Cream is a pale warm neutral color that pairs beautifully with other tones in interior design and fashion. Determining what colors are similar or close to cream depends on the specific shade of cream, but some hues that complement and mix well with cream include off-white, ivory, beige, tan, light gold, champagne, and certain pastels like peach, light pink, and very soft yellow.
Off-White
Off-white is one of the closest colors to cream, as it sits right next to white on the color wheel. Off-white contains just a hint of cream added to pure white paint or fabric. This results in a barely-there warm, soft tone that reads as a clean neutral. Off-white paired with cream creates a super soft, soothing, and seamless look. An off-white and cream stripe or floral pattern on bedding or upholstery has a fresh but cozy feel.
Ivory
Like off-white, ivory is an offshoot of pure white that mingles well with cream. Ivory also contains a subtle warm undertone but tends to be just slightly darker and more saturated than off-white. Ivory is often described as a pale creamy yellow. When combined with cream, ivory maintains the light and airy neutral palette while adding more depth. Cream walls with ivory molding and accents establishes soft contrast. Ivory bed linens mixed with cream euro shams makes for a lush hotel-inspired bedroom.
Beige
Beige is a natural creamy pale brown that beautifully complements cream walls, furniture, and decor. The undertones of beige can vary from peachy to yellow to gray, so select a beige with red undertones to best match cream. Try pairing cream colored curtains with beige furniture or use equal parts cream and beige when arranging throw pillows on a sofa. The soft elegance of cream furniture really pops against fuzzy beige area rugs.
Tan
Tan is a perfect color match for cream. Like beige, tan is a pale brown neutral but it is a touch darker with more brown pigment. Tan has warm golden undertones that coordinate seamlessly with cream to create a welcoming, earthy look. Blend cream and tan by mixing solid cream and printed tan pillows or try tan wall trim along with cream colored walls. Tan leather dining chairs pop against a cream colored dining table. Use tan stripes in area rugs to tie in the color to cream seating.
Light Gold
Metallic gold adds a glamorous, luxurious sheen when combined with cream in an interior space. Stick to soft, light gold tones like champagne gold, antique gold, or brushed gold rather than bold shiny gold. Light gold has a warm, creamy undertone that mirrors cream paint or furniture while upping the sophistication. Paint an accent wall in a light metallic gold and furnish the room with cream upholstery, or mix gold and cream textiles throughout bedding and window treatments.
Champagne
Champagne is a sparkling off-white hue with strong golden undertones. The color mimics the bubbly nuances of actual champagne. Champagne radiates warmth and pairs beautifully with cream walls, canvas art, area rugs and more. Champagne colored accents in metallic or velvet instantly dress up a creamy color scheme. For minimal contrast, layer champagne and cream bed linens. Champagne tiles coordinated with cream cabinetry makes for a dreamy kitchen or bath.
Pastels
Soft creamy pastels like peach, pale pink, and buttercream yellow harmonize nicely with cream. Use these pastels in small doses as accents against a predominantly cream foundation. Pastel artwork and decorative items as part of a cream living room design scheme creates a soothing, welcoming atmosphere. Try peach and cream pillows or light pink flowers against cream furniture. Use buttercream yellow curtains or chair cushions to brighten up a cream dining space.
Neutrals
In addition to warm off-whites, browns and metallic – traditional neutral colors like gray, greige and taupe can also pair well with cream. This is because the right tones and hues contain subtle hints of cream or peach within them. A light greige wall color is actually a blend of gray and beige, which contains cream undertones. Try using soft dove grays and mineral blue-grays as accents within a cream interior. Super soft muted taupe throw blankets or area rugs are another way to successfully mix cream and traditional neutrals.
