Beautiful Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe Paint in the Bedroom

See how Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe paint transformed our bedroom into a warm, cozy retreat with timeless neutral charm.

Elegant bedroom with Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe Paint walls, a tufted bench at the foot of the bed, decorative pillows, patterned bedding, two bedside tables with lamps, a large window with curtains, and a painting above the bed.

For years, our bedroom felt like an unsolvable puzzle. With windows and doors on nearly every wall, I could never find a layout that truly worked, and as a result, the room never felt quite right. After living with the frustration for far too long, we finally decided to remove one of the windows and create a feature wall for the bed.

That change gave us a clean slate, and I knew it was time to give the room the calm, inviting look it had always needed, starting with a fresh coat of paint! I chose Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe paint for the walls. A warm, neutral shade that beautifully complements our new DIY picture moldings and crisp white trim.

This is the second installment in my 4-part series all about our full bedroom makeover! After reading all about our wall color, don’t forget to see how we added custom art with a beautiful wallpaper mural!

So, if you are looking for some cozy bedroom paint ideas, you are in the right place! I am sharing all about our neutral bedroom makeover, how we chose our paint color, tips for painting taupe bedroom walls, and ideas for decorating your room with decor that beautifully complements warm neutral paint colors.

Why We Chose Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe

I have always loved Benjamin Moore’s paint. The quality is outstanding, it covers beautifully, and it is so easy to clean, which is a big win in any busy home!

They also offer a stunning range of colors, so I knew I would find exactly what I needed for our bedroom makeover. I was searching for that just right taupe—not too beige, not too gray, but a true neutral that would complement everything in the room.

A woman in glasses and a plaid jacket smiles while leaning on a blue ladder, holding a can of Benjamin Moore paint in a room with light-colored walls.

This shade of Benjamin Moore paint turned out to be the perfect smokey taupe. It’s warm and elegant, without feeling heavy, and it adds just the right amount of depth to our freshly updated walls. In my opinion, it is the best taupe color from Benjamin Moore.

If you are looking for greige paint, I truly can’t recommend it enough for its warm, calming feel and timeless versatility.

All About Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe Paint

If you are considering a taupe shade for your bedroom, here are a few helpful details to know about Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe before you head to the paint store.

A Benjamin Moore paint swatch with four shades of beige labeled 981, 982, 983, and 984, laid on a light wood surface.
Taupe Benjamin Moore paint card
A solid background in a soft taupe color, labeled "Smokey Taupe 983" in black text at the bottom center, showcases the elegance of Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe Paint.
983 Smokey Taupe

Tip from wendy:

The Light Reflection Value (or LRV) is a number that shows how much light a paint color reflects. The scale goes from 0 to 100, with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.

Knowing the LRV will help you understand how light or dark a color will look in your space. Higher numbers mean a color will reflect more light and feel brighter, while lower numbers create a more cozy, dramatic feel.

Our Bedroom Before and After

Despite all the windows in our bedroom, the deep blue accent wall made the room feel a little dark and even a bit dated.

A cozy bedroom features DIY wall moldings, a neatly made bed with blue and yellow bedding, decorative pillows, and a beige headboard. A wooden bench with books and a blue blanket sits at the foot of the bed; matching lamps are on both nightstands. This is our bedroom before painting it Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe.

Here’s a photo of what it looked like before we painted. It was fine, but it could definitely use a little refresh.

A bedroom before a renovation with a bed covered in clear plastic sheeting, likely for protection during renovation. The window frame is unfinished, and the walls are painted blue and white. A ceiling fan with lights is visible.
A wall with blue paint has a large, roughly rectangular patch of white spackle in the center, indicating recent repairs. The area around the patch is uneven, and a covered piece of furniture is partially visible at the bottom.

As part of our full room transformation, we removed the window behind the bed and filled it in with drywall. You can see that process in progress here. It made a huge difference!

A smiling woman wearing glasses and a blue shirt uses a red Milwaukee power tool to work on a wall, with protective plastic covering in the background.
A white wall with DIY wall moldings, scuff marks, a visible electrical outlet, and brass curtain rod brackets near the ceiling. There is a window on the right letting in natural light.

Then, before painting, we added some custom DIY trim throughout the room. Installing wall moldings is one of my favorite design elements that makes a big impact without spending a lot. Whether you’re adding box molding to one wall or updating an entire room, it brings so much character and charm.

A door covered in clear plastic sheeting, surrounded by white walls with decorative DIY wall moldings. Several paint swatches on the wall hint at ongoing renovation or painting work.

Once all the trim was in place, it was time to choose a paint color. We picked up some sample cans and tested a few different Benjamin Moore taupes on the wall to see how each one looked with our lighting and furniture, and I’m so glad we did.

A bedroom prepared for painting, with a bed covered in plastic sheeting, a ladder holding a paint can and supplies, and light beige paneled walls ready for DIY wall moldings. A ceiling fan and a large mirror are also visible.

