Smokey Taupe (983) by Benjamin Moore: A Review

Picking the right paint colour for your home can feel like a big task. You want a shade that looks good, feels right, and works with your other things.

Many people spend weeks looking at paint chips and samples without finding that perfect match.

Smokey Taupe by Benjamin Moore offers a fix to this common problem.

This soft, grey-brown tone brings a calm feeling to any room while staying fresh and modern. It works as a base colour that makes your space feel warm without being too dark or too light.

In this guide, we’ll show you what makes Smokey Taupe so special. We’ll look at rooms where it works best, colours that go well with it, and tips for using it in your home.

You’ll see why this color has become a top choice for so many homes.

Understanding Smokey Taupe by Benjamin Moore

Undertones:

• Smokey Taupe has warm gray-beige undertones, leaning slightly into taupe.
• It’s a balanced neutral—neither too cool nor too warm—making it highly adaptable.
• The subtle earthy tone avoids looking stark or flat, adding depth to the walls.

Psychology of Neutral Colors:

• Warm neutrals like Smokey Taupe evoke comfort, classiness, and understated grace.
• Greige tones offer refinement and versatility, fitting both modern and traditional styles.
• Creates a soothing backdrop, allowing other design elements (art, furniture) to stand out.

Why Choose Smokey Taupe by Benjamin Moore?

Smokey Taupe (983) is a timeless, warm neutral that brings depth and style to any space. This versatile shade works well in both traditional and modern interiors, offering a balanced mix of gray and brown undertones.

Its mid-rangeLRV (54.53) ensures it’s neither too dark nor too light, making it ideal for creating cozy yet airy rooms. Even if it is used on walls, cabinetry, or accent pieces, Smokey Taupe complements natural materials like wood and stone, enhancing a room’s warmth.

It’s a perfect choice for those who want a refined, neutral backdrop that pairs effortlessly with various décor styles.

Key Features & Durability

A chameleon of neutrals, Smokey Taupe adapts to its surroundings while adding understated style.

Part of Benjamin Moore’s trusted Historical Collection, it delivers lasting beauty that stands up to daily life. Let’s break down its key features and durability to understand it better:

• Rich, earthy, and neutral with subtle gray undertones.
• Adaptable to various lighting conditions.
• A muted, stylish tone adds dimension without overwhelming a space.
• Ideal for open-concept areas, bedrooms, and exteriors, blending with natural surroundings.
• Part of the Historical Collection, offering timeless appeal.
• Pairs well with both warm and cool accents, creating harmonious interiors.
• Known for high-quality, long-lasting finishes.
• Available in premium formulas like Regal Select and Aura.
• Offers excellent coverage, fade resistance, and washability.
• Resists mildew and moisture, suitable for high-traffic areas.
• Rich pigment ensures consistent color, even in sunlit rooms.
• Available in matte, eggshell, and satin finishes with minimal need for touch-ups over time.

Texture Patterns & Finishes

Smokey Taupe’s depth shines when paired with different textures and finishes. In matte, it creates a soft, velvety look ideal for walls, while satin or semi-gloss adds subtle sheen to trim and cabinetry.

Its neutral tone enhances natural textures like brick, wood grain, or linen fabrics, adding visual interest without clutter. Pair it with brushed metals, woven baskets, or stone accents for a layered effect.

Even in smooth, modern spaces or rustic, textured rooms, Smokey Taupe adapts beautifully, proving that neutrals can be far from boring.

Why Smokey Taupe Works Well?

This color’s magic lies in its balance—warm enough to feel inviting, yet neutral enough to stay versatile. It softens harsh lighting in bright rooms and adds warmth in dim spaces, making it universally flattering.

It effortlessly bridges design styles from farmhouse to contemporary and pairs well with whites, creams, and deeper hues like navy or olive.

Smokey Taupe by Benjamin Moore in Interior Design

A chameleon of neutrals, Smokey Taupe blends gray’s coolness with brown’s warmth that never goes out of style. This adaptable shade enhances everything from cozy bedrooms to formal living spaces.

