Benjamin Moore Grant Beige vs Manchester Tan: What’s the Difference?

When searching for the perfect warm neutral beige paint color, two popular Benjamin Moore options are Grant Beige HC-83 and Manchester Tan HC-81. At first glance they appear quite similar, but differences emerge upon closer inspection.

In this article, we’ll analyze Grant Beige and Manchester Tan in depth, comparing undertones, light reflectance, real photos, and room pairings. Read on to determine whether creamy Grant Beige or earthy Manchester Tan is the best warm beige paint color for your home.

Key Differences Between Grant Beige and Manchester Tan

Before diving into the nuances, here are the main differences between Grant Beige and Manchester Tan:

Undertones – Grant Beige is a creamy beige, Manchester Tan is an earthy tan
Light Reflectance – Grant Beige has an LRV of 55.81, Manchester Tan has an LRV of 63.24
Use – Grant Beige for airy cottage-style rooms, Manchester Tan for cozy traditional spaces
Rooms – Grant Beige ideal for bedrooms, Manchester Tan perfect for studies

Now let’s explore Grant Beige and Manchester Tan more closely.

Benjamin Moore Grant Beige HC-83

With its soft cream-beige appearance, Grant Beige HC-83 creates a serene, welcoming backdrop. This refined off-white is beloved for its versatility.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore Grant Beige:

LRV: 55.81
Undertones: Creamy beige
Finish: Available in all paint sheens
Rooms: Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms
Pairings: Beiges, browns, blues

Grant Beige is a light creamy beige with distinct cream undertones. In most lights it appears as a very soft, neutral ivory. The creaminess gives it a gentle, ethereal vibe compared to tanner beiges.

With a 55.81 light reflectance value, Grant Beige provides ample brightness for a lower-contrast neutral. The creamy warmth makes it highly versatile for cottage-inspired palettes. Popular pairings include:

Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
Benjamin Moore Desert Tan

Thanks to its soft versatility, Grant Beige works well in a variety of rooms. Its creamy tone creates a refined backdrop for colors to shine. Use it in:

Bedrooms
Living rooms
Dining rooms
Bathrooms
Offices

Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan HC-81

With its tan-brown appearance, Manchester Tan HC-81 creates an organic, welcoming backdrop. This natural greige beige is popular for its earthiness.

Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan:

LRV: 63.24
Undertones: Earthy tan-brown
Finish: Available in all sheens
Rooms: Dens, studies, living rooms
Pairings: Browns, greens, reds

Manchester Tan is a medium-tone greige beige with distinct tan-brown undertones. In most lights it appears as a natural, organic neutral. The earthiness gives it a grounded, rustic vibe compared to creamy beiges.

With a 63.24 light reflectance value, Manchester Tan supplies moderate brightness for a warmer beige. The earthy tan-brown tone makes it versatile for traditional color palettes. Popular pairings include:

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Benjamin Moore Essex Green
Benjamin Moore Mahogany

Thanks to its natural earthiness, Manchester Tan works well in cozy traditional spaces. Its organic tone creates a welcoming backdrop to envelop any room. Use it in:

Dens
Studies
Living rooms
Dining rooms
Bedrooms

Comparing Grant Beige vs. Manchester Tan

Now that we’ve examined their unique traits, let’s directly compare Grant Beige and Manchester Tan:

Light Reflectance

With an LRV of 55.81, Grant Beige reflects much more light than Manchester Tan at 63.24 LRV. Grant Beige will make spaces feel brighter.

Undertones

This is a key distinction. Grant Beige has distinct creamy beige undertones, while Manchester Tan has strong earthy tan-brown undertones.

Grant Beige’s creaminess provides an ethereal, welcoming effect. Manchester Tan’s earthiness feels grounded and organic.

Use

Grant Beige works well for serene, cottage-style rooms seeking soft illumination. Manchester Tan’s earthy warmth is perfect for enveloping traditional spaces.

