How to Choose the Right Exterior Color
Explore each color in our guide to pick a hue for your home's face that you'll be happy with for years to come
Since the exterior is the biggest and most visible part of your home, choosing its color is a decision you want to be sure about. Unlike with a living room wall or front door, it's not easy to change it if you decide you don't like it.
But it's not always easy to narrow down the choices. Are you a red person? A yellow person? How can you be sure? Here are some of our best exterior color palette tips and links to help you find out which color will work best for your home.
But it's not always easy to narrow down the choices. Are you a red person? A yellow person? How can you be sure? Here are some of our best exterior color palette tips and links to help you find out which color will work best for your home.
Red. Although some might think certain shades of red are best suited for classic barns, this vibrant hue can add a classic punch of color to any home. Small doses of red might work best for some styles, but if you love this color, don't be afraid to go all out.
See: When to Paint Your Home Red
See: When to Paint Your Home Red
Yellow. A yellow exterior doesn't have to look light and sunny — unless you want it to. While some yellow exteriors look right out of a fairy tale, others can feel incredibly sophisticated. A yellow with more neutral undertones works surprisingly well with many trim colors, while brighter yellows can look great on a front door.
See: When to Paint Your Home Yellow
See: When to Paint Your Home Yellow
Brown. Brown homes don't have to be boring. Rich chocolatey shades, stone-inspired beiges and reddish cedar hues can help ground a home to its environment.
See: When to Paint Your House Brown
See: When to Paint Your House Brown
Gray. Gray's wide range of hues makes it a great fit for house exteriors in all styles. This basic neutral can be warmed up or cooled down to work with just about any accent color. Play with bold oranges and greens for a midcentury modern home or stick to basic white trim and black accents for a more traditional house.
See: When to Paint Your Home Gray
See: When to Paint Your Home Gray
White. There's a reason white is such a classic exterior house color — it fits just about every home style. White can also be a dramatic choice, especially if you live in a lushly landscaped area where a bright white home will stand out.
See: White Delights on Home Exteriors of All Styles
See: White Delights on Home Exteriors of All Styles
Black. While all-black house exteriors catch the eye just as much as white, they have an edgier look than white. Leave the trim white for a more timeless look or go fully black to truly stand out.
See: Bold and Black Exterior House Color
See: Bold and Black Exterior House Color
Multicolored. While many modern homes seem to veer more toward neutrals, the homes during the second half of the 19th century embraced bright, multicolored exterior palettes. Different colors helped to highlight the incredible details on these homes. Multicolored palettes can still be found on beautifully detailed homes today, like this one.
See: When to Give Your Home a Coat of Many Colors
See: When to Give Your Home a Coat of Many Colors
Don't forget the front door. Since door color can be changed out pretty easily, try going bold and using it as an exterior accent.
Learn what color works best for your front door
Learn what color works best for your front door
Still not sure? Take a cue from the Houzz community. Post in or browse Discussions to see what other users suggest. Check out these professional palette solutions to Houzz exterior color dilemmas, too:
3 Exterior Paint Dilemmas, 7 Palette Solutions
Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?
Tell us: How did you decide on your exterior color?
3 Exterior Paint Dilemmas, 7 Palette Solutions
Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?
Tell us: How did you decide on your exterior color?
See:
Clues to Finding the Right Color for Your House
5 Easy Tips for Choosing Your Exterior Paint Palette