Here’s how to make it work in every room:

Living Room

It creates a warm, inviting atmosphere with its earthy gray-brown undertones. It pairs beautifully with natural wood furniture and leather accents for a cozy feel.

It works as a stylish neutral backdrop for bold artwork or colorful textiles and effortlessly complements both modern and traditional décor styles.

Color Combinations for the Living Room

• Walls: Smokey Taupe (983)

• Trim: White Dove (OC-17)

• Accent Wall: Kendall Charcoal (HC-166)

• Ceiling: Simply White (OC-117)

• Decor Accents: Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) pillows + Chestertown Buff (HC-9) throws

Kitchen

It adds warmth to cabinetry or walls, balancing sleek stainless steel appliances. It looks wonderful with marble or quartz countertops in white or cream tones.

Coordinates well with brass, bronze, or matte black hardware for contrast and creates a graceful look in both modern and farmhouse-style kitchens.

Color Combinations for the Kitchen

• Cabinets: Smokey Taupe (983)

• Walls: Edgecomb Gray (HC-173)

• Island: Hale Navy (HC-154)

• Backsplash: White subway tile (matched to Simply White OC-117)

• Hardware: Brushed gold or matte black

Bathroom

It brings a spa-like serenity when used on walls or vanity cabinetry. Pairs beautifully with white porcelain, natural stone, and woven textures

Makes a small bathroom feel cozy rather than cold or sterile. It works well with both modern fixtures and vintage-inspired tile designs.

Color Combinations for the Bathroom

• Walls: Smokey Taupe (983)

• Vanity: Gray Owl (OC-52)

• Trim: Chantilly Lace (OC-65)

• Tile: Carrara marble (veins matching Palladian Blue HC-144)

• Towels: Wythe Blue (HC-143)

Bedroom

It sets a relaxing, restful mood, perfect for a sleep-friendly environment and complements crisp white bedding for a clean yet warm contrast.

Enhances the coziness of layered textiles like wool throws and linen curtains and works well with both light and dark wood furniture finishes

Color Combinations for the Bedroom

• Walls: Smokey Taupe (983)

• Trim: Seapearl (OC-19)

• Ceiling: Balboa Mist (OC-27)

• Accent: Revere Pewter (HC-172) on built-ins

• Textiles: Linen curtains in Shaker Beige (HC-45)

Color Pairings for Smokey Taupe- Benjamin Moore

Finding the perfect color companions for Smokey Taupe can enhance your space with effortless style. These Benjamin Moore hues create beautiful harmony, offering everything from crisp contrast to subtle tonal depth.

Here are our top recommended pairings:

Benjamin Moore Complementary Colors

• White Dove (OC-17) – A soft, warm white for trim and ceilings that keeps the space airy

• Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) – A lighter greige to create a monochromatic, layered look

• Revere Pewter (HC-172) – A versatile greige that harmonizes with Smokey Taupe’s warmth

Perfect Alternatives to Smokey Taupe (Benjamin Moore)

If you love Smokey Taupe but want to know more similar shades with different effects, these Benjamin Moore alternatives offer the perfect balance of warmth and style.

If you need something lighter and brighter, deeper and moodier, or with a different undertone, this curated list helps you find your ideal neutral.

Key Points:

• LRV: Light Reflectance Value (higher = lighter)

• HC: Historical Collection | OC: Off-White Collection | AF: Affinity Collection

Final Thoughts

Benjamin Moore’s Smokey Taupe is a warm, earthy paint color that works well in many spaces. This blog explains its flexible shade and the best colors to pair with it.

The neutral tone fits bedrooms, living rooms, and even kitchen cabinets, depending on the decor, creating either a cozy or modern feel.

Choosing the right paint color can be tricky, but Smokey Taupe makes it easy. Its balanced tone blends nicely with furniture and wall art without overpowering a room.

This color adds a subtle richness to any space, whether it is used on walls, trim, or accent pieces.

With this guide, you now have all the details needed to decide if Smokey Taupe is the right choice. Its versatility and timeless appeal make it a great option for any home.

Happy painting!