Tan is a pale tone of brown. The name comes from tannum, an oak tree bark used in leather tanning which produced the color. Tans make up an expansive range of earthy shades, which differ based on their undertones. Here’s an overview of the most common tan colors and how to tell them apart:
Beige
Beige is a very light, cool-leaning tan with subtle gray undertones. It’s often described as a pale sandy color. Beige sits between white and cream on the color spectrum. It provides a soft, neutral backdrop in interior design and fashion.
Some examples of beige colors include:
- Mushroom – A soft, warm-toned beige with a subtle taupe tone
- Light French Beige – A very pale, cool-toned beige
- Sand – A light golden beige mimicking the color of fine sand
Beige works nicely with pastels, brown, blue, and green color schemes. It’s commonly used in backgrounds, but can also provide a calming accent.
Camel
Camel is a light, warm tan shade leaning toward brown. It’s inspired by the coats of camels. Camel has golden-brown undertones rather than gray ones. This makes camel colors richer and more saturated than beige hues.
Some examples of camel colors are:
- Caramel – A pale, golden-brown camel shade
- Khaki – A yellowish-tan camel tone, sometimes also called Safari Tan
- Macadamia – A warm, roasted camel color
Camel complements blues well, but also earth tones like olive and mustard yellow. It provides a warm, inviting neutral in home decor. Camel clothing flatters warm skin tones.
Tan
Tan is a medium shade of brown with orange undertones. It’s lighter than brown but more saturated than beige. The pigment takes its name from tannum. There are two main varieties:
Warm tan – Golden tan with strong orange undertones. Examples include peach, tawny, bronze.
Cool tan – Ashy tan with subtle olive undertones. Examples include fawn, buckskin, and stone.
Warm tan colors complement blues and greens. Cool tan shades pair nicely with reds and pinks. Tan works in any room as a warm neutral. It’s traditionally associated with outdoorsy styles.
Taupe
Taupe is a grayish shade of tan tending toward brown. It combines brown and gray pigments for a weathered, muted effect. The name comes from the French word for mole due to its resemblance to moleskin.
Types of taupe include:
- Mushroom – A soft, warm taupe with a hint of beige
- Sandstorm – A light, sandy-colored taupe
- Ash – A cooler, grayer taupe
Taupe pairs well with all colors since it acts as a neutral. It can help ground brighter shades in a subtle way. Taupe is a popular wall color because it complements any decor.
Champagne
Champagne is an extremely pale tan color, sometimes described as a warm ivory. It gets its name from its similarity to the color of the sparkling wine. Champagne has a soft golden hue paired with subtle yellow undertones.
Some champagne tan shades include:
- Blonde – A creamy, pale champagne
- Cosmic Latte – A pale beige-yellow champagne
- Chardonnay – A light peachy champagne
Champagne flatters warm complexions. Its soft golden glow enhances darker skin tones. Champagne decor helps brighten and open up small spaces. Accent walls in champagne can warm up cool-toned color schemes.
Types of Tan Skin Tones
Just like shades of tan vary in hue, tan skin tones encompass a wide spectrum. Here are some of the most common tan skin types and their key attributes:
Light Tan
- Fair to medium complexion with yellow, peachy undertones
- Tans easily in the sun
- Burns sometimes
- Example coloring: Greek, Spanish, Southern European
Medium Tan
- Medium-toned skin with golden olive undertones
- Tans deeply and evenly in the sun
- Rarely burns
- Example coloring: Middle Eastern, Indian, Mediterranean
Dark Tan
- Darker brown complexion with cool undertones
- Very resistant to sunburn
- Tans are less visible
- Example coloring: Central African, Aboriginal Australian, Southern Indian
As with hair color, eye color, and other genetic traits, tan skin tones fall along a gradient of depth and intensity. The exact shade can vary quite a bit between individuals.
