26 Designer-Approved Taupe Paint Colors for Every Room

Ah, taupe. The enigmatic neutral is a staple in interior design because it brings dimension, complexity and coziness to any surface. The dynamic shade is a mix of warm brown and cool gray, but despite its relatively simple base, this timeless color comes in endless variations — from earthy mushroom to whisper griege. The good news? We’re doing the legwork for you and sharing the top taupe paint colors approved by interior designers and HGTV stars alike, so it's easy to pick the right shade for your space. Read on to discover their go-to soft, smoky and sophisticated taupe paint colors before starting your next home project.

Take cues from your closet and dress your cabinets in this flattering Sherwin-Williams shade. Universal Khaki is a warm, mid-toned taupe with tan and green-beige undertones that shine with other earthy finishes. Here, interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn chooses the creamy mid-tone shade for the cabinets and pairs it with a natural stone backsplash and neutral hardwood floors.

What better shade to transform your bedroom into an at-home escape than Cocoon by Sherwin-Williams? This deep, smoky taupe adds depth to your walls while maintaining its warmth with gorgeous gray-olive undertones. Here, the grounding hue creates contrast behind a custom-upholstered bed and invites relaxation at the end of each day.

Sherwin-Williams softens a toasty tan base with a touch of green-gray, and voila! Meet Windsor Greige. The cozy taupe hue enhances the timeless appeal of the custom cabinetry in this stately kitchen by J. Stephens Interiors. Follow their lead and pair the creamy shade with warm finishes: brass hardware, gilt lanterns and rich walnut hardwood.

One pro move that will instantly elevate any space? Forgo white trim for a hue that feels more intentional and tailored to your house. Designer Brian Patrick Flynn transforms this hallway into a head-turning space using a few coats of Balanced Beige by Sherwin-Williams. This paint shade features taupe and pink undertones, providing elegance and warmth in all lighting.

If you’re looking for a taupe that plays well with warm and cool furnishings, add Natural Cream by Benjamin Moore to your must-swatch list. The fresh taupe hue features subtle gray and beige undertones that lend it a chameleon quality, allowing it to adapt to any space. In this luxury kitchen, the custom cabinets are painted Natural Cream and dressed with unlacquered brass hardware to bridge the gap between the snowy marble backsplash and latte-colored range.

Soft, sophisticated and balanced — Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball is the perfect taupe paint color for your walls, kitchen cabinets and furniture projects alike. The midtoned neutral is described by the brand as “neither too warm nor too cool” and was formulated to create a commanding sense of calm to even the most bustling spaces. The airy taupe provides a head-turning wash of color on the custom cabinetry in this stunning kitchen designed by Arianne Bugg.

There’s something timeless about this tan-leaning taupe by Glidden. Soft Suede is an earthy midtone hue that comes alive next to warm wood and metal finishes. Here, the refined neutral looks handsome paired with creamy built-in cabinets and antique furnishings.

Whether you’re painting a bedroom, kitchen, dining room or den, Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore rarely disappoints. The nearly-white hue adds a wash of soft, taupe-y color to your walls and a whisper of contrast against white trim. Barely-there blush and dove undertones provide this taupe with an ethereal, balanced finish.

Sherwin-Williams describes Loggia as “a warm hearth on a cold day,” and as you can see in this contemporary mudroom, they’re spot on. The midtoned taupe features stony gray and green undertones and a finish that appears warm in South- and West-facing light. Here, designer Tiffany Brooks pairs the neutral hue with charcoal cabinetry and white trim for a utility space that feels equal parts clean and serene.

Lift your walls or cabinets while maintaining a cozy feel using Sherwin-Williams’ Aesthetic White. This almost-white shade features taupe and violet undertones for a sophisticated, dove-like finish, and it shifts between appearing warm and cool depending on the lighting. Here, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt enlist Aesthetic White cabinetry and sage subway tiles to create a calming backdrop in this inviting family kitchen.

When in doubt, ask yourself, “What Would Joanna Gaines Do?” Take a page from her playbook and coat your dining room, entryway or den in this dreamy honey-taupe hue from Magnolia Paints: Embossed Letter. The warm shade brings a sunny disposition to your space and pairs seamlessly with earth-toned furnishings and natural wood finishes.

