How to decorate with taupe

Taupe can be a great alternative to traditional white walls. This shade allows you to inject a bit of warmth into your interior while keeping your base neutral for the rest of your home décor.

One word of advice – once you've selected the perfect colour for your walls, take note of the RAL code and keep it safe. This code corresponds to a unique tone in the European RAL colour matching system which classifies paints, powder coatings and even plastics, allowing you to find the exact shade you have used. This is really handy for matching colours or reproducing the exact tone in the future.

Apprehensive about getting started? Read our top tips on how to paint a wall with ease.

As a colour that comes in a wide range of shades, the colour combinations you can create with a taupe wall are pretty much endless. Here are a few examples to get you started.

Two-toned walls

Can't make up your mind? Why go for one shade of taupe when you can choose two different ones! A pale pigeon grey, for example, works well with a darker brown tone. Perfect for adding character to a living room or bedroom, this two-toned approach will bring your interior right up to date.

Alternatively, you can pick out a wall or a part of a sloping roof to create an accent wall or separate off a small area. By dividing the space visually, you can set up a reading nook, play area or office space. Sometimes a quick lick of paint is all you need to make extra space!

Colours to contrast with taupe

If you're looking to give a twist to your taupe walls and add a little extra something to a room, go for contrasting colours. Whether you're redecorating a living room or bedroom, you can start by choosing a very soft shade of taupe. Then, create a bold contrast by painting one wall, part of a wall or an alcove in a colour like sea green, pale blue, dusty pink or terracotta.

In short, pick two tones and commit to them! A darker shade of taupe in the arch here provides a sense of depth to reinforce the cosy effect of the headboard.

Arctic blue works perfectly with different shades of taupe. Elegant and attractive, this colour combination is perfect for adding lots of interest to a living room. Here are a few more popular examples: bottle green and pinky taupe, pastel green and gold-toned taupe, pale blue and dark grey, or even Pantone's colour of the year 'Very Peri' on a pale taupe background.

Taupe walls and geometric shapes

Draw attention to a decorative item or piece of furniture by playing with difference tones and shades of taupe. For example, you can create a contour around a mirror, pick out the lines of a piece of furniture or paint your own headboard. Geometric or abstract shapes are ideal for creating a unique contemporary decorating scheme.

This idea also works really well in children's bedrooms. Match a neutral taupe to a brighter colour, like a canary yellow, for a fun and timeless look. Once again, you can use paint to separate a homework space or play area.

A taupe makeover for wallpaper

If you're looking for more pattern, texture or you just aren't happy with one solid colour on the walls, wallpaper can be a great option. Here, this white and taupe striped wallpaper matches perfectly with the taupe tones of the rest of the room for a really peaceful and restful effect.

In a living room, create your own little cinema by hanging wallpaper around the TV.

Shabby chic

For a touch of shabby chic, paint your walls taupe and create your own striped or even checked pattern in a paler tone above the headboard.

Combine your new feature wall with warm accessories like wooden lamps and a squishy sofa for a really laid back, relaxing atmosphere. Don't forget to add a little drop of nature with a bouquet of dried flowers or a pretty plant.

Taupe: the official ambassador of Scandi style

Warm and minimalist, Scandinavian style is without a doubt, the decorating trend that really brought taupe into our interiors. For a spacious, loft-style living room, combine taupe walls with a white ceiling and bring in the light with full-length curtains, a pale wood floor and minimalist furniture. Complete the look with a long pile rug in the same colour as your walls for a real wow factor.

Taupe meets contemporary design

If distressed one-toned interiors are what makes your heart sing, go for pale taupe and invest in matching furniture. This monochrome effect often does a great job at brightening up a space. You'll feel like you're stepping into a 4-star hotel every day!

Your sofa, cushions, artwork and even coffee table can be chosen to match in the living room. In the kitchen, go for black utensils and a black hob for the ultimate chic finish.

If you love Parisian style, you can't go wrong with wood panelling painted to match the wall for a contemporary touch – and a spot of extra warmth! To finish off the room, add a few pairs of curtains, lamps and a matching armchair for a really elegant and sophisticated living space.

Bohemian style for a mellow space

Bohemian style is all about natural materials like bleached oak, unfinished wood and caned furniture. Team it all up with a warm taupe with pinkish undertones. Go for a large raffia or seagrass rug and your space will be complete!

Alternatively, taupe with greenish undertones will go beautifully with an icy grey sofa, woven or black chairs and wicker lampshades for the perfect coastal vibe.

No one can resist a vase filled with pampas grass... Beige tones are a perfect match for a very dark taupe with brown accents.

As taupe is primarily brown in tone, wood is always a great match in practically any type of grain or colour. Play around with contrasts by teaming pale taupe walls with dark or unfinished wood furniture. Or you can go the opposite way with pale wood to soften the look of your darker taupe walls. A chevron parquet floor will tastefully finish off the room. A brown leather armchair, magazine rack and warm-toned velvet curtains – such as a dark mustard – will keeps things 100% cosy. To add a bit of life to the room, dot around some green plants with wicker pot covers. You might just find yourself never wanting to leave the house!

A very pale, soft taupe will really brighten up white ceramic or porcelain tiles in the bathroom. Round off the look with pale wood furniture for guaranteed relaxation.

As you've probably gathered by this point, taupe lends itself to any kind of decorating scheme whether you want to go all out with a complete taupe room for a warm, natural interior or mix it up with bolder colours for a more dynamic and modern space.

Like the idea of taupe but want to explore a wider palette of colours? Take a look at our coloured paints. The trickiest part will be choosing just one colour!

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