How Lighting Affects Tan
The way tan looks changes a lot depending on the lighting conditions:
Natural Light
Natural light from the sun brings out the vivid depth and dimension in tan skin and fabrics. Colors like camel and bronze shine in natural light. Cooler tans can look washed-out though.
Soft White Light
Warm white light (2700-3000K temperature) gives a soft glow that warms up tan’s undertones. Beige, taupe, and light tan look most natural. Darker shades may appear muted.
Cool White Light
Bright white light (3500-4100K temperature) emphasizes tan’s cooler undertones. Mushroom, tan, and champagne look crisp and bright. Warm camels and bronzes can seem dull.
Yellow Light
Yellow light accentuates tan’s golden hues. Honey tans pop against darker neutrals. Yellow lighting flatters warm undertones.
The interaction between different types of tan and lighting brings an extra nuance and depth to tan colors.
How to Coordinate Different Shades of Tan
With so many varieties of tan available, how do you mix and match them? Here are some tips:
- Pair warm camels and bronzes with cool ash and taupe tones for contrast
- Use lighter tans like champagne as accents against deeper neutrals
- Go for adjoining shades like tan with taupe or camel with khaki for subtle monochromatic looks
- Add pops of color like blue, green, red, or pink to really make the tan shades stand out
- Mix materials such as tan leather with tan linen or wool for depth
Tan is already a versatile neutral. Combining complementary tan shades expands the possibilities even more. Don’t be afraid to get creative with different tan pairings in your wardrobe, decor, and designs.
Tips for Decorating with Tan
Decorating with tan brings a sense of warmth and earthiness to a space. Here are some top tips for incorporating it into your home:
Paint walls taupe or camel – Taupe or camel walls serve as a cozy, welcoming backdrop for decor and furniture.
Use tan textiles – Throw blanket, pillows, and curtains in complementary tan shades add subtle pattern and texture.
Incorporate natural wood – Wood furniture, floors, shelves, and accents complement tan walls and fabrics nicely.
Add metallics – Brass, copper, and other metallic accents really make tan colors pop.
Display greenery – House plants and dried grasses reinforce the earthy feel of tan hues.
Use warm lighting – Yellow bulbs heighten the welcoming vibe of tan decor.
With flexibility and warmth, tan is tough to go wrong with. Feel free to get creative until you find a combination that brings out your personal style.
Matching Clothes to Tan Skin Tones
Finding flattering clothing colors with a tan complexion is easy when you understand undertones. Here are some tips:
Light tan – Pair with peach, coral, mint green, sky blue
Medium tan – Complement with hunter green, magenta, violet, gold
Dark tan – Flatter with cobalt blue, emerald green, cherry red, bronze
Other guidelines include:
- Avoid matching tan clothes exactly to your skin tone
- Black and very pale neutrals can look harsh
- Pick deeper, jewel-toned colors over pastels
- Metallics like gold and copper boost your glow
Having a tan complexion gives you lots of versatility. Embrace vivid hues that make your skin tone pop.
Best Tan Paint Colors
Painting walls in shades of tan provides a warm, welcoming backdrop. Here are some of the best tan paint colors to consider:
| Paint Color | Type | Undertone |
|---|---|---|
| Svelte Taupe (Sherwin-Williams) | Taupe | Cool |
| Accessible Beige (Benjamin Moore) | Beige | Warm |
| Toasted Sienna (Valspar) | Tan | Neutral |
| Doeskin (Behr) | Camel | Warm |
| Khaki White (Kelly Moore) | Khaki | Neutral |
These shades provide warm, versatile backdrops for any style of decor. The tan family offers tons of rustic paint color options.
Conclusion
Tan encompasses a wide spectrum of Earth-inspired neutrals. By understanding undertones, you can mix, match, and coordinate different shades of tan effectively. Whether for fashion, interior design, or simply admiring the range of tan colors in the natural landscape, there are endless possibilities with this versatile hue. Finding your perfect tan palette brings warmth, comfort and harmony to any space or wardrobe.
