If you’re looking for a zesty beige that’s nice and light, Manchester Tan may just be the one!
Let’s take a look at this ever popular neutral in real homes, check out a color palette for inspo, and of course, see some great dupes!
Before we really jump into it, you should know that while beige was out of favor for a long while, Manchester Tan has always remained a popular neutral. It has the staying power of Revere Pewter!
What Color is Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan (HC-81 or 955)
I would describe Manchester Tan as a bright and sunny version of beige. It does not have the muted gray quality of many other beige or tan paint colors, such as Revere Pewter:
You can see that Manchester Tan is much “cleaner” in comparison to Revere Pewter. On the wall it’s almost a lemony beige.
I have seen some people asking if Manchester Tan is too yellow, and the answer is probably yes.
I wouldn’t say that it’s super yellow, but if you are asking, it’s most likely because you don’t like yellow, and Manchester Tan is more likely to look yellow than gray, green, orange, or any other color.
LRV of Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan
Manchester Tan is in the perfect LRV range for a whole home color that is deeper than off-white, but still nice and light.
L-R-Whatnow?
The LRV of a color indicates on a scale of 0 – 100 how much light a color reflects (or doesn’t reflect). True black has an LRV of 0 and pure white has an LRV of 100.
In the paint world, we are working in a range of about 3 – 93 because no paint color is purely black or completely white.
At 63.24, Manchester Tan still reflects a good amount of light, but it is nowhere near white either.
This is the LRV range that you will find most whole home colors, although it is definitely on the lighter end.
What Are the Undertones of Manchester Tan?
Probably one of the reasons that Manchester Tan is so popular, is because it typically looks exactly like you would expect: a light and creamy beige.
Occasionally it may pull a touch green, but that would only be noticeable if you are especially sensitive to green tones.
This is the one photo I could find where you can kinda sorta see a green undertone.
Like I said earlier, Manchester Tan can look quite yellow, but I would not describe that as an undertone because it is very up front. (In my opinion.)
Is Manchester Tan Warm or Cool
Manchester Tan is a warm color all day everyday. It does not have enough gray to be slightly cool, or even “neutral.”
Of course beige and tans are all classed as neutrals, so I am only speaking in terms of warm/cool/neutral.
It’s still what we would consider a neutral paint color.
Manchester Tan Color Strip
You know who I have a love/hate relationship with?
Benjamin Moore, that’s who.
They make it sooo darn hard to figure out where their colors are in terms of a light-to-dark strip.
The color number of Benjamin Moore’s Manchester Tan is 955 or HC-81. (HC stands for Historical Colors collection.)
I found a sequence of lighter colors: 953 & 954 and I also found darker colors: HC-80 & HC-79. So I put these together myself:
Feather Down (953 or OC-6)
Spring in Aspen 954 (aka Creamy White OC-7)
Manchester Tan (955 or HC-81) aka Berber White
Bleeker Beige (HC-80)
Greenbrier Beige (HC-79)
Lighter Version of Manchester Tan
One shade lighter than Manchester Tan in Benjamin Moore is 954 – Spring in Aspen. It also goes by Creamy White OC-7.
Of this color, Benjamin Moore says:
“A warm, gentle bisque hue that makes any space look relaxed and welcoming.”
The LRV of Spring in Aspen/Creamy White is 70.95, which makes it an off-white.
Darker Version of Manchester Tan
One shade darker than Manchester Tan is HC-80 – Bleeker Beige. This is another very popular neutral by Benjamin Moore.
Of Bleeker Beige, they say:
“A medium buff hue with pleasing gray undertones.”
I don’t particularly see gray undertones, but I would have to look at more photos before I formed a real opinion.
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan Color Palette
I went with a classic neutral palette with a pop of blue for color.
Manchester Tan Coordinating Colors
Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17)
White Dove is a creamy white that also happens to be my recommendation for a trim color with Manchester Tan. It’s a little bit of a “darker” white that allows Manchester Tan to shine while also keeping it looking soft and bright.
Benjamin Moore Buxton Blue (HC-149)
Of Buxton Blue, Benjamin Moore says:
“A buoyant blue-gray that adds instant charm to a space.“
I don’t find it to be particularly gray, but it is charming! Buxton Blue is sort of like a deepened and calmer robin’s egg blue. I think it works really well with Manchester Tan, but it would do the same with almost any beige.
