28 Exterior Color Combinations for Inviting Curb Appeal

Find the perfect exterior paint colors and color combinations with these tips.

contemporary home tiered steps
Photo: John Granen

Getting ready to paint your home's exterior? As you select colors, consider how your siding, trim, front door, and other exterior elements all work together. Find the perfect exterior paint color combinations with these tips.

01 of 28

Black + White + Aqua

black farmhouse exterior with teal door and white trim windows
Kritsada Panichgul

Black brings drama and depth to exterior paint colors. Pair black siding with white trim, which will highlight your home's architectural features and prevent the dark neutral from appearing too gloomy. Here, an aqua front door adds another element of brightness that contrasts with the inky siding and black metal roof.

Suggested paint color: Tricorn Black SW 6258, Sherwin-Williams

02 of 28

Hunter Green + Muted Sage + White

gray farmhouse exterior with white sash windows and a picket fence
Brian McWeeney

Without the lighter green gable and door, this home would look dark and uninviting. A small splash of color goes a long way, especially when framed in white trim. The chalky matte finish on the green exterior paint is a great way to make non-neutrals pair well together. The choice to paint the picket fence hunter green, rather than traditional white, keeps the attention on the home's sage green door.

Suggested paint color: Secluded Woods S420-7, Behr

03 of 28

Soft Lime + Powder Blue + White

green house front exterior front lawn landscaping
Kim Cornelison

Set a whimsical tone from the street with exterior paint colors in pretty pastel hues. This bungalow features a muted lime-green color that blends gently into the surrounding landscaping. Powder blue paint on the front steps and door playfully sets off the siding and beckons guests inside. To avoid a candy-coated effect, choose less saturated shades of the bright colors, and balance them with plenty of white trim.

Suggested paint color: Clean N Crisp PPG1220-5, PPG Paints

04 of 28

Pearl Gray + Slate Blue + White

contemporary home tiered steps
John Granen

Taking its cue from nearby stone and concrete hardscapes, this home steps quietly into view. Its peaceful palette highlights the home's best features, establishes a sense of symmetry, and fashions a fresh take on midcentury modern style. By placing the slate blue house paint at the front entry, and using bright white extensively, the homeowners created a haven with a pleasingly streamlined silhouette.

Suggested paint color: Distance SW 6243, Sherwin-Williams

05 of 28

Red + White + Blue + Beige

muted blue house with bright red door
KIM CORNELISON

A bright red front door is a warm welcome into this Tudor-style cottage. White window trim gives dimension to the home's beige trim, which is repeated on the fence as well. Light blue, as opposed to a navy blue, keeps the home from looking too much like Fourth of July decor.

Suggested paint color: Yacht Blue S490-4, Behr

06 of 28

Warm Gray + Red + Black

gray home exterior with red door
Jon Jensen

Especially on smaller or more traditional-style homes, simplicity works best for exterior color combinations. Neutral siding colors, like warm gray, create a solid foundation. Then introduce color in small doses, such as a glossy red front door, to create a focal point that doesn't overwhelm the exterior color scheme. Here, a touch of black supplied by the shutters and mailbox, contrasted in white trim, keeps the look crisp and modern.

Suggested paint color: Silent Night 1613, Benjamin Moore

07 of 28

Lavender + White + Purple

lavender gray siding on cottage exterior
Dana Gallagher

Lavender is an unexpected addition to an exterior color scheme, especially when paired with an equally colorful door. To tone down the lavender, choose a pastel shade with cool gray undertones. The neutral color palette will modernize your home's exterior.

Suggested paint color: Super Nova 4004-9A, Valspar

08 of 28

Navy + White + Turquoise

blue house exterior with shakers and turquoise door
Kim Cornelison

This home has two different siding types, but a single color unifies them. The dark navy hides the textural differences, while white trim pops against the classic shade of blue. A fun turquoise front door is a welcoming touch.

Suggested paint color: Singing The Blues PPG1159-7, PPG Paints

09 of 28

Forest Green + White + Lime

Forest Green White Home Exterior
Peter Margonelli

The brick facade on this home was the inspiration for its color palette. The forest green color on the siding was drawn from the brick itself, and the white trim was chosen to brighten the exterior. A bright lime-green door puts a modern twist on the traditional home.

Suggested paint color: Avon Green HC-126, Benjamin Moore

10 of 28

Cocoa + Olive + Off-White + Russet

contemporary home tan siding
Brie Williams

Dark olive brick steps and foundation firmly anchor the cocoa brown siding to nearby perennial borders. Olive green lightens to moss green window sashes, which are highlighted by off-white trim. The door's russet hue has orange undertones that allow it to stand out from the brown siding. Choosing light and dark shades of neutrals inspired by nature as exterior paint colors helps fashion an entrance that steps lightly on the landscape.