Whole Color Palette
While cream pairs particularly well with other warm neutrals, adding in colors from across the spectrum can create a vibrant, unexpected cream color scheme. Try popular pairings like cream and turquoise or cream and navy blue. Crimson or maroon accents within a cream foundation make a statement in an interior space. Even colors like emerald green, bright yellow, or lavender can work with cream if the right tones are selected. Just be sure the bolder colors are not overpowering and make up less of the overall color percentages.
| Color | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Cream | #FFFDD0 |
| Off-White | #FFFDF4 |
| Ivory | #FFFFF0 |
| Beige | #F5F5DC |
| Tan | #D2B48C |
| Light Gold | #F9E2AF |
| Champagne | #F7E7CE |
| Peach | #FFE5B4 |
| Pale Pink | #FFD1DC |
| Buttercream Yellow | #FFFFC2 |
This table shows example hex color codes for cream and some coordinating colors that go well with it. The hex codes allow for an accurate visual representation of each hue.
Use in Fashion
Cream has timeless appeal in fashion. Cream maxi dresses, skirts, sweaters, pants, and other apparel pair beautifully with metal jewelry like gold and silver for an elegant day to evening look. Try a feminine cream lace dress paired with bronze heels. Blend cream and black together in casual wear like a cream shirt layered over black leggings with a black belt and booties. Cream handbags, shoes, coats and hats act as neutral staples that match everything. Incorporate cream into formal wear by pairing a cream silk cami under a black dress jacket with black trousers.
Use in Interior Design
Cream is a versatile, attractive color for interior design from walls and flooring to furniture and decor. Use cream in moderation in smaller spaces to avoid an overwhelming washed out look. Cream opens up airy, sunlit vibes in open floor plans. For drama, paint the ceiling cream and keep walls and trim in contrasting hues. Cream dining chairs make a stunning statement against a dark wood table. Incorporate cream though linen curtains, throw blankets, accent pillows, area rugs and floral arrangements.
Use in Bathrooms
Cream is a popular color choice for bathroom design because it connotes freshness and cleanliness. Mixed with glossy white subway tile and chrome finishes, cream evokes the beauty of a spa. Try cream in a high-contrast black and white bathroom with graphic art. You can also pair cream tiles and cabinetry with natural wood accents and greenery. Use cream towels and bath mats to tie the color scheme together. Paint the vanity or mirror frame cream against crisp white walls.
Use in Kitchens
The warm, welcoming aesthetic of cream makes it right at home in kitchen spaces. Cream painted or stained cabinets pop against almost any wall color from deep navy to light peach. Try cream cabinets with natural wood countertops and backsplash tile in complementary warm earth tones. Use cream dining chairs and pendant lighting to carry the color through an open floor plan. Incorporate cream through kitchen linens, herbs planted on the windowsill and fresh flowers on the dining table.
Use in Living Rooms
Cream is a great choice for big living room furniture like sectionals, loveseats and ottomans because it provides a neutral foundation that works with any style. Mix other shades throughout accent chairs, pillows, rugs and drapes. Cream walls make the perfect backdrop for framing colorful artwork. For textural contrast, pair velvet cream sofas with jute rugs and rattan side tables. Cream even works wonderfully in bohemian living rooms combined with faded vintage rugs layered on dark hardwood.
Use in Bedrooms
There are endless possibilities for working cream into bedrooms from paint colors to bedding to furniture. Try cream in a coastal bedroom paired with surfaces of weathered driftwood. For traditional romance, cream walls display framed botanical prints while a cream linen duvet tops a wooden sleigh bed. Or make a contemporary statement with graphic cream and black bedding atop a low platform bed frame. Paint or upholster bench seating at the foot of the bed in cream.
Use Outdoors
Cream has a natural beauty outdoors as well. Paint a cream front door for irresistible old-world cottage charm. Use cream garden furniture like wood benches and bistro sets along with stone pathways. Try cream cushions on wicker porch furniture or incorporate creamy off-white container gardens. Let cream live on through hardy outdoor plants with creamy colored blooms like gardenias, peonies, roses, daisies and carnations planted along borders and beds.
Conclusion
With its versatility and timeless appeal across design styles, cream is truly a standout neutral color option. Cream elegantly mixes with other warm neutrals like off-white, ivory, beige, tan, light gold, and champagne. It also pairs well with certain soft pastels and can be combined across the color spectrum for unique cream schemes. This soft, welcoming hue shines beautifully indoors and out in paint, furniture, decor, fashion and more. Cream provides a lovely base that allows other hues to really pop while creating a comfortable, inviting warmth in any space.