Benjamin Moore Hillsborough Beige (CC-330 or 1033)
I chose a second beige for this palette because I do love a monochrome moment.
Benjamin Moore describes Hillsborough Beige as:
“A nutty brown softened with subtlest hints of rose and violet.”
I chose Hillsborough Beige over the other beiges in the Manchester Tan strip, because the different tones add a bit more contrast.
Complementary Color
According to the color wheel, the “official” complementary color for Manchester Tan would be a blue with the hex code #BBC7DB.
This is a slightly more purpley blue than Buxton Blue. I found a close match in Benjamin Moore Blue Ice (821).
Sherwin Williams Upward would also work well.
What Trim Colors Go With Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan?
Manchester Tan is part of Benjamin Moore’s Historical Colors collection, so it should work well with classic historical elements like dark wood trim.
I don’t know that I would use Manchester Tan with lighter oak trim, because the contrast might be too minimal.
White Paint that Goes with Manchester Tan
Before you choose your typical in-your-face white for trim, take a moment to consider what you want to achieve.
To make Manchester Tan appear as deep and warm as possible, go ahead and choose a bright white.
To keep Manchester Tan looking lighter and closer to white, choose a deeper and warmer white.
Manchester Tan and Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65 or 2121-70
Chantilly Lace is my favorite white from any brand. It’s bright and clean with just a hint of softness. This is a great true white option.
Manchester Tan and Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117 or 2143-70)
Simply White sort of splits the difference between Chantilly Lace and White Dove. It’s a very light white like Chantilly Lace, but it has warm creamy tones like White Dove. This will give you max contrast, but also neutralize Manchester Tan just a bit.
Manchester Tan with Benjamin Moore White Dove Trim (OC-17)
Here is a real life example of Manchester Tan with White Dove:
This color scheme looks great in the bright natural light!
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan Home Interior
Now the fun part of any paint post, let’s see Manchester Tan in real life!
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan Living Room
Here is Manchester Tan with White Dove in the same home as the stairwell I just showed.
Christina of @ourbouldlife, is the mastermind behind this Colonial renovation project in New England.
The wainscoting and trim in the dining room is a different beige that was custom matched to the existing paint. It looks pretty similar to Sherwin Williams Shiitake.
Here is another photo from Christina’s place:
Most of Christina’s house has pretty good natural light, so here is Manchester Tan in the second floor hallway of a different home with almost no natural light:
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan Kitchen/Cabinets
Let me tell you, it was extremely hard to find Manchester Tan on cabinets, which surprised me because cream and beige cabinets are getting fairly popular.
Luckily I was able to dig up this kitchen renovation by Emanuela of Bella Casa Interiors:
It’s a bit hard to tell in this first photo, but the hardware is silver.
Emanuela chose Manchester Tan to tie in the color of the existing stone countertops.
You can see here that Manchester Tan is still nice and light. It’s a great choice if you don’t want white cabinets, but are a bit chicken about color!
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan Exterior
Although I was not able to find a confirmed Manchester Tan exterior, I was extremely proud of myself when I found these two exteriors, because they are pretty darn close!
At the very least, these will give you a solid idea of how Manchester Tan would look on your exterior.
See what I mean?
The blue steps look similar to Buxton Blue, and they add a nice pop of color.
Of course both of these examples are historical homes, so it makes sense that a version of Manchester Tan – being a “Historical Color” and all – would be found here.
This next one sports a quirky old fashioned color scheme:
I hope that helps you visualize a little!
Remember that all colors will look lighter outside, so if you wanted a striking beige color, I would go two to three shades darker than what you think you want.
If you are going for a light and neutral beige exterior, Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige looks great outside!
Manchester Tan Compared to Other Benjamin Moore Paint Colors
Neutrals are confusing aren’t they? Let’s take a look at fifty shade of beige!
(Don’t worry, it’s actually only 9.)
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan vs Tapestry Beige (975 or OC-32)
Tapestry Beige is definitely not my favorite shade of beige. It’s a cool greeny beige with an LRV of 66.
It’s a bit lighter than Manchester Tan, and you can see that it’s much cooler.
