Choosing the right exterior paint colors can enhance your home’s curb appeal and potentially boost its value.
Whether it’s the main color, trim, or accent shades for doors, shutters, and other architectural features, there are plenty of color schemes to suit any style of home.
Green-Gray, White, and Red
Paint a Craftsman-style home with earthy shades for an authentic feel. This 1923 Craftsman bungalow has a fresh coat of greenish-gray earth toned paint that honors the original aesthetics of the home.
Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams Mountain Road
Blue, White, and Green
Give an older Colonial-style home a fresh makeover with cornflower blue paint. This Boise, ID home built in 1935 looks like it was born yesterday, with white trim to define windows, shutters, and the portico, and a bright Kelly green front door.
Paint suggestion: Farrow & Ball Cook’s Blue (siding), Benjamin Moore Kelly Green (front door)
Black and Stone
Matte black cladding is paired with a stone facade of this waterfront home from Randell Design Group. The mix of dark and light materials and smooth engineered and rough natural textures adds interest to the simple architecture.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Blacktop 2135-10
All White
Refresh a 1920’s Spanish-style stucco home with low lustre paint in a clean shade of white that will provide contrast with a traditional terracotta tile roof. A new paint job restored the original charm of this Southern California from Blanco Bungalow.
Paint used: Behr Ultra Pure White
Matte Black
A coat of warm-toned black paint that leans towards the color of tree bark makes this A-frame cabin from AHG Interiors feel warm and inviting.
The exterior paint color looks perfectly at home in a woodsy storybook setting in the Catskills of New York surrounded by lush green mountains and towering trees.
Paint used: Benjamin Moore Black Beauty 2128-10
Falu Red and White
Dark, saturated Falu red barns and cottages are iconic in Sweden and have been copied around the globe.
This Swedish country house from Fantastic Frank has deep red siding contrasted with bright white trim, a classic combination that could work anywhere for a timeless feel that will never go out of style.
Paint suggestion: Clare Vintage
Navy Blue and White
Navy blue is a classic choice that will complement a Cape Cod-style home. AHG Interiors painted this one in a deep, dark shade of navy blue with green undertones that blends in seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
Paint used: Farrow & Ball Hague Blue Number 30
Salmon Pink and White
While original Craftsman bungalows were typically painted in earth tones such as greens and browns, today you can find them in a rainbow of colors.
A Beautiful Mess traded traditional earth tones for a cheerful shade of salmony pink, contrasted with white paint on the trim to accentuate the Craftsman details on the columns, front porch, and window and door frames.
Paint used: Sherwin Williams Salmon River Run
Olive Green, White, and Red
Complement a lakefront home with an earthy shade of green. Crisp Architects chose a soothing olive green with a subtly grayish cast that adds definition while blending in with the natural surroundings. A rhubarb red front door adds contrast and marks the entrance.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Kennebunkport Green (siding), Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117 (trim), Benjamin Moore Rhubarb (front door)
Red Brick and Yellow
Use yellow paint to modernize a historic facade. Designer Annie Sloan used two shades of mood-boosting yellow on the red brick exterior of this Victorian home that brings on the sunshine in any weather.
Paint used: Annie Sloan English Yellow (door frame) and Annie Sloan Tilton (porch)
Taupe and Black
Choose a soft shade of taupe to add warmth to a modern home. O’Hara Interiors painted the sprawling facade of this house in light taupe color, adding graphic black trim for definition.
Paint used: Sherwin-Williams White Heron 7627 (exterior stucco), Sherwin-Williams Black Magic 6991 (exterior soffit/fascia)
Chocolate Brown and White
Complement a country cottage with a warm shade of brown for a cozy look. This property from Fantastic Frank has chocolate brown siding that complements a red tile roof and contrasts with crisp white trim, shutters, and a picture perfect picket fence.
Paint suggestion: Clare Coffee Date
Gray, White, and Turquoise
Paint a historic farmhouse dark gray with white trim to highlight architectural details. Finding Lovely painted this 1879 New England farmhouse in a moody gray, painting trim creamy white, and adding a turquoise door to modernize the facade.
