- Brad Henderson, Senior Product Manager at Benjamin Moore
Exterior House Colors & Inspiration
Exterior House Colors You’ll Love In this guide, you’ll find curated color combinations that will bring depth and beauty to your home’s exterior. From maximizing curb appeal to making it easier to choose color and finish, Benjamin Moore is here to help. Product selection is equally
Exterior House Colors You’ll Love
Product selection is equally important: You’ll want an exterior paint that both beautifies and protects your home. Benjamin Moore’s lineup of premium exterior paints, including Regal® Select Exterior and Element Guard® are all up to the challenge.
How to Choose Exterior House Colors
Natural surroundings, neighboring color schemes, exterior color trends, and your own personal preferences all play a role in choosing colors for your home exterior. From always-popular grays and neutrals to pretty pops of bolder colors, your home exterior palette is an expression of your style.
Homeowners typically use three to four colors when creating an exterior color scheme. When planning your exterior paint color palette, consider trim, windows, garage doors, shutters, and other exterior elements. Hues found from existing brick, stone, and roof colors also add to your exterior palette.
Follow these tips from our color experts to choose your exterior paint colors with confidence.
Align Exterior Paint Colors with Outdoor Hues
Start building your palette using color direction from unchanging exterior elements like roofing, stone, brick and landscaping. If your exterior accents tend to lean warmer, consider hues like Swiss Coffee OC-45, Yarmouth Blue HC-150, or Collector‘s Item AF-45. If your exterior accents are cooler hues, try colors like Gray Owl OC-52, November Skies 2128-50 and Silver Lake 1598.
Need help knowing where your colors fall? Check out our guide to warm and cool paint colors.
Consider Your Exterior Accents
If your home has an expansive front lawn or lots of greenery, cool gray-painted siding can really make your surroundings pop. Try this combination to get the look:
- Siding: Cloud Cover OC-25
- Door: Concord Ivory HC-12
- Trim: Gray Owl OC-52
Observe Lighting and Exterior Paint Colors
Colors cast differently under various lighting conditions. For example, a paint color under a shaded tree will appear a bit darker than an exterior hue in direct sunlight. The direction of your home also impacts how paint color appears.
Using paint color samples to see color options in different lighting can help you determine which color to use.
Synch Paint Colors with Your Personality
Your home should be a reflection of who you are. If that means expressive hues—why not embrace them?
Warm colors we love include:
Prefer cool hues? Check out:
6 Color Families That Can Transform Your Home Exterior
Make a Statement with White Exterior Paint
White paint acts as a blank canvas. As seen in here, an off-white exterior lets this lush green front lawn and pillared entryway take center stage.
- House & Trim: Harwood Putty CW-5
- Doors: Nicolson Green CW-500
Make a Design Impact with Deep, Dark Hues
We can’t get enough of endlessly chic exteriors in rich, dark hues. Consider these colors schemes:
- Black HC-190, shown here, used on both siding and trim
- Iron Mountain 2134-30 paired with White Dove OC-17 trim
- Polo Blue 2062-10 paired with White Diamond OC-61 trim
Brown Siding & Greenery: A Luxe Pairing
Dark-hued exteriors can be amazingly versatile. Dragon’s Breath 1547 is a deep, dark brown that breathes drama into any space, especially when paired with bright topiaries. Other browns we love for home exteriors include:
Back to Black
Black paint gives this home a distinct appearance, especially when surrounded by lush landscaping. Get this eye-catching look with:
- Siding: Black Satin 2131-10
- Trim: Brilliant White OC-150
- Accents: Million Dollar Red 2003-10
Gray-Blue Home Exteriors You’ll Love
Create a welcoming exterior with soothing blue-gray hues. Grays and blues make a statement, while keeping it cool. We love:
A Pop of Color for Your Front Porch
On this front porch, Meditation AF-395—a mix of gray, brown and green tones — brings an intriguing depth to this home exterior. Check out these deep neutral paint colors we love to highlight architectural detail:
14 Exterior Paint Colors We Love
The secret to painting your home’s exterior is more than just finding one single exterior paint color. It’s finding the right paint color combination for exterior, trim and home accents like garage doors, window shutters and the front door.
Our color and design experts have curated mini palettes around 14 of our most popular exterior paint colors—use them to boost curb appeal and give your home a fresh new look.
1. Louisburg Green HC-113
This cool muted hue crossed with a deep mossy green brings the colors of nature to your home exterior.
