Taupe is a shade of grayish brown. Its name is the French word for “mole,” and the word was initially meant to describe the color of an average mole. Over time, its meaning expanded to cover a broader range of colors. Now, it’s commonly used to describe relatively pale shades of brown with distinctive gray undertones.
Taupe is a rich and complex neutral, so as you might imagine, it goes nicely with many different colors. If you plan on including taupe in your next project, you’ll need to find the right colors to pair it with.
Here’s a selection of colors that go with taupe, including color palette examples:
1. Cranberry and Taupe
Hex Codes: #950714, #483C32, #F6F7EB
This color combination is bold and unexpected. Taupe is often a darker, nearly neutral shade, so in some cases, you might want to add a burst of a warmer color to energize the palette as a whole.
If you’re hoping to give your design an extra boost of energy, try adding red. A traditional shade of cardinal red can sometimes be a little bit too much, so you might consider using cranberry red. Like the fruit it’s named after, cranberry red is slightly darker, and this makes sure it doesn’t seem too jarring when used alongside taupe.
2. Ivory and Taupe
Hex Codes: #FFFFF0, #6B5B4D, #BE92A2
If you’re hoping to design a room with a color scheme that’s both neutral and cozy, you might like the combination of ivory and taupe. Ivory often has beige undertones, and those undertones make it go beautifully with taupe.
Try this quiet color scheme in a bedroom. You might consider an ivory bedspread against light taupe walls. Natural wooden floors and furniture and an ivory rug round out the look. If you want to expand the color palette from here, you can layer in a range of other neutrals to create a Scandinavian color scheme.
3. Sage Green and Taupe
Hex Codes: #9CAF88, #7A6A5C, #D4B996
If you love the natural world, you can bring it inside with the right color palette. This combination captures the freshness of green foliage and the soft earthiness of a forest floor. One of the easiest ways to use these colors is to paint the walls of a room sage green and include taupe furniture.
You can shift the mood and energy of a room by varying the depth and saturation of these shades. If you want to really emphasize sage, incorporate more saturated shades of sage and paler shades of taupe. But if you want the space to have a more neutral focus, include more intense, saturated taupe shades and less saturated shades of sage.
4. Lavender and Taupe
Hex Codes: #E6E6FA, #6D5F52, #210124
The combination of lavender and taupe is another earth-inspired one. Both shades have grayish undertones, so they’re perfect for creating soft and relaxing color schemes. For example, if you’re designing a living room and want to keep the focus mostly neutral, you could include walls, couches, and rugs in various shades of taupe. From there, you could add lavender curtains and accent pillows.
If you like that color scheme but want something more high-contrast and dramatic, you might consider including lavender walls instead. It might be difficult to find patterns incorporating these colors, but if you can, try adding a patterned rug or wall hanging to the mix!
5. Ash Blue and Taupe
Hex Codes: #A7C2CC, #5E5347, #F7C548
Ash blue may not technically be a neutral color, but it’s fairly close. It’s a pale shade of grayish blue that’s often used as a wall color. There’s enough color in it to add some interest, but not enough that the color clashes with elements of your decor.
The grayish cast of ash blue pairs beautifully with the grayish brown color of taupe. The two shades can be endlessly mixed and matched throughout a space, as both of them can function as neutrals.
6. Cognac Brown and Taupe
Hex Codes: #834333, #4F4136, #D8DBE2
Here’s another pair of neutral shades with plenty of potential! Cognac brown is a warmish, reddish-brown neutral that has gained popularity in recent years, especially as a color for leather couches. It’s easy to build a living room around a set of camel-colored couches and taupe walls.
Taupe’s gray undertones are a great counterbalance for cognac’s warmth, but if you want to add even more of a cool influence, consider adding navy blue. Cognac is an orangish brown, and because blue and orange are complementary shades, this combination will create a pop of color.
7. Black and Taupe
Hex Codes: #000000, #5C5248, #EFC7C2
The combination of black and taupe might seem like it would be too dark in most spaces. The trick to maintaining balance with this combination is to use a light shade of taupe and a relatively small amount of black — just enough to add some interest and keep things grounded.
For example, you could create a simple but appealing dining room with taupe walls, a jute rug, and a black table and chairs. The black dining set creates a focal point in the center of the room, but the lighter colors elsewhere keep it from becoming too dark.
