Benjamin Moore’s Smokey Taupe (983) : A Review

Like the gentle welcome of morning mist on ancient stone, Benjamin Moore’s Smokey Taupe wraps your space in refined neutrality.

This refined mid-tone surpasses ordinary beiges, carrying just a whisper of mauve undertones that bring subtle depth to your walls.

Smokey Taupe creates a sanctuary of balance—a serene, grounding atmosphere that blends both mind and space.

Its subtle complexity invites natural light to play across surfaces, changing subtly throughout the day while maintaining its smart, composed character.

It’s the perfect backdrop for contemporary designs and transitional spaces seeking understated classiness.

Understanding Benjamin Moore’s Smokey Taupe

Color Terminology

Undertones:

• Smokey Taupe has subtle mauve-gray undertones
• It’s a balanced neutral with a slightly refined influence
• Not a flat or one-dimensional taupe, but a refined, complex neutral with noticeable depth

Psychology of Mid-Tone Neutrals

Mid-tone neutrals like Smokey Taupe create a sense of balance and timeless refinement.

• Balanced tones: Offer grounding and visual stability to spaces
• Mauve-tinted taupes: Produce refinement, peace, and modern style
• Benefits: More subtle than stark beiges, adds substantial presence to spaces, create a cultured backdrop for both colorful furniture and natural elements

Smokey Taupe provides the perfect balance for those seeking a considerable neutral that isn’t too light or overwhelming.

Its subtle mauve undertones make it particularly versatile in spaces with northern or eastern exposure, where it helps maintain warmth while contributing a sense of refined style.

Why Choose This Color?

The balanced depth of Smokey Taupe evokes a sense of refinement and peace that promotes peace in any environment.

This enduring color carries complex undertones that shift subtly with changing light, ensuring your space feels both current and timelessly smart.

Key Features

Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe offers exceptional versatility and refinement across different lighting conditions. It maintains its subtle mauve undertones in bright spaces while creating a warm, enveloping atmosphere in rooms with varied natural light.

Its timeless neutral quality provides a refined backdrop that complements both bold elements and natural textures without appearing overly bland or uninspired.

Adaptability

Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe demonstrates remarkable adaptability with existing elements like light-colored furniture and natural wood fixtures, creating balanced blends between spaces.

It provides enough depth to feel substantial and grounding while maintaining a refined, enduring quality that won’t quickly date your interior design choices.

This versatile neutral works equally well as an all-over color for creating balanced, urbane environments or as a complementary element to lighter accent walls.

Durability

Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe, particularly in premium finishes like Aura or Regal Select, delivers outstanding durability with excellent coverage in both new and repainted areas.

Its balanced tone and subtle mauve undertones maintain a refined appearance throughout your home while providing a forgiving surface for everyday living.

This paint resists staining and maintains color consistency even with regular cleaning when properly applied.

Texture Patterns

Its complex undertones produce a stunning light play that enhances moldings and adds visual interest to even simple walls.

When applied to different finishes, it can smartly highlight details while maintaining a consistent, refined appearance throughout connected spaces.

Room-by-Room Color Recommendations with Smokey Taupe

1. Living Spaces and Open Floor Plans

• Smokey Taupe works exceptionally well as an all-over color in open floor plans, creating a balanced, cohesive space while maintaining a refined, timeless palette.
• The 54.53 LRV of Smokey Taupe provides a substantial, grounding feel that makes spaces appear more unified and refined without feeling heavy.
• Use Smokey Taupe to anchor different areas in larger spaces while allowing colorful furnishings and artwork to stand out against its tranquil backdrop.

2. Bedrooms and Relaxation Areas

• Smokey Taupe creates a soothing, balanced atmosphere in bedrooms that promotes relaxation.
• The subtle mauve undertones in Smokey Taupe evoke a sense of refinement while creating a refined backdrop for colorful bedding and furniture of any style.
• Consider Smokey Taupe for all walls to create a serene sanctuary that feels both grounded and smart without sacrificing warmth.

3. Kitchens

• Smokey Taupe in satin or semi-gloss finish on cabinets creates a graceful, timeless element that pairs beautifully with white islands or accent pieces.
• The balanced depth of Smokey Taupe enhances both light countertop materials and silver fixtures, making it adaptable to various kitchen styles, from modern to transitional.
• Smokey Taupe upper and lower cabinets paired with a light accent wall create an appealing balance that grounds the kitchen while maintaining a refined, cohesive feel.

4. Bathrooms and Spa-like Retreats

• Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe creates a balanced, refined atmosphere in bathrooms. Its subtle mauve undertones establish a sense of refinement while complementing chrome fixtures.
• This versatile shade pairs beautifully with both silver and nickel fixtures, marble, and light wood, creating a timeless, refined retreat that feels both smart and welcoming.
• Use Smokey Taupe on all walls in larger bathrooms to create a sense of intimacy without sacrificing refinement.

