What is the most popular brown paint color? This list of the best brown (and taupe) paint colors will give you tons of design inspo. Don’t miss the best warm brown paint colors and popular light brown paint colors for interiors and exteriors.
Are brown walls coming back in style? Oh yeah! Brown and taupe paint colors are making a major comeback in 2024 and I’m into it.
As designers and homeowners are embracing more color and depth in their paint choices, we’re starting to see the return of brown paint colors for interiors and exteriors.
This article is a list of the Most Popular Brown & Taupe Paint Colors, with details about each paint color and pictures in real homes.
What is the most popular brown color? I saved the best for last, so be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post to see the perfect shade of brown that looks good anywhere.
Before we get into the colors, let’s answer a commonly asked question…
FAQ: Is taupe the same as brown?
Taupe is a combination of brown and gray. It’s a paint color family that fits inside of the more broad category of neutral paint colors.
Taupe colors can be as light as tan, beige, and greige, but also a darker color that’s close to a classic brown.
We’ll take a closer look at which paint colors below are considered brown or taupe.
The Best Brown & Taupe Paint Colors
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Whether you’re looking for the best warm brown paint color for your bedroom or a pretty light brown paint color for the living room, this list has some of the most popular brown & taupe paint colors for your walls.
So let’s dive in!
Lenox Tan (HC-44) by Benjamin Moore
Lenox Tan – LRV: 43.14 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Lenox Tan is a rich golden beige paint color, and it’s one of the best Benjamin Moore brown paint colors. The pretty khaki look comes from a warm blend of gray-orange undertones.
“An appealing khaki color that strikes a balance between classic comfort and modern-day elegance.”
Benjamin Moore
With a LRV of 43.14, Lenox Tan is medium-dark compared to many popular beige and tan paint colors, but it’s on the lighter side compared to most brown and taupe paint colors.
It’s a very popular color in the interior design world making it one of the best light brown paint colors for the home.
I love the contrast that Lenox Tan provides up against the DIY painted garage sale frames + paper butterflies in the bedroom below. This is such a pretty brown paint color for bedrooms.
Here’s another bedroom, designed by Kylie M Interiors, that is painted in Lenox Tan.
Van Dyke Brown (SW 7041) by Sherwin-Williams
Van Dyke Brown – LRV: 7 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Speaking of brown paint colors for bedrooms, checkout the vintage moody bedroom scene using Van Dyke Brown by Sherwin-Williams. Stunning!
Van Dyke Brown is the darkest brown paint color included in this guide – it has an LRV of only 7. This is one of the best warm brown paint colors, but with a more muted color than your typical brown paint.
Because it’s such a bold, dark brown color, Van Dyke Brown would be perfect for an accent wall, on a furniture piece, or possibly even on cabinetry or built-ins.
“This dark, muted brown can create a warm yet distinguished mood. For a touch of the sophisticated, consider it in a well-lit study or living room.”
Sherwin-Williams
Is dark brown a good color for walls? When done right, I think it can look pretty and sophisticated. Try a dark brown on your bedroom walls or in a smaller, windowless room to create a luxe, moody vibe.
I love how Chris Loves Julia transformed their pantry by painting it with Van Dyke Brown creating a rich, luxe feel. Check it out below… Wow!
Pssstttt…a better way to test paint colors on your walls 👇🏻
When choosing a paint color, it’s so important that you select a color that will look good with the lighting and decor in your home.
All too often, a paint color will look one way on a screen, or in a store, but it ends up looking not so great on your walls.
Which is why I recommend always testing samples on multiple different walls, and at different times of the day.
But there’s an easier way than painting a million paint splotches all over your home.
The hack? Peel-and-stick paint samples.
This is the easiest, no-mess way to sample paint on your walls. My go-to brand for peel-and-stick samples is Samplize.
I’ve personally used them for years, and they are one of my favorite companies to work with!
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Ok, let’s get back to the best brown and taupe paint colors…
Bennington Gray (HC-82) by Benjamin Moore
Bennington Gray – LRV: 46.68 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Bennington Gray by Benjamin Moore is a beautiful color, no doubt. Benjamin Moore put ‘gray’ in the title and describes it as a greige, but I think it feels right at home in the brown & taupe paint color family.
After all, you can’t always judge a book by its cover, or a paint color by its name.
This is a neutral paint color that is less warm than many of the other colors in this article. It has gray and amber (yellow-orange) undertones that make it easy to pair with other colors in your home.
“An adaptable greige with nuanced warm and cool undertones.”
Benjamin Moore
Below you can see how Bennington Gray looks as a brown paint color for a living room or common area. It offers a neutral look when leading into the dining room painted in Hale Navy.
Here’s another look at Bennington Gray with white trim in a space with very little natural light.
Beach House (SW 7518) by Sherwin-Williams
Beach House – LRV: 47 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Beach House by Sherwin-Williams is another popular warm brown paint color. A hint of orange, and a drop of red give this brown paint color its own unique take on medium-light brown.