8. Ochre and Taupe
Hex Codes: #CC7722, #6B6054, #ECDCC9
If you’re looking to create a color scheme with vintage appeal, the combination of ochre and taupe is worth looking at. While you can still find ochre furniture made today, this bright yet earthy color’s heyday was in the 1970s.
These two colors can combine to create an alluring and uncommon color scheme. However, because neither one is especially dark, you may want to include a few darker elements to keep things grounded. For example, if you’re designing a bedroom, you could place an ochre bedspread in front of taupe-colored walls. From there, you could add a cream-colored wall hanging (or a rug) with a geometric, navy blue pattern.
9. Mahogany and Taupe
Hex Codes: #C04000, #4F4339, #B5C2B7
Shades of black and navy blue aren’t your only options when it comes to grounding a taupe-heavy color scheme. The dark, woody tone of mahogany works naturally with taupe. Alternatively, you can use brighter, more energizing orange shades of mahogany.
It’s very easy to integrate into any space — if you’re including any kind of wood furniture in the room, you can simply select furniture with a mahogany finish.
10. Pewter and Taupe
Hex Codes: #ADB4BF, #645A50, #231651
When you’re selecting colors for an interior, it’s easy to forget the importance of metallics. But if you work in design or just enjoy it as a hobby, you know that every tiny detail counts! And if a room you’re designing includes any kind of metal — like picture frames, knobs, handles, or light fixtures — you might consider using pewter along with taupe.
Like silver, pewter is a cool-leaning metallic. It usually has a satiny finish that gives it an almost grayish quality, so it’s right at home next to the gray-brown in taupe. Fortunately, pewter is very easy to integrate into an existing room — and very easy to remove if you don’t like it. This combination looks nice with a bit of black there to ground it.
11. Teal and Taupe
Hex Codes: #008080, #5A4F45, #C5E99B
Generally speaking, shades of blue and shades of brown tend to look nice next to one another. And if you’re designing a room with a good bit of taupe, you might find that teal’s deep blue-green is an effective counterbalance to taupe’s softer, almost dusty look.
If you want to play it safe and keep the space mostly neutral, consider taupe walls and furniture with teal curtains, rugs, and accents. But if you want a bolder look, try combining deep teal walls with pale taupe furniture. To make the room seem a bit more integrated, add a few teal accents — a couple of vases, accent pillows, or even statement chairs will work.
12. Cool White and Taupe
Hex Codes: #F4FDFF, #6E6359, #E5B25D
Taupe is a versatile neutral that can be layered with a range of other neutrals. Often, it’s layered in with warmer-leaning shades like cream, ivory, camel, cognac, and warm beige. But there’s something to be said for combining cool white with taupe, too.
One eye-catching and unusual way to use these two together is to combine cool white walls with taupe doors and wall trim. This is the inverse of a more common color scheme: taupe walls (or walls of another color) with white wall trim.
13. Forest Green and Taupe
Hex Codes: #014421, #5C5248, #DADDD8
Shades of dark green often create classic looks when paired with shades of beige and tan. One great example is the combination of the colors hunter green and khaki.
If you like the hunter green/khaki combination but are going for an even cooler aesthetic, try using forest green and taupe together. Forest green has more blue undertones than hunter green, and taupe is cooler than most shades of khaki.
14. Red-Orange and Taupe
Hex Codes: #FF5349, #685D52, #F2F5EA
Many interior designers are hesitant to use orange in a project. Many also approach using red with caution, so it might seem strange to use red-orange in an interior. This super-vivid shade isn’t right for every single aesthetic, but when it’s implemented carefully, it can be part of a memorable room.
For example, say you’re designing a living room and start with white walls and taupe couches. On its own, this combination seems dull and nondescript. However, if you add red-orange curtains, a couple of red-orange accent pillows, and a black and white patterned rug, you get a delightfully uncommon living space.
15. Olive Green and Taupe
Hex Codes: #556B2F, #5B5248, #E1D89F
Olive green might not technically be a neutral color, but like sage and some similar shades, it can sometimes be used like one. This is especially true of paler, washed-out shades of olive.
You can use olive green — especially a desaturated, muted shade — alongside taupe to create a soothing, earthy palette. Because this combination is such a calming one, it’s ideal for a bedroom. Try combining soft olive-green walls with a taupe bedspread and other taupe furniture. A couple of olive lampshades or accent pillows can help bring everything together.
