Brown and beige are earthy, neutral colors that are very common in nature. These warm, low-saturation shades are often used in interior design and fashion. Brown and beige can create a cozy, subtle, and sophisticated look. However, the difference between these similar tones is not always clear. This article will examine what makes brown and beige different, provide examples of things that are these colors, and look at how they are used in design.
Defining Brown
Brown is a dark, warm, and low-intensity color. It is a tertiary color made by combining the primary colors red and yellow, or by mixing complementary colors orange and blue. Brown has red undertones but is darker than basic red. There are many shades of brown depending on how much of each color is mixed. Brown is considered a neutral color, meaning it goes well with many other shades.
Some examples of different shades of brown include:
– Taupe – A grayish shade of brown with subtle red undertones.
– Umber – A yellowish-brown earth tone.
– Sepia – A reddish, rusty shade of brown, named after the pigment derived from cuttlefish ink.
– Chestnut – A medium reddish-brown.
– Chocolate – A dark brown with a slightly reddish tone.
– Cinnamon – A soft reddish-brown.
– Russet – A reddish-brown shade with orange undertones.
– Hazel – A pale brown with yellow and orange undertones.
– Coffee – A mid-range brown, like the color of coffee beans.
Brown is found abundantly in nature. Trees, soil, rocks, and animals commonly display shades of brown. It is a color associated with the earth, wood, stone, autumn, and comfort.
Defining Beige
Beige is a pale, soft, neutral shade between tan and gray. Like brown, it has origins dating back to the early production of textile dyes. The first recorded uses of “beige” in English referenced the wool from beige sheep, which produced threads that were undyed and naturally cream-colored.
Beige is not technically a color on the spectrum. Rather, it is a combination of other colors including brown, white, orange, and yellow. However, beige is generally identified as a pale, neutral shade.
There are many varieties of beige including:
– Peach beige – A soft tone with subtle peach or pink undertones.
– Greige – Beige with gray undertones.
– Warm beige – A light brown with yellow undertones.
– Cool beige – More neutral and grayish.
– Dark beige – A darker, brownish beige.
– Sand beige – Desaturated and closer to tan.
Beige has connotations of subtlety. It relies more on white than brown does. Beige is associated with more femininity, softness, and flexibility than stereotypical brown. It also tends to have more yellow, gray, or pink undertones while brown leans red.
Key Differences Between Brown and Beige
While brown and beige are very close in appearance, there are some key differences:
– **Darkness** – Brown is inherently darker than beige. Beige relies heavily on white to lighten its tone. Brown starts out as a deeper, darker primitive color.
– **Color Mix** – Brown is a tertiary color, meaning it is directly created by combining two primary colors – red and yellow. Beige is not technically a distinct color but rather a combination of brown, white, cream, and sometimes gray.
– **Undertones** – Brown has predominant red or orange undertones. Beige can have subtle gray, peach, yellow, or pink undertones.
– **Shade Variety** – There are many rich, deep shades of brown while beige remains quite pale. Deep, dark beiges start looking more brown than beige.
– **Lighting Conditions** – The appearance of beige can wash out to cream or take on a subtle pink glow. Brown remains more steady in its darkness and red undertone under different lighting.
– **Texture** – Beige has a generally smooth, matte finish. Brown can take on more textured effects with depth and pattern.
– **Vibrancy** – Brown has more intensity and saturation. Beige is quite muted and pale.
– **Gender Associations** – Beige is associated with femininity, softness, and flexibility. Brown feels more bold, earthy, and traditionally masculine.
Examples of Things That Are Brown
Many natural elements are different shades of brown. This includes:
– Wood – Tree bark, branches, timber, plywood, etc. Vary from light tan to deep chocolate browns.
– Animals – Bears, horses, deer, squirrels, mice, dogs, foxes, etc often display brown fur or coats.
– Dirt – Soil rich in iron and organic materials produces different earthy browns.
– Rocks – Sandstone, slate, shale, flint, and minerals like quartz, hematite, and augite are brown.
– Plants – Bark, stems, seeds, roots, dried leaves, mushrooms, cones, and dead grass are brown.
– Food – Chocolate, coffee, cinnamon, molasses, whole wheat bread, nuts, brown rice, etc.
– Landscapes – Mountains, forests, meadows, fields, deserts display browns.
Manmade browns include:
– Wood products – Furniture, fencing, decks, lumber, pallets, wainscoting.
– Leather – Shoes, boots, belts, jackets, watch straps, handbags.
– Paper products – Cardboard, boxes, paper bags, grocery bags, mailing envelopes.
