Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe: Complete Color Review

f you’re searching for a warm neutral paint color that feels cozy but still modern, Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe might be the color you’re looking for.

I reach for taupes like this when I want a room to feel soft, calm, and welcoming without slipping into heavy beige or cool gray.

Smokey Taupe sits right in that perfect middle zone. It has enough depth to give your walls warmth and character, but it never feels dark or overwhelming.

Warm taupes also work easily with so many decorating styles and pair beautifully with different finishes, textures, and colors.

So let’s take a closer look at Smokey Taupe and see why it’s such a popular choice.

Smokey Taupe, Benjamin Moore, 983

Smokey Taupe is a warm, neutral taupe combining brown and gray to give a space a peaceful, soft feel. We love it in living areas and kitchens.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Smokey Taupe

Color Family

Smokey Taupe is in the neutral family.

Light Reflectance Value

55

Light Reflectance Value tells you how much light a color reflects on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.

With an LRV of 55, Smokey Taupe is a light to mid-tone paint color. It feels airy enough for brighter rooms but still has plenty of depth, so it will not disappear on the walls.

RGB Colors

R: 205 G: 196 B: 181

RGB shows the mix of red, green, and blue that creates the paint color. Each value runs from 0 to 255, giving you an exact digital breakdown of Smokey Taupe’s tone.

Hex Code

#CDC4B5

Undertones

Smokey Taupe is a warm taupe with brown and gray undertones. You might notice it also has a very subtle pink undertone.

Unlike many other taupes, Smokey Taupe does not show a green undertone.

In a north-facing room, Smokey Taupe will look more greige, while in a south-facing room, Smokey Taupe looks warmer and more beige.

Best uses

Smokey Taupe is neutral enough that it works as a whole home paint color, or it can be used in just about any room of your home.

Try using Smokey Taupe in:

• Living rooms
• Bedrooms
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Home exterior
• Interior doors
• Cabinets
• Furniture

Similar Colors

• Benjamin Moore Alphano Beige
• Behr Scenic Path
• Sherwin Williams Slumber Sloth
• Benjamin Moore Ashen Tan
• Behr Sculptor Clay
• Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
• Benjamin Moore Mocha Cream

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Smokey Taupe

Coordinating Colors

Smokey Taupe is light and neutral enough to pair well with a whole range of other colors. I think it looks great with creamy whites, deep, warm neutrals, and soft shades.

In general, Smokey Taupe looks best with colors that are darker than it or with significantly lighter (white) colors. Colors with a similar color depth can just look kind of murky when paired together.

Soft whites:

• Cloud White
• White Dove
• Swiss Coffee
• Steam
• Moonlight White

Deep, warm violet-browns:

• Mink Violet
• Pinch of Spice
• Sequoia
• Bonne Nuit
• Cinnamon Slate

Soft mid-toned blues:

• Wedgewood Gray
• Rhine River
• Gossamer Blue
• Yarmouth Blue
• Paradiso

Trim Colors

In general, I like to use a creamy or soft white as a trim color with warm-toned beige, taupe, and greige paint colors.

Soft white trim colors:

• Sherwin Williams Alabaster
• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Behr Cameo White

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Smokey Taupe

FAQs

Here are some common frequently asked questions about Smokey Taupe.

What color is Smokey Taupe?

Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe is a warm taupe with a mix of brown and gray undertones. In brighter rooms it looks warmer and a bit more beige. In darker rooms it shifts toward greige and feels more muted.

This is one of those colors that really responds to lighting, so I always suggest swatching it where you plan to use it.

Does Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe look green?

No, Smokey Taupe does not look green. Many taupes can surprise you with green undertones, but this one stays firmly in the warm taupe family.

In good natural light it softens and feels more beige, while in low light it looks slightly greige. Seeing it on your own walls will help you feel confident before choosing it.

What are the undertones of Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe?

Smokey Taupe has warm brown and gray undertones with just a touch of soft pink mixed in. That pink hint is what keeps it from reading green, which is something I know a lot of people worry about with taupes.

It warms up quite nicely in south-facing rooms and looks more neutral and calm in north-facing rooms.

Is Smokey Taupe warm or cool?

Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe is a warm neutral. It has enough warmth to feel inviting, but it still keeps a balanced look that works with many decor styles.

If you are unsure how warm it will feel in your home, try a swatch first so you can see how the light affects it.

What colors go well with Smokey Taupe?

Smokey Taupe pairs well with a wide range of colors. I like it with soft whites, deeper warm neutrals, and gentle accent shades.

Try Cloud White for a soft white, Mink Violet for a rich contrast, or Wedgewood Gray if you want a calming blue. Once you test these together in your room, you will know which direction feels right.

What is the LRV of Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe?

Smokey Taupe has an LRV of 55, which places it in the light to mid-tone range. It feels airy in brighter rooms but still has enough depth to avoid looking washed out.

Because LRV affects how a color appears throughout the day, a quick swatch test will help you see if the depth feels right in your lighting.

Thanks for reading!