When it comes to choosing exterior paint colors for your home, you’ll want to pick shades that stand the test of time. Timeless exterior house colors don’t go out of style and will look classic and elegant for years to come. Choosing the right exterior color can enhance your home’s architecture, complement the surrounding landscape, and give your house an inviting aesthetic. As you evaluate timeless color options, keep in mind factors like your home’s style, material, and climate. With some thoughtful consideration, you can select exterior paint colors with enduring visual appeal.
What makes an exterior house color timeless?
Certain qualities help define a classic, timeless exterior house color:
- Versatility – The color works with a variety of architectural styles and materials.
- Neutrality – Though not strictly neutral, the color has a neutral base tone that remains visually pleasing over time.
- Natural inspiration – Earthy, organic hues borrowed from nature stand the test of time.
- Historical precedent – Colors with a long history of use on home exteriors tend to retain their popularity.
- Ease of coordination – Timeless colors are easy to match with different color accents and landscaping.
Timeless colors also have wide appeal. They attract potential home buyers when it comes time to sell. Traditional color shades also pair well with landscaping because they integrate into the surroundings rather than clash with them. Exterior paint colors that meet these criteria have the versatility, beauty, and balance to remain relevant for years.
What are some examples of timeless exterior house colors?
Here are some examples of exterior color shades that will always be in style:
Neutrals
- White
- Ivory
- Light gray
- Greige (gray-beige)
- Tan
- Dark charcoal gray
Crisp bright white and warm creamy neutrals like ivory or tan never go out of fashion. Soft muted grays with brown or greige undertones are also timeless neutral choices that work with many architectural styles. Dark charcoal gray has classic appeal on modern homes.
Earthy Natural Hues
- Sand
- Light moss green
- Terracotta
- Sage green
- Olive green
- Rustic red
- Brown
Nature-inspired hues like sand, olive green, and earthy terracotta red have an organic look with versatile appeal. Soft mossy greens, brick reds, and muted browns also have a timeless earthy aesthetic. These colors work especially well on Craftsman, Farmhouse, and Mediterranean style homes.
Historical Colors
- Navy blue
- Forest green
- Charcoal
- Pale yellow
- Robin’s egg blue
- Brick red
Some colors like navy blue, forest green, and brick red have consistently been used on home exteriors throughout history. Their longevity speaks to their enduring attractiveness. Softer vintage hues like robin’s egg blue and buttery yellow also retain their popularity over time. These historical colors links homes to their architectural past.
How do you choose a timeless exterior color based on home style?
When selecting a timeless exterior color, take your home’s architectural style into account. Some examples:
Colonial Style Homes
Traditional colonial styles with clean lines suit lighter neutrals like white, ivory, tan, or light gray. Accent with historical colors like navy, forest green, black, or dark red.
Victorian Style Homes
Play up the ornate details with deeper historical hues like navy blue, olive green, brick red, or chocolate brown. Victorian architecture can also handle bold black accents.
Craftsman Style Homes
Rustic earthy neutrals like brown, moss green, sage, and sand complement Craftsman bungalows. Terracotta and darker brick reds also enhance the handcrafted vibe.
Mediterranean Style Homes
Creamy sand, terracotta, deeper clay reds, and earthy greens reflect the Mediterranean landscapes that inspire the style. Cobalt blue accents pop against the neutrals.
Modern Farmhouse Style Homes
Soft white and light grays keep farmhouse facades looking fresh and clean. Natural wood stain provides an earthy contrast.
Considering your home’s architectural personality helps narrow down timeless colors that will highlight its best features. The most enduring shades are those that integrate with, rather than fight against, your house’s style.
How does climate impact choosing timeless exterior colors?
Local climate is another factor to weigh when selecting evergreen exterior paint colors. Considerations include:
Sun Intensity
In sunny locales, light colors like white and ivory stay cooler while also allowing darker accents like navy blue to pop. Deep, intense shades can overheat and fade faster in high sun exposure.
Gray Skies
Where skies stay overcast, darker colors like charcoal gray, deep greens, and brick reds warm up facades. Bright whites and lights look stark and cold in lower light.
Dry Climates
Earth tones like tan, sand, and terracotta blend into arid desertscapes and avoid showing dirt. Bright pops of cobalt blue and yellow contrast nicely.
Rainy Regions
In rainy regions, lighter neutrals show less water staining and dirt buildup. Green foliage colors like sage and olive also harmonize with the landscape.
Cold Weather
Darker charcoal, chocolate browns, deep reds, and evergreen hues make facades feel cozy in colder climates. Black trim and accents also work here.
Thinking about sun, precipitation, and temperatures helps tailor timeless color choices to your specific environment. Factor in regional conditions for the best looking, longest lasting exterior hues.
How does exterior material impact timeless color choice?
Along with climate and architectural style, the primary exterior materials of your home also affect timeless color selection.
Wood Siding
Stained wood siding in nature-inspired hues like walnut, chestnut, cedar, and pine have enduring appeal. Whitewashing creates a coastal weathered wood look.
Brick
Brick’s natural red tones never go out of style. For variation, paint mortar in tan, black, or dark gray. White washed brick has classic cottage appeal.
Stone
Retain stone’s organic look with transparent sealers tinted in earthy hues like dusty sand or moss green. Avoid paint on stone facades.
Stucco
Stucco suits soft earthy hues like sand, sage, light moss green, ochre, and terracotta red. Vibrant Mediterranean blues also complement the texture.
Vinyl
Vinyl and fiber cement sidings can flexibly mimic painted wood or brick in timeless neutral, earth tone, and historic colors.
Considering siding materials as part of your color selection helps make choices that enhance, rather than fight, the exterior surfaces. Complement what is already there.
What color combinations are timeless on home exteriors?
Some classic color combinations guaranteed to always look fresh include:
- White with black, charcoal gray, or navy blue accents
- Ivory or tan with olive green, sage, or forest green accents
- Light gray with terracotta red or dark wood stain accents
- Dark gray with white trim
- Clay red brick with white mortar
- Olive green with light sand or moss green accents
Contrasting a light neutral main color with darker accent shades adds visual drama. Pairing earthy hues like sage green with natural brick red or wood stained trim also makes colors pop. Consistent with architectural traditions, these combinations stand the test of time.
What are some tips for using timeless colors on exterior details?
Strategically apply classic color shades to exterior home details:
- Front doors in glossy red, blue, green, black, and white for pop
- Navy blue, forest green, tan, or white painted shutters
- Red brick or neutral painted chimneys
- Dark stained wood or painted white porch railings and posts
- Color matching gutters and downspouts to trim
- Color blocking porch ceilings, fascias, and moldings
Painting these exterior elements in traditional contrasting colors anchors them on the home’s facade. This visually unifies a home’s architecture using timeless color combinations.
Conclusion
Choosing exterior house colors with longevity requires thoughtful color selection informed by your home’s style, materials, and climate. Timeless shades have versatility and natural organic hues that integrate into the surroundings rather than fighting them. Traditional color combinations like crisp white with black accents or earthy sage green with red brickwork remain fashionable for the long term. With an eye to architectural precedents balanced with current trends, you can achieve exterior paint colors with enduring appeal and lasting livability. Trust your instincts, embrace what works with your home, and you’ll select exterior colors sure to stand the test of time.
