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Beige color is a neutral blend of white and brown. The coolness of white paired with the warmth and earthiness of brown create this light, bright shade. Beige isn’t a primary color but a combination of hues.
It pairs well with neutral colors such as white, gray, and black. Beige also complements brighter colors such as yellow, green, blue, and red. The color comes in various shades, including taupe, tan, ivory, and cream.
What Color Is Beige?
Beige is a light sandy fawn color often appearing as light grayish-brown or grayish-yellow. It derives its name from the French word “beige,” meaning the natural color of unbleached wool or raw silk.
The hex code for beige is #F5F5DC. Beige pairs with many colors since it’s a neutral color, making it popular for interior design.
Symbolism and Meaning of Beige Color
There are a few cultural and psychological associations attributed to beige.
- Neutrality and Balance: Beige is a neutral color since it’s a blend of brown and white, symbolizing balance and impartiality. It represents a middle ground while avoiding extremes, making it a suitable base or background color.
- Simplicity and Minimalism: The understated nature of beige conveys a sense of harmony and tranquility. Beige exudes the feeling of modesty and is often used in minimalist designs and decor.
- Timelessness and Versatility: Beige has a classic feel that doesn’t fall out with the emerging trends. It adapts to various styles and aesthetics both in traditional and contemporary settings.
- Natural and Earthy: The color’s appearance mimics sunny deserts, sandy beaches, and warm earth tones. Its connection to nature evokes a sense of stability, groundedness, and authenticity.
Shades of Beige
Beige falls within the spectrum of light brown, giving it a range of shades and tones.
Dutch White
Dutch white is a soft shade with a hint of warmth. It’s an off-white color with a slight cream undertone. The color is suitable for walls, trim, and furniture painting.
| Shade | Beige Hex Code | CMYK | RGB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dutch White | #EFDFBB | 0, 4, 30, 9 | 239, 223, 187 |
Crayola’s Gold
The metallic gold shade is standard in art and design. Crayola’s Gold mimics the color of pure gold. The vibrant, eye-catching shade of beige is often associated with luxury and wealth. It evokes a sense of elegance in visual compositions.
| Shade | Beige Hex Code | CMYK | RGB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crayola’s Gold | #D4AF37 | 0, 25, 69, 16 | 212, 175, 55 |
Ecru
Ecru is a pale yellowish-beige color often used in interior design, fashion, and stationery. The shade of beige has a hint of gray, giving it a natural, earthy feel. It’s softer and warmer than pure white, making it suitable for a soothing atmosphere.
| Shade | Beige Hex Code | CMYK | RGB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecru | #C2B280 | 0, 3, 28, 23 | 194, 178, 128 |
Khaki
Khaki is a light brownish-yellow or tan color associated with durability and practicality. The shade of beige has a hint of green. It’s a popular choice for casual and outdoor clothing.
| Shade | Beige Hex Code | CMYK | RGB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khaki | #F0E68C | 0, 4, 42, 6 | 240, 230, 140 |
Desert Sand
Desert sand is a light, warm, and pale color reminiscent of the sand in desert landscapes. The warm brown undertones differentiate it from lighter, cooler shades of beige.
| Shade | Beige Hex Code | CMYK | RGB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Sand | #EDC9AF | 0, 15, 26, 7 | 237, 201, 175 |
Cream
The color cream is a soft, light, and warm shade that resembles the color of dairy cream. The neutral color is more delicate and warmer than pure white but still maintains a light and airy quality. It adds warmth, elegance, and simplicity to a space.
| Shade | Beige Hex Code | CMYK | RGB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cream | #FFFDD0 | 0, 1, 18, 0 | 255, 253, 208 |
Tan
Tan is a darker beige shade characterized by a brownish or yellowish undertone. The color varies in intensity, ranging from a light tan to a rich, deep tan color.
| Shade | Beige Hex Code | CMYK | RGB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tan | #D2B48C | 0, 14, 33, 18 | 210, 180, 140 |
Light French Beige
Light French beige is a pale and warm shade of beige. It’s a soft, delicate color with slight yellow or peach undertones. The shade creates a muted, elegant, and timeless aesthetic.
