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Exterior home painting colours


70 Exterior Paint Colors For a Better Looking Home

Upgrade your curb appeal with paint color ideas that range from neutral to bold

By

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel

Kristin Hohenadel is an interior design expert who has covered architecture, interiors, and decor trends for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Lonny, and the American and international editions of Elle Decor. She resides in Paris, France, and has traveled to over 30 countries, giving her a global perspective on home design.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 12/09/22

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Deciding what color to paint your house is a big decision that will have daily consequences for years to come. Choosing a light neutral exterior paint color such as white, beige or gray is a safe bet that won't upset the neighbors and will ensure that your house remains buyer-ready if you don't plan to live in it forever. Darker neutrals such as charcoal or black are a popular choice with a bit more edge but require more elbow grease to repaint if you or your real estate agent decides it's time to brighten the mood.

Timeless, crowd-pleasing colors like blue, yellow, red, or green are go-to exterior paint colors that add a hint of personality without stealing the show. And if you love bold color, live in a place where you are allowed to paint your house any color that you want, and are looking to make a statement, there is a world of vibrant hues to choose from that will give your home some stand-out personality and unforgettable curb appeal.

Here are some wide ranging exterior paint color ideas on a variety of houses in a range of styles and settings that will give you some inspiration for choosing a paint color for your home. Remember that paint colors look different in online image galleries and on paint store swatches than they do in real life, where everything from the time of day to the orientation of your home and the light quality where you live will have an effect on the overall look.

To save yourself from disappointment and unnecessary expense, architect Jimmy Crisp of Millbrook, NY-based Crisp Architects offers this wise piece of advice: "Always paint samples on the exterior before ordering the paint."

Here are 70 exterior paint colors to inspire you.

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What to Consider When Picking a Paint Color for Your House

There are several factors to consider when choosing an exterior paint color, from the history and architectural style of your home to the construction materials used on the facade, to the natural setting and surrounding landscape. It's up to you to decide whether you want an exterior paint color that blends in or provides a vivid contrast, whether you live in a beachfront cottage, a suburban new build, a cabin in the woods, or a historic country farmhouse. While painting the house red can give it a whole new lease on life, keep in mind that you can also create a new mood with something as simple as changing the door color.

FAQ

House Color Schemes - 15 Paint Colors for Your House

Find the Perfect Pairing for Exterior Paint Colors

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Selecting a single color for your home's exterior can be difficult enough, but trying to find two or more hues that work well together in a whole house color scheme makes the decision even more challenging. Whether your aim is to highlight architectural details or simply to find a complementary shade for shutters and trim, the choice is an important one. 

"Color can make a big impact on the look of a house," confirms architect Jim Rill, principal of Rill Architects, in Bethesda, Maryland. For inspiration, consider your home's style and scale as well as architectural styles typical of your neighborhood and region. "The best exterior colors are contextual to their environment," Rill observes. Here, 15 color scheme combinations that hit the mark.

istockphoto.com

1. Two-Tone Olive

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Deep natural colors that recede into the landscape are typical of Craftsman-style houses. For this renovation, Rill Architects chose a duo of Benjamin Moore olive greens: Gloucester Sage (HC-100) and Dakota Woods Green (2139-20). A yellow-orange stain on the front door adds a lighthearted dash of color. "Front doors should always have character and draw subtle attention to themselves," Jim Rill points out.

Related: Welcome Home: 11 Fresh Ways to Spruce Up Your Front Door

rillarchitects.com

2. Straw and Sage

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"A balanced look always provides plenty of curb appeal," says interior designer Kerrie Kelly, principal of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab, in Sacramento, California. "Starting with a neutral shade in straw yellow sets a welcoming palette, while accents in sage green give a lively look to traditional architecture. This combination is an approachable classic year-round."

Related: 9 Ways to Crank Up Curb Appeal with Nothing But Paint

kerriekelly.com

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3. Putty and Gray

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Older neighborhood dwellings guided the color choice for this Midwest home. "We chose a soft neutral for the body of the house that would allow it to stand out and yet still complement the other homes around it," reports Kristen Schammel, interior designer for Highmark Builders, in Burnsville, Minnesota. "This exterior is simple, traditional, and admired!"

