The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

Beige is auniversally popular colorbecause it is relaxing and uncomplicated.

Butchoosing the right shadeof beige can be a challenge.

What should be a simple neutral color choice becomes more complicated when dealing with theundertonesin beige.

griege-painted living room

The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

This is where greige comes into play.

The undertones used in some gray colors can make it surprisingly difficult to match in a color scheme.

Gray is more than just black and white added togetherit can have a strong blue or green cast.

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

The Spruce

When you do get the gray right, the results are quite sophisticated.

And the lighter shades of gray can be luminous.

However, it is also not easy to find that perfect gray.

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

Benjamin Moore

What Is Greige?

Greige is simply beige plus gray.

Greige typically appears more gray than beige, however, it has beige’s warm yellow undertones.

Granite Boulder 790D-4 paint swatch from Behr

The Spruce

The ratio of beige to gray in your greige determines whether it is a cool or warm neutral.

Though it sounds confusing, it’s very simple.

A greige with a stronger gray influence is considered a cool neutral.

When you have a greige with more emphasis on beige, it is a warm neutral.

Go Greige in the Kitchen

Greige kitchen cabinetry is an alternative to stark white.

It also looks gorgeous with sage green or blue accents.

Layer sumptuous fabrics in various shades of greige for a relaxing retreat.

Greige can make a low-light space feel more inviting than many other neutrals.

Try it with white subway tile for a contrast.

Vary the tones from dark to light to make the space feel alive and vibrant.

Mistakes to Avoid

Despite greige’s versatility, the color can fall flat.

Here’s how to avoid mistakes when using greige.

Typically, a warmer greige (more beige) helps make a low-light room more inviting.

A cooler greige (more gray) keeps a space with plenty of natural light bright and airy.

Forgetting to Layer Greige

If you want a greige space to feel sophisticated, lean into layering.

Choose a boucle greige chair, a dark greige accent pillow, and a light greige chunky knit throw.

For example, a warm greige looks fabulous with a rich wood dresser or a brass chandelier.

Greige is a rich neutral that can be dressed up with mixed metals and varied furniture finishes.

Even mustard or bright orange works with the right tone of greige.

When Greige Is Better Than Beige or Gray

Greige can be much more versatile than beige.

A traditional beige shows a strong yellow undertone, making it hard to coordinate with cooler colors.

The addition of gray to beige creates a neutral that also works well with cooler colors.

Greige eliminates the dreaded undertone issues and makes it easier to create neutral color schemes.

In addition, if you love gray but worry that it’s cold, greige is the answer.

Greige is gray with beige’s warm undertones.

Now you might enjoy the elegance of gray without its cold blue undertones.

Top Greige Paints

Greige can be used instead of beige or gray in most spaces.

The level of warmth or coolness in a particular greige will determine which shade is right for the room.

Greige that leans toward gray is gorgeous with blue, white, and cool colors.

A greige that leans toward beige can be used with warmer colors or anywhere you would use beige.

It’s best to sample any greige you’re considering to get the right balance.

This color is stunning in spaces that call for a darker, more dramatic greige.

Yes, greige is still in style because it has become a timeless and inviting neutral.

While greige leans more towards gray, taupe leans more towards brown.

They are similar but not the same.

Gray, beige, and white are the most popular wall paint colors.