Lighten your walls without sacrificing warmth using a few coats of Sherwin-Williams’ Shoji White. The muted, mid-toned white forgoes brightness for an ultra-creamy finish and reads taupe in low light.

It's floor-to-ceiling taupe in the rustic kitchen inside this Montana bunkhouse. Wood shelves and countertops add play up the warmth of this mushroom shade with the softest rosy undertone. The color on the walls and cabinets here is custom, but consider Mesa Taupe by Behr for a similar look.

Make your open-concept living space feel intimate and inviting with a pail or two of Tony Taupe. The Sherwin-Williams shade is a rich taupe with chocolate, gray and mushroom undertones that grounds a space without feeling dark. Here, designer Brian Patrick Flynn applies Tony Taupe to the walls and ceiling, enveloping the space in softness. The inviting shade mirrors the neutral hardwood floors underfoot, creating a cocoon-like effect, ideal for unwinding with family and friends at the end of the day.

Repose Gray by Sherwin-Williams is a soft, adaptable neutral with gray, brown and violet undertones. The versatile shade appears off-white in well-lit locales and a smoky taupe in mid-to-low lighting. Here, Home Town designer Erin Napier uses Repose Gray to add subtle warmth to the walls behind the soaking tub in this charming primary ensuite.

Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore is a designer staple for bedrooms, kitchens and living spaces alike. This soft, smoky hue features notable gray, beige and green undertones, lending a cool-toned taupe appearance that stuns when paired with white trim and polished nickel hardware.

Set your intentions to live mindfully (and stylishly!) with this winning Sherwin-Williams shade. Mindful Gray is a warm, taupe-tined gray with beige, blue and violet undertones that take turns in the spotlight depending on the locale and sun exposure. Here, Mindful Gray walls provide a striking foil for Calacatta wainscoting and polished nickel hardware in this historic primary ensuite.

Navajo White by Sherwin-Williams is a creamy off-white with sunny tan undertones that looks taupe in dim lighting or in rooms with North-facing sun exposure. Here, Navajo White creates a neutral backdrop for this eclectic guest suite, complete with red-striped drapes, a bronze cow bust and an inviting bed piled high with playful pillows.

Taupe is defined by its mix of warm brown and cool gray base, and Cool Beige by Sherwin-Williams ticks both boxes. This handsome neutral has subtle yellow-brown undertones balanced by a touch of coolness that lends it a chameleon finish ideal for bedrooms, entryways and kitchens alike. Here, Cool Beige appears moody and mauve-y on the soothing guest suite walls.

If you’re searching for a balanced taupe, you’ve found it with this lovely shade from Benjamin Moore. Tapestry Beige features airy and adaptable green, gray and tan undertones that complement cool and warm finishes with ease. In this living room, as seen on Home Town, Erin Napier uses Tapestry Beige to create a bright yet calming backdrop for family life.

And the award for the lightest and brightest taupe on our list goes to … Focus by Pittsburgh Paints! Designer Leanne Ford used this ultra-airy hue in the great room on the first season of Rock the Block, and we’ve been thinking about it ever since. The pale taupe shade has light gray and red(!) undertones that come together to create a crisp blank canvas out of any wall.

Consider this your sign to forgo traditional stains for your railing, banister or newel post, and refresh your staircase with Purbeck Stone by Farrow & Ball instead. This midtoned neutral boasts cool gray and taupe undertones that create a calming, cozy and saturated shade that shines on millwork, walls and reimagined furniture alike.

If interior designer extraordinaire Tiffany Brooks selects this taupe for her personal bedroom — you know it’s good. She color-drenched her dreamy primary suite, as seen in HGTV Magazine, in Elephant Ear by Sherwin-Williams. The comforting taupe features warm gray and mushroom undertones and creates a cocoa-like finish that shines against the ivory, blush and golden accents at play in her space.

Take a page out of Brian Patrick Flynn’s book and paint your trim Neutral Ground by Sherwin-Williams. The warm taupe features soft green and khaki undertones, adding softness to spaces that crave it the most.

Deep khaki-colored cabinets bring a contemporary look to the European-inspired checkerboard flooring, X-back chairs and elaborate beaded chandelier, balancing the classic design elements with a utilitarian hue. To recreate the look, try Bristol Beige by Behr.