Exterior Paint Color Combinations
Lately, I’ve really been analyzing and pinning exteriors to my heart’s content. Maybe it’s because I’ve been dreaming of adding a garage and architecturally changing the exterior aesthetic of my own home, or maybe it’s the fact that Emmett and I have been focused on improving our backyard and carport area since the warm weather has settled in for good. Either way, I thought it’d be fun to share exterior color palettes and combinations I think are timeless, classic, and true winners- no matter the style of your home. Click through for the paint colors and good examples of uses for them!
*The following images are linked accordingly to the original source, designer, or architect. These are color swatches I pulled together based on the original images to recreate the exterior look. Please keep in mind all paint should be swatched and will look different depending on your home, the exterior material, the lighting, and the surroundings that reflect and bounce color in an exterior setting. It’s always best practice to test before painting!
I’m kicking things off with a classic light and neutral palette. It doesn’t get better than soft creamy gray and greige tones for an exterior. It looks fresh and timeless- yet modern.
Next up, dark and moody… aka, the beautiful high contrast that occurs when you paint an exterior black. We’re actually in the process of painting our carport black right now and I’m loving the way it instantly modernized the exterior. I’m happy to see this trend sticking around. I think it’s pretty timeless, despite the fact it continues to gain popularity.
I’m officially on board with desaturated exteriors- with the tiniest bit of navy mixed in. I love the way the greenery pops off of this gray abode.
If you have a home that is begging for painted brick, but you want to keep the “look” of brick… try using a terra cotta tone. I love this fresh take on it! Add a hunter green / almost black front door, and you’ve got yourself a chic looking exterior.
Another classic combo that will NEVER go out of style is timeless black, white, and gray. I’ll never tire of exteriors that look like this- especially when landscaped with classic, traditional greenery- such as boxwoods, topiaries, and flower-filled window boxes.
If you’re not afraid of a little color, navy or blue hues are always a classic option! I love when it’s paired with a light black / charcoal shade and crisp white for added contrast.
This soft and subtle taupe home is ideal for terra cotta planters and lush green landscaping. It feels very old-world and traditional, yet the color palette modernizes the entire exterior. I love that the gutters were painted in contrast to the white body. That’s one way to make a home look much more expensive and unique.
I’m all about a brick home with blue and black accents. The blue color on this timeless home almost goes a little in the direction of teal- and I’m digging it!
Lastly, don’t be afraid of classic colors when paired with wood. I especially enjoy the application of the paint on this exterior- with the second level being painted in a contrasting navy. If your home is naturally “sectioned off” try some exterior color blocking like the example above!
Do you have other favorite exterior color palettes? I’ll definitely be pinning these for when the time comes to address my own exterior. You can’t beat a classic color combo! As I’ve said over and over again in previous paint posts, it’s VERY important to swatch and test your paint before committing. Exterior paint is a bigger commitment than interior, just because of the amount and square footage. It can be costly, and nobody wants to paint their exterior every single year. It’s important to get it right and choose a style that will last for at least 5-10 years. You also have to keep in mind, a specific paint color might look totally different on your home than on your neighbors or an image on the internet. There are so many factors that come into play when it comes to color and paint (exterior surroundings, reflection, material, light reflective value, etc). Use these palettes for inspiration and be sure to swatch them!
For more exterior inspiration, follow: my front door Pinterest board // my garage Pinterest board // my general exterior Pinterest board
images (in the order they appear) : one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine // ten