“Create a welcoming glow in your space with this light, warm brown. Perfect for generating feelings of togetherness in a kitchen or living room.”
Sherwin-Williams
Beach House painted on kitchen cabinets.
Bedroom walls painted in Beach House.
Carrington Beige (HC-93) by Benjamin Moore
Carrington Beige – LRV: 61.91 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Carrington Beige by Benjamin Moore is the lightest paint color included in this Brown & Taupe paint color guide. With a high-for-catagory LRV of 61.91, it’s a bright creamy taupe-beige hybrid color.
While most brown and taupe colors are not ideally suited as whole-home paint colors, Carrington Beige is one of the best light brown paint colors for painting your whole house.
“A light neutral with a whisper of green undertone.“
Benjamin Moore
Brown paint colors for living rooms are growing in popularity and the photo below is right on trend with Carrington Beige painted on the living room walls.
Another look at Carrington Beige in a bedroom, and an adorable one at that!
Smokehouse (SW 7040) by Sherwin-Williams
Smokehouse – LRV: 13 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Smokehouse by Sherwin-Williams is warm, dark, and bold. This is very dark for a taupe, but the infusion of gray makes it a true taupe color.
Gray undertones soften up the color, and make it very appealing. Smokehouse looks great on interior walls, but it’s also a great choice if you’re looking for a brown paint color for your exterior (see the photo below).
“This warm brown with a prominent gray undertone creates a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. Pair this versatile neutral with other neutrals, both warm and cool.“
Sherwin-Williams
Here’s a look at Smokehouse as an exterior house paint color.
Kingsport Gray (HC-86) by Benjamin Moore
Kingsport Gray – LRV: 25.05 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Kingsport Gray is a medium-dark taupe paint color. It has an appealing balance of gray and brown that give the paint color a dramatic and interesting look.
Like many of the paint colors in this family, the name is a bit misleading. Benjamin Moore calls it Gray, but it is most definitely a taupe paint color.
They even describe it as a taupe in their product description:
“A versatile taupe that delivers understated drama.“
Benjamin Moore
Naming conventions aside, this is a beautiful warm brown paint color that strikes a nice balance between brown and gray earning it a spot as one of the best Benjamin Moore brown paint colors.
While the image below is clearly an interior door, Kingsport Gray is a great brown paint color for a front door. It’s warmth is welcoming, neutral and so pretty.
Speaking of pretty, I wanted to include a zoomed out photo of Andrea’s entryway below as well…isn’t it gorgeous? I love how the brown interior door pops against the bright white walls and trim.
Bleeker Beige (HC-80) by Benjamin Moore
Bleeker Beige – LRV: 51.66 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
Bleeker Beige by Benjamin Moore is a versatile neutral paint color that is much lighter than most of the other colors in this guide.
This paint color is more beige than taupe, but it fits in well with all its taupe cousins and is a great choice if you’re looking for the best light brown paint color to try in your home.
“A medium buff hue with pleasing gray undertones.”
Benjamin Moore
Love the look of Bleeker Beige? Check out my Beige Paint Color Guide where you can find all of the top beige paint colors.
Pashmina (AF-100) by Benjamin Moore
Pashmina – LRV: 44.2 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
What is the most popular brown color? …*drumroll*… Pashmina by Benjamin Moore! This is my favorite brown taupe color, and it’s also the most popular paint color on this list.
Pashmina is nicely medium-light with a good balance between brightness and color depth. It’s the perfect blend of brown & gray and one of the best warm brown paint colors for cabinets.
It’s a super versatile color and can read a little bit grey in some lighting, but Pashmina is truly a light brown taupe color which is more evident when up against a bright white.
“Perfectly balanced between warm and cool, light and dark—a sophisticated neutral that you can use anywhere.”
Benjamin Moore
If you’re looking for brown paint colors for your living room, consider using Pashmina by Benjamin Moore.
Alright, even though Pashmina is the most popular brown paint color, I have one more paint color to share with you. This one’s a little less versatile, but a lot more fun.
It’s called, Sulking Room Pink by Farrow & Ball.
Sulking Room Pink (No.295) by Farrow & Ball
Sulking Room Pink – LRV: 24.92 (LRV, or Light Reflectance Value is a scale commonly used by design professionals where 0 = absolute black and 100 is pure white.)
OK, maybe this paint color isn’t an exact fit for Brown and Taupe paint colors, but it’s such a fun paint color, I had to include it.
Sulking Room Pink by Farrow & Ball is such a pretty dusty taupe color with a strong pink undertone.
With it’s subtle pink hue, this is a great brown paint color for bedrooms – although not just girls’ rooms like you may be thinking.
See this pretty (and cozy!) color in a guest room setting in the photo below.
Farrow & Ball describes this rich paint color like so:
“Not to be seen as overtly pink, but rather a muted rose with enormous warmth, its powdery feel makes it incredibly soft and easy to use with complementary tones. Sulking Room Pink is evocative of the colours so often used in boudoirs, a room named after the French “bouder” – to sulk.”
