When selecting exterior paint colors for a brown house, it’s important to consider which shades will complement the existing brown color. The right color pairing can enhance the home’s curb appeal and create a cohesive, attractive aesthetic. Careful color selection can also help showcase desirable architectural features. This article explores popular and timeless color combinations that work well with brown houses.
Earth Tone Colors
Earth tones are natural, neutral shades like tan, beige, taupe, and light brown that effortlessly complement most shades of brown. Earth tones are versatile hues that blend in rather than clash with brown. Painting exterior trim and accents in lighter earth tones is an easy way to freshen up and brighten a brown house while maintaining a subtle, organic look.
Darker earthy browns can also pair beautifully with a brown home. Deep chocolate or coffee brown accents and shutters against a mid-tone brown façade create pleasant tonal harmony. Earth tones are a safe choice for any home style, from stately traditional to rustic craftsman bungalows.
White
Crisp white is a timeless exterior color that works with practically any brown shade. White adds brightness and visually expands smaller brown homes. Painting the siding, windows, columns, railings, or front door white against a brown background provides bold but balanced contrast. An all-white façade also makes an elegant statement on larger brown homes.
Softer white or ivory tones lend a subtle, airy contrast that flatters dark chocolate or reddish brown exteriors. White trim refreshes aging brown paint while preserving a home’s traditional charm. Overall, white reflects light and brings out the best in both warm and cool brown hues.
Green
Complementary green gracefully enhances brown houses with natural splendor. Green is Mother Nature’s color and it effortlessly flatters earthy brown. Cool emerald greens pair beautifully with chocolate brown. Mossy olive greens and forested sages complement reddish clay or taupe shades. Bright kelly greens make a lively accent color against neutral brown backdrops.
Painting exterior shutters or front doors green is an easy way to try the color combo. For bolder contrast, paint entire facades or siding green. Dusty blue-green shades work wonderfully with light tans and beiges. Overall, green brings out the warmth and organic qualities of any brown.
Blue
From pale sky blue to deep navy, blue graciously complements brown exterior color schemes. Light powdery blues offset reddish bricks and woods for tranquil contrast. Navy makes a striking accent on darker espresso homes, with white trim tying the combo together. Robin’s egg blue adds a cheerful pop of color against neutral brown sidings.
Pale blues work well on Craftsman bungalows with brown shingles, reflecting the sky. Regal navy accents dignify large traditional brown homes with neoclassical columns and trim. Creative ombré shading that fades a home’s brown siding from dark to light blue at the roofline supplies dynamic drama.
Purple
Harmonious purples and violets provide a creative, artistic flair alongside brown. Pale lilac and lavender work as airy accents on darker chocolate facades. Vibrant eggplant purple makes a bold complementary contrast against light tan sidings. Using multiple purple hues adds dimensional depth and visual interest.
Paint a regal front door amethyst, flanked by plum shutters and pale lilac columns, for a royal color scheme. Deep purple doors and window boxes stand out against neutral brown Craftsman bungalows. Light cream siding with aubergine purple trim supplies sophisticated contrast. Overall, purple energizes and accentuates brown’s earthy qualities.
Red
From cherry red to burgundy, red energizes brown color schemes with passion and intensity. Light corals, peach, salmon, and pink create upbeat pastel accents against brown backdrops. Subdued terra cotta and brick red blend seamlessly with brown sidings and roofs for natural warmth.
True red makes a dynamic impact as door and shutter color, contrasting beautifully with deep chocolate or ebony trim. Burgundy cockades and exterior embellishments add a touch of luxe. Red brings out the warmth and richness of brown while adding its own visual power.
Yellow
Cheery yellow infuses brown color schemes with sunshine and light. Soft buttery yellows complement deeper espresso brown for approachable elegance. Daffodil and lemon yellow provide brighter pops of color against chocolate or tan sidings. Mustard yellows blend organically with red clay facades.
Detailing windows, doors, and trim in yellow provides sunny contrast without overwhelming the brown backdrop. Using multiple yellow tones adds visual intrigue. Overall, yellow reflects lightness and optimism to balance out brown’s grounded earthiness.
Gray
Subtle grays create sophisticated contrast and dimension alongside brown. Hazy gray-blues complement warm reddish browns. Cool slate grays offset richer chocolate tones. Charcoal gray makes a smart accent on creamy beige Craftsman homes.
Gray adds refinement and versatility to brown schemes. Use light grays to soften deep brown, or dark grays to add maturity to pale tan exteriors. Gray also provides flexibility in mixing and matching with complementary colors like green and purple.
Color Combination Ideas
When coordinating colors for a brown house exterior, don’t be afraid to get creative with paint finishes. Consider these beautiful combinations:
- Rich chocolate brown siding with bright white trim and kelly green shutters
- Light tan siding with robin’s egg blue columns and brick red front door
- Reddish brown brick façade with emerald green exterior accents and ivory trim
- Mocha brown shingles with cherry red window boxes and pale yellow door
- Chestnut brown exterior with lavender shutters and light gray trim
- Espresso brown siding with lemon yellow columns and navy blue door
The options are virtually endless for dynamically complementing a brown home’s exterior! Use the brown as a base, then build upon it with accent colors that reflect your own personal taste and style.
Tips for Choosing Colors
Follow these tips when selecting exterior paint colors for a brown house:
- Pick one dominant brown for siding or brickwork, then choose 2-3 accent colors for trim, doors, shutters, etc.
- Select lighter tints of brown or white to brighten up dark brown homes.
- Use deeper shades like emerald or navy for bold contrast on light brown backgrounds.
- Echo complementary brown tones—for example, reddish clay siding with terra cotta accents.
- Use color to highlight architectural details like columns, dormers, and railings.
- Look at surrounding landscape and flower colors for complementary ideas.
- Consider the style of home—earthy hues for traditional, bright colors for modern.
Drive by other brown homes in the neighborhood for inspiration. Notice what color combos look most appealing. Ultimately, choose colors that you’ll enjoy viewing every day when you come home.
Visualizing Color Schemes
These color pairings look stunning together on brown house exteriors:
| Brown House Color | Complementary Colors |
|---|---|
| Chocolate brown | Robin’s egg blue, white, kelly green |
| Red brick | Sage green, ivory, navy |
| Tan or beige | Coral, charcoal gray, yellow |
| Reddish clay | Light blue, plum, terra cotta |
| Espresso | Mustard yellow, cherry red, purple |
Conclusion
Brown makes a wonderful base color for home exteriors that can be enhanced with a wide spectrum of complementary hues. From subdued earth tones, to cool grays, to vibrant shades like emerald and eggplant, the possibilities are endless. Always sample paint swatches on the house at different times of day before fully committing. This ensures the colors complement not only the architecture, but also the surrounding natural light. With smart visualizing and planning, you can develop the perfect exterior color scheme to showcase the beautiful brown palette.
