When selecting exterior paint colors for a Victorian style home, it’s important to consider the era and architectural details. Victorians were built during the reign of Queen Victoria, roughly between 1830 to 1900. These ornate homes featured intricate woodwork, turrets, towers, bay windows, and decorative trim. The exteriors were often painted in rich, vivid hues that were widely available thanks to industrialization. As trends changed over time, certain color schemes became more popular for Victorians. Today, picking a historical or modern color palette comes down to personal preference. But there are some guidelines that can help you select an exterior that enhances your home’s Victorian architecture.
Historical Color Trends for Victorians
Here are some of the most popular historical exterior color trends for Victorian homes:
Two-Tone Paint Schemes: Many Victorians originally had two-tone paint jobs, with the siding or main walls one color and the trim and accents in another. This helped highlight the detailed features. Popular color combos were dark greens or reds with cream trim; deep blues with pale yellows; grays with white or red; and tan or pink main walls with brown or black trim.
Vivid Single Colors: Solid, vivid paint colors also grew in popularity after the Industrial Revolution simplified pigment production. Bright reds, greens, blues, and yellows helped Victorian details stand out. Darker, richer hues like burgundy, forest green, navy blue, and jewel tones added striking elegance.
Multicolor Schemes: Some Victorian homeowners opted for three or more colors to make facades lively and whimsical. Combinations like peach, cream, sage green, and terracotta weren’t uncommon. Contrasting colors brought out different architectural features.
Earthy Tones: Natural hues like browns, greens, taupes, and grays were muted choices that complemented the outdoors. Soft tones allowed intricate trim to stand out without bold colors competing.
Pastels: Soft pastel shades like powder blue, pale pink, light green, and cream were tranquil options by the late 1800s. They created a gentle, romantic mood.
Modern Color Ideas for Victorians
Today’s homeowners have more freedom to choose exterior paint colors to suit personal tastes. But staying true to a Victorian’s style and era can keep your home looking distinguished. Here are some modern ideas to consider:
Historical Colors: Sticking with authentic Victorian-era hues like rich reds, emerald greens, deep blues, and vibrant jewel tones is a safe bet. Use historical inspiration to select your favorites.
Modern Victorians: Colors like charcoal gray, black, sunny yellow, and even bold metallics put a contemporary twist on Victorian style. Try bolder shades on accent areas like the front door.
Neutral Backdrops: Off-whites, grays, tans, and other neutral backgrounds allow decorative details to shine. Add interest with colored shutters, doors, and porch ceilings.
Soft Modern Hues: Muted modern colors like sage, lavender, buttercream, and robin’s egg blue give a soft, understated effect. Highlight trims with clean white.
Complementary Colors: Choose an exterior wall color that complements your indoor palette seen through windows. Coordinate outdoor accents with interior decor.
Nature Inspired: Drawing from nature is a timeless approach. Greenery, sky, and earthy hues bless a Victorian with organic beauty.
Factors to Consider
Along with color trends, keep these factors in mind when selecting exterior paint colors for your Victorian:
– Architectural style and details – Enhance ornate trim, columns, and other accents.
– House size and scale – Bigger homes can handle bolder colors than smaller ones. Lighter hues make small homes feel more spacious.
– Lighting conditions – Colors read differently in shade, sunlight, and night lighting. Test swatches at various times.
– Direction home faces – North-facing sides may need warmer hues. South-facing walls can take cooler shades.
– Personal taste – Pick colors you’ll enjoy viewing and living with. Don’t just follow trends.
– Landscaping – Coordinate with nature surroundings. Greenery calls for earth tones while flowers invite cheery brightness.
– Neighborhood scheme – Check if community rules dictate color limitations.
– Climate and region – Select durable hues for high traffic areas and varying weather.
Best Paint Brands and Sheens
The right exterior paint can help colors last on a Victorian home. Look for top quality brands known for performance and coverage. Here are some of the best for exteriors:
| Paint Brand | Features |
|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | – Withstands elements – Wide color selection – Durable finish |
| Benjamin Moore | – Fade resistant – Premium ingredients – Richer hues |
| Behr | – Budget friendly – Primer + paint – Various sheens |
| PPG Paints | – Good coverage – Speedy dry time – Custom color matching |
The best sheen for Victorian exteriors is typically satin or semi-gloss. These offer durable protection and make trim details pop. Flat or matte paints show more wear. High gloss looks too slick. Talk to paint specialists about the finish that’s ideal for your specific home.
Accent Colors
Accent colors are a great way to test bolder hues against a more neutral backdrop. Here are some areas Victorian homes often use accent colors:
– Front door – Make a fun, inviting statement with the entry color. Try black, navy, red, purple or other rich shades.
– Shutters – Use shutter colors to tie in other accent hues on railings, windows, and front door.
– Porch ceiling – Paint the underside of a front porch roof sky blue, robin’s egg, sunshine yellow, or another cheery tone.
– Columns – Use darker or brighter shades on columns to make architectural details pop.
– Window and door frames – Contrast window sashes and door frames with the main color for definition.
– Railings and balusters – Vivid railings and balustrade caps liven up wrap-around front porches.
Keep accents to 3 colors or fewer so the scheme doesn’t feel too busy. Tie everything together with common hues in different shades.
Color Schemes and Combinations
When selecting multiple colors, it helps to start with a color scheme for harmony and balance. Here are popular combos for Victorians:
Monochromatic – Various tones and intensities of one base color like light to dark blues or soft to vivid greens.
Complementary – Colors opposite the color wheel that create high contrast, like yellow and purple or red and green.
Analogous – Colors next to each other on the color wheel, like blues, greens, and violets.
Triadic – Colors evenly spaced on the color wheel that form a triangle, like red, yellow, and blue.
Neutrals + Pops – A neutral tan, gray, or white scheme with bold doors, shutters, and accents.
Nature Inspired – Soft greens, sky blues, earthy browns, and natural cream hues.
Here are some specific color combinations that work well together on Victorian exteriors:
| Main Color | Trim | Accents |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Green | Cream | Wine Red |
| Navy Blue | White | Sunshine Yellow |
| Charcoal | White | Robin’s Egg Blue |
| Purple | Gray | Lime Green |
Preview color cards on your home’s exterior before finalizing your scheme. Natural lighting plays a big role in how tones interact and complement your Victorian architecture.
Conclusion
Selecting the exterior paint colors for a Victorian home is an exciting process. Historical hues add authenticity while bolder modern shades give a fresh facelift. Consider the architectural details you want to highlight, create a cohesive color scheme, and use accents strategically. With some thought and experimentation, you can choose a palette that enhances your Victorian’s unforgettable style and charm. Carefully repainting with quality paints will then protect your investment while keeping the colors vibrant for years to come.
