You’ve probably known beige for its reputation as ‘a safe choice’ in design. While it is true that beige is easy to decorate around — and beige interiors in the past have had a somewhat bland feel to them — that’s not the case anymore! We’re here to advocate for this incredibly chic color and show you how versatile it is in design.
Today, beige interiors are layered with texture and are super welcoming. In a nutshell, they feel like a warm hug. And as we see a broad spectrum of beige tones in modern interiors, we’re also unlocking the potential this color has to create visual interest. From pale cream to a rich shade of brown, there are so many possibilities when it comes to decorating with beige!
If you’re seeking inspiration, you’ve landed just the right spot. We’ve put together the best beige living room ideas to inspire your creativity — and help you create an interior that makes you want to hibernate 🐻
Wrap the Living Room in Color
This one’s our favorite! A living room submerged in beige (read: enveloped in warmth). Paint the lower half of your walls in a rich, darker beige. This creates a grounding base that cocoons the seating area — and also adds an intimate touch to the ambiance.
For the upper half (and ceiling), you want to choose a lighter shade of beige. This creates a feeling of spaciousness and makes your living room feel airier. It’s also one of our foolproof tips on how to make low ceilings feel taller.
Go Big on Textures
Using beige throughout can easily begin to feel bland. So, if you’re looking to wrap your living room in color, you want to diversify the textures you’re using. This helps infuse depth, and makes sure even a monotonous interior has visual interest. For example…
Introduce wall paneling painted in different shades of beige. This tactile element will add dimension.
Beige is a soft color; balance this with contrasting materials. Think the richness of wood in furniture, the coolness of natural stone, the warmth of woven basketware, etc.
Create depth by mixing different finishes. Combine the smooth sheen of painted surfaces with the matte texture of natural materials (like linen).
Don’t forget to bring the outdoors in. That is, plenty of plants 🌱
Bonus points if you add a beige wall hanging. Case in point: The luxurious Vista wall hanging featured below. This uses a beautiful shade of beige called ecru, and its textures are so plush you’ll fall in love!
Product: Vista Wall Hanging - Portrait
Price: $1,799
Shop: The Citizenry
Lay Down a Beige Rug
Product: Ferm Living Norte Rug
Price: $795
Shop: House and Hold
When it comes to textures, laying down an area rug deserves a special mention. A single area rug can single-handedly pull the space together and warm the ambiance up. With the piece featured above, the bonus is its abstract shape, adding a sense of movement to the living room.
Plus, adding such a statement rug — paired with an accent chair of a similar color — also makes for an effective but subtle way to add beige to your living room.
Try a Pattern
An incredibly unique way to add interest to your beige living room is with patterns. Patterned furniture and soft furnishings are common choices. So, why not go unique with beige patterned flooring? An easy way to achieve this is with a carpet; you want to stick to a beige base topped with soft, neutral tones for the pattern. This creates a laid-back statement, all without overpowering the room.
Add a Beige Couch
Product: Four Hands Olsen 3 Piece Sectional
Price: $6,299
Shop: Alchemy Fine Home
If you’re looking to upgrade your living room sofa, take it as an opportunity to add a warm shade of beige. This is an easy way to add the color beige, comfort, and functionality to your space — all at once.
If you’re interested in investing in a luxury piece, our top pick is featured above! This sectional adds warmth with its color. Simultaneously, its large size provides plenty of room to gather with family and cozy up. As an added bonus, chunky sectionals are one of the top couch trends for 2024, too.
Let Beige Be the Backdrop
We love beige as the standout color in your living room. But if you’re not ready for the complete transformation, you may want to let this color work quietly in the background. You’ll be surprised to know how its subtle presence can significantly impact the warmth of the space!
To achieve the purpose, use classic beige walls, allowing bolder furniture, soft furnishings, and artwork to shine brighter. We love a gallery wall with minimal frames on the beige wall, especially Citizenry’s Travelogue Set of 3. Pair it with a white sofa and colorful throw pillows, and you’re on your way to creating an inviting living space.
Use Beige to Warm Up a White Room
We don’t blame you if you love white interiors. As design fanatics, we still have a thing for them, too. But what if we told you you could upgrade your simple white interior tenfold just by adding a few touches of beige?
This color instantly warms up a stark white interior and makes it inviting. That, while still keeping the color palette neutral. One way to achieve the purpose is by using a light beige console table against a white wall, and pairing your white sofa set with a beige accent chair. Alternatively, you can add beige in smaller portions. For example, by adding beige cushions or by adding beige artwork on a white wall. It depends on the amount of beige you’re looking for in your living room.
Punctuate with Color
If you love bold punches of color, you’d be delighted to know that beige has plenty of room for them! With a beige interior, you can add accents in so many different ways. From reds and greens to blues and yellows, you can add the color of your choice in calculated amounts.
One of our favorites is punctuating a beige space with black. This factors in luxury and keeps the color palette visually interesting without adding the colorful hues you may be trying to skip in a sophisticated interior.
Think an all-beige interior in an open-floor plan, where matte black dining chairs create a head-turning statement. We especially love how this is a great way to make your interior look expensive (on a budget).