Paint Finish

Both Grant Beige and Manchester Tan come in any sheen from matte to high-gloss. They allow for beautiful warm finishes.

Grant Beige vs. Manchester Tan Comparison Chart

Here is an overview of how Grant Beige and Manchester Tan compare:

Paint Color	Grant Beige HC-83	Manchester Tan HC-81
LRV	55.81	63.24
Undertones	Creamy beige	Earthy tan-brown
Use	Cottage-style rooms	Cozy traditional spaces
Sheen	Any finish	Any finish
Style	Ethereal, soft	Grounded, earthy

Real Photos: Grant Beige vs Manchester Tan

To better visualize the differences, here are real photos of Grant Beige and Manchester Tan:

Grant Beige

Manchester Tan

As shown, Grant Beige is lighter and creamier, while Manchester Tan is darker and more golden-brown. Lighting affects their appearance.

Should I Choose Grant Beige or Manchester Tan?

So how do you decide between Grant Beige vs Manchester Tan for your home? Here are some helpful tips:

Consider Grant Beige if you want:

A creamy beige with distinct cream tones
An ethereal, serene feel
A cozy but airy neutral for cottage rooms
A softly illuminated backdrop

Consider Manchester Tan if you want:

An earthy tan-brown with bold organic warmth
A grounded, welcoming traditional ambiance
A versatile beige for enveloping any room
A rich authentic feel

As with any close paint decision, get samples before deciding. Lighting can really change these warm beiges.

Either way, you’ll end up with a gorgeous, peaceful neutral backdrop.

Ideal Room Pairings

Here are rooms well-suited to showcasing Grant Beige and Manchester Tan:

Grant Beige HC-83

Airy living rooms
Bright bedrooms
Relaxed dining rooms
Cottage bathrooms
Nurseries

Manchester Tan HC-81

Cozy dens
Enveloping living rooms
Rustic dining rooms
Traditional bedrooms
Craftsman kitchens

While flexible enough for any space, Grant Beige excels in cottages and Manchester Tan shines in traditional homes.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

Grant Beige and Manchester Tan create serene backdrops. Pair them with these colors:

Grant Beige Color Pairings

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (white)
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (gray)
Benjamin Moore October Mist (green)
Natural wood tones

Manchester Tan Color Pairings

Benjamin Moore Simply White (white)
Benjamin Moore Essex Green (olive green)
Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal (black)
Terracotta and brick red accents

Varying tones and textures provides nice contrast against these neutral foundations.

Grant Beige vs Manchester Tan: Which is Best for Your Home?

So which warm beige paint color works best in your home – creamy Grant Beige or earthy Manchester Tan? Consider the following:

Choose Grant Beige if you want:

A creamy beige with distinct cream undertones
An ethereal and serene feel
A softly bright neutral for cottages

Choose Manchester Tan if you want:

An earthy tan-brown with bold organic warmth
A cozy, grounded traditional ambiance
A versatile beige to envelop any room

While similar, Grant Beige generally offers more illumination, while Manchester Tan provides bold organic warmth. Test them in your lighting before deciding! Either one makes a beautiful warm backdrop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still trying to decide between Grant Beige vs Manchester Tan? Here are some helpful answers:

Does Grant Beige have gray undertones?

No, Grant Beige does not contain gray. It is a creamy beige off-white with distinct cream/eggshell undertones but no grays.

What colors pair well with Manchester Tan?

Manchester Tan works beautifully with blacks, deep greens, warm grays, terracotta reds, and wood tones. Its earthiness pairs best with other natural hues.

Should I use Grant Beige in a bedroom?

Yes, Grant Beige is a gorgeous bedroom color. Its soft creaminess provides a serene, welcoming retreat. Add contrast with bedding and furnishings.

Is Manchester Tan suitable for a dining room?

Definitely! With its cozy earthy warmth, Manchester Tan makes a beautiful backdrop for dining rooms. It feels grounded and welcoming. Add light through white dishware.