The door has firmly shut on bright white paint, and leaning into softer, warmer off-whites will make the light in your home feel more inviting, and make you feel more comfortable sitting within it.
Whilst ‘beige’ toned homes get a bit of a rap, beige shades are some of the most versatile, pairing virtually well with any colour, they work with most interior styles, and they’re the perfect antidote for a north facing space.
There’s so many nuances to beige shades so you can find one that is complementary to your interior. Just like whites, there are a lot to choose from, so I’m rounding up 13 of the best Farrow and Ball beige paint colours in real homes, and how best to style them.
13 of Farrow & Ball’s Most Beautiful Beige Colours In Real Life Homes
1.Oxford Stone
This warm neutral is personally one of my favourite sandy beiges that I recommend time, and time again. It’s red based so doesn’t give that yellowy tint in certain lights that some beige shades give off.
It’s cosy, sandy in tone, yet has a metamorphic quality to it and can sometimes appear like a mushroom shade in darker light. Due to its warm undertones, it’s well matched in a cold north facing room. I had it in my own north facing bedroom, and it worked a treat!
Tanner’s Brown on the trim in the bedroom below instantly makes the wall lighter by comparison, whilst it adds lovely overall definition. If you are decorating a very large room, or want to make a space feel more intimate, consider colour drenching the whole room in Oxford Stone for a cosy feel.
2. School House White
One of Farrow and Ball’s most popular neutrals, a timeless classic that really is a room pleaser. It carries a soft tint of yellow, so I do always recommend testing in situ before purchasing to see how it works with the light in your home.
It works beautifully with bolder shades such as reds, greens and blues, it brings even more of a softer, classic feel to this off-white.
3. Lime White
This chalky off white has an undertone of green to it which makes it beautifully positioned to please both north, and south facing rooms.
Position next to a green shade to really bring out the green tones in this off-white. Or, make like the below kitchen and use natural wood in its presence to create an earthy inspired scheme.
4. New White
This creamy beige is uplifting and warm, position against a cooler shade such as De Nimes in the bedroom below for a softer, cooler feel.
Use with warmer tones such as reds and yellows to bring out those creamier tones in New White. Due to its yellow undertones it looks gorgeous paired with other yellow toned colours, such as India Yellow or Babouche.
5. Tallow
Another yellow based neutral that in my opinion doesn’t get talked about enough is Tallow. It reflects the light beautifully and will bring a warm, inviting feel to even a cool, dark space.
Consider pairing with a green which sits next to yellow on the colour wheel, be it with some home decor or a potted plant. It will create a statement look and will avoid Tallow sitting too yellow in the interior.
6. Drop Cloth
There are so many nuances to beige, and if you want something a little cooler, I’d consider a beige such as Drop Cloth which has slight grey undertone to it. But it still doesn’t read like a grey, despite its cooler demeanour, it still brings presence and warmth to a darker room.
You may consider pairing with a brighter white on a ceiling if you want to create a crisp contrast, School House White is a great off-white to use with it.
7. Shadow White
This soft white carries a hint of grey with it for a versatile neutral that looks equally as impressive in an open plan kitchen/living space to that of a small downstairs toilet, as beautifully styled below.
Consider layering with similar tones for a richer, more interesting feel. Browns, darker beiges and bronze and brass accents create a really elevated interior scheme against it.
8. String
Whilst described as an earthy, yellow based neutral, it comes in at the darker end of beige shades and is another underrated paint colour that looks beautiful in an interior scheme.
See it paired in the hallway below with Inchyra Blue on panelling, delivering definition and grounding the overall look. String lifts the eye and counteracts the coolness associated with a blue.
9. Off-White
Off-White is a chalky mid tone beige which is charming and tasteful. It looks absolutely incredible positioned next to a green such as Lichen in the below utility room.
It’s fresh, uplifting and a much more natural alternative to a bog standard bright white shade.
10. Orange Coloured White
Part of Farrow and Ball’s Archive Collection is Orange Coloured White, and this paint shade was designed in collaboration with The Natural History Museum.
See it in practice below with the ‘unexpected red theory’ working its magic. The theory that suggests adding a singular pop of red to an interior is key to focusing the eye, and creating a finished interior look.
11. Joa’s White
This warm neutral is one of my favourites, it’s described as a light and clean taupe and is just the perfect backdrop colour to bring any other colour to the forefront of your design.
In Joa’s home below, the bold colours on the artwork and textiles are just enough to create an interesting design that can breathe with this warm neutral beige on the walls.
12. Cord
This yellow based neutral is a stronger version than String, and if you’re looking to create an earthy, grounded interior, this might be the best type of beige to go for.
Despite its strong yellow undertones, it works surprisingly well with most colours, and really comes into its own when positioned against natural elements such as wooden furniture.
13. White Tie
This pale and creamy white is the last in my list of beige recommendations. Take inspiration from the below bedroom which finishes off the scheme with Joa’s White on the trim and door for a subtle, yet noticeable contrast.
This is one of my favourite approaches to choosing your wall vs trim colour in a home. Leaning into a shade that’s just 1-2 shades darker than your wall colour as this creates the most seamless, and stylish finish that achieves an effortless look.
Have any other questions about using these beige Farrow and Ball shades in your home? Leave me a comment below and I’ll come straight back!