– Paint colors – Milk chocolate, maple, chestnut,sienna, cocoa, walnut, mahogany, etc.
– Textiles – Burlap, canvas, wool, linen, hemp, jute fabric in brown.
– Metals – Copper, rust, bronze, and brass produce browns when oxidized.
– Beverages – Coffee, cola, beer, whiskey, bourbon, rum, cider.
– Cosmetics – Eyeshadows, bronzers, contour powders, brow pencils.
– Vehicles – Classic cars, campers, construction equipment like bulldozers and cranes.
Brown is ubiquitous in nature and human creations due to its earthy, natural look.
Examples of Things That are Beige
There are many pale, neutral items that fall under the beige color category:
– Clothing – Trench coats, pants, sweaters, blazers, suits, stockings, scarves.
– Home Decor – Sofas, area rugs, pillows, blankets, lamp shades, vases, wall art.
– Building Materials – Paint, tile, stone, concrete, wood stain.
– Animals – Pale moths, flies, mice, rabbits, squirrels, dogs, cats, owls, horses.
– Flowers – Roses, peonies, carnations, mums, lilies, baby’s breath.
– Food – Pasta, white bread, cream, eggshells, crackers.
– Landscapes – Desert sand, dry grass, sandy beaches, pale cliffs.
– Paper – Stationary, wedding invitations, notebooks, wrapping paper.
– Vehicles – Old trucks, Jeeps, campers, some sedans.
– Cosmetics – Foundations, powders, lipsticks, nail polish.
– Fabric – Linens, cotton, canvas, silk, cashmere, wool.
Beige is very common in soft home furnishings, clothing, cosmetics, paper products, fabrics, and anything designed to be subtle and neutral.
How Brown and Beige Are Used in Design
Brown and beige are both popular neutral tones used extensively in interior design. Here are some of the notable ways they are incorporated:
Furniture
– **Wood furniture** – Tables, beds, dressers, cabinets in wood stains from light birch to dark walnut browns. Leather armchairs and recliners in cognac and tobacco browns.
– **Upholstered furniture** – Sofas, ottomans, dining chairs in light, medium, and dark beige fabrics. Pillows in tan, cream, and brown.
– **Rugs and carpets** – Large area rugs in warm brown. Beige wall-to-wall carpeting.
Decor
– **Textiles** – Curtains, tablecloths, throws, pillows in solids and prints featuring brown and beige.
– **Ceramics** – Pottery, mugs, vases, bowls glazed in brown. Beige travertine stone objects.
– **Wall decor** – Neutral art, mirrors, photos, paintings with brown frames or beige matting.
– **Flowers** – Dried floral wreaths and garlands in shades of brown. Fresh flower centerpieces with beige blooms.
Textiles
– **Window treatments** – Solid brown or beige drapes and curtains. Patterned shades with brown and beige designs.
– **Rugs and mats** – Natural fiber area rugs in brown jute, sisal, or seagrass. Plush beige wool rugs.
– **Blankets and throws** – Cozy brown knit blankets. Light beige quilts.
Surfaces
– **Paint and paneling** – Matte beige walls. Rich dark brown feature walls and wainscoting.
– **Wood surfaces** – Beige bleached oak, maple, birch finishes. Dark walnut, cherry, mahogany stained wood.
– **Tile and stone** – Brown travertine floor and wall tiles. Smooth beige stone slabs.
– **Countertops** – Quartz, marble, and granite slabs in beige, cream, tan, and brown swirls.
Lighting
– **Lamps** – Table lamps in coffee-colored ceramics or carved wood bases. Beige lamp shades in linen or parchment.
– **Ceiling lights** – Wrought iron chandeliers with brown details. Recessed lighting with beige trim.
– **Outdoor lighting** – Large lanterns in rustic brown metalwork. Understated beige post lanterns.
Brown and beige are versatile, they lend a subtle elegance as textiles and surfaces, and provide a crisp, clean backdrop for bolder pops of color.
Conclusion
Brown and beige represent two sides of a neutral color coin. Brown is richer, deeper, and more masculine. Beige is softer, lighter, and more feminine. Brown draws from red and orange undertones while beige taps into whites, creams, and subtle grays or pinks. They both represent earthy, organic neutrality.
From animal coats to wood finishes, beverages to cosmetics, these tones are everywhere in the natural world and human-designed environments. They bring subtle sophistication, flexibility, and coziness to fashion and interior design. Use brown and beige together or separately to create calming, grounded spaces. Just remember brown has more saturation and beige relies heavily on cream.
