Warm Up Your Space With the Best Tan Paint Colors
If you're looking to add cozy, welcoming warmth to a room, tan paint is a perfect choice. From light khaki tones to deep, rustic browns, tan paint colors range from cool to warm hues that can complement any style. Whether you prefer bright, airy spaces or moody, cocooned hideaways, there's a tan paint out there for you. Let's explore some factors to keep in mind when choosing paint and check out the best tan colors from leading brands like Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore.
With so many tan paint options out there, it can be tough to narrow down your favorites. Before visiting the paint store, think about the overall look and feel you want to achieve. Do you imagine curling up with a book in your cozy study? Do you want your elegant dining room to have a refined, vintage vibe? Envision the mood you want, and let that guide your shade selection.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Tan Paint
Desired Mood and Style
Do you want a soft, welcoming feel or something more sleek and modern? Tan paint ranges from warm shades like SW Roasted Chestnut, perfect for evoking hygge in a cabin living room, to cool tones like BM Cliffside Gray that beautifully update a midcentury kitchen.
| Warm, cozy tan shades for traditional spaces | Soft khaki, beige, and brown tones |
| Cool, airy tan tones for modern spaces | Green-gray, greige, and taupe hues |
Room Size and Lighting
Small, dim rooms can easily be brightened up with light tan shades like SW Alabaster that bounce light around. Large rooms and south-facing spaces stay balanced with deeper tan hues like BM Balboa Gray that mute brightness.
| Lighter tans for bright, small rooms | SW Alabaster, BM Balboa Mist |
| Darker tans for larger, dim rooms | BM Balboa Gray, SW Tricorn Black |
Wood Tones and Furniture
Make sure your tan paint color doesn't clash with existing wood finishes. Warm-toned paints like SW Accessible Beige suit golden oak while cooler tan shades like BM Manchester Tan complement maple.
| Tans that complement oak wood | SW Accessible Beige, BM Revere Pewter |
| Avoid clashing with cherry or maple | Greige and green-gray tones |
Accent Colors and Decor
Neutral tan paints allow accent colors and decor to pop without overpowering a space. Green-undertone tans like SW Repose Gray make an ideal backdrop for crimson sofa pillows. Warm tan shades complement terracotta vases and russet leather.
| Tans that let accent walls stand out | BM Manchester Tan, SW Repose Gray |
| Tans that blend with colorful textiles | BM Classic Taupe, SW Accessible Beige |
Best Tan Paint Colors from Sherwin-Williams
With an array of warm and welcoming tan paints, it's no wonder Sherwin-Williams is a go-to brand for this versatile neutral shade. Let's look at some of their top options.
Canvas Tan SW 7531
With its green-yellow undertone, this mid-tone khaki tan pairs beautifully with natural materials like oak floors and pine furniture. It creates an earthy, organic look perfect for living rooms, dining rooms, or studies. An LRV of 53 makes it light enough for good luminosity.
Natural Linen SW 9109
As a light tan with a subtle yellow base, Natural Linen brightens up any space. Its versatility allows it to skew warm or cool depending on lighting and decor. It's an ideal pick for bedrooms, nurseries, and bathrooms that need a neutral, uplifting backdrop. With an LRV of 67, it prevents rooms from looking too stark.
Wool Skein SW 6148
On the darker end of the tan paint spectrum, Wool Skein adds cozy sophistication with its brownish-gray undertone. Use this rich shade when you want a moodier feel in formal living areas, dining rooms, or libraries. The muted tone also makes it unique for foyers.
Alabaster SW 7008
As one of Sherwin-Williams' most popular paint colors, the creamy white-tan Alabaster warms up any space without overpowering. It casts the perfect neutral backdrop in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and more. With an LRV of 86, it bounces light around beautifully.
Best Tan Paints from Benjamin Moore
From elegant gray-greens to earthy brown-tans, Benjamin Moore offers an array of distinctive tan paint colors to suit any style.
Balboa Mist OC-27
With barely a hint of green, this light tan is cooler than many BM options without being too stark. In bedrooms and offices, it creates an airy backdrop that's subtle enough to relax and focus. The muted tone also flatters maple and cherry wood finishes.
Gettysburg Gray HC-108
A quintessential warm, reddish-brown tan, Gettysburg Gray has traditional appeal. Use it when you want a cozy, nostalgic look in living rooms, studies, and reading nooks. The rich shade beautifully complements golden oak trim and hardwoods.
Cliffside Gray HC-108
For spaces wanting something more moody and sophisticated, Cliffside Gray's green-gray tan has you covered. It mutes the brightness of south-facing rooms while adding depth and intrigue to dining rooms, libraries, and parlors. White wainscoting and molding pop against it.
Silken Taupe 2138-60
This dimensional taupe shade imparts subtle, red-brown warmth. Use Silken Taupe to create a luxe look in any room. It pairs exquisitely with walnut and mahogany while adding cozy sophistication. The muted tone lets accent colors and textures shine.
Now that you know top tan paint contenders, visit paint stores to compare swatches in your home's lighting. This helps assess undertones. Once you've found some favorites, paint them on walls in 2x2 foot sections, observing them at different times of day before deciding. With the right shade, you'll soon be warming up your space beautifully.
Tan paint offers flexibility like no other neutral. From the lightest khaki to the deepest rustic brown, tan colors range from bright and airy to richly cozy. Whether your style is vintage farmhouse or sleek contemporary, you're sure to find a tan paint that creates the perfect mood. Use these expert shade recommendations to discover your perfect tan for a warm, welcoming home.