What we thought we liked in the store looked completely different once we got it on the wall at home. Some taupe colors that seemed perfect on the swatch card turned out way too dark or too cool once the natural light hit them in our space.

Elegant bedroom with a bed featuring floral bedding, two bedside tables with lamps, a decorative bench at the foot of the bed, and a large landscape painting above the headboard. A large window lets in natural light.

Of course, you know, in the end, we chose Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe, and it was the perfect in-between. It feels warm and soft without being too beige or too gray, and it really ties everything together, including our new bedding, our lighting, even the wood tones in the room. The whole space feels brighter and more welcoming now.

Tip from wendy:

Always test your paint before committing to a full gallon. Grab a few small sample cans or try peel-and-stick paint swatches you can order online. It is a budget-friendly way to see how the color looks in your actual space with your lighting. This small step can save you from wasting money on a color that ends up feeling completely different once it is on your walls.

Tips for Painting a Bedroom Taupe

If you are planning on painting a bedroom taupe, a little prep work and the right tools can make all the difference in your finished space. Here are a few helpful tips from our recent DIY bedroom makeover using Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe.

1. Start with Proper Prep

Before you even open a paint can, take time to prep your surfaces. We caulked all the seams, lightly sanded everything, and then applied a quality primer.

Close-up of a white-painted window frame with a visible crack in the upper corner, showing signs of wear and potential structural issues.

This helps the paint go on smoothly and ensures a long-lasting finish.

2. Consider Adjusting the Pigment

We loved Smokey Taupe, but after testing it on our walls, we felt it was just a touch too dark for our space. The great thing about Benjamin Moore is that they can reduce the pigment to adjust the depth of color.

Three paint swatches in shades of beige are tested on a white wall, separated by blue tape. On the right, a person holds a folded, textured light gray fabric against the wall. Top color is Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe reduced at 25%

We had the pigment reduced by 25 percent, and it was the perfect solution. This is a great option if you love a color but want it a little softer.

3. Choose the Right Paint for Each Surface

For the paint on the walls, we used Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe (minus 25%) with a matte finish.

A can of Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint, labeled as interior, ultra flat, base 1, 508 1X, sitting on a black surface with a partially painted wall in the background.
A room with beige paneled walls, a white framed door with a mirror, and a stepladder holding two paint cans. Furniture is covered with a white sheet, and painting supplies are visible on the floor.

On the ceiling of our bedroom, we went with Benjamin Moore ceiling paint in flat white, which helped reflect light and keep the space feeling airy.

We used a crisp white interior paint (Pure White OC-64 in semi-gloss) for the trim to create contrast and give the space a clean, finished look that pairs beautifully with our new taupe walls!

4. Use the Right Rollers and Brushes

For a smooth finish on large wall areas, use a high-quality ⅜-inch nap roller. This nap works well on lightly textured or smooth walls.

For trim and moldings, we recommend a good angled brush to get clean edges and smooth coverage.

5. Plan for Two Coats

Even with the excellent coverage that Benjamin Moore paint provides, we still applied two coats of the Smokey Taupe paint for an even, rich finish.

Smokey Taupe turned out to be a very forgiving shade! It went on beautifully and did not show roller marks or minor imperfections, which makes it ideal for DIYers.

6. Add Subtle Contrast with Sheen

To give our walls a little extra interest, we painted our new DIY picture moldings in a pearl finish while keeping the walls matte.

A can of Benjamin Moore ben interior matte acrylic paint and primer with a green and white label, sitting on a black surface. The label highlights "Effortless Application, Beautiful Results.
Beige walls with decorative rectangular panel molding meet at a corner under a white crown molding ceiling. The scene is softly lit, showcasing the clean, elegant architectural details.

The tone-on-tone look adds a layer of elegance and depth without changing the color.

Styling a Bedroom with Warm Neutral Paint

One of the things I love most about this shade of paint is how versatile it is. If you’re wondering what colors go with Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe, you’re in luck because it pairs beautifully with just about anything.

A neatly made bed with patterned bedding, a blue throw, and multiple pillows stands between two nightstands with matching lamps. DIY wall moldings add elegance above the headboard, while a bench holds a white pillow, swan ornament, and books.

In our room, it complements the whites, creams, and hints of green in our bedding, pairs well with the wood tones of our flooring, and brings out the warmth of the brass accents we’ve added throughout the space.

Bedroom painted in Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe A blue nightstand with three drawers holds a decorative lamp, a framed bird picture, a candle, and two stacked books. The scene is next to a bed with patterned bedding and neutral-toned walls.

Smokey Taupe also plays so nicely with soft blues, which is why I was thrilled to see how good it looked next to our blue nightstands. The wall color even complements what I styled it with: a coastal bird print, a shabby chic lamp, and a small stack of vintage books.