Paint used: Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate (exterior), Benjamin Moore Catalina Blue (front door)
Pale Yellow and Black
Pale yellow paint will add a hint of warm color to the facade of a historic home. Crisp Architects paired the subtle shade with white trim and black shutters to maintain the classic look.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Lancaster Whitewash HC-174 (siding), Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117 (trim), Benjamin Moore Black HC-190 (shutters)
Light Gray and Brick
Use complementary shades to unify a home facade constructed with mixed materials. Randell Design Group used pre-weathered zinc cladding in a soft shade of gray on the exterior of this U.K. house, combined with gray brick for a textural feel.
Cladding used: VMZINC Quartz
Dark Blue, White, and Pink
Deep blue paint will add definition to the facade that is softer than black. O’Hara Interiors paired the color with off-white trim and a soft pink door.
Paint used: Sherwin-Williams Still Water 6223 (exterior), Sherwin-Williams Origami White 7636 (trim), Farrow & Ball Calamine (door)
White and Green
Riff on the classic that is a white house with black trim by mixing shades of white on the exterior and trim and painting the shutters dark green instead of black.
Crisp Architects used a warmer shade of white on the facade, painting the trim in a cool white to add definition.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Crisp Linen CSP-305 (exterior), Essex Green HC-188 (shutters), Benjamin Moore Super White OC-152 (trim)
White and Pink
A pink door will add personality to a white house. A Beautiful Mess paired white painted brick with a blushing pink door for a welcoming feel.
Paint used: Sherwin-Williams Marshmallow (house exterior), Noble Blush by BEHR (front door)
Dark Blue, White, and Brick
Brown paint is typically used to highlight the signature half-timber detailing of Tudor architecture, providing contrast with the white and brick of the rest of the facade.
This 1930s Tudor revival home in Boise, ID preserves its storybook allure with smoky deep blue paint for a twist on the classic color scheme.
Paint suggestion: Clare Goodnight Moon
Pistachio Green and White
Green is a fresh color that will both blend in and stand out against the natural landscape. Crisp Architects used lighter and darker shades of green on the exterior, gable, and front door gives of this tranquil artists retreat.
Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams Jardin SW6723 (siding), Sherwin-Williams Glimmer SW6476 (gable siding), Simply White OC-117 (trim), Benjamin Moore Essex Green HC-188 (front door)
Modern Farmhouse White
Give a modern farmhouse-style new build a classic feel with a coat of clean off-white paint. White window trim creates a seamless look on the facade of this home from O’Hara Interiors.
Paint used: Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17
Lake Blue and White
Choose a paint color that will help your home blend in with natural surroundings for an organic feel.
Jessie Tobias Design painted this waterfront house in a deep blue shade that echoes the lake and is carried through to the deck chairs on the weathered wood dock.
Paint suggestion: Farrow & Ball Ultra Marine Blue
Classic White
Highlight the power of a clean coat of white paint to complement a home with classical architecture.
Crisp Architects used an all-white palette to show off the simple beauty of this New England country home, adding contrast with brick chimneys, a gray roof, and a natural mahogany front door.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore White OC-151
Sandy Beige and Raw Stone
Use a soft earth-tone shade to complement natural stone on a mixed facade. This coastal Southern California modern farmhouse-style home from White Sands Design Build is painted in a sandy shade of beige that complements the raw stone facade and feels right in the beach-adjacent setting.
Paint suggestion: Clare Neutral Territory
Flat White
Paint a small cottage in flat white paint to celebrate its simple beauty. Sandra Foster painted the siding, trim, and front porch of her tiny Victorian cottage in the Catskills of New York white to highlight its fairy tale charm, while a green-colored roof blends in with the woodsy and leafy surroundings.
Paint suggestion: Clare Snow Day
Light Blue and White
Use color blocking to add definition to the facade of a large home. This Florida property from interior designer Maite Granda has a two-tone wash of sky blue and clean white that gives it a breezy coastal feel.
Paint suggestion: Clare Frozen (upper siding), Benjamin Moore Chalk White (exterior)
Soft Green and White
The color of your home will vary according to the time of day and the quality of the light.
A soft shade of pistachio green on this Litchfield County, CT home from Crisp Architects has a taupe cast as night falls that sets it apart from the dark greens of the surrounding landscape.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Kittery Point Green (exterior), Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17 (trim)
Denim Blue, White, and Black
Rich denim blue with wintry white trim is a classic combination to highlight the columns and architectural details of a traditional home. Black shutters on select windows adds definition.
