WHAT IS THE NEW GRAY IN INTERIOR DESIGN
Beige room ideas are the new gray in interior design, and it isn't too difficult to see why. The beauty of a neutral scheme is that it provides a wonderful scaffold upon which to hang accents of color, adds Deborah Bass, founder of Base Interior. In fact, beige, and its darker variations, are also the colors replacing white.
IS GRAY OUT OF STYLE FOR 2023?
Like most things, color and home decor trends come and go, so while the cool-toned grays of the early noughties were hugely popular, we are now seeing a sudden and sharp shift away from cool tones in favor of warmer color schemes. Colors like beige, amber, ivory, rust, and sepia tones are taking over.
In the West, grey is associated with dullness, boredom, and old age, so it comes as no surprise that this 'trend' was never going to go the distance. Being surrounded by too much grey can leave you feeling drained and depleted of energy, and I am not the only one who is tired of the endless velvet grey sofas, carpets, walls, and decor that have graced homes over the past decade.
WHAT CAN I PAINT WALLS WITH INSTEAD OF GRAY?
Using an off-white or natural palette is all about adding depth and contrast in different layers and textures, says Jane Landino, creative head of the studio at Taylor Howes. ‘To make a neutral palette feel designed and considered it’s important to mix and match patterns, albeit neutral ones, and occasional pops of color. Just because something is beige doesn’t mean it has to be plain: think about the application, too.
HOW DO YOU DECORATE WITH BEIGE
A neutral color palette doesn't have to mean dull – let your room sing out with a tonal color palette. Here's how the experts get it right...
1. HOW TO USE BEIGE IN A KITCHEN
If you're wondering how to make a small kitchen look bigger, beige is a smart color choice. Unlike white, it will feel more welcoming and home buyers love cream kitchens, too, which is always a bonus.
2. HOW TO USE BEIGE IN A LIVING ROOM
Beige living rooms offer infinite possibilities for making this family space feel airy and relaxing, refined and timeless. However, beige living room paint ideas alone are not a fail-safe option – and it is all too easy to fall into the trap of using bland, dull colors that are nothing like the subtle, complex schemes featured here.
3. HOW TO USE BEIGE IN A BEDROOM
Subtle nuances of color are why James Thurstan Waterworth, founder of Thurstan, favors neutral colors in his schemes because they create a soft springboard from which antiques, art and other embellishments are able to sing.
4. HOW TO USE BEIGE IN A BATHROOM
When decorating a neutral bathroom, yet wanting to maintain a soothing environment, remember that accent colors can be introduced using elegant fragrances or bath oil bottles, says Sarah Ward, co-founder of Ward & Co Interiors.
4. HOW TO USE BEIGE IN AN ENTRYWAY
We adore the calmness that you create when you have a neutral palette in a room. But this choice definitely doesn’t have to mean boring: you can create an interesting and exciting space by layering different tones, such as off-whites and beige, then introducing a range of caramels and even accents of black.
6. HOW TO USE BEIGE IN A LAUNDRY ROOM
A warmer alternative to the once-popular gray, beige is easy to live with and can make a beautiful foundation for both contemporary and traditional schemes.
'Beige and brown both work well in the laundry room, they are inviting colors that remind us of the outdoors and nature and so encourage us to relax, which is particularly important in what could be perceived as a stressful space' says Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown Paints.
7. HOW TO USE BEIGE IN A DINING ROOM
'There is something intrinsically beautiful about curating a calm formal dining room,' says designer Tiffany Leigh. Beige is wonderful for this, but that doesn't mean you need to do away with gray entirely. This entire scheme is built upon a tonal palette of beige, dark brown, and mid-gray.'
8. HOW TO USE BEIGE IN A PANTRY
When selecting more neutral paint shades, it’s essential to get the mineral balance right, believes Tom Cox, co-founder of HÁM interiors. ‘We like to look at the pigment and depth of color in a paint – too often a shade will have too much grey or brown as undertones, which can then be challenging when adding decorative accents and finishing touches.'
9. HOW TO USE BEIGE IN A POWDER ROOM
Paneling is a smart way to add beige to a modest powder room, especially when paired with textured wallpaper in the same color palette for your powder room wall decor ideas.
Alternatively, beige or the beige-grey color trend can provide a perfect quiet backdrop for decorating with standout fixtures, colorful artwork, and cherished possessions.
10. HOW TO USE BEIGE IN A SUNROOM
While they may seem like a safe choice, decorating with neutrals can be tricky to get right, but with some interior design know-how, neutral shades can be used to create beautiful schemes for any room. As an earthy pigment, beige is brilliant for bringing the nurturing qualities of nature into the home for a soothing scheme.