It’s What’s on the Outside That Matters

Five trends in exterior home colors.

Choosing a paint color for your home’s exterior can seem like a crazily daunting task. So many options! So crucial in making the right first impression on guests or potential buyers! Should you go with basic beige, white, or (way) outside the paintbox?

Thanks in part to influential designers like Joanna Gaines, more homeowners today are stepping away from the traditional and choosing less common modern palettes, like cheery teal or moody charcoal gray.

“We’re seeing homeowners go a bit bolder when it comes to curb appeal,” says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at BEHR. “While variations of white traditionally make a popular exterior paint color choice for many different types of housing styles—and are an easy way to play it safe—dark grays and browns are increasing in popularity this year … [or] painting the body a bold color like green or blue, or adding a pop of red on the front door.”

Sue Kim, senior color designer at Sherwin-Williams, agrees.

“Accent colors and colorful pastels are suggesting that homeowners are taking a step outside of their comfort zone,” she says.

Here’s a look at some of the top trends in exteriors right now.

1. Sea blues

Eager to venture beyond a neutral palette but antsy about committing to too much flash? Watery hues are a charming way to settle the conflict easily.

From faint skylike shades to rich jewel tones, blues can make a big splash without requiring the learning curve of more outspoken colors. Look no further than Sherwin-Williams 2018 color of the year, Oceanside—an intense shade of blue-green that, according to the company’s color experts, encapsulates our growing sense of adventure.

On the contrary, blue—being the perfect chameleon that it is—can also offer up a serene vibe. With all the technology taking over our days, Kim says, a light sea-meets-the-horizon blue can bring some feeling of calm when you drive up to your house.

“A light and crisp sea blue provides a renewing moment that we’re craving,” she says.

Try: Sherwin-Williams Oceanside (172-C7) or BEHR Waterfall (HDC-CT-16B).

2. All black

It might feel like a scary choice, but a dark exterior can really make your home (and the trim) stand out.

“An interesting trend we’ve been seeing is all-black exteriors,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “It makes a statement and is a marked departure from the light neutrals of Scandinavian design.”

It’s no surprise the look has proven a go-to for certain top-tier celebs. Whether it’s Calvin Klein’s all-black-and-glass mansion in the Hamptons or, just down the road, Madonna’s moody black farmhouse-style compound, a black exterior demands a certain degree of chutzpah. But if you can pull the trigger, it’s a contemporary look that conveys a fearless sophistication.

Try: Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black (251-C1) for a bold, black, or Benjamin Moore Twilight Zone (2127-10) for a matte look.

3. Taupe

If you’re looking for an alternative to gray, Woelfel recommends taupe—a cross between dark brown and gray.

“Grays remain a key neutral for exteriors, but warmer tones in taupe and brown are on the rise,” she says. “Taupe is a great foundation that looks stunning on a variety of architectural types and pairs well with white trim and a bright-red front door.”

But a word of caution: When going with taupe (or any shade of brown or gray, really) be sure to consider your home’s position in relation to the sun.

“It will drastically impact how the color appears,” Woelfel says.

Try: Sherwin Williams Tavern Taupe (7508) or BEHR Classic Taupe (2903-E).

4. Spanish moss

Even if you live in the ‘burbs, a nature-inspired color can make your home look and feel more like a retreat. That’s why Vincente Wolf, a spokesman for PPG paints, recommends going with a woodsy green, like Spanish moss.

“It has all the brownish tones of tree bark, which allows the house to slip into nature and makes the greenery pop, too,” Wolf says.

Try: Valspar Spanish Moss (349-6).

5. Neutral with a bold front door

Not ready to take the plunge on a new coat for your home? Consider a fun front-door color to change the entire look of your exterior. Try a bright red, blue, or even pastel to show off your home’s personality.

“A bold color makes an impression on anyone who walks through the front door,” Woelfel says.

Try: BEHR Flirt Alert (P150-7) or Modern Masters Satin Tranquil Blue.