Paint used: Benjamin Moore Bainbridge Blue 749 (exterior), Benjamin Moore Frostine AF-5 (trim)
Soft White and Slate Gray
Use dark gray instead of black to highlight trim on a white stucco home. This Coral Gables, FL home by Maite Granda is painted in a soft shade of white, with gunmetal gray paint on the door frame, handrails, and trim to add definition.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore White OC-151 (exterior), Benjamin Moore Gunmetal 1602 (trim)
Soft White and Pale Blue
Add a hint of color to a neutral facade with a pale blue door. Mindy Gayer Design Co. painted this Southern California home in a bright and rich shade of white with warm undertones that make it feel inviting rather than stark.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17 (siding), Clare Frozen (Dutch door)
Blush Pink and Pale Green
A blush paint color will complement terracotta roof tiles. This Mediterranean-style home from Fantastic Frank is softened with pale salmon pink paint complemented with delicate sage green exterior wood shutters and doors that look like they’ve faded naturally in the sun.
Paint suggestion: Farrow & Ball Pink Ground (exterior), Farrow & Ball Vert de Terre (shutters and doors)
White, Black, and Red
White and black will give a new build a classic look. This modern farmhouse style New York home designed by Crisp Architects has a traditional palette of white and black, with a bright red door that gives it some sass.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117 (siding), Benjamin Moore Black (shutters), Benjamin Moore Heritage Red (front door)
Weathered Teal and White
Teal blue paint with a touch of gray gives this beach house from Michelle Berwick Design a slightly weathered allure that pays homage to the coastal Canadian setting.
Paint used: Benjamin Moore Bella Blue
Yellow, White, and Red
Paint your home in a classic soft shade of yellow for a welcoming feel. Charles Almonte Architecture / Interior Design chose white trim, a factory finish black roof and door, and a stained Ipe hardwood staircase with a reddish tint to add contrast.
Paint used: Benjamin Moore Pale Moon OC-108 (siding), Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17 (trim), Minwax Currant (staircase)
Contemporary White
Create a clean modern feel with soft white paint. Mindy Gayer Design Co. used an off-white shade to contrast with the glass and black metal doors and outdoor sconces of this Spanish-style Southern California contemporary home that complements the Moroccan limestone flooring that runs from the entryway to the backyard.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17
Greige and Dark Grays
Greige is a mix of gray and brown that adds warmth to a neutral facade. O’Hara Interiors painted the facade of this home in a soft shade, adding definition with steely gray shutters and a deep gray hue on the front door.
Paint used: Benjamin Moore Nimbus 1465 (exterior), Benjamin Moore Gunmetal 1602 (shutters), Benjamin Moore Graphite 1603 (front door)
Orange Stucco
Paint your stucco in a vivid shade to make it stand out. This Mallorca home from Fantastic Frank is finished in a warm and vivid orange that adds eye-catching color and texture that fits in with the Spanish island setting.
Paint suggestion: Clare Fire Sign
Black on Black
An all-black color palette will highilght the shape of a distinctive roofline. Randell Design Group chose pre-painted Russwood Scotlarch cladding with an opaque black finish to give this modern A-frame home a crisp and graphic feel.
Paint used: Teknos Jet Black RAL9005 and Ebony F1046
Bubblegum Pink and Gray
Bubblegum pink paint on the exterior and warm gray shutters is a classic color pairing that gives this imposing two-story Andover, MA home a friendly and approachable feel.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Elephant Pink 2087-70 (exterior), Benjamin Moore Gray Gardens CSP-55 (shutters)
White and Wood
Choose a soft neutral off-white without gray or yellow undertones to complement the architecture of an older home. White Sands Design Build refreshed the Moorish facade of this 1929 bungalow in Manhattan Beach, CA with a coat of neutral white paint that is contrasted with mixed wood doors.
Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams Alabaster
Buttercup Yellow and White
Choose a vibrant shade of yellow to add warmth to a large country home. This Swedish lakeside house from Fantastic Frank stands out from the natural landscape thanks to a coat of buttercup yellow paint that glows in any weather, while white trim adds definition to the butterfly staircase and covered porch.
Paint suggestion: Clare Golden Hour
Optic White, Blue, and Brick
Designer Melinda Kelson O’Connor chose a classic palette for a historic brick estate edition and renovation.
“Brilliant white siding and trim with black shutters are failsafe on the historic red brick,” she says. “It feels timeless and smart. Adding a light or medium blue hue to the door lightens the feeling and gives the house an approachable look.”
