Choosing the right exterior color scheme for your house is an important decision that can dramatically affect the overall look and feel of your home. The colors you pick for the outside of your house should coordinate well with the architectural style, complement any exterior materials, and create the aesthetic you’re going for. This article will examine popular exterior house color combinations, factors to consider when selecting colors, and provide tips for choosing the best scheme for your home.
Most Popular Exterior House Color Combinations
Certain classic color pairings persist in popularity for home exteriors. Here are some of the most common and attractive exterior house color schemes:
- Neutral tones – Pairing soft, neutral paint colors is a safe choice and unlikely to ever go out of style. Popular neutrals for siding or exterior paint include beige, greige (a blend of gray and beige), taupe, light gray, and off-white. These earthy tones can be combined with white trim.
- Neutral and a dark accent color – For a look that’s a bit bolder, match light neutral siding with a deeper, richer paint color on the front door, window shutters, or other trim. Dark blue, red, green, and charcoal gray are striking complements.
- Blue and white – This classic color duo will always have a nautical, beachy feel. The white serves to highlight architectural details while the blue adds color.
- Black and white – For a modern farmhouse style, black window sashes and trim contrast beautifully against bright white siding.
- Shades of green – Multiple hues of green together evoke natural surroundings. Try sage, mint, olive, or forest green.
- Red brick and painted trim – Brick facades look great paired with black or white trim and accents.
You really can’t go wrong combining subdued neutrals or matching richer shades of compatible, analogous colors. But the options don’t end there.
Factors to Consider
Here are some key considerations when selecting exterior paint colors:
- Architectural style – Respect the original design of your home when choosing a color scheme. For example, Victorians look best in 3-5 complementary colors while Craftsman bungalows call for neutral siding with one or two accent colors.
- Roof color – The shade of your roofing material should inform your color selection. Cool-toned shingles, like gray or blue, pair well with gray, sage, or tan paint. Warm roof hues like terracotta or brown go with beige, yellow, or olive house colors.
- Landscaping – Choose outdoor paint colors that complement the colors of your plants, flowers, and trees so that everything ties together beautifully.
- Sunlight – Consider the way the sun hits your house over the course of a day. South facing walls may take on a warmer tone in sunlight.
- Climate and geography – Lighter, brighter colors tend to work best in hot, sunny climates while darker shades are great for cold climates. Green exterior colors blend into natural wooded surroundings.
- Existing materials – If your exterior combines different materials like stucco and brick, make sure the paint color works with both.
- Personal preference – You’ll look at your exterior every day, so pick colors you truly love!
Tips for Choosing Exterior Paint Colors
Follow these tips when trying to settle on exterior paint colors for your home:
- Select house paint colors you find soothing and attractive.
- Opt for timeless, classic color combinations for long-lasting appeal.
- Use natural lighting when sampling paint swatches.
- Purchase sample sizes of paint and test colors on a section of exterior wall before fully committing.
- Use an online visualizer tool to model different color schemes on a photo of your home.
- If you have brick or stone, consider leaving it unpainted for visual texture.
- Use bolder colors sparingly on accent features like doors rather than overwhelming areas like siding.
- Make sure trim and accent colors contrast enough with your main siding/body color.
- Pick exterior paint finishes that complement your architectural style (i.e. glossy for contemporary, matte for traditional).
Homeowners looking for inspiration might check out sites like Pinterest where you can browse endless exterior paint ideas. When narrowed down to a few options, testing swatches on a section of wall can help finalize the decision.
Best Color Combinations for Common House Materials
The following popular exterior house materials each pair nicely with particular color schemes:
Wood or Fiber Cement Siding
- White, light gray, sage green
- Pale yellow, light tan, dark green
- Light blue, navy blue, maroon
Brick Facade
- White, black, light gray
- Dark green, navy, wine red
Stucco
- Cream, light tan, muted pink
- Terracotta, olive, light yellow
- Gray, sage green, sky blue
Vinyl Siding
- White, light gray, taupe
- Yellow, sage green, robin’s egg blue
- Red, burgundy, charcoal
Always consider undertones and choose colors in the same palette so your exterior doesn’t look disjointed. For example, a yellow vinyl siding might pair nicely with a navy blue front door rather than a clashing bright red door.
Conclusion
When it comes to exterior house colors, the possibilities are nearly endless. But sticking with timeless, attractive combinations that fit your home’s style and coordinate with other existing materials is the best approach. The most important thing is choosing a color scheme that you enjoy looking at and maintains maximum home value down the road. With the right exterior colors, you can create a beautiful first impression and enhance curb appeal.