Suggested paint color: Still Searching PPG13-31, PPG Paints

11 of 28

Seafoam Green + White

pale blue white house exterior
James Yochum

Seafoam green is an expected exterior paint color for a beach house surrounded by sand, but this stunning blue-green home is tucked away in the trees. Its standout exterior color combination is a refreshing contrast to the forest foliage. White is a no-fail complementary color to any pastel hue and, when used on trim, delicately frames the house in its lush environment.

Suggested paint color: Icy Blue 5004-9A, Valspar

12 of 28

Iron Gray + Arctic White

modern a-frame home exterior
Edmund Barr

Planning an exterior remodel? Consider siding in a new hue for a colorful makeover with staying power. Advances in technology have created siding options that are resistant to both chipping and fading, which can mean less upkeep for you and vibrant color for years to come.

Suggested paint color: Sharkskin PPU25-04, Behr

13 of 28

Light Gray + Copper + Beige

neutral exterior home colors
Michael Garland

From the first glance, these neutral exterior paint colors pack a surprising punch. Passersby are first drawn to the stone accent wall that features varying shades of tan and brown. Its textured look continues onto the porch floor and surround. Meanwhile, two wood beams stained in a copper shade mark the boundaries of the entryway. Cool gray paint on the remaining exterior walls provides a neutral backdrop that lets the other colors do the talking.

Suggested paint color: Wish AF-680, Benjamin Moore

14 of 28

Red Brick + Navy Blue + White

Colonial style brick house exterior
David A Land

Red and blue is a classic exterior color combination that looks good all year. This home's rich red brick exterior is traditional in all facets. Shutters painted deep navy blue match the front door and frame the windows without stealing the show. Bright white trim makes a grand appearance around the entry and on the picket fence. This all-American house exterior will never go out of style.

Suggested paint color: Victory Blue PPG1165-7, PPG Paints

15 of 28

Sage Green + Cream + Yellow

white brick house green roofing
David Tsay

Incorporate sage green into your home's exterior paint colors for a pretty, muted scheme. Green roofing is this home's statement feature and it pairs well with the surrounding tree canopy. A soft yellow door and matching curtains on the front porch add a pinch of bright color to the mix. A coat of cream paint on the walls ties the look together.

Suggested paint color: Alabaster SW 7008, Sherwin-Williams

16 of 28

Apricot + White + Smoky Gray

peach siding home wraparound porch
Helen Norman

A classic farmhouse takes a contemporary turn, thanks to a refreshingly cheerful color palette. Soft apricot exterior paint sets the siding aglow, glossy white paint highlights the home's vintage details, and smoky gray paint adds visual weight to the front door and window sashes. Appreciate this home's welcoming outlook? Coat your home's siding in warm colors with yellow or red undertones.

Suggested paint color: Popcorn Kernel 310, Benjamin Moore

17 of 28

Stormy Gray + Paprika Red + Bright White

modern blue exterior red trim
John Curtis

Cool gray siding fashions an exterior that's easy on the eye and benefits from warming touches of paprika red. The spicy red highlights the roof peak, outlines windows, accents the front door, and defines the porch trim. White pops up in window sashes to bring dimension and brightness to the façade. Use rich exterior colors with a touch of sheen to give your home old-fashioned character.

Suggested paint color: Grey Brook 5001-1B, Valspar

18 of 28

Salmon + Jade + Rusty Brown

europe-inspired stucco exterior
Michael Partenio

This exterior's rough surface causes the salmon exterior paint to appear as varying dark and light shades, which creates a time-weathered look that suits the home's old-world architecture. Saturated jade green shutters punctuate the elegant facade with jewel-tone richness. The brown window trim and front door pair nicely with the salmon, since the outdoor paint colors share the same orange undertones.

Suggested paint color: Prairie Rose M170-2, Behr

19 of 28

Chocolate + Chartreuse + Sand

contemporary exterior bright green trim
Nancy Nolan

Green and brown associate naturally, but when the green takes a turn toward yellow, the pairing is pleasantly surprising. Chartreuse trim stands out as a high-energy counterpoint to rustic stone walls and earthen siding and firmly links the home to like-colored garden plantings. When looking for exterior paint ideas, take your cue from features that can't easily be changed. Consider your home's roofing, stonework, and landscape to help narrow your color choices.

