Today we are going to discuss the best tan paint colors. Now you might think, wait…aren’t they outdated? NO! These are updated and gorgeous and are becoming increasingly popular in homes everywhere! Come check them out and find out why.
Back in the 90s, everything was some shade of beige. Let me be honest, my first house was a beige beauty! But once we hit the 21st century styles changed.
Popular colors became more gray and white. Light and airy were popular but slowly we are seeing the warmth of beige and tan creep back in. But not the 90s version, an updated more modern version of beige and tan.
Let’s get into all the details.
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What is the difference between beige and tan?
Beige paint colors are warmer and tend to have more orange undertones mixed with either yellow or pink. They tend to look richer and warmer and are very popular in the Tuscan-style.
Tan paint colors are more subdued and neutral. The undertones you see in tan paint colors are going to be yellow and green sometimes with a touch of gray. They are often closer to a greige than a beige is, and that’s why they are so popular.
Best Tan Paint Colors
As you have read, the big difference between beige and tan is in the undertones. Beige is more orange with pink and yellow. Tan is more subdued with yellow or green undertones, sometimes a touch of gray.
Another thing we will discuss today is LRV. It stands for light reflective value. It’s a scale from 0-100 measuring the amount of light a paint color reflects.
Zero being the darkest black and 100 being the brightest white. Tan paint colors can range from very light to very dark.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the name of the color doesn’t always represent what the color truly is. There are some colors that have white in the name and they are nothing close to being white. Just because it has beige in the name doesn’t mean it’s a beige.
How to know if a paint color is right for you?
The best way to judge if a color is good for you then you will want to put a swatch on the wall and look at it over a few days. Look at it in different lights and decide if you really like it.
You can do this by getting a sample from the paint store and using a brush to put it up on the walls, but then you are left with a can that you can’t do anything with. Those samples are used with poor quality paint and aren’t meant for use on your walls permanently.
I recommend going with Samplize. They are a company that will send you a 12X12 peel and stick swatch of a paint color that you can stick to the wall. When you are done just peel it off and throw it away.
It’s easy and much less messy!
Best Sherwin Williams Tan Paint Colors
Sherwin Williams is a great paint manufacturer that has many stores all throughout the United States. They often have sales, which is AWESOME! Here are some of my favorite tans from SW.
Canvas Tan
Canvas Tan is a gorgeous soft tan paint color with an LRV of 64. This puts it right on the border of the medium-to-light range of brightness.
It pairs really well with almost any wood tone with the exception of ones that have a lot of red in them (think cherry or mahogany). This color is really neutral without a ton of undertones.
Sherwin Williams has this to say about it “Let this khaki-tinted white be the warm inviting backdrop to evenings of pleasant conversation. This hue works wonderfully wherever people gather in your home.”
Get a sample of Canvas Tan from Samplize!
Kilim Beige
Kilim Beige is warm and very welcoming. It has an LRV of 57 which puts it on the lighter side of the mid-range.
This color is one of the most popular colors from Sherwin Williams being in its Top 50 Paint Colors Collection. It is like wrapping up in a warm blanket on a cool day.
Get a sample of Kilim Beige from Samplize!
Wool Skin
Wool Skein has a 63 LRV which makes it on the border between light to mid mid-range. It’s really gorgeous but be careful because it has decidedly green undertones.
If you don’t like green don’t choose this color. While it might not show green all the time there will be a hint and during certain times of the day the green will show.
It’s a lot like Canvas Tan but with more green in it. Wool Skein looks great with wood tones (except the reds) and looks great with blue/gray/green blends.
Get a sample of Wool Skein from Samplize!
Neutral Ground
Neutral Ground is a little bit lighter than Canvas Tan so it looks more creamy. Its LRV is 70 which makes it a very pretty light paint color. Sherwin Williams recommends using this color in bathrooms and living rooms.
Get a sample of Neutral Ground from Samplize!
Sandbar
Sandbar is more of a medium-toned paint color with an LRV of 53. This color is also very neutral. The undertones are so muted you really don’t notice them.
This color looks amazing with darker greige paint colors as well as creamy whites.
Get a sample of Sandbar from Samplize!
Natural Tan
One thing you will notice about Natural Tan is the amount of gray in the undertones. This causes the color to be very muted and very neutral.
This color has an LRV of 63, so it sits right on the border of mid-to-light. If you are looking for a tan but one that doesn’t commit to a ton of color this would be a perfect choice!
Get a sample of Natural Tan from Samplize!
Relaxed Khaki
Relaxed Khaki is a strong tan with both green and yellow undertones. It has an LRV of 50, so definitely a mid-range paint color.
