Taos Taupe vs S 4500-N
Taos Taupe (Benjamin Moore) and S 4500-N (NCS) come from different manufacturers. Both sit in the grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. The 3-point LRV gap — 27 for S 4500-N vs 24 for Taos Taupe — means S 4500-N will open up a space more effectively. Where Taos Taupe leans red, S 4500-N reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 6.4 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Taos Taupe vs S 4500-N in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Taos Taupe and S 4500-N are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. S 4500-N has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. S 4500-N has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Front Door
On a front door, the color is both the first and last thing you see — a context where even a modest tonal difference reads clearly. S 4500-N reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Color Details
Taos Taupe vs S 4500-N Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Taos Taupe on one side and S 4500-N on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Taos Taupe comparisons
See how Taos Taupe stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
