Decorating
12 Beige Rooms That Are Anything but Boring
Say goodbye to bland and bring your basic beige rooms into the here and now
Are you a loyal fan of beige or do you have space in your heart (and home) for a new go-to neutral? If you’re tired of the warm, sandy shade and are ready to switch over to another colour camp, design experts say grey is the ‘It’ neutral of 2014, with some predicting that our safe, steady love affair with beige is over for good. But I’m not convinced. If you think about it, beige is often treated like that classic outfit you always throw on when you don’t know what to wear, or the dish you cook when you can’t be bothered experimenting in the kitchen. It’s an easy fix that’s fine as it is but could be more fresh and exciting if you mixed things up every once in a while.
The easiest way to revive a room decorated in this timeless hue is to incorporate new trends and clever design ideas into your existing decor. Add a feature wall here, scatter some cushions in clashing prints there, and you’re well on your way to a home that may be beige, but boring doesn’t even enter the equation.
The easiest way to revive a room decorated in this timeless hue is to incorporate new trends and clever design ideas into your existing decor. Add a feature wall here, scatter some cushions in clashing prints there, and you’re well on your way to a home that may be beige, but boring doesn’t even enter the equation.
2. Blooming lovely
Floral prints are always fresh, sometimes feminine and at other times fun, which makes them an ideal solution when trying to bring a tired neutral room to life. Choose decor in lively tones for a bright, playful look, or stick with softer shades for a room that’s effortlessly elegant.
Floral prints are always fresh, sometimes feminine and at other times fun, which makes them an ideal solution when trying to bring a tired neutral room to life. Choose decor in lively tones for a bright, playful look, or stick with softer shades for a room that’s effortlessly elegant.
3. Modern glamour
Want to recreate this popular look at home? If your decorating scheme is ultra-modern, add drama with ornate pieces, such as chandeliers and gilded mirrors, as well as glam metallic accents and luxe fabrics. In traditional spaces, introduce modern design elements in the form of furniture, on-trend colours and edgy decor.
Want to recreate this popular look at home? If your decorating scheme is ultra-modern, add drama with ornate pieces, such as chandeliers and gilded mirrors, as well as glam metallic accents and luxe fabrics. In traditional spaces, introduce modern design elements in the form of furniture, on-trend colours and edgy decor.
4. Focal wall
Choose one beige wall, cover it with conversation-starting wallpaper, a textured wall covering or a coat of bright paint, and you have a brand new room. Not so boring anymore, is it?
Choose one beige wall, cover it with conversation-starting wallpaper, a textured wall covering or a coat of bright paint, and you have a brand new room. Not so boring anymore, is it?
5. Tribal touches
Beige is a great base colour for spaces inspired by exotic destinations. This year, Moroccan-inspired accessories and palettes are proving particularly popular, so keep an eye out for rugs, furniture, soft furnishings and prints in this style that will add culture and character to your home.
Beige is a great base colour for spaces inspired by exotic destinations. This year, Moroccan-inspired accessories and palettes are proving particularly popular, so keep an eye out for rugs, furniture, soft furnishings and prints in this style that will add culture and character to your home.
6. (Cow)hide and seek
You won’t just be seeing cowhide underfoot this year – you’ll be sitting on it, too. Upholstered furniture in this natural material will look right at home in any beige space and lift it accordingly.
You won’t just be seeing cowhide underfoot this year – you’ll be sitting on it, too. Upholstered furniture in this natural material will look right at home in any beige space and lift it accordingly.
7. Colour play
This year is all about lively hues that pop and zing, so step out of your comfort zone when choosing decor to brighten up your home, and choose technicolour tones you would otherwise overlook. My top picks? Zesty yellow or orange, pink, green and blue.
This year is all about lively hues that pop and zing, so step out of your comfort zone when choosing decor to brighten up your home, and choose technicolour tones you would otherwise overlook. My top picks? Zesty yellow or orange, pink, green and blue.
8. Go up!
Forget about painting over your beige walls, paint your ceiling instead. Choose a colour that’s versatile and you can see yourself living with for a while. The result could be as magical as this room.
Forget about painting over your beige walls, paint your ceiling instead. Choose a colour that’s versatile and you can see yourself living with for a while. The result could be as magical as this room.
9. Neutral on neutral
So, the experts say that grey is in and beige is out, but what happens when you bring them together? The warm beige undertones balance out the coolness of the grey, resulting in a home that’s sophisticated, serene and inviting. Layer the neutral palette with slicks of white and vibrant colour to add interest and a touch of drama.
So, the experts say that grey is in and beige is out, but what happens when you bring them together? The warm beige undertones balance out the coolness of the grey, resulting in a home that’s sophisticated, serene and inviting. Layer the neutral palette with slicks of white and vibrant colour to add interest and a touch of drama.
10. Lovely accents
A statement chair, artwork or pendant light will work wonders when it comes to reviving a beige room that’s in need of a makeover. Look for furniture or decor that features a punchy print, vibrant tones, an interesting texture or a combination of all three.
A statement chair, artwork or pendant light will work wonders when it comes to reviving a beige room that’s in need of a makeover. Look for furniture or decor that features a punchy print, vibrant tones, an interesting texture or a combination of all three.
11. Mix and match
A beige room is pretty drama free, but add some clashing prints and you have a dramatic space that makes a statement. If you’re a pattern-mixing novice, choose pieces that have a common colour or theme – this will tie the look of your room together. And if you’re a pro? Anything goes.
A beige room is pretty drama free, but add some clashing prints and you have a dramatic space that makes a statement. If you’re a pattern-mixing novice, choose pieces that have a common colour or theme – this will tie the look of your room together. And if you’re a pro? Anything goes.
12. Textural appeal
If you’d prefer to stick with an all-beige palette but want to add visual interest in another ways, welcome new materials into your space. For example, the sleek, modern look of chrome, clear acrylic and marble will instantly update a lacklustre beige space.
If you’d prefer to stick with an all-beige palette but want to add visual interest in another ways, welcome new materials into your space. For example, the sleek, modern look of chrome, clear acrylic and marble will instantly update a lacklustre beige space.
If there’s one colour you’ll be seeing plenty of this year, it’s blue. Whether you prefer navy or soothing turquoise, you won’t have any trouble finding a shade to shake up a dull scheme. If you want to make a bold statement, invest in larger items like a sofa or paint a feature wall in your favourite blue hue. If you’re not feeling quite that daring, stick with easy-to-update items like cushions, rugs and vases.