Related: 7 No-Fail Exterior Paint Colors

highmark-builders.com

4. Red and Black

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"Red is a classic color," says interior designer Cindy McClure, owner of Grossmueller's Design Consultants, in Washington, D. C. "I love using it on smaller homes because they handle the color so well. Black accents like the front door and shutters look great when set off by white trim."

Related: Before and After: DIY Facelifts for 8 Home Exteriors

grossmuellers.com

5. Gray and Blue

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"Gray is a great neutral that can match just about any style of home and is a beautiful complement to brick," says Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. "The slightly more saturated shutters and door provide a sophisticated accent and bring in the tones of sky and sea." Seen here are Sherwin-Williams's Comfort Gray (SW 6205) and Rain (SW 6219).

Related: The Most Popular Paint Colors in America

sherwin-williams.com

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6. Green, Cream, and Burgundy

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"The combination of green, cream, and burgundy is a favorite for Victorian-style homes," reports Erika Woelfel, director of color marketing for Behr Paints. "The bold color scheme gives this home a dramatic yet warm appearance." The trio of Behr colors used here are Ivy Wreath (QE-46), Terra Sol (QE-20), and Country Lane Red (QE-07).

Related: 18 Victorian Homes We Love

behr.com

7. Charcoal and Lime

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A wonderful way to make a bold color statement on modern houses—even the smallest ones—is to start with a strong neutral and add a bright pop of color on the front door. This home, designed by Ana Williamson Architect, in Menlo Park, California, combines two Benjamin Moore hues: Gunmetal (1602) for the siding and Tequila Lime (2028-30) on the door.

Related: 9 Bold Rooms That Will Make You Rethink Black Paint

awarchitect.com

8. Greige and Teal

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You can still achieve a modern look without using shocking hues if those colors just aren’t for you. Here, greige—that’s gray and beige—with a teal door and natural wood and stone accents puts a modern spin on the traditional neighborhood home. This combination still looks warm and welcoming without feeling dated.

Related: America’s 50 Favorite Streets

Zillow Digs home in Edmonds, WA

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9. Blue, Red, and Tan

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Blue is a popular exterior color for homes in waterside settings like this one. Adding red and tan to highlight trim and architectural features was a eye-catching choice by designers at New Urban Home Builders, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The trio of hues also gives the lakefront compound a Scandinavian feel.

Related: 11 Paint Colors Designers Pick for Their Own Homes

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10. Black and White

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Black and white never goes out of style. Whether you have an old home or a new build, this classic combo looks fresh forever—plus it really pops against a green lawn.

Related: The Most Popular House Styles in America Right Now

Zillow Digs home in Laguna Beach, CA

11.

Black and Taupe

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A twist on the traditional black and white color scheme. If crisp white and classic black looks classy, swapping in taupe warms up the look and brings a touch of warmth and coziness to your home exterior.

Related: 12 Outdoor Upgrades That Make Your Home More Valuable

Zillow Digs home in Rancho Santa Fe, CA

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12. Yellow and Blue

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Some might think that a double dose of primary colors is too bold for a house, but when executed with finesse, it’s a real charmer. Here, aqua blue and mellow yellow keeps play off each other for a quaint effect.

Related: 9 Paint Color Rules Worth Breaking

Zillow Digs home in Coronado, CA

13. Brown and Sand

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Nearby houses inspired the color scheme of this charming home. "The sandy color on top resembles the muted tones common on neighboring houses," says architect David Neiman, of Neiman Taber Architects, in Seattle, Washington. "The brown is a darker complement that provides a strong visual base. Red window frames add an extra punch of color."

Related: 19 Rooms That Prove Beige Isn’t Boring

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14. Turquoise and White

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Turquoise is a fun choice for those who live in warmer climates; it evokes sunny skies and the sea. If you’re nervous that it’s too bold of a color for your neighborhood, cool it down with white accents. When used in combination, the palette is bright and cheerful.