16. Cocoa Brown and Taupe
Hex Codes: #734C3F, #554A40, #FFE0B5
A monochromatic brown palette might not sound particularly exciting. But when it’s done well, it can create a unique space with a modern edge.
These two colors also add an opportunity to create a Scandinavian color scheme by layering an array of soft neutrals into your space. Shades of cream, brown, and even gray can work beautifully. If you need a little more color, try adding a splash of a cool accent color like deep blue.
17. Burnt Orange and Taupe
Hex Codes: #BF5700, #6A6056, #D1D1D1
Earlier, we mentioned using red-orange along with taupe. This fiery combination isn’t for everyone, and if you’d like to try using a more muted version, the autumnal combination of burnt orange and taupe is a good choice.
One of the best ways to put this color scheme to work is to use burnt orange as an accent color in a palette that layers taupe with other neutrals. Give the room a sense of focus with a burnt orange wall hanging or centerpiece, and create a balance by sprinkling in a few burnt-orange accents, too.
18. Baby Blue and Taupe
Hex Codes: #89CFF0, #746A60, #CAB6CD
The combination of blue and brown is a classic. Depending on the shades of each you choose, you can create a vibrant, saturated palette or a quiet, demure color scheme.
The combination of taupe and baby blue is a way to achieve the latter. Taupe’s cool, gray undertones make it a great companion for baby blue. The most common way to integrate these shades might be to create a mostly taupe room and then add a few baby blue accents. However, if you want to do something bold and distinctive, try baby-blue walls behind taupe furniture.
19. Espresso Brown and Taupe
Hex Codes: #363031, #4A3F35, #819595
This combination is another example of a monochromatic (or near-monochromatic) color scheme. It’s ideal if you like the understated calm of taupe but also want to make sure your space is well-grounded.
It doesn’t take a whole lot of espresso brown to ground a space — even a coffee table, a chair, or a patterned rug can be enough. However, if you want to create a space with dramatic contrast, consider adding espresso-brown walls to a largely taupe room. This design choice can quickly overwhelm smaller rooms, so in that case, you might choose to add a single espresso-brown wall as an accent.
20. Burgundy and Taupe
Hex Codes: #800020, #5F554A, #C49E85
Taupe is muted, quiet, and nature-inspired. Burgundy is bold, dark, and regal. Together, they make an unexpected pairing — but that’s perfect for anyone who loves dramatic interiors.
In recent years, burgundy walls have become somewhat popular. However, this isn’t a design choice for everyone. You can also create a striking space by adding a burgundy focal point in a taupe room. Consider adding a burgundy bedspread in a mostly taupe room, or even a burgundy table runner in an otherwise-neutral dining room.
21. Charcoal Gray and Taupe
Hex Codes: #36454F, #655B51, #B4EDD2
Charcoal gray is a dark, timeless neutral with plenty of presence. When you think of colors to combine with charcoal, taupe might not be the first one that comes to mind. However, taupe’s gray undertones make it fit right in alongside charcoal.
The best way to use these colors is to incorporate them into a color scheme with a wide range of browns, grays, and gray-browns. For example, you can create a quiet and centering bedroom by placing a taupe bedspread in front of a charcoal accent wall. Layer the other colors throughout — on the rugs, walls, accent pieces, furniture, and more.
22. Lapis Lazuli and Taupe
Hex Codes: #26619C, #5D5247, #D3AC22
Want to create a color scheme you’ll see almost nowhere else? Try bringing together the bright depth of lapis lazuli and the understated elegance of taupe. Generally speaking, shades of blue and shades of brown go nicely together — you just don’t often see a blue as intense as lazuli used in this kind of palette.
This color combination looks particularly striking in a kitchen. Try pairing taupe walls with lazuli cabinetry. Gold hardware will add a welcome and unexpected touch of warmth.
23. Navy Blue and Taupe
Hex Codes: #000080, #61564C, #EBF2FA
When you think of dark, grounding colors to include in a space, you probably focus on neutrals like black, charcoal gray, and seal brown. However, when you choose a grounding color, you aren’t limited to neutrals. Navy blue is a particularly good choice.
One great way to combine navy and taupe is to design a living room with taupe walls and navy velour furniture. A beige and seal brown patterned area rug adds visual interest to the space.
