Beige Decor Is Officially Back—Here's How to Use It in Your Home

If you're looking to spice up your home decor, inspiration might be closer than you think. In fact, it might already be there: The controversial color making a comeback this season? Believe it or not, it's beige.

Even notorious neutral naysayer Genevieve Gorder has deemed that beige is in again. In a recent Instagram post, the designer uploaded a selection of swatches with a slightly disgruntled caption. "Sigh… I've been a warrior fighting the battle against beige/oatmeal/blah that we've covered America in for the majority of my career. Well, she's back officially," she wrote.

As Gorder notes, this isn't the first time beige has been on trend, so your home might already feature the neutral. Sue Wadden, the director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams, says the shade was popular for at least two decades—until another goes-with-everything color became popular. "The whole gray phenomenon took over, and people just jumped on it because gray was so different and so much cooler in color temperature [than beige]," she says.

Interestingly, homeowners are starting to mix the two shades together, says Hannah Yeo, color and development expert at Benjamin Moore. "Many [people] prefer 'greige' colors, a hybrid between a gray and a beige," she says. The fresh and modern mix is warmer than gray and suits most decorating styles. "It looks really harmonious and really sophisticated," says Wadden. "It's a great color combination."

So whether you're team beige, or just warming up to the idea, we have the advice you need to implement the neutral into your home. Here are a few tips and tricks so your rooms don't end up looking "like grandma's beige," as Wadden puts it.

Do: Bring in an Accent Color

To prevent your abode from looking overly oatmeal, add a small splash of color. Wadden prefers navy, as it's timeless. She also notes a monochromatic scheme, such as beige, white, and black, would also work nicely. She warns against warmer tones, such as reds, oranges, and pinks, which can end up looking like a "hot spot."

Don’t: Go Overboard

Although Gorder has finally given beige her seal of approval, don't expect her to go crazy with the color. "Do not COVER your house in it," she warns in her post. Consider using it as an accent instead. "Beige chairs, a table, and linens in a soft white room create a timeless look," says Yeo.

Do: Try Before You Buy

It might sound obvious, but be sure to test your shades of beige before committing. "Beiges can work in any room, but the real challenge is to get the 'right' beige," Yeo says. So how can you find the perfect shade? "Always sample the colors big—the larger the better—and view them against other elements in the room," she suggests.

Whether you choose a greige or a true warm hue, the new-again neutral is guaranteed to warm up rooms of every style.