This is a perfect warm neutral which will create a wonderful backdrop to woods and colorful furnishings. Pair it with a bright white for more drama!
Get a sample of Relaxed Khaki from Samplize!
Naturel
Naturel is a gorgeous mid-toned paint color with an LRV of 54. It’s a lot like Relaxed Khaki but its undertones are very muted because there is a touch of gray in the color.
This color would look amazing with light creamy paint colors as well as dark greiges such as Urbane Bronze.
Get a sample of Naturel from Samplize!
Best Benjamin Moore Tan Paint Colors
Manchester Tan
Manchester Tan might just be the most popular tan on the market. It’s very fresh and sophisticated. It has an LRV of 63.24 which sits right at the border of light to mid.
It has slight green undertones as well as a touch of gray to keep them muted. You can use this color in any room and it will be a perfect backdrop to wood tones as well as any design style.
Get a sample of Manchester Tan from Samplize!
Bleeker Beige
Bleeker Beige has an LRV of 51.66, which makes it a mid-range paint color. It has slight green undertones.
This color really warms up a space. It’s great in rustic style or traditional design. It also pairs really well with all different kinds of wood tones.
Get a sample of Bleeker Beige from Samplize!
Shaker Beige
Shaker Beige has an LRV of 53.53, which sets it in the mid-range setting. It has yellow undertones with. a touch of gray to keep those yellows from coming on too strong.
This paint color is perfect for any room, any design style, and it pairs perfectly with other colors as well as different wood tones. It’s a win-win!
Get a sample of Shaker Beige from Samplize!
Grant Beige
Grant Beige is also in the mid-range with an LRV of 55.81. It has a more earthy feel with green and gray undertones.
This color looks great when paired with colors that are on the cooler side. It’s fabulous for any room in your home and works in any design style.
Get a sample of Grant Beige from Samplize!
Lenox Tan
Lenox Tan is still in the mid-range but slightly darker than any of the colors we have discussed today. Its LRV is 43.14.
This color is a little different and might cross that boundary with beige because of its undertones. It has yellow in it but also a touch of red, which is why it might cross the line.
This color brings a lot of comfort and coziness to a space but also a level of elegance.
Get a sample of Lenox Tan from Samplize!
What colors go well with tan paint colors?
Tan paint colors pair really well with warm grays. Since tan is similar to a greige they look great with the warmth in gray. If you have a light tan go with a darker warm gray and vice versa.
Tan also looks great with beige and taupe, they are all very similar in look and feel.
Believe it or not tan looks amazing with blue paint colors. The warmth of tan balances the coolness in the blues.
I love to pair a tan with a warm white or cream. This has a really sophisticated look.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tan Paint Colors
Are tan and beige the same color?
No, they are not. Tan has different undertones than beige which makes it look more subdued and neutral.
Is Manchester Tan still popular?
You betcha it is! It’s probably the most popular tan on the market.
What paint color makes tan?
The undertone colors are what makes a tan look the way it does. For tan, the undertones are usually yellow or green and sometimes have a touch of gray.
What is the best tan paint color for a living room?
Any of the above mentioned paint colors would be perfect for a living room.
What is the best tan paint color for kitchen cabinets?
There are several above that would make great colors for kitchen cabinets but my personal favorite is Manchester Tan.
Recap
We talked about a lot of paint colors so let’s go over the pertinent details.
While the LRV of tan paint colors can vary the undertones do not. They are typically yellow or green with a touch of gray. This is where they similar the most from beige paint colors.
Just because a paint color name has beige or tan in it doesn’t mean that’s what the color is. It’s important to look at the undertones and try a sample in your home to be sure.
The Best Tan Paint Colors are:
- SW Canvas Tan
- SW Kilim Beige
- SW Wool Skein
- SW Neutral Ground
- SW Sandbar
- SW Natural Tan
- SW Natural
- BM Manchester Tan
- BM Bleeker Beige
- BM Shaker Beige
- BM Grant Beige
- BM Havana Tan
- BM Lenox Tan
Other Neutral Paint Colors You Might Like:
- 18 Best Mushroom Paint Colors
- The Best Beige Paint Colors
- The 21 Best Cream Paint Colors
- Best White Paint Colors
- The Best BM Greige Paint Colors
- The Best SW Greige Paint Colors
- Best Blue Gray Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
- Best Blue Gray Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore
As a licensed Real Estate Agent and an avid home decorator, I strive to give my clients the very best I can when it comes to staging, selling, and decorating their homes. I have lots of experience with paint color choices and love to DIY my home so I can have everything just the way I want it. I share my ideas and projects with the world in the hopes that I can help others have their homes just the way they want as well.