How to Bring Beige Walls to Life

There’s no doubt beige walls are classic; but they do have a bit of a reputation for being boring. These seven color pairing ideas should help keep your beige space as energized and full of personality as you are.

Red. Shades of red, from crimson to burgundy, generally look splendid against beige — the important thing is to match the warmth or coolness of the colors. If you love red but are hesitant about committing to an expensive piece (like an upholstered chair), test the waters by adding an art print, a few toss pillows or a vase, and see how your room feels with the addition.

How to decorate with red


Sea-glass green and sky blue. You can’t get much more appealing than sandy beige paired with the blues and greens of sea glass and cloudless skies — they make for a look that’s as simple and serene as a day at the beach. To craft this look, try putting your beige walls to work with white trim, a light-hued rug (try a natural-fiber one), a linen sofa, and pillows and accents in shades of blue. Sky blue feels a bit more traditional, while aqua and turquoise are funkier, and sea-glass green is utterly beachy — just choose your favorites.

How to decorate with light blue


Wildcard pairing: raspberry and tangerine. Beige is anything but boring when partnered with megawatt pink and tangerine. Pep up beige walls with raspberry bedding, a bright pouf and orange-tipped curtains. Beige helps these bright, fun colors feel more sophisticated and grown-up instead of bubble gum. Really feeling wild? Paint the ceiling pink, as the designer did here.

How to pick the perfect pink


Black and white. Richer and more interesting than a strict black and white scheme, beige, black and white as a palette is subtle and elegant, not stark. Outline beige walls with crisp white trim, black doors and dark floors. Roll out a natural-fiber or fluffy flokati rug for texture, and choose pure white furniture (with slipcovers for practicality) and plenty of black and white artwork. Bring richness to this scheme with chocolate, leather or hide accents and green plants.

See 11 reasons to paint your doors black


Coffee and cream. Whip up your own cappuccino with a mix of coffee and cream hues, from frothed milk to coffee bean. This is a great way to transform beige walls you weren’t so fond of into an asset. Contrast is key to making this look successful, so be sure to include shades that are both darker and lighter than your wall color.

How to work with coffee colors


Persimmon. Warm, deep orange is a surprisingly easy hue to work with. It’s bright but not in-your-face, cheerful without bring ditzy, and natural but certainly not boring. Try persimmon-colored furniture or add pop to neutral furniture with an orange throw and pillows.


Persimmon bedding is an easy way to completely change the feel of a beige bedroom. You don’t even need to splurge on a new headboard — just fold a gorgeous length of fabric and drape it over your existing headboard to give it a new lease on life.

How to work with all kinds of oranges


Green and gold. Grass green and gold make lively companions for beige walls. Green gourd lamps with simple white shades and a gold sunburst mirror are classic pieces but with a twist — perfect when you want to kick things up a notch. Complement the solid green by bringing in a few green prints that pick up the shade in slipcovers or throw pillows.

How to work with gold

Tell us: Do you have beige walls? How do you decorate around them? Share your photos and tips in the Comments!

More: 10 Ways to Make Your Neutral Palette Shine

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