Farrow & Ball
Here’s a look at this dusty pink color in a more common space: the kitchen.
I love how it looks paired with black cabinets and wood countertops. So pretty!
Want to see one of these popular brown paint colors in your home?
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Grab some peel-and-stick samples for the easiest, no-mess way to test these colors on your walls!
What colors are best complementary to brown?
Brown and taupe paint colors are great earthy color choices for the home and coordinate well with other neutrals and natural colors like greens, blues, creams and whites.
Do brown and gray go together? Definitely!
Many of the colors on this list have gray undertones creating a pretty taupe color. But even if you’re drawn to a more classic brown, you can definitely pair it with gray finishes (and furniture!) for a classic color combo.
I hope you found this list of most popular brown & taupe paint colors helpful!
These are some of the best Benjamin Moore brown paint colors with tons of pretty options of brown paint colors for living rooms, bedrooms and exteriors.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably planning a painting project soon. So we’ve listed our favorite painting tools & resources that we love below, including how to get paint on a budget and our favorite hack for painting ceilings!
Our Top Painting Tips & Resources
These tips and resources can help you easily choose a paint color for any project. We also have some tips on how to save money buying paint, as well as our favorite paint brushes, rollers, paint sprayer, and supplies.
How To Get A Great Deal On Paint
Did you know that you can use budget friendly paint, and have it color matched to premium Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams paint colors? At Joyfully Growing Blog, we always use Glidden Premium paint from The Home Depot.
Glidden Premium rivals the quality of the top paint lines from Behr, Sherwin Williams, and Benjamin Moore.
Any paint store, or home improvement store with a paint section will be able to match colors from most major brands. This means that you can select one brand of paint, but get it mixed in any color you want!
In many cases, affordable paint like Glidden Premium can be up to 50% cheaper than the ‘big name brand’ competition. This can save you a ton of money!
Our Go-To Painting Supplies
- Paint brushes – I recommend ‘Pro Grade’ paint brushes, they’re the perfect budget friendly option. This set comes with both flat and angled brushes to get every nook and cranny. I LOVE the quality and, in my experience, they’re much more affordable from Amazon compared to in-store prices. You might be surprised how cheap this professional quality 5 Brush Set is on Amazon (it’s less than $10!).
- Paint rollers – Cover more surface area with a handy roller.
Tip: I love this one for tall walls or ceilings, it has an extendable handle.
- Paint sprayer – Paint brushes and paint rollers will get the job done, but for serious efficiency and productivity, you cannot beat this Graco Magnum Project Plus airless paint sprayer (Amazon). I personally own this paint sprayer, and have used it on tons of painting projects.
It’s an excellent quality sprayer, and powers through any painting projects in a hurry. Painting with an airless sprayer makes it easy to complete projects in much less time.
- Drop cloth – Skip the mess and grab a reusable drop cloth instead. This will come in handy for future projects. Just pop it in the washing machine after you’re done painting and it will be ready to go for the next project.
- Multi-surface painter’s tape – I always use this brand of painter’s tape, it’s great for smooth or lightly textured walls, trim, baseboards, tile, or even glass. It sticks quick and is easy to remove.
- Sanding sponges – For smoothing and prepping surfaces, you’ll need a couple of sanding sponges in different grits.
Want my step by step guide on how to design a room that’s cozy & cohesive?
Final Thoughts on the Best Brown & Taupe Paint Colors
Brown and taupe paint colors are becoming very popular and many people are starting to prefer these warm and cozy hues for interior walls.
Whether you’re looking for the best warm brown paint color for your bedroom or a pretty light brown paint color for the living room, this list has some of the most popular brown & taupe paint colors for your walls.
There you have it – everything you need to know about the best brown and taupe paint colors for interiors & exteriors. I hope this helped you find a modern brown paint color to try in your home this year!
More Paint Color Resources
I’ve written several paint color guides and nerd out when it comes to finding the BEST paint colors in each color family. Check all of them out here:
- How To Choose A Paint Color | Lighting, Undertones, Sheen (and more!)
- White Paint Color Guide | Top Colors
- Black Paint Color Guide | Popular Colors
- Gray Paint Colors | The Ultimate Guide
- Green Paint Color Guide | Most Popular Colors
- Blue Paint Color Guide | Trending Blue Paint Colors
- Best Paint Colors For North Facing Rooms
- Top Paint Colors For South Facing Rooms
- The 10 Most Popular Paint Colors by Sherwin-Williams
- The 10 Most Popular Paint Colors by Benjamin Moore
- This Year’s TRENDING Paint Colors
- Best Kitchen Cabinets Paint Colors
- White Dove Paint Color Review | After Painting My Whole House!
Thanks for reading along! Pin these Best Modern Brown & Taupe Paint Colors to refer back to later.
