Beige is the New ‘It’ Colour

There’s a new ‘it’ colour in town and we’re seeing this colour everywhere. Beige has now become the go-to choice for walls, cabinets, counters and textiles. This warm neutral certainly is an adaptable colour and brings a depth of coziness not felt in the white or grey trend.

And there’s the problem right there – beige is the next big trend. If you’re a client or you follow me on socials, you know that I’m not a fan of trends. I believe in creating spaces that are authentic and make life better. This means uncovering the colours, textures and patterns that truly reflect who you are, not using the latest ‘it’ colour.

Saying that however, I have NEVER had a client tell me they want a stark, cold room. So I am happy to see beige back in the spotlight. The trick is to embrace the beige in a timeless way that will look just as good when the next trend rolls around. Oh and by the way, the fashionable name for the lighter shades of beige are complex creams. It probably sounds better than boring unimaginative ‘light beige’. 

Complex creams all have an undertone. Notice how these ‘beiges’ all look different, with some leaning towards shades of pink, green or yellow. It’s important to isolate the undertones so rooms have a coherent feel.

We’re going to be seeing a lot of complex creams and beiges in design so let’s dive into how to work with beige, the reason why beige is trending now and how to embrace this shift and while keeping it classic.

What to Know When Selecting Complex Creams

Just like whites, selecting a cream colour can be complicated because every complex cream has an undertone. An undertone is defined as a subtle colour that shows through another colour. Beige has FIVE identifiable undertones. 

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When selecting finishes to use in a room, the undertones MUST MATCH. There is nothing worse than having a green beige countertop and pairing it with a pink beige backsplash tile and gold beige walls. Take my word for it, this mishmash will look chaotic and won’t feel calm. Like any design rule, this can be broken, but it takes a keen eye and a real understanding of colour to pull it off. My advice is to stay with matching undertones for a calm, harmonious feel.

Identifying the Undertones

If starting a new project and there are no existing undertones to dictate direction, then I typically start off selecting a large item like countertops or flooring. All other choices then coordinate with the undertone found in the first selection. When there are existing elements in a room, perhaps a floor tile or backsplash, then the undertones have to be identified and matched. This oak flooring has an orange undertone so a complex cream like Benjamin Moore Navajo White (OC-95) will feel harmonious due to the orange undertone of this colour. Notice when the Navajo White paint chip is paired with Benjamin Moore Feather Down (OC-6 ) and a green beige fabric, the undertones really stand out. That’s because Feather Down, being a complex cream with a green undertone, looks lovely with the fabric, while the orange undertone of Navajo White becomes readily apparent. 

Undertones become very apparent when compared. Notice that when the Navajo White is paired with the orange flooring and fabric is reads cream. It isn’t until it’s places beside something green that the orange really stands out.

Following the Trend

Every time a trend rolls around, which is about every ten years, the mistake made is going all in. Take the grey trend for instance. There’s nothing wrong with the colour grey. As a matter of fact, Benjamin Moore has many shades of grey in their historical colour collection. The problem is that EVERYTHING was done in grey. Many new homes were built with greyed floors, countertops, backsplash and wall colour. When black accents such as faucets, door handles and windows were part of the design, there really wasn’t a lot of joy to be had. 

It’s interesting the hold trends have on us. Following trends creates a sense of tribalism and belonging. It gives people a sense of unity with others. The Social Identity Theory proposed by Tajfel & Turner in 1979, advances that individuals derive a portion of their self-concept from membership in social groups. So it’s human nature to want to be a part of the ‘it’ group and fit it.

I hold another theory as well. It’s difficult to be unique or yourself or bold or different when every single store and supplier is embracing the trend. A few years ago it was difficult to find a medium brown engineered hardwood floor. It’s no wonder that everyone was turning to grey – that’s all that was available.

This commissioned piece of art was based on a favourite passage of the client. Large in scale, measuring 60 x 60 inches, it personalizes an eating nook area while adding drama. Art work by Justus Friesen.

Although he probably wasn’t referring to decorating, e.e. cummings said it best in “A Poet’s Advice to Students’:

Good Design Makes Life Better

Right now it’s all about the beige. Personally, I love beige, and various shades of cream, brown, olive and gold. Those are my colours and always have been. Right through the grey, black and white trend I held fast and embraced my gold sofa, warm cream walls and creamy kitchen cabinets (Farrow&Ball White Tie). These colours are truly me and although at the time they weren’t the ‘trendy’ colours, I never felt the need to change them out. A space that is well done and carefully curated will transcend yearly trend shifts.

I’m all about designs that stand the test of time because they’re authentic to those that live there. Uncovering the colours, textures and patterns that speak to the soul is vital. I feel that we get brainwashed into thinking we love a trend because it shows up everywhere. Taking the time to figure out what truly makes one happy does take some effort and planning. When you walk through the door at the end of the day, there’s nothing better than your home rising up to meet you, embracing you and contributing to a rich life. Good design will do that. It makes life better. 

Creating a an old fashioned scrapbook of beautiful rooms is one way to see what truly speaks to the soul. There’s something lovely and soothing to actually cut out pictures and paste them in a scrapbook for review and interpretation.

Why Beige is Trending Now

If cream, beige, brown and golds are back in style, are we going back to the Tuscan trend, you ask? Yes and no. I like to look beyond the colour and style and ask what the trend gives us and what it’s a reaction to. Covid showed us that our homes matter and having a secure and cozy home is important to health and wellness. The Tuscan trend embraced safe warm colours that made us feel secure. It’s that security and warmth we desire, hence the emergence of the beige trend. It’s Tuscan Lite, meaning not so heavy and drenched. It’s brown and gold and caramel mixed with heavy doses of cream to add the freshness.

And that brings us to the point of not going all in on the beige trend, or on any trend. Recognize that there is a cultural shift happening as we desire our homes to be our sanctuaries, our safe warm spaces. But please also recognize that not everyone feels cozy and safe with beige, browns and golds. This is where design gets personal. There are many ways to warm up a space and achieve a feeling of security without ripping out everything and creating a beige palace. 

Creams, beige and browns have a calming effect on the central nervous system. They’re great colours to use for a restful feel as they are welcoming and soothing.

The Last Word

Shifts in society dictate shifts in home decor. Right now we’re wanting warm, nurturing homes. Not quite as choking as the Tuscan trend, but definitely warmer than the grey, white and black trend. Don’t think the only way to get the new fresh warm feeling is going all in with beige. There are other ways to make a home feel safe and cozy.

• Use warm colours, textures and interesting patterns to achieve a coziness.
• Display personal items that tell the story of your life.
• Shop vintage and antique sales for pieces that have a history.
• Add some wallpaper with character and say yes to new cushions for an old sofa.
• Create layers in a room by incorporating draperies and valances.
• Select colours that make you happy, and definitely freshen it up by adding in complex cream and beige elements.
• Set up zones with layers of lighting and put dimmers on all overhead lights.
• Incorporate lamps in every room as they add soft gentle lighting.

And lastly, go ahead and incorporate some beige and complex cream elements to update your space, but do it so it whispers timeless and doesn’t shout “I belong to the beige trend’. Promise that you will be aware of the five undertones when selecting creams and beiges. That way when the next societal shift occurs, you won’t feel like you live in a 2024 Beige Trend Home. You’ll be able to layer in some new elements that reflect a lifestyle shift while your home continues to be an authentic reflection of you.