Suggested paint color: Slap Happy PPG1217-7, PPG Paints

20 of 28

White + Black + Gray

white farmhouse wrap-around porch
Werner Straube

You don't need multiple exterior house paint colors to have your home stand out. White trim, white siding, and white railings give this farmhouse crisp, clean appeal. A gable vent painted black and charcoal gray steps take their color cue from the home's metal roof. The dark paint finishes and white surfaces enhance the home's historic country profile and complement its river rock foundation.

Suggested paint color: Bit Of Sugar PR-W14, Behr

21 of 28

Buttercream Yellow + White + Black

pale yellow home exterior
Dana Gallagher

If you'd like your house to be appreciated from the street, do as these homeowners did: Paint your home's body a creamy yellow, then complement the hue with bright white accents. Set off by a black shingled and metal roof, the calming colors advance from the surrounding greenery. Painting window trims and sashes make the windows appear larger.

Suggested paint color: Daybreak SW 6700, Sherwin-Williams

22 of 28

Pine Green + Red-Brown + White

craftsman style home exterior
Edmund Barr

Field and forest colors suit a Craftsman-style home perfectly. Shutters painted forest green are dark enough to be seen against the rusty brown exterior. White paint brings the porch walls and columns out of the roof's shadow and handily highlights the green shutters and a front door stained to match the siding. Before choosing your outdoor paint palette, research exterior paint schemes associated with your home's architectural style.

Suggested paint color: True Green 2042-10, Benjamin Moore

23 of 28

Brick Red + Gingerbread Orange + Brown

red brown home front exterior
Laurie Black

Though this home's main exterior paint colors are shades of red and orange, they play nicely together due to the shared brown undertones that give them a muted appearance. Brown shingled roofs and window trim enhance without disrupting the view. Since ever-shifting natural light affects how paint colors are viewed, take the fan decks and paint chips outside and look at them on bright and cloudy days. Better yet, experts suggest trying three colors (for the shutters, trim, and siding, for example) on the front of your home and stepping across the street to see how the combination works.

Suggested paint color: Rojo Colonial PPG13-15, PPG Paints

24 of 28

Olive + Celery + Ivy + Terra-Cotta + Cream

green victorian red accent exterior
Jay Wilde

This historic Victorian does color right. Three shades of green—with olive on the main-level siding, celery on the upper-level siding, and ivy accents on trim, windows, and gables—produce an easy-going, yet multifaceted backdrop for bolder terra-cotta accents and cream architectural details. If you prefer a mostly monochromatic look, choose the darkest, the lightest, and a mid tone color from one paint-chip strip as your palette's primary players.

Suggested paint color: Mild Evergreen 6003-5C, Valspar

25 of 28

Taupe + Camel + Periwinkle Blue + Eggplant

pale blue home bright trim
Matthew Benson

Trim painted camel emphasizes this home's shape, making it appear wider and taller. The rich camel tone shows up again to bring out the windows and entry door. Window frames in an eggplant hue sound a playful note and work with periwinkle blue details to add architectural interest to the plainly profiled abode. Take a close look at the roof shingles, and you'll see where the homeowners found the inspiration for this scheme's blue and purple accent tones.

Suggested paint color: Honest P530-3, Behr

26 of 28

Gray + White + Cobalt Blue

gray home white trim exterior
David Tsay

You can't miss when combining gray and white on a home's exterior. No matter the shade, gray beautifully sets off white trim, as well as a wide variety of other colors. At this house, cobalt blue turns an entry door enchanting and repeats in simple lines accenting the roof and soffits.

Suggested paint color: Blueberry 2063-30, Benjamin Moore

27 of 28

White + Aquamarine + Tangerine

contemporary cottage orange door
John Bessler

White exteriors remain popular for their pristine appearance and go-with-anything properties. This farmhouse takes a flashy turn, thanks to calypso-style accent hues. Aquamarine shutters beautifully frame the windows, while a tangerine door moves to center stage. For a balanced exterior color combination, choose three tones for your home's exterior: a neutral hue for the body, a notable accent color for trim and shutters, and to draw attention, a punchy color for the door.

Suggested paint color: Navel SW 6887, Sherwin-Williams

28 of 28

Country Blue + White + Black

modern blue home front exterior
Anthony Masterson

Blue is one of the best exterior paint colors. This calming and notable hue works especially well on homes set in established neighborhoods or on tree-lined streets. On this true-blue exterior, trim painted white outlines the roof peaks and windows. Black paint highlights sashes and dentil moldings around the windows and the door trim. To direct traffic to the front door, white columns frame the front steps.

Suggested paint color: Canyon Blue PPG1155-6, PPG Paints

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