Artistic Taupe
Often used for its versatile qualities, Artistic Taupe remains a staple for Sherwin-Williams designers. It is widely considered one of the best colors in its class to add character and warmth to any space. We've gathered 3 real-home scenarios to help you visualize this color alongside our expert data.
Hex
#C3B1AC
LRV
46.03
Artistic Taupe's Color Strip
Artistic Taupe is the second shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between White Truffle and Glamour. The strip spans from White Truffle at the lightest end to Arresting Auburn at the deepest. Strip 192 makes it easy to compare shades side by side and find the right depth for your space.
Artistic Taupe in Real Rooms
Artistic Taupe has a medium-high LRV of 46.03 — present enough to register on the wall without making a room feel heavy. It's neutral in temperature and , making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Red family, the photos below show it applied in a bedroom and bathroom.
1 Bedroom Photo
To use Artistic Taupe in a bedroom is to lean into the concept of "soft minimalism." It provides enough visual interest that you don't need a lot of wall decor; the color itself becomes the art. This allows for a clutter-free environment that is essential for mental clarity at the end of the day.
Bedroom walls in Artistic Taupe create a serene, minimalist retreat.
@mgbebb18
2 Bathroom Photos
The interaction between Artistic Taupe and steam or humidity creates a beautiful, diffused atmosphere in a bathroom. It's a color that feels "alive," shifting slightly in character as the environment changes during a hot shower or a long soak.
Bathroom vanity and walls in Artistic Taupe offer calm, spa-like tranquility.
@liz.a.sagar
Tile and trim in Artistic Taupe establish sophisticated neutral tones.
@liz.a.sagar
Coordinating Colors
Cultured Pearl reflects far more light (LRV 73 vs 46), opening up a space where Artistic Taupe encloses it.
Creamy reflects far more light (LRV 81 vs 46), opening up a space where Artistic Taupe encloses it.
At LRV 61 vs 46, Biltmore Buff is decisively the brighter choice.
Trim Color
Cultured Pearl reflects far more light (LRV 73 vs 46), opening up a space where Artistic Taupe encloses it.
Similar Colors
With LRVs of 46 and 45, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 47 and 46, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 46 and 46, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 46 vs 46), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Studio Mauve reads slightly lighter (LRV 50 vs 46), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 48 vs 46), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 48 and 46, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 49 vs 46), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 3-point LRV gap (46 vs 43) makes Artistic Taupe the marginally brighter of the two.
Artistic Taupe reads slightly lighter (LRV 46 vs 38), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Complementary Colors
A 7-point LRV gap (53 vs 46) makes Niebla Azul the marginally brighter of the two.
Silver Lake reads slightly lighter (LRV 53 vs 46), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Artistic Taupe reflects far more light (LRV 46 vs 16), opening up a space where Riverway encloses it.
Glass Bead reflects far more light (LRV 77 vs 46), opening up a space where Artistic Taupe encloses it.
At LRV 46 vs 29, Artistic Taupe is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 46 vs 6, Artistic Taupe is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 46 vs 34, Artistic Taupe is decisively the brighter choice.
Lighter Colors
At LRV 72 vs 46, Nouvelle White is decisively the brighter choice.
Individual White reflects far more light (LRV 62 vs 46), opening up a space where Artistic Taupe encloses it.
A 11-point LRV gap (57 vs 46) makes Vaguely Mauve the marginally brighter of the two.
Quartz White reflects far more light (LRV 71 vs 46), opening up a space where Artistic Taupe encloses it.
Smart White reflects far more light (LRV 72 vs 46), opening up a space where Artistic Taupe encloses it.
Darker Colors
Artistic Taupe reads slightly lighter (LRV 46 vs 37), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 46 vs 20, Artistic Taupe is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 46 vs 27, Artistic Taupe is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 46 vs 27, Artistic Taupe is decisively the brighter choice.
Artistic Taupe reflects far more light (LRV 46 vs 20), opening up a space where Swing Brown encloses it.