- Body: Louisburg Green HC-113
- Door: Castle Peak Gray 1561
- Accent: Halo OC-46
2. Revere Pewter HC-172
An iconic neutral, this hue provides a versatile bridge between warm and cool tones.
- Body: Revere Pewter HC-172
- Trim: Swiss Coffee OC-45
- Accent: Copley Gray HC-104
3. Carrington Beige HC-93
A light neutral with a whisper of green undertone, this color pairs effortlessly with deep blue.
- Body: Carrington Beige HC-93
- Trim: China White OC-141
- Accent: Lucerne AF-530
4. Morrel AF-125
Part of the Affinity® Color Collection, this rosy undertone extends a warm welcome.
- Body: Morrel AF-125
- Trim: Stonington Gray HC-170
- Accent: Kendall Charcoal HC-166
5. Monroe Bisque HC-26
From the iconic Historical Collection, this color combination forms a timeless trio rooted in the hues of American history.
- Body: Monroe Bisque HC-26
- Trim: Monterey White HC-27
- Accent: Cromwell Gray HC-103
6. Horizon OC-53
With its subtle blue undertones, this color creates a friendly façade, especially when paired with eye-catching hues.
- Body: Horizon OC-53
- Trim: Ashwood Moss 1484
- Accent: Wasabi AF-430
7. Hampshire Gray HC-101
An almost-neutral green, this earthy hue is a great alternative to charcoal gray.
- Body: Hampshire Gray HC-101
- Trim: November Rain OC-50
- Accent: Boreal Forest AF-480
8. Sweet Rosy Brown 1302
A decadent burgundy, this color delivers pronounced purple tones and welcoming vibes.
- Body: Sweet Rosy Brown 1302
- Trim: Feather Down OC-6
- Accent: Branchport Brown HC-72
9. Caldwell Green HC-124
This hunter green with regal blue undertones brings the forest forward.
- Body: Caldwell Green HC-124
- Trim: White Heron OC-57
- Accent: Lenox Tan HC-44
10. Silver Gray 2131-60
A pale gray, this hue’s blue-green undertones is fresh and sleek.
- Body: Silver Gray 2131-60
- Trim: Brilliant White OC-150
- Accent: Sea Mist Green 2041-50
11. Van Courtland Blue HC-145
Combine Old World and contemporary style with this winning combination.
- Body: Van Courtland Blue HC-145
- Trim: White Diamond OC-61
- Accent: Classic Burgundy HC-182
12. Charcoal Slate HC-178
This striking dark gray is even more pronounced when contrasted with whites and neutrals.
- Body: Charcoal Slate HC-178
- Trim: Pure White OC-64
- Accent: Red Point Sand CC-128
13. Chambourd AF-645
For the adventurous, an exterior in a bold rich mahogany makes a statement.
- Body: Chambourd AF-645
- Trim: White Opulence OC-69
- Accent: Winter Gray 2117-60
14. Black HC-190
Black hues paired with fresh white and charismatic red always wins.
- Body: Black HC-190
- Trim: White OC-151
- Accent: Caliente AF-290
Every home is distinct. Read on for insights on some of the most popular homeowner questions when it comes to painting home exteriors.
Don’t Forget to Pick Exterior Sheen
Every exterior paint product comes in an array of different sheens. Ask your locally owned Benjamin Moore store to help you decide which sheen to go for based on your home exterior’s style and substrate.
Common sheen uses for exteriors include:
- Low Lustre (most popular): Siding, Trim
- Pearl/Satin: Siding, Trim, Shutters, Doors
- Semi-Gloss/Soft Gloss: Trim, Shutters, Doors, Architectural Details
- Gloss/High-Gloss: Doors, Architectural Details
You Can Paint Vinyl Siding
Many homeowners with vinyl siding think that they need new siding to achieve a fresh new color for their exterior. Not true!
A fresh coat of color using a high-quality exterior paint like Element Guard®, or Regal® Select Exterior High Build (shown here) offers an easier, less expensive way to give vinyl siding a gorgeous makeover.
Check out the 75 colors at your disposal in the Colors for Vinyl palette. Homeowner favorites include:
You Can Paint Stucco
Painted in creamy White Chocolate OC-127, this stucco home façade contrasts beautifully with dark green door shutters and trim. Other paint colors we love for stucco home exteriors include:
Paint Your Garage Door: Low Effort, Big Impact
Painting exterior accents like your garage door can freshen up your home’s exterior with less effort and expense.
