Paint Colour Review: Benjamin Moore Shaker Beige HC-45

An old-school warm neutral for your walls…

Are you ready to SHAKE IT BABY? Today, we’re taking a look at one of the more popular, slightly old-school beige paint colors: Benjamin Moore Shaker Beige.

WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS BENJAMIN MOORE SHAKER BEIGE?

Shaker Beige is a warm, neutral, golden paint color that hovers between beige and tan. Sure, it has the typical orange base of beige, but its undertones wink at tan the odd time, whereas many other beiges sneak a peek at pink. It’s also a bit darker and more saturated than many of today’s popular beige and tan paint colors.

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WHAT’S ITS LRV?

Shaker Beige has an LRV of 53.53, making it a light-medium-depth paint color. If you have a super bright room, this LRV will hold itself a bit better than a color with a higher LRV, which can easily wash out in a well-lit room. This depth also suits rooms with high ceilings, helping them look a bit cozier and more intimate…

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

Want to see what Shaker Beige looks like lightened by 50%? Here you go…

WHAT ARE SHAKER BEIGE’S UNDERTONES?

Being a beige, Shaker Beige centers on an orange undertone. From there, it’s pretty flexible and a bit unpredictable. I have Online Paint Color Consulting clients who find it too beige-orange-pink, whereas others find it a bit too beige-orange-yellow.

SAMPLE, SAMPLE, SAMPLE (and compare to similar shades).

Keep in mind that most beige interior finishes cater to a beige with a bit more orange-pink vs. Shaker Beige’s more golden approach.

How to Update a Beige Home

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Shaker Beige…

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH SHAKER BEIGE WALLS?

Whether you’re painting trim or cabinets, Shaker Beige is super fussy with cool whites and doesn’t always love bright, clean whites.

Instead, it leans into whites that have warmth, whether it’s a bright warmth or a soft, subtle one…

• Benjamin Moore Cloud White
• Benjamin Moore Simply White

By the way, in the above photo, you can see that the rich, travertine tile fireplace would love a beige with a touch more pink in it, as would the red oak flooring (this is my client’s before photo).

All the photos in my blog are from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, and friends— because real homes deserve to be celebrated (dirty laundry and all!) While not magazine-perfect, they’re packed with ideas and proven color choices to help you create a home you’ll love.

The 8 Best White Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore

WHERE DOES SHAKER BEIGE LOOK BEST?

Shaker Beige is somewhat versatile, but doesn’t suit every interior or exterior need. Let’s explore a few considerations…

SHAKER BEIGE AS AN EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR

Shaker Beige can look good on exterior stucco or siding, assuming your brick, stonework, or roof is calling for a beige with these golden undertones. Just be sure to view it in the shade and the sun, as it can pick up some serious warmth in southern and western afternoon light! Also, MANY stone finishes call for a more traditional shade of beige (orange-pink).

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

BENJAMIN MOORE SHAKER BEIGE GO WITH WOOD TRIM?

Shaker Beige can complement a wide range of wood stains and undertones, whether on flooring, trims, or cabinets.

In particular, Shaker Beige is beautiful with many orange-stained woods, as they share a similar undertone. If your wood has a dominant, lighter yellow undertone, it’s touch and go, as Shaker Beige can be a bit rich and heavy for some of these lighter stains.

As for woods with a red (red-orange or red-purple) undertone, it comes down to personal opinion. I often find Shaker Beige not orange-pink enough for many red-stained woods, especially lighter ones with a more pink undertone.

This next image with the dark wood bookcase works as the red undertone is grounded by brown, so it’s not overwhelming…

DOES SHAKER BEIGE GO WITH CREAM TRIM & CABINETS

I’m glad you asked! Cream cabinets and trims can be super challenging to update.

Shaker Beige suits many cream finishes, but this doesn’t mean they’ll look updated.

However, if you aren’t looking to update, and instead, want a color combo you LOVE, it’s a great color to sample and compare with others.

IS SHAKER BEIGE POPULAR RIGHT NOW?

Shaker Beige isn’t super popular, even though trends have swung wildly warmer than in previous years. If my Online Paint Color Consulting clients are looking for a beige, they often opt for a lighter shade of beige or one with a similar depth but a more muted base.

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO BENJAMIN MOORE SHAKER BEIGE?

Comparing similar shades is THE best way to find your perfect color. Here are some I suggest you sample and compare…

SHAKER BEIGE VS. BENJAMIN MOORE STONE HOUSE

Benjamin Moore Shaker Beige and Stone House aren’t that different in their approach, both being slightly richer, more golden beiges. However, Stone House’s LRV of 49.42 sits lower (a bit darker) than Shaker Beige’s 53.53.

You’ll also find that Stone House’s undertones are a bit richer and more saturated, offering a bit more visible warmth.

Benjamin Moore Stone House: IMAGES, Info, & More

SHAKER BEIGE VS. BENJAMIN MOORE HUSH

When it comes to popular warm neutrals, Hush isn’t near the top of the list, although many of you ask about it!

In comparing these two, notice a shift in undertones. Whereas Shaker Beige picks up a more noticeable orange undertone, Hush seems a bit more yellow-green and dingy. While this suits some interior finishes, more often than not, finishes cater to an orange undertone, not a yellow-green one.

If we were to classify them, Hush would be more of a tan, and Shaker Beige would be a beige (learn the difference HERE). Hush is also a good dose lighter with its LRV of 57.09.

SHAKER BEIGE VS. BENJAMIN MOORE MUSLIN

Oooo, now you’re talkin’ my language – I love Muslin. Benjamin Moore Muslin is a popular, light-depth beige. One big difference between Muslin and Shaker Beige is that Muslin is one of the most timeless beige paint colors thanks to its depth (LRV 66.54), which puts it smack dab in the middle of the light range (and my happy place).

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As for undertones, Muslin is also a bit more likely to suit the average interior finishes as it isn’t quite as golden as Shaker Beige.

Benjamin Moore Muslin: IMAGES, Info, & More

WHAT SHERWIN WILLIAMS COLORS ARE SIMILAR?

You don’t have to stick with one brand when sampling and comparing. Here are some gorgeous shades that give Shaker Beige a run for its money…

• Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige is a bit more popular than Shaker Beige
• Sherwin Williams Malabar is a great comparable

By the way, if you’re thinking of color matching between brands (e.g., getting BM to make an SW paint color), you might want to read THIS first.

WHAT COLORS GO WITH SHAKER BEIGE?

There are different situations when creating a palette with Shaker Beige. Do you need this color for your cabinets, a kitchen island, an adjoining room, or…? Whatever your needs, I’ve got a range of colors for you to explore.

• Lighter beiges with similar undertones/blends create a soft tone-on-tone palette with Shaker Beige.
• Some gray-green-blue blends
• Muted, earthy, medium to dark green paint colors
• Soft, warm whites
• Darker charcoals with a green undertone
• Slightly rich but still earthy shades of purple, similar to Benjamin Moore’s Cinnamon Slate
• Various shades of cream, but be careful if they’re in the same room.

Are you not sure if Shaker Beige is right for you? Do you want something a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!

READ MORE

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Lenox Tan

Paint Colors Review: Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige

Paint Color Review Benjamin Moore Muslin

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

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