Smokey Taupe Color Combinations

Smokey Taupe is a balanced, refined neutral with subtle mauve undertones. Its medium Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 54.53 makes it a substantial, grounding foundation that adds refinement and versatility to spaces while maintaining a refined style.

Let me help you with color pairings and combinations for this shade.

Complementary Trim Colors

• White Dove (BM OC-17) – A soft white that brightens Smokey Taupe’s smart character
• Cloud White (BM OC-130) – A versatile soft white that balances Smokey Taupe’s depth
• Simply White (BM OC-117) – A bright, clean white that creates a striking contrast with Smokey Taupe

Coordinating Wall Colors

• Balboa Mist (BM OC-27) – A light, warm gray that complements Smokey Taupe’s depth
• Pale Oak (BM OC-20) – A light taupe that creates a subtle, cohesive palette
• Wickham Gray (BM HC-171) – A soft blue-gray that creates a serene contrast with Smokey Taupe
• Gray Owl (BM OC-52) – A versatile gray that enhances Smokey Taupe’s character

Accent Colors

• Hale Navy (BM HC-154) – A deep navy that creates a dramatic contrast with Smokey Taupe’s neutrality
• October Mist (BM 1495) – A muted sage green that provides a natural complement to Smokey Taupe
• Kendall Charcoal (BM HC-166) – A deep gray that grounds Smokey Taupe in a compatible palette
• Chestertown Buff (BM HC-9) – A golden tan that warms Smokey Taupe’s balanced quality

Coordinating with Furniture and Decor

Wood Tones

Smokey Taupe pairs beautifully with a wide range of wood tones, offering different effects. Light oak, maple, and ash create a striking contrast against Smokey Taupe’s balanced backdrop.

Medium wood tones like walnut provide a complementary richness that enhances Smokey Taupe’s mauve undertones.

For a more harmonious look, gray-washed woods create subtle depth that complements Smokey Taupe’s neutral quality and creates a refined modern aesthetic.

Natural, unstained wood creates an organic, warm contrast that highlights Smokey Taupe’s refinement and complexity.

Metals

Silver, chrome, and nickel hardware enhance Smokey Taupe’s mauve undertones and create a modern look.

Bronze fixtures create a warm contrast that emphasizes Smokey Taupe’s depth. While Smokey Taupe works beautifully with cool metals, brass and gold accents create tension between warm and neutral elements—opt for brushed or matte finishes for a more refined pairing.

Black iron and matte black finishes provide a smart, timeless combination that complements Smokey Taupe’s distinguished character and provides additional grounding.

Decor

Natural fibers like linen, cotton, and wool in creamy tones create textural interest against Smokey Taupe walls while providing necessary brightness.

Colorful accents in dusty blue, sage green, and deep burgundy offer a striking complement against the neutral backdrop.

Glass, ceramic, and concrete elements add contemporary appeal and prevent Smokey Taupe from feeling too traditional in spaces with abundant texture.

Introducing natural elements with varied textures—like leather, wool, or woven textiles—reinforces the organic balance inherent in this versatile neutral while adding tactile interest.

Similar Paint Colors: Smokey Taupe vs. Mocha Cream

Smokey Taupe (Benjamin Moore)

• A balanced neutral with subtle mauve undertones
• Medium LRV (Light Reflectance Value) that creates refined, grounding spaces
• Works well in contemporary, transitional, or modern interiors
• Best for spaces where you want substantial, refined style

Mocha Cream (Benjamin Moore)

• A versatile light taupe with warm undertones
• Higher LRV (around 65) that creates a brighter, adaptable backdrop
• It contains warm brown undertones that create a cozy atmosphere
• Popular for creating inviting, welcoming environments that work with many design styles

Key Differences:

• Smokey Taupe has more mauve-gray undertones, while Mocha Cream has more pronounced warm undertones
• Smokey Taupe appears slightly deeper in most lighting conditions
• Smokey Taupe creates a more refined balance, while Mocha Cream is more versatile and warm
• They serve similar roles in design – both as refined neutrals with slightly different character and undertones

Final Thoughts

Smokey Taupe beats trends, representing the perfect balance between depth and neutrality that makes it a favorite among designers and homeowners seeking cultured, refined spaces.

Its subtle complexity allows it to adapt effortlessly to changing styles and seasonal accents, ensuring longevity in your design choices.

If you are Anchoring your walls in morning light or creating a canvas for contrasting elements, Smokey Taupe delivers a timeless quality that grounds and uplifts a space.

In choosing this exceptional shade, you’re not simply selecting a color—you’re welcoming a design philosophy that values balance, refinement, and enduring beauty in the spaces we call home.