Here, Seashell OC-120 stands out on garage doors, trim, and window mullions. To find the perfect color for your garage door, take advantage of the free Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio® app. Use the photo and video visualizers to "virtually" apply paint colors for a preview.
Which Are the Best Paints for Home Exteriors?
Benjamin Moore offers a wide range of high-quality exterior paints including:
- Aura® Exterior paint with exclusive Color Lock® technology, provides the ultimate performance for rich, full color and unprecedented durability.
- Regal® Select Exterior paint resists fading, cracking, and peeling, and provides a mildew-resistant coating for humid conditions.
- Regal® Select High Build is a thick, high build, 100% acrylic formula that bridges small cracks and voids in fewer coats.
- Element Guard® offers exceptional permeability to withstand wind-driven rain, excessive humidity and other harsh weather conditions on many surfaces, including vinyl siding.
- Woodluxe® Exterior Stains enhance the natural beauty of exterior wood surfaces like fences, decks and outdoor furniture. Woodluxe offers a wide variety of opacities and colors, while providing a mildew-resistant coating and superior protection against UV damage and other harsh weather conditions.
Questions? Visit our Benjamin Moore Store to discuss the best exterior product for your project.
The Best Way to Choose an Exterior Paint Color
To summarize:
- Create a palette based on the design elements of your home and surroundings.
- Look at colors that will synch with your home’s architectural style, natural environment and neighborhood.
- Consider the way natural light hits your home and how it will impact the paint color you choose.
- Determine which paint finish makes the most sense for your project.
Try On Exterior Colors with Samples
Sampling paint colors before you buy is important to build confidence in your final color selection. Use our brush-on 8 oz. paint color samples as follows:
- Paint your color selections onto a white foam board.
- Bring the board outside.
- Observe the color throughout the day, taking into consideration the effects of shadows and sun on the color.
Please note: Our brush-on samples are formulated for interior use only; we don’t recommend brushing paint samples directly onto your exterior.
If you want to take your exterior painting project one step further, check out how to paint a garage door, how to paint your front door, and more DIY exterior projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you choose exterior paint colors for your house?
A. When it comes to choosing exterior paint colors, the best inspiration often comes from simply stepping outside. Consider hues that are compatible with your neighborhood, as well as your home's architectural style and natural surroundings.
Homeowners typically use about three to four different paint colors on their exterior, including trim and railings, shutters, front doors, porches and patios, decks and more.
For exterior colors inspired by classic American design and architecture, check out Benjamin Moore's Historical Collection for tried and true favorites including Stonington Gray HC-170, Edgecomb Gray HC-173, and Narragansett Green HC-157.
Q. What are the most popular home exterior color ideas?
A. Start your exterior paint color journey by considering the region where you live. In the northeast, for example, popular home exterior paint colors tend towards black, gray, neutral and white. Check out Regional Color Palettes for exterior color ideas based on your locality. You can also lean into style-based color palettes, like coastal and tropicalfor inspiration.
Dark, dramatic exterior paint colors are an ongoing trend that Benjamin Moore color experts now see as a mainstay. For dark exteriors, homeowners love colors like Black Satin 2131-10, Black HC-190, Kendall Charcoal HC-166 and Dragon's Breath 1547, to name just a few. For a lighter palette, White Dove OC-17 remains one of the most popular white hues for exteriors.
Using a durable exterior paint that resists the punishing effects of weather, like Element Guard®, is also essential. Learn more about Benjamin Moore exterior paints available online, or ask your locally owned Benjamin Moore paint store for advice.
Q. What is the best exterior color for a small house?
A. Light, airy colors can make a house's exterior appear larger from the outside. White Dove OC-17, one of Benjamin Moore's most popular hues, is a favorite white paint color for exteriors. Others we love include Cloud Cover OC-25, Swiss Coffee OC-45 and Distant Gray OC-68. Explore more white paint colors in the Benjamin Moore Off White Collection.
If you are selecting a vinyl siding paint color, check out the Colors for Vinyl palette. From tried and true Revere Pewter HC-172, to rich New Hope Gray 2130-50, to classic Simply White OC-117, we've got a range of designer-essential paint colors you'll love.
Q. Should the shutter color match the front door color?
A. Many homeowners use the same color on their window shutters as the paint color on their front door. Others choose shutters that are a shade lighter or darker than the front door, which adds subtle contrast and individual style.
When looking for front door color ideas and inspiration, consider the color cues that are inside your home, like your entryway color schemes. While black tends to be the most popular paint color for a front door, green, gray and bluedoors are popular alternatives, especially when contrasted with undertones on a home's exterior.