When people come to your house, the exterior paint color is probably the first thing they’ll notice. So, you’ll want to choose a color you feel comfortable with that won’t quickly go out of style. If you’re about to sell your house, you may want to choose an in-demand color that appeals to many people.
Painting a house’s exterior is a big task, so it’s not a decision to take lightly. If you’re struggling to settle on a house color, maybe one of the most popular exterior paints will interest you.
Top 10 Most Popular Exterior Paint Colors for Houses
Popular paint colors on houses regularly change with the trends, but some have consistently been favorites in recent years. Below are ten great exterior house colors that might catch your eye.
1. Blue-Gray
Many people adore the color blue, but using bright blue for a home’s exterior can be overwhelming and make a house stand out like a sore thumb. As an alternative to the vibrant hue, many people are choosing a color that includes a mix of blue and gray to tone down the blue. Some versions of gray-blue are dark, rich colors, while others are pale. All types of blue-gray are popular choices.
Blue-gray homes are described as whimsical and serene. The hue can also be seen as more sophisticated and professional than other types of blue. It’s a good choice for houses along the water.
2. Gray
Gray is the perfect exterior paint color for someone looking for a simpler design. Light gray is the most common option because it’s soothing and neutral. Dark gray is bolder and stands out more, so it’s considered serious and mystifying. People who paint their homes gray may be seen as mature and stable.
When people paint their house gray, they usually pair it with bright colors to add contrast, such as a vibrant door or colorful flowerbeds. Gray is a common color to choose if you live in an area where you don’t want your house to stick out.
3. Taupe
Taupe is a neutral color that looks like pale brown. It can have tints of gray or green in it to add some variety. It’s a simple, classic color that has consistently been popular. People who paint their home taupe may be perceived as practical and reliable.
This color is most commonly used for rural homes, especially cottages and modern farmhouses. The paint color also seems to stay consistent as it ages, while vibrant colors may become faded or develop a yellow tint. Thus, taupe is often favorable over similar colors.
4. Sage Green
Sage green is often described as a pale green, similar to olive. It can give a house a unique appearance without making it stick out too much. It’s an earthy tone that works best for homes surrounded by nature, such as a place with extravagant landscaping. It also looks great on Victorian-style homes.
Houses of this color are viewed as peaceful and inviting. Many people pair sage green with white trim and a vibrant color, like red or blue, for the door.
5. Deep Blue
When repainting old houses, many people turn to deep shades of blue to make the structures look more modern. This dark blue is commonly paired with white trim because it helps the blue pop. The color is most common for residences in warm climates, especially near beaches, but it can also look pleasant in a typical neighborhood.
People who paint their homes deep blue might be thought of as trustworthy and smart. This relaxing color stands out from neutral colors without being obnoxious like a vibrant color might. That’s why many individuals who love color are drawn to it.
6. Burgundy
If you want to help your house stand out and give it some personality, burgundy might be the way to do it. Burgundy is a red-purple color, making it easier on the eyes than fire engine red. It’s a sign of