PPG's Paint Palette of the Year Proves Beige Is Officially Back

America's decades-long love affair with cool gray tones may officially be over. Beige is back to bring a warm, soothing sense to our homes, according to PPG's 2021 Palette of the Year. Named "Be Well," the collection of colors emphasizes comfort and simplicity, with an earthy shade of beige as the leading star.

The trio of hues includes oatmeal-colored Transcend, a warm clay color called Big Cypress, and a watery turquoise called Misty Aqua. Drawing on nature, the palette was designed to encourage mindfulness and relaxation during a tumultuous time. "With the world sheltering in place for the better half of the year, we have begun to crave human connection and embrace simple activities, including walking, hiking, baking, and gardening," said Dee Schlotter, PPG's senior color marketing manager, in a press release. "This organic and hopeful palette represents what we have been longing for after decades of overstimulation and over-consumption—simplicity and restfulness."

Popular in homes throughout the 1990s, the sandy neutral taps into a nostalgic desire for past comforts. PPG's Transcend, which the brand calls the "antidote to an era of cool gray," updates this classic paint color with rich gingerbread undertones for added warmth.

When combined with the palette's soft blue and clay accent colors, beige feels fresh and modern yet familiar enough to offer a sense of comfort. Lean into the color's ties to nature by pairing beige walls with plenty of greenery, wood furniture in natural finishes, and organic textures such as linen upholstery or rattan decor. The effect is a space that grounds, soothes, and inspires calm—a feeling we could all use more of from time to time.