Related: 15 Tiny Beach Bungalows for Your Next Vacation

Triton Builders; Uneek Images

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15. Taupe, Red, and White

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Honor the history of your home with a simple palette. The white columns maintain the old house charm, but the soft taupe and red give it a 21st century twist. 

Related: 13 Homes from the Original Colonies that Still Stand Today 

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A Perfect Match

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There's a color combo perfectly suited for every kind of design preference and home style. 

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What color to paint the house: choosing the right shade

Before the summer season, it's time to update the facade of a country house. We suggest what color to paint the house outside and show photos of beautiful examples. The choice is influenced by practical and aesthetic factors.

What color to choose for exterior decoration:

Things to consider

Color options

Paint types

Let's talk about aesthetics first. The rules come down to the covering ability of the material and its durability. Dark colors have less consumption, which reduces the cost of work. In addition, they attract heat, so they are best used in cloudy, cold areas.

If it is important that the wall fade more slowly, choose a light color. On the surface painted with it, dust is less noticeable, it will retain saturation longer. Red and all its shades fade the fastest. The maximum brightness period is 5-7 years. Next, let's talk about successful combinations for different areas. nine0003

Pexels

At the first stage, you can use various online services to select a palette. Download special applications or look for sites. You can use official Pantone services. It is also important to take into account several factors, which we will now discuss.

Site location

Pexels

Instagram @yourmortgagechampion

Instagram @heygents

Roof color

Usually this part of the house is different from the facade. It is desirable that they are combined with each other. For example, what color to paint the house if the roof is brown? In this case, it is recommended to use white, beige, shades of brown, blue. Gray tiles or slate can be combined with orange, blue, darker gray, burgundy, white, green, blue walls. Red roof - with gray, brown, black, yellow. Black - with light colors. nine0003

There is one more rule: the brighter the building, the more inconspicuous the roof should be. And vice versa.

Instagram @diamondvogelpaint

Instagram @urbancottageliving

Instagram @the_hen_homestead

Instagram @queenslander_living

Other elements of the building are sometimes distinguished from the general background. For example, platbands, drainpipes, cornices, doors. Another option is to combine several variations of the same color. In this case, use the combination rule: a dark plinth, a slightly lighter roof, and a medium-density paint for the walls. nine0003

Instagram @ strongshieldsiding

Instagram @ black

Facade material

Wooden private cottages and dachas are usually covered with antiseptic translucent or top coats. The former retain the pattern of timber or logs, the latter only its relief. If the facade is made of stone, brick or unpainted wood, you need to select decorative elements, a roof, a pediment. nine0003

To find a harmonious combination, look for it in the texture of these materials. Inclusions in stone or knots in wood are the best source of inspiration in this case. Brick is beautifully combined with brown, white, red, green and their derivative shades.

Pexels

Instagram @ wpieknymwnetrzu

These are general points to consider when choosing an outdoor design. After you find your color, paint a large sheet of paper or drywall with it and attach it to the building. Step back a long distance and evaluate how this option looks. Even better is to do it directly on the wall, as the paint manifests itself differently on different surfaces. During the day, you will be able to understand how the building will look with different lighting. nine0003

We list the most popular finishes.

Brown

A classic country house finish. Associated with warmth, comfort, closeness to nature.

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

White

White, like yellow, is perceived as elegant, joyful. In addition, it harmonizes perfectly with greenery. Deciduous trees next to such a structure look openwork, and for bright plants this is one of the best backgrounds. True, in winter it will merge with snow. Therefore, it is better to combine it with black, brown, red, blue, pink, blue. All of the above applies to beige facades. nine0003

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Gray

A discreet palette might seem boring, but it's not. Together with snow-white or brown accents, it creates a cozy, elegant picture. This painting option is very practical - dust and dirt are the least noticeable on the surface. If you are thinking about what color to paint the outside of a wooden house, and you don’t like the option with a transparent stain, pay attention to the gray scale. nine0003

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Green

Use it only if there are few trees nearby. Suitable for both cottages and cottages in the city. It is both bright and calm color.

nine0002 Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

A light gray-green hue that is trending this year. It is neutral, but at the same time unbeatable. It is combined with dark blue, gray, red-orange, coffee, swamp green, white. In each of the combinations, sage will look different.

