Warm Tan Paint Colors

Shades of tan paint

Tan is showing up everywhere in design right now. It feels soft, familiar, and easy to live with, which makes it a favorite for calm, stylish interiors. Tan works well in relaxed bedrooms, adds warmth to living areas, and brings comfort into kitchens without stealing the spotlight.

Tan also plays well with other colors. It pairs naturally with soft whites, gentle browns, taupes, and even muted pinks. Some shades feel creamy and light, while others lean rustic and earthy. They’re a great match for farmhouse charm, minimal spaces, and everything in between.

Design sites like MyDomaine have noted the rise in demand for tan paint colors, crediting the trend to a collective desire for warmth and connection to nature. Tan offers an ideal backdrop: soft, calming, and never overpowering. It’s a neutral that feels both grounded and modern.

Why is Tan Trending?

The renewed interest in tan paint colors comes as no surprise. After the emotional toll of 2020, many homeowners are leaning into classic, earthy shades that bring comfort and balance to their surroundings. Tan, a light brown color rooted in nature, embodies just that.

Named for the hue of animal hides after tanning, tan has long been part of the brown color family and is valued for its warmth and versatility. Today, it’s quickly replacing cooler neutrals like gray in many homes, thanks to its ability to feel cozy and current at the same time.

With its soft, natural tone, tan is taking over as one of the most loved classic neutrals. Whether you're choosing paint for a kitchen, living room, or bedroom, tan neutral shades can create a timeless look that adapts to evolving trends without losing their charm.

Popular Tan Paint Colors

Like all neutrals, tan provides a gorgeous backdrop that naturally complements other colors without competing for attention. We’ve highlighted some top Dunn-Edwards tan paint colors in our 2021 Color + Design Trends. We’re talking about warm neutrals like the milky soft Almond Latte (DE6143), orange-tan Burnt Almond (DE5258), and the sandier Paper Sack (DE6173). Burnt Almond earned a spot in our Lamps Plus collaboration. Its tone brings warmth and balance that designers love.

A look at our Modern Farmhouse Curated Color Palette offers more top tan paint colors like Stucco Tan (DE6205), a crisp beige mixed with gray, which is ideal for cultivating a look in one of today’s most popular design styles.

Photo Credit: Bethany Nauert Photography/a>

For the 2020 Pasadena Showcase House of Design, designer Ammie Kim utilized a series of top tan and warm neutral colors for her dining room design. Colors like Finest Silk (DE6127), Sand Dune (DE6128), Light Aspiration (DE6185), Desert Floor (DE6186), Rustic Taupe (DE6129), and others coalesced together, forming a mural of the idyllic French countryside. While Sara and Rich Combs of the Joshua Tree House utilized warm neutrals like Warm Hearth (DE6110) and the light orange-tan Adobe South (DEC709) in their Sonoran desert retreat, The Posada.

Want more tans? Click here for a further look at our curated collection of warm neutral paint colors.