December 14, 2023

Architectural Digest

By: Caitlin Gunther

In the era of “quiet luxury,” a taupe color is a primary shade. “Taupe doesn’t shout for attention. Instead, it whispers sophistication,” says Ginger Curtis, founder and CEO of Urbanology Designs in Dallas. Though it may seem ubiquitous, taupe can be tricky to put a finger on. “When considering a taupe color palette, I refer to the word’s origin, which derives from the French word for ‘mole,’” says Emma Sims-Hilditch, creative founder of English design house Sims Hilditch. “This definition can straddle many tones—from warm to cooler shades of brown-gray or gray-brown.” A versatile color, taupe can provide a unifying accent or a fresh alternative to the monotony of white walls.

To that end, we tapped some of our favorite designers for their expert tips on decorating with taupe, whether you’re after a stealth wealth bedroom or a maximalist living room with greige color blocking. The perfect taupe decor is totally DIY-able.

What color is truly taupe?

Taupe is on the spectrum between gray and brown. It can have warm or cool undertones, resembling anything from a dusty pink to stone gray. Behr has at least 22 shades of taupe, which shows the versatility of the color.

When did taupe become popular?

A Dictionary of Color places the first appearance of a color described as “taupe” in early 19th-century England. While taupe has been around as a staunch neutral ever since, the rise of quiet luxury has undoubtedly increased interest in the gray-brown color palette.

What are the basic rules for decorating with taupe?

“Incorporating taupe allows for versatility in design, providing a neutral foundation that can be easily enhanced. It’s a sophisticated neutral with depth. It strikes a perfect balance between warmth and neutrality, offering a timeless aesthetic that can evolve with changing trends,” says Beverly Hills–based interior designer Victoria Holly. She recommends embracing taupe’s versatility and take advantage of its neutral based to experiment with different textures, materials, and accent colors.

Curtis recommends using the neutral shade in well-lit spaces to showcase its warmth and versatility. Also, don’t forget to consider the undertones of taupe—some have warm tones, while others are cooler. Finally, Curtis warns against ignoring the overall style of the room. “Taupe can work in various design aesthetics, but it’s essential to complement the existing style,” she adds.

Pair light taupe with texture

“This Nantucket kitchen is a composition of lush textiles, natural materials, warm tones, clean lines, and curves,” says Melanie Coddington of San Francisco–based Coddington Design. “The palette of taupe and paprika was pulled from the landscape right outside the back door. In the autumn and winter, the beach grass turns a rich tawny orange color.”

While a fireplace isn’t typical in a kitchen, it was a point of nostalgia for the homeowner, who fondly recalled her mom’s fireplace in her Vermont kitchen. In this kitchen, light taupe was the perfect neutral shade to pair with the texture of the mantle and the crisp white of the Holly Hunt pendant.

Use taupe to balance a dramatic element

“In this primary en suite, we opted for a stunning, heavily veined slab of purple marble for the countertop, which adds a touch of drama whilst being tonal and very liveable,” says Tiffany Duggan, founder of Studio Duggan. “Brass and black accents give the look a little edge—which always works well with taupe.”

Color block with taupe

“Taupe is best used as a color block,” according to Philip Hooper, joint managing director of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. In this sitting room, the walls, crown, baseboard, and trim are all decorated in Farrow & Ball’s London Clay. On why they opted for a deep taupe tone, Hooper explains, “If you were to paint the trim in a lighter shade, it would make the main color feel undervalued and unsophisticated. Taupe is also a great shade for using on texture, painted burlap, rough plaster, or grainy wood.” With taupe paint colors, anything can feel more organic and earthy.

Experiment with taupe woodwork

“I particularly enjoy using taupes with greens, pinks, or lavenders. They also work nicely with Cotswold stone,” says Emma Sims-Hilditch, creative founder of English design house Sims Hilditch. To incorporate the neutral shade into your home decor, Sims-Hilditch recommends experimenting with taupe woodwork (like doors, architraves, or joinery) paired with a lighter taupe walls.

“I love using Neptune’s Driftwood interior paint on woodwork with Silver Birch on walls and ceiling for a cozy sitting room. If you have a north-facing room [w≤ith good natural light], a darker shade of taupe can be cozy. For a smart, atmospheric kitchen color scheme, I love the combination of painting your island in Burnt Sienna, the surrounding kitchen cabinets in Peat, and walls in Silver Birch—all neutral paint colors from Neptune.”