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Yellow

Bright canary or pale yellow are associated with freshness, sun, warmth. Paint a house with it and even in the off-season the site will not be gloomy. Against such a background, white platbands and a brown roof look good.

Pexels

Pexels

Red

A deep ruby ​​red that is not often used in home decoration and is completely in vain. This color emphasizes the beauty of landscape design on the site, stands out from other buildings, looks great in any season. The only downside is that it burns out fairly quickly. Combines beautifully with wood. nine0003

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Instagram @ cottage_a_day

Check out our selection of beautiful exterior painting examples.

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a photo

Pexels

Instagram @newlifeluxury

Instagram @cottage_a_day

Invoice

Also on sale there are textured compositions resembling decorative plaster. They include fine granulate, which makes the wall grainy. This mixture is suitable for cases where you need to hide the defects of the cladding. It is applied in a thick layer and therefore careful leveling of the surface is not required.

Instagram @kvezal_decor

Instagram @kvezal_decor

According to the method of action

Frame and other wooden structures are often covered with transparent and tinted antiseptics, alkyd, oil or acrylic paints. The latter are preferred for a number of reasons.

Oil formulations are very weather resistant, strong but take a long time to dry and do not ductility. Alkyd mixtures withstand low temperatures, but are quickly erased. Antiseptic impregnations are the most suitable option, as they preserve the beauty of wood and protect it from moisture and insects.

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nine0002 Builders recommend covering plastered walls with water-dispersion paints - acrylic and silicone. They are eco-friendly, non-flammable, waterproof and retain their color for a long time. They are applied with rollers, brushes or spray guns. If the wall has already been painted, the old finish is removed from it, the defects that have appeared are puttied, the surface is primed and then repainted.

Prepared by

Nelli Kirgintseva

What color should the house be painted on the outside? Secret Professionals 

 Author: Marina K.

Do you or your friends have a private house? Then here is an amazing article for you! We asked a designer, builder, low-rise house specialist and paint technologist about what color to paint the house, and heard even more practical advice than we expected!

The first impression that will be formed about our home, about ourselves depends on what the appearance of our house will be. But if everything is more or less clear with the style of the rooms, and even a person who understands nothing in design will find a lot of materials and ready-made ideas for decorating the interior, then what to do with the facade of a private house? nine0003

We will not convince you to paint your house outside red or light yellow, but we will tell you the secrets of professionals that will definitely influence your choice!

What color can affect

Ideally, the look of your home, both inside and out, should match your personality, preferences and tastes. But it turns out that this is not the only thing that determines the color of the facade.

“The appearance of the facade of a house most often determines the style solution of its interior, for example, a Victorian-style interior suggests the same design outside. Another thing is when a house or townhouse is located in a cottage village, in which case the developer sets the exterior style, and the house owners have no choice but to adhere to it. nine0003

When it comes to color choice, designers have concepts of "feminine", "masculine" or "neutral" interiors, and the same goes for exteriors. So, a young married couple will rather try to choose something light, light. Very often, the choice is influenced by memories associated with a joint vacation: they stop at the colors blue, white, sand. Women prefer red and pink, velvety surfaces, elegant decorative elements. Men traditionally choose brown and dark colors, a brutal look of the facade of the house. A familiar designer recently built a house out of timber: all the wood is light, with black window frames, a black floor inside, red and black pieces of furniture. If there is a choice, the color of the house will definitely reflect the character, preferences and even the gender of the people living in it,” says Alisa Semenova, designer of the LOFT&HOME interior studio. nine0003

Color selection algorithm

So how do you choose the color of the front? “At the initial stage of choosing the exterior of a house, it is very convenient to use special programs or online services that allow you to choose the color of the walls, windows, doors, roof, basement of the house and decide whether you like the combination of colors or not. At the next stage, we advise you to visit the exhibition of houses [open-air exhibitions, where samples of finished houses are collected, are popular in large cities - approx. author], where you can see the selected color and texture of the material live on the samples provided by the manufacturers. nine0003

For the final decision, it is desirable to paint a piece of wall approximately 0.5 × 1 meter in size and observe the sample during the day in different lighting conditions, and also, preferably, in different weather - sunny and cloudy. In this case, the selection error will be reduced as much as possible.

