The Beige of My Existence
eric turic
Boring beige. Where to start with this, my mind races at all the horrible things that I have to say about this awfully done color that you find in so many model homes across the country and how so many people have adopted it because developers’ ubiquitous use of it. Okay, now that I have gotten that off my chest, let’s discuss a bit. Let’s face it, most developers are not designers and seemingly do not have the slightest idea about how to bring out the natural beauty of a space and it’s architecture. Most developers use beige to appeal to a broader audience. Not everyone has the same taste or color palette and that is fine. Most developers want to sell their projects and move on to the next one. So, beige is their palette because they feel it will appeal to more people, thus, sell faster. And they use it everywhere, from the paint on the walls, to the bathroom/kitchen tile, furniture, cabinets, etc. However, you are smarter and more creative than that. Done right, beige can be beautiful. However, it rarely is. Here are a couple examples of spaces that don’t use beige well and a couple that use beige perfectly.
© Can Stock Photo Inc. / archideaphoto
This bedroom could be so much more! Yeah, the space is nice but it just looks flat except for the tiny burst of color coming from the flowers on the left, which is where my focus immediately lands.
© Can Stock Photo Inc. / Irina88w
Again, here is another flat, ho-hum, space. It’s neither threatening nor inviting. It’s simply utilitarian. Homes should be inviting, have character and should reflect more about it’s inhabitants. Everyone’s home shouldn’t look exactly alike or that you shopped the same place for your tile, paint and furniture. What’s more, you can set your home apart from everyone else’s by simply painting a few walls with some color and by adding colorful art, pillows, and bedding all without breaking the bank.
© Young House Love
Look at this place! This is beige done brilliantly! Beige should blend into the background and let your character shine. It should never overshadow. In this case, the beautiful door, colorful art and white trim give this area character, which shows depth and emphasizes the details.
© Young House Love
Here is another gorgeous room using beige. Again, the star players are the pops of color: rug, eclectic dining chairs, buffet and art. The walls are beige and serves as the backdrop, not the focal point. Bravo!! So, the next time you reach for that paintbrush, don’t be afraid to use a little color.