24. Blush Pink and Taupe
Hex Codes: #F1ABB9, #6F645A, #B8D8D8
Blush pink and taupe make a beautifully balanced combination. If you like the look of pink and gray but find it a little stark, the blush pink/taupe combination is a softer one. Taupe is often a cool-leaning neutral, although it’s warmer than most shades of gray. Blush pink is a warm shade, although it isn’t overly warm.
The understated yet welcoming nature of this particular palette makes it a nice choice for a living room. Try blush pink floor-to-ceiling curtains against taupe walls — this combination looks great with taupe furniture and blush pink accent pillows/throws. Don’t worry about exactly matching the shade of the walls to the shade of the furniture (or the shade of the curtains to the shade of the accents). A little bit of variation will add some depth and interest, and that’s always a good thing!
25. Bronze and Taupe
Hex Codes: #C5832B, #5C5248, #AC96B0
Many homeowners — and even some designers — treat metallics as an afterthought when designing a space. If you do this, you miss out on a chance to add a new and exciting element to any room. Of all metals (or at least of all metals commonly used for hardware), bronze probably looks the most like taupe. Combining these two can create a striking and uncommon space, especially if you choose a contrasting color to use alongside them.
You might try the combination of taupe and bronze in a kitchen. Start with taupe cabinetry and bronze hardware. Add navy blue walls and navy blue kitchen accents like rugs, dish towels, etc.
26. Brick Red and Taupe
Hex Codes: #CB4154, #675C51, #F4E4BA
Shades of bright red can look a little jarring alongside taupe. However, brick red’s somewhat muted nature makes it a fitting companion for taupe’s quiet, almost smoky cast.
You can put this combination to work using actual bricks, the color (on walls, fabrics, etc.), or both. For example, say you have a living room with a brick fireplace. Give it a traditional look with a modern twist by adding a Persian-style area rug (with a classic, brick-like red as the primary color) and taupe walls. This look goes well with natural wooden furniture.
27. Pale Gray and Taupe
Hex Codes: #D3D3D3, #6E645A, #7DAFA1
Tired of neutral color schemes of (mostly) beige and white? Mix it up with a light gray and taupe palette. This chic combo is incredibly versatile. You can choose one shade as a base color and use the other as an accent, or you can use equal portions of each. Either color can be used for walls or furniture.
If you want to add some more interest, pick a non-neutral accent color to sprinkle throughout the room.
28. Coral and Taupe
Hex Codes: #FF7F50, #766C62, #EFEFEF
Taupe is a great neutral for creating quiet color schemes. However, it also works nicely for creating contrast with bright, high-energy colors like coral. If you aren’t sure whether coral is too bright for your space, you can start by playing it safe: throw a few coral accents into a largely taupe room.
To achieve the most balanced effect, be sure to incorporate coral at different levels. For example, you could include a coral rug, coral accent pillows, and a wall hanging with a good bit of coral. If you love coral and you’re ready to dive right in, try including taupe furniture in a room with coral walls!
29. Turquoise and Taupe
Hex Codes: #30D5C8, #5E5349, #D7BE82
Like coral, turquoise is a high-energy shade that goes well with taupe. Although it’s a cool color, the relatively high proportion of yellow makes it a relatively “warm” shade of blue (or green, depending on the exact shade of turquoise you’re looking at).
You can use turquoise much like coral. Including even a few small turquoise accents (particularly if you’re using a highly saturated shade of turquoise) can be enough, but you can also create a more dynamic space with vivid turquoise walls.
30. Cream and Taupe
Hex Codes: #FFFDD0, #71675D, #270722
Last on the list is an understated, neutral combination. Taupe’s coolness makes a great complement to the warmth of cream. In using this combination, many people might jump to the somewhat common combination of cream-colored walls and taupe-colored furniture.
However, if you want to create a higher-contrast space, try taupe walls and cream-colored furniture instead. For example, if you’re designing a bedroom, you might choose to include taupe walls, a cream-colored bedspread, and cream-colored wall trim.
Designing With Taupe
Every interior needs at least some neutral shades, and taupe is a great neutral to pick. It’s a dignified shade that makes a chic alternative to beige. Fortunately, because it works in both warm and cool palettes, it isn’t difficult to find a color that goes with taupe.
The colors above are a great starting point, but you shouldn’t feel limited to these choices. When you let your eye be your guide, you can come up with some truly spectacular color schemes!