Paint used: Benjamin Moore Brilliant White (siding), Benjamin Moore Britannia Blue (door)
Green-Gray, White, and Black
Choose a soft shade of green to complement a classic facade. This Connecticut home designed by Crisp Architects is painted in a soothing shade of grayish green that makes a change from the usual white, with white trim and black shutters to reinforce the traditional look of the home.
Paint used: Benjamin Moore Gettysburg Grey HC 107 (exterior), Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117 (trim), Benjamin Moore Black HC-190 (shutters)
Whitewashed Brick and Cream
Whitewash a prominent brick chimney to lessen the contrast with white siding for a more modern feel.
This Southern California home from Mindy Gayer Design Co. has a whitewashed brick chimney and a warm off-white exterior and matching trim that looks fresh and welcoming.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45
Orange and Yellow
Choose a paint color that is distinctive and captures the spirit of your surroundings. This French Quarter home is painted in cheerful shades of yellow and orange that show off the architecture and embrace the anything-goes color palette of the city of New Orleans.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Yellow Marigold 2155-30 (siding), Benjamin Moore Tangy Orange 2014-30 (door and window shutters)
Charcoal, White, and Blue
Give your home a moody makeover to change the look of your facade. Kate Marker Interiors traded pale yellow for deep charcoal paint with clean white trim on the windows and front porch of this inviting cottage renovation.
Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams Urbane Bronze (siding), Benjamin Moore Dusky Blue 1640 (front door)
Pale Blue, White, and Black
Add nuance to a classic facade with a hint of color. This Berkshires home designed by Crisp Architects is washed in a barely there blue-gray-violet hue that subs in for classic white.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Blue Heather 1620 (siding), Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17 (trim), Benjamin Moore Black Iron 2120-20 (shutters and front door)
Blue, Yellow, Pink, and Red
Victorian homes with intricate trim and architectural elements benefit from a multicolored approach.
A palette of complementary colors including a deep blue-green facade, pale conch shell pink and yellow-orange trim, and a rich burgundy-colored door highlight the architecture of this three-story home.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Fair Isle Blue CSP-715 (exterior), Benjamin Moore Morning Sunshine 2018-50 (trim), Benjamin Moore Shell Pink 883 (trim), Benjamin Moore Classic Burgundy HC-182
Clean White and Dark Green
Give a classic home a classic paint job for a timeless feel. This little house from Crisp Architects set on a lush green lawn in the shadow of some mature trees has clean white paint, a matching fence, and a greenish-black front door, making a case for keeping it simple and classic.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Pure White OC-64 (siding), Benjamin Moore Essex Green HC-188 (front door)
Tonal Grays and Red
A tonal palette of dark and silvery grays will create a soothing feel. This lakeside home is accented with an orange-red door that echoes the Japanese maple tree planted in the front yard.
Paint used: Benjamin Moore Silvery Moon 1604 (exterior), Benjamin Moore Calico Blue 707 (trim), Benjamin Moore Merlot Red 2006-10 (front door)
Lilac, White, and Purple
Bold shades of lilac and purple make this New Orleans, LA home stand out from the crowd. White trim around the portico adds contrast while drawing attention to the purple color pairing.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore 1406 (siding), Benjamin Moore Victorian Purple 1370 (front door)
Pewter Gray
Gray paint will complement a home in a rustic setting surrounded by natural greenery and stone.
This lakeside home in the Berkshires designed by Crisp Architects is covered in a pale pewter gray paint that blends in with the natural setting.
Paint used: Benjamin Moore Vintage Pewter CSP-110 (siding), Benjamin Moore Super White OC-152 (trim)
Beige Pink, Blue, and Russet
Pale beige-pink paint will softens the exterior of a three-story home. Teal blue trim and russet red doors add definition to this facade.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Early Sunset 2096-70 (exterior), Benjamin Moore Baltic Sea CSP-680 (trim), Benjamin Moore Rich Chestnut 2090-20 (windows and doors)
White Pre-Painted Siding
Blogger Liz Marie re-sided her 1800s farmhouse to make it look closer to the original design. Pre-painted siding in a pure white hue with matching window trim and porch detailing keeps the focus on architectural details.