When it comes to practicality, light colors tend to fade the least. White fades the slowest. However, it should be remembered that white color can become yellow over time. Thus, the most practical in this case can be a dull gray color. It does not turn yellow over time and dust is practically invisible on it. nine0003

Dark colors look very impressive on facades, especially those with simple architectural forms. However, be aware that they fade quickly. The leader in fading is black. If there is a need to use dark colors on the facade of the house, then you should pay attention to the warranty card for the paint, which indicates the limits on the fading period. Usually it is 5-7 years for dark colors,” shared Roman Konyakhin, manager of the exhibition of houses “Low-Rise Country”.

How to paint a stucco facade

When choosing paints for brick and concrete stucco facades, the same principles for choosing colors apply. But besides this, it should be remembered that our walls need paint not only for beauty. Yes, of course, the facade, and the whole street, where the walls of houses are painted in bright colors, pleases the eye, but it's not just about color. The paint should protect the surface of the facade from destruction: the sun, frost, strong winds and unclean air can damage even the most durable materials. nine0003

How to paint a wooden house

Of course, you can paint a wooden house "tightly" with the help of top coats, for example, enamels for wood. But most often in wooden construction, translucent paints are used - azure, popularly called either impregnations or stains (we wrote about the accuracy of the terms earlier).

“For wooden houses, it is better to use materials that emphasize the structure of the tree. After all, in the end, for this we choose a house made of wood: for its color and texture. nine0003

The color option will depend on the chosen color and texture of the roof, the proposed architraves, the color of the gutter system, the finish of the plinth, the color of the window lamination, the log / beam exits (cuts at the corners and in the wall joints), as well as on the design of already built buildings on area, for example, baths. In our practice, we offer customers a choice of 3-4 standard options for painting a wooden house.

For a house, it is better to use 2-3 colors: the first for the facade, the second for architraves, frontal roof laths and pillars, the third color for the plinth and balusters. nine0003

You also need to understand that wood requires special protection: during operation, it is able to both gain moisture from rains and other precipitation, and give it away under the influence of sunlight.

The most affected by environmental factors are the facades located on the sunny side, so they are required for protective treatment in the first place after erection, it is also very important to immediately treat the exits of a beam or log, as they are the main places where moisture enters the material. We advise clients to use light colors. The fact is that dark surfaces are able to heat up more, and compared to them, light ones are less affected by deformation from the heating-cooling process,” said Anton Shagiev, director of the company for the construction of wooden houses IZHS-STROY. nine0003

So, the choice of color, as well as the choice between paint and azure, is yours, the main thing is to use high-quality materials. The owners of wooden houses are more concerned with the question of how to update the facade, painted with azure after a while: we have already talked about this (here is the link).

We asked Valery Ermakov, Chief Technological Consultant of TM Belinka, to cover the technical side of the issue.

1. So is it worth painting the facade in a dark color? nine0029

“According to other experts, a clarification should be made: facades painted in dark colors better protect the wood itself (or other material from which the house is built) from destruction, but at the same time they really burn out more.

We paint the façade to protect it from the damaging effects of UV radiation. To do this, it is necessary to paint the surface with coatings with high light fastness, and inorganic iron oxide pigments have the highest light fastness. But the pigments, in turn, must be well "located" in the binder and have very small dimensions (several microns). All pigments, both light and dark, have high light fastness. Only on dark surfaces is the process of color change over time more noticeable than on light ones. At the same time, it is believed (according to the laws of physics) that dark colors protect better from UV radiation.

Learn more