Channel calm through a taupe color palette

“The idea for this house was to create a really tonal, bright space that would instantly give you a feeling of calm and relaxation,” says Justine Potts, director of Potts Design. “The house is a holiday home near the beach in Dorset, and I wanted to use a strict tonal color palette that would cancel out the noise of busy life and transport you to a happy place. By using only two shades of taupe throughout the entire house, the rooms feel sunny and restful.” The taupe walls also beautifully frame the greenery of the surrounding gardens.

Match taupe color to artwork

For this study, Colleen Waguespack, interior designer of the eponymous design studio, chose Benjamin Moore River Reflections to give the space a sophisticated cool brown hue. Waguespack explains, “Taking direction from the Kevin Gillentine painting above the sofa, we wanted to incorporate warm taupe shades alongside a cooler backdrop. It worked well because the white oak wine room is tucked inside the study, but visible due to the steel and glass framing.” Waguespack continues, “The sofa is a decidedly warm taupe velvet, complementing the collection of antique books and the patina of the gilded sconces.”

Emphasize natural light

“Since this space has amazing natural light throughout the day, we wanted to maximize its impact while being sure nothing fell flat,” says J. Banks Design interior designer Lisa Whitley. A multi-use room with kitchen and dining space, the designers wanted it to feel inviting at any hour. “We used a variety of taupe tones ranging from deeper greige bronze to lighter washed taupes to achieve this. The deep taupe tones offered a weightier foundation when the sunlight is at its maximum strength. The lighter tones, found in the heavily textured fabrics and woods, tend to balance the dark taupe for a serene environment.”

Don’t overdo warm shades

“Taupe is a perfect, timeless, warm neutral. Post-COVID, I believe there is a need for these enveloping and earthy shades as they give a sense of coziness and comfort,” says Martyna Nicholson, interior designer at Herringbone. “When using a warm taupe, it’s good to keep other warm shades to a minimum and combine it with fresh, cooler colors—like a white countertop and lighter kitchen cabinets.”

Nicholson adds, “In this kitchen, the herringbone flooring adds an interesting texture, while the varied tones of the floor bring together the colors of the island and the cabinets.”

Create visual texture

“When designing this room, the sham fabric—a taupe linen with embroidered lavender florals—was our starting point,” says Alex Hendricks Feisal, lead designer at Charleston-based firm MDI Interior Design. “To accentuate the lavender detail without over-doing it, we layered in different shades of taupe with the fully upholstered headboard, the throw at the foot of the bed, the fringe trim on the lumbar pillow, the sheer draperies, and the decorative ceiling fixture, allowing the varying shades of taupe to create subtle visual texture.”

Draw inspiration from the desert

“This space was conceived as a tranquil desert sanctuary—a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life,” says Arizona-based interior designer Jennifer Ferrandi of NoMad Design. Our aim for this space was to craft a haven that seamlessly envelops its inhabitants.” To help bring the vision to life, she used a blend of rich warm wood tones, whites, and beiges.

Pair neutrals with a rug

“When working with a neutral palette, the soothing tones of creams and beiges can pair wonderfully with colorful art or an interesting rug,” Ferrandi says. In this living room, the taupe sofa and throw pillows provide a balancing contrast to heavily textured rug and framed art. At the same time, the taupe color palette plays nicely off the rich natural tones of the wooden coffee table. The space demonstrates how taupe can be an ideal supporting actor, allowing statement pieces to shine.

Let other colors shine

According to Curtis, taupe’s beauty is in its versatility, timelessness, and understated elegance. All of these attractive qualities mean using it in your interior design can immediately elevate a space, and makes it a great base choice when wanting to highlight bolder hues. “Taupe plays well with other colors, allowing them to shine without stealing the spotlight—subtle yet warm, perfect for creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere,” she adds.

Go for sophistication

“In this dining room space, we wanted to evoke a sense of timeless sophistication. Taupe serves as an excellent backdrop, offering a neutral canvas that complemented various elements in the space,” says Holly. The paneling in this room was previously a dark turquoise and by painting it taupe, the warm undertone helped elevate the look. “The contrasting darker wood, leather, and metal accents add depth and visual interest,” Holly adds.