wood floors and I’m going between agreeable grey and accessible beige. Which do you reccomend with honey oak? Thanks!
Author
Hi Cinty! I do lean a BIT more into Accessible Beige than Agreeable Gray as the warmth could sit just a bit better, however it can depend on exposure/furnishings and other things too!
I love Kilim Beige and this article really helped me make the. Decision. I’ve subscribed to you!
Thank you
Deb
Author
That’s what I love to hear, thank you Deb!
I am in the process of picking out paint for my great room which has a high valued ceiling. It is south facing. I like SW Nomadic Desert for the walls and SW Dover White for the trim. There is no trim at ceiling. Only at the floor, and around windows and doors. Should I paint the ceiling Dover White or consider SW Divine White or another color to make the room feel more cozy and not so lofty.?
*vaulted ceiling not valued
accessible beige not grey sorry.
Jackie- what did you end up going with? I’m struggling with my cherry wood!
Hi Kylie, great article! We have Kilim Beige in our main living spaces and it works great. We will soon be painting our (currently espresso brown) kitchen cabinets white and feel like our home and decor will really support the change! What are your favorite coordinating wall. colors for Kilim Beige that also go with white cabinets? (leaning towards alabaster on the cabinets!) thanks!
My living room is facing west and a little on the dark side and my dining area is east facing, I have oak trim and cabinets and hardwoods , Ive sampled so many paint colors , including agreeable gray and accessible beige, I can’t decide! What color would be best?
Author
Hi Marcie! Without seeing the room, but knowing the exposures/oak, I would lean much more into Accessible Beige just for its subtle warmth!
Hi Kylie!!
So I all of a sudden wanted to paint my walls beige and was searching for tips online and came across your wonderful article. Would love your opinion: I was thinking of neutral ground and/or wool skein.
For my living room which of these beige would you suggest, I have a velvet emerald green sectional, a blueish grey rug and glass and brass tone coffee table. I also have built in shelves by my fire place to u want to accent in matte black.
For my bedroom: I want it all cream and luxurious, the only color I’ll have is my crimson red upholstered headboard.
Cheers
Constance
Hello! We currently have Dover White trim in our south facing living room, and are looking to paint the walls Accessible Beige. We would prefer to not paint the trim, and agonized over wall colors before finding Accessible Beige. Do you think those colors will work together well?
Author
Hi Kris! Dover White is a tricky one because it has so much yellow in it – I can’t say it’s my fave with Accessible Beige as AB is so muted and subtle looking and you may need a beige/tan with a bit more ‘colour’ to it!
Any thoughts on SW natural tan or natural linen? Natural tan looks bluish grey. Any suggestions? Would SW canvas tan or kilim beige be better options?
Hello, I am needing help with choosing a paint color for my kitchen and White Oak cabinets, it is a challenge to find the right off white color. It is open concept with the grate room being Sands of Time so with the cabinets being in the beige family, should I go with the Reliable White. Any of the next step up Lightweight Beige would seem to close to the color of the cabinets. Any input is greatly appreciated!
What is the wall color behind the book case in the video on A New Gray?
Author
That’s Benjamin Moore Classic Gray 🙂
Hi Kylie!
I have SW macadamia throughout the entire interior including ceilings. I’m wanting to lighten up the secondary bedrooms…think little cardboard box! One day I’ll get to repaint throughout but right now I just want something a good bit lighter that will flow with the macadamia. It looks fine in the larger open areas. House was built in 2011 and has the tans- cabinetry, granite etc. Thanks so much!
Hi Kylie! Just found your site and LOVE it! Does ANYTHING exist that coordinates with a reddish brick fireplace w/ slate mantle and oak corner units (curio and TV cabinet)? So far, all my research has said to paint the fireplace. NO! We love and want to highlight both. Nomadic Desert (from this blog!) is the best candidate so far, but I want something warm and comfy. Griege’s and trying to match the mortar come out either greenish or too cold.
I’m going to go binge read your blogs…! 🙂