An ornate dresser with decorative handles holds a tall vase of green branches, candles, books, and small decor. Above it hangs framed artwork on a light-colored wall enhanced with elegant DIY Wall Moldings painted in Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe

On the other side of the room, we have a little vignette on top of a vintage dresser, a simple vase filled with fresh greenery and a few collected pieces.

One thing to note when choosing this color is how the Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe undertones can shift depending on the light. In our room, the soft blend of gray and beige leans cool, airy and calm during the day when natural light pours in, but takes on a slightly warmer, cozier, and richer feel in the evening with our lamps on that feels so relaxing and peaceful. That balance is one of the reasons it works so well. It’s neutral without feeling flat, and it plays nicely with a wide range of accent colors and textures.

Other Benjamin Moore Taupe Paint Colors to Consider

If you love the soft, cozy feel of Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe but are curious about other options in the same family, there are several beautiful taupe and greige paint colors with just a touch of variation.

Whether you want something a little lighter, a bit warmer, or with more gray undertones, here are a few other favorite shades of taupe you might want to consider.

A display of Benjamin Moore Classics paint swatches arranged in a gradient from warm yellows and oranges to cool blues, greens, and purples, with neutral tones at the bottom.
Benjamin Moore color families
A sheet displaying various Benjamin Moore paint samples in neutral shades, including gray, beige, taupe, and tan, each labeled with different product numbers and names.
Other taupe colors

Taupe Color Chart Favorites

Ashen Tan (996)
This color leans a little more towards beige, which makes it a great choice if you are looking to brighten up a room but still want that warm base.

Alphano Beige (989)
A soft beige with just a tiny hint of gray. Alphano Beige has a clean and classic feel that works beautifully in any room.

Edgecomb Gray (HC-173)
This is another highly popular greige shade from Benjamin Moore that is a warm gray that leans ever so slightly taupe in the right light. It is the perfect choice if you are looking for a classic and timeless paint color.

Litchfield Gray (HC-78)
This shade is a bit cooler than the others, with more of a gray base. It is a great option and another beautiful greige choice.

Mocha Cream (995)
Mocha Cream is another Benjamin Moore hue in the same paint color family as Smokey Taupe. It has a soft creamy richness with warm undertones and is a little deeper than Smokey Taupe. Perfect if you want a bit of a darker, moodier look for your bedroom.

Pale Oak (OC-20)
This is a beautiful light greige. It has just the right amount of warmth but has a light value that still reads bright and neutral in most spaces.

Revere Pewter (HC-172)
A longtime favorite, Revere Pewter is a classic color that has a perfect balance of warmth and softness. It works beautifully in spaces with a lot of natural light.

Elegant navy blue flourishing calligraphic design featuring curved and looping lines, reminiscent of the intricate patterns you might find when you dye Easter eggs with silk ties.

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Elegant navy blue flourishing calligraphic design featuring curved and looping lines, reminiscent of the intricate patterns you might find when you dye Easter eggs with silk ties.

Final Thoughts

I am so happy with how our bedroom transformation turned out. From the fresh trim to the beautiful wall color, every detail came together to create a calm, inviting space that feels like a true retreat.

Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe was the star of the show. It is one of those timeless, versatile colors that somehow manages to be warm and sophisticated all at once. Whether you lighten it slightly like we did or use it at full strength, it is a gorgeous choice for any bedroom.

If you’re on the hunt for cozy bedroom paint ideas, I hope this color review helps you feel more confident choosing a shade that works beautifully in both natural and artificial light. Try a sample on your wall. You might be surprised how well it works with your decor!

If you found this helpful, feel free to pin it for later, or leave a comment below to let me know what you think.

I love hearing from you and sharing this creative journey together!

Xo,

Handwritten text that reads "Wendy xoxo" in blue ink. Above the text, a small heart with three lines radiating from each side serves as a charming touch, perfect for DIY Halloween place card holders on a festive Halloween table.
A blue pushpin is next to handwritten text reading "Pin to Remember It!" on a white background, adding a crafty touch reminiscent of DIY Halloween place card holders for your spooky table setup.
A collage shows a master bedroom makeover using Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe Paint, featuring elegant decor, a painted nightstand, and a bed with gold and blue accents. The bottom left image captures the room mid-painting.

More about me!

Wendy

Hello, I’m Wendy – a dedicated homemaker with a deep passion for decorating, gardening, cooking, and crafting. I find joy in harmonizing beautiful elements to fashion a space that is both comfortable and inspiring. I will help you create a beautiful home, one project at a time.

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3 Comments

  1. Your bedroom is gorgeous and seems much more like YOU! A good taupe is hard to find, but you did it. Love the color. Enjoy!

    Reply
  2. Jane Windham says:

    I love everything that you’ve done here from the color choice to the picture moulding!

    Reply

  3. What a change. Feels so velvety and sophisticated but still reads like a blue room. Of course the molding is “all that”! Did you also lower the headboard? The bedding is beautiful and rich, I love the styling. Please say more about the artwork and beautiful fan.

    Reply

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