Paint used: LP SmartSide Snowscape White
White, Brown, and Wood
Paint a new build white and brown for a modern rustic feel. Mindy Gayer Design Co. collaborated with Dana Webber Design Group and Fairbank Construction Company to build this Puget Sound vacation home.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45
All Blue-Gray
Add warmth and moodiness with a rich shade of blue-gray. This home from interior designer Colleen Simonds highlights the golden glow of the interior when night falls and the inside lights are on.
Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams 6250 Granite Peak
White Brick and Pastel Pink
Freshen up a dated looking facade with white paint. This brick home from A Beautiful Mess has a soft white exterior and pastel pink double doors for a welcoming feel.
Paint used: Romabio Masonry Flat in Richmond White
Reddish Brown and Blue-Green
Deep reddish-brown stained shingle siding with contrasting medium-toned blue-green trim will lend a natural feel to your facade and help it feel integrated with the landscape.
Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams 3507 Riverwood Stain (exterior), Benjamin Moore Spirit in the Sky 676 (trim)
Periwinkle and White
Choose a nuanced shade of blue to add character to a period home. A soothing periwinkle blue with purple undertones is contrasted with cool white trim in this home from Crisp Architects.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Swiss Blue 815 (siding), Benjamin Moore Ultra White CC-10 (trim)
Soft Peach
Pale coral or peach paint will warm the facade of a minimalist Spanish-style home, like this property from Fantastic Frank.
Paint suggestion: Clare Pop
Red, White, and Black
Crimson red siding and black shutters give this rural New England home a classic look. The black-and-red palette is timeless but especially appealing when the autumn leaves are turning.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Candy Cane Red 2079-10 (exterior), Benjamin Moore Black HC-190 (shutters)
Medium Gray and White
Use a neutral paint color to modernize an older home. Mindy Gayer Design Co. added rich dark gray paint and bright white trim to this 1910 Victorian home renovation in San Francisco.
Paint suggestion: Dunn Edwards Charcoal Smudge DE6370 (siding), Benjamin Moore Ultra White CC-10 (trim)
White and Blue-Gray
Add a hint of color to a white Spanish-style facade by painting window shutters in a soft shade of blue-gray. This home from interior designer Susan Spath of San Diego-based Kern & Co. illustrates how versatile the nearly neutral shade can be.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Ultra White CC-10 (facade), Benjamin Moore Wales Gray 1585 (shutters)
Purple, White, and Red
Lilac paint gives this classic Craftsman bungalow a modern twist. White trim and a cherry red door frame add a vivid accent.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore California Lilac (siding), Benjamin Moore Red 2000-10 (front door)
Cool Gray and White
Gray can look traditional or modern depending on the style of your home. Cool medium gray paint gives this 1918 Colonial-style house in Savannah, GA from Calimia Home a soothing feel. Soft white trim adds subtle definition.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Storm
Blue, White, and Stone
Use cool blue paint to complement stone details. This house from Amy Peltier Interior Design & Home has a mixed facade that pairs deep cool blue and stone, with white trim on the windows and front porch to add crisp contrast.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue HC-155
All Beige
Soften a contemporary facade with light beige paint. This contemporary Denver, CO property from Fantastic Frank is softened with a coat of off-white paint with beige undertones that complements the eco-friendly landscaping and keeps the focus on the clean lines of the home.
Paint suggestion: Sherwin-Williams Alabaster
All Black
An all-black facade doesn’t have to look stern or foreboding. Mindy Gayer Design Co. choose a cool-toned soft black for the outside of her home office showroom that makes a nice foil for green plants and white flowers that soften the facade, making it feel warm and inviting.
Paint suggestion: Benjamin Moore Blacktop 2135-10
Taupe Gray, White, and Teal
Pale taupe gray paint softens the exterior of this large new build, while soft white adds subtle variation. A teal front door and some red flowers dotting the front yard landscaping adds a smidgen of color.
Paint suggestion: Sherwin Williams Repose Gray SW 7015 (siding), Benjamin Moore Teal 2055-10 (front door)
Tonal Shades of Blue
Choose a tonal paint scheme to add dimension to your facade. This cozy Costa Mesa, CA home from K Shan Design is painted in two shades of blue that make the facade and front porch feel homey and inviting, with a navy front door that completes the harmonious tonal look.
Paint suggestion: Clare Summer Friday (siding), Clare Blue Ivy (trim and porch railing), Benjamin Moore Midnight Navy 2067-10 (door frames)