| Shade | Beige Hex Code | CMYK | RGB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light French Beige | #C8AD7F | 0, 14, 37, 22 | 200, 173, 127 |
Beige in Color Schemes and Combinations
1. Complementary Colors to Beige
The complementary color of beige is a shade of blue or blue-green. The pair forms a high-contrast palette, suitable for a dramatic and eye-catching design.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beige | #F5F5DC | 0, 0, 10, 4 | 245, 245, 220 |
| Navy Blue | #000080 | 100, 100, 0, 50 | 0, 0, 128 |
2. Analogous Colors to Beige
Analogous color schemes combine colors with similar characteristics. Beige forms an analogous palette with colors that have a warm, light, and muted tone. These colors create a harmonious and cohesive palette when used together.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Peach | #F5DCDC | 0, 10, 10, 4 | 245, 220, 220 |
| Beige | #F5F5DC | 0, 0, 10, 4 | 245, 245, 220 |
| Linen White | #F5E9DC | 0, 4, 10, 4 | 245, 233, 220 |
3. Triadic Colors with Beige
Triadic color schemes comprise three evenly spaced colors around the color wheel. For a triadic color scheme with beige, choose two colors that form an equilateral triangle with beige as the center point.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beige | #F5F5DC | 0, 0, 10, 4 | 245, 245, 220 |
| Light Cyan | #DCF5F5 | 10, 0, 0, 4 | 220, 245, 245 |
| Light Grayish Magenta | #F5DCF5 | 0, 10, 0, 4 | 245, 220, 245 |
4. Monochromatic Variations of Beige
Combining different shades, tints, and tones of a single color creates a monochromatic color scheme. In this case, a monochromatic color scheme would consist of various shades of beige.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beige | #F5F5DC | 0, 0, 10, 4 | 245, 245, 220 |
| White | #FFFFFF | 0, 0, 0, 0 | 255, 255, 255 |
| Pastel Yellow | #EAEAB4 | 0, 0, 23, 8 | 234, 234, 180 |
5. Tetradic Color Schemes with Beige
A tetradic color scheme contains two sets of complementary colors. All four colors are equidistant on the color wheel, forming a rectangle. The color scheme offers high contrast and variation.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beige | #F5F5DC | 0, 0, 10, 4 | 245, 245, 220 |
| Azureish White | #DCDCF5 | 10, 10, 0, 4 | 220, 220, 245 |
| Light Cyan | #DCF5F5 | 10, 0, 0, 4 | 220, 245, 245 |
| Pale Pink | #F5DCE9 | 0, 10, 5, 4 | 245, 220, 233 |
Making Beige Paint
The Components of Beige Paint
Beige paint is a combination of white and brown paint. Other variations and shades of beige paint contain gray or slight green undertones. Light beige paints have yellow or pink undertones, which gives them a pastel color.
Mixing Techniques for Creating Beige
- Mixing brown paint into a white paint base creates a beige color. You can combine equal parts of red, yellow, and blue paint to make brown paint.
- When making a light creamy beige, add a few drops of yellow to the paint mix. For beige paint with pink undertones, add pink or red color instead.
- Adding small amounts of brown color makes the beige paint darker. It helps achieve a light-dark or deep beige color.
Pigments and Dyes Used to Make Beige
- Titanium White
- Bronze Yellow
- Raw Sienna
- Cadmium Red
- Light Pink
- Ultramarine Blue
Uses and Applications of Beige
Beige as a Background Color
Beige provides a subtle backdrop that doesn’t overpower other design elements. It’s an ideal background color for websites, presentations, print, and branding.
The neutral background works well with most color palettes and design styles. It complements cool and warm tones, making it suitable for different themes and aesthetics.
Beige in Furniture and Decor
Beige upholstery creates a calm and inviting atmosphere when used on sofas, armchairs, and other furniture. The color is often used in decor styles that embrace a natural and organic finish.
A beige color palette works well in minimalist and contemporary interiors, where a clean and streamlined aesthetic is desired. Its neutral quality allows other design elements, like bold artwork or furniture, to take center stage without clashing.
Enhancing Spaces with Beige Accents
Beige accents can tone down the intensity in vibrant or bold color schemes and create a harmonious balance. It can also bring contrast in spaces with darker or bolder colors.
Beige paint is also used on accent walls to draw attention to specific elements in a space. For example, you can use beige as a border or trim around a focal point, such as an artwork or architectural feature.