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan vs Edgecomb Gray (HC-173)
The strangely named Edgecomb Gray, is a little more gray than Manchester Tan, but still pretty darn beige!
Like Manchester Tan, it’s nice and light with an LRV of 63.09.
If you like Manchester Tan but want something a little more muted. You will probably like Edgecomb.
Edgecomb Gray has also been previously known as Baby Fawn and Alaskan Skies. It has been a popular Benjamin Moore color for years and years.
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan vs Clay Beige (OC-11)
Benjamin Moore Clay Beige is even a little more yellow than Manchester Tan. It has a similar LRV at 61.11.
Clay Beige is also known as Temporal Spirit.
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan vs Jute (AF-80)
Jute is a little more neutral than Manchester Tan. It is further into yellow and has a touch of gray.
The LRV of Jute is 63.3.
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan vs Muslin (CC-110, OC-12 or 1037)
Muslin is actually very similar to Manchester Tan. The major difference is that it is lighter, with an LRV of 66.54.
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan vs Natural Linen (CC-90 or 966)
Natural Linen is just a little darker and more yellow than Manchester Tan. It has an LRV of 59.84.
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan vs Shaker Beige (HC-45)
Shaker Beige is darker and more saturated than Manchester Tan.
The LRV of Shaker Beige is 53.53.
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan vs White Sand
White Sand is kind of what you would expect from the name. It is more of a neutral greige and not as warm as Manchester Tan.
White Sand is also a bit lighter, with an LRV of 66.95.
Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan vs Pale Oak
Pale Oak is – go figure – paler than Manchester Tan, with an LRV of 69.89. It is also a lot cooler and more gray.
Next to Manchester Tan, Pale Oak almost looks completely gray, but in real life it is a soft greige.
If you like how this color looks, you will also like Benjamin Moore Classic Gray.
Manchester Tan Dupes
Some days dupes are hard to find, and other times (like today!) I can find pretty perfect alternatives from every brand!
Let’s take a look:
Sherwin Williams Manchester Tan Equivalent
From Sherwin Williams I found two pretty close equivalents for Manchester Tan: Rice Grain and Canvas Tan.
Sherwin Williams Rice Grain (SW 6155)
Rice Grain is the closer of these two Sherwin Williams Manchester Tan dupes, so let’s look at that first!
Rice Grain is a little more yellow than Manchester Tan, and that’s really the only difference.
The LRV of Rice Grain is 64, but Sherwin Williams rounds their LRV numbers and Benjamin Moore doesn’t, so the real difference is negligible.
Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan (SW 7531)
I was expecting Canvas Tan to be a touch lighter than Manchester Tan and Rice Grain, but Sherwin Williams says the LRV is still 64.
The real difference here is that Canvas Tan is just a touch more gray than Manchester Tan.
Valspar Equivalent to Manchester Tan (Lowe’s)
Buckle up for this amazing Valspar dupe!
Valspar Rattan Basket (3007-10C)
Rattan Basket is the closest Valspar alternative to Manchester Tan, and I don’t know why you would need closer!
From all of my past dupe hunting, I can confirm that Valspar’s LRVs are just totally different from the other brands. They have Rattan Basket at 61.449, but it is clearly identical (or close) to Manchester Tan.
So what is the difference?
I had to toggle back and forth a few times with the color codes to try and figure that out! In the end, Manchester Tan is a fraction of a hair warmer than Rattan Basket.
Manchester Tan Behr Equivalent (Home Depot)
What a golden time for dupes! I found a great Manchester Tan color match from Behr as well:
Behr Sandy Clay (BWC-25)
The LRV of Sandy Clay is 64, just like the Sherwin Williams dupes.
Sandy Clay is just a touch warmer and more gray than Manchester Tan. Basically, it comes across a touch less yellow.
Could you spot the difference on a wall?
I’m pretty sure I couldn’t.
Manchester Tan Final Moody Musings
I have wanted to cover this color for a long time, and I’m so glad I finally got around to it!
Let’s recap:
- Manchester Tan is a bright and cheery beige with some lemony notes
- Manchester Tan is best served up with a warm white trim
- This color is a little trickier to work with than some other neutrals because it is so saturated. Test your colors or stick to blues and other neutrals to be safe!
Need some more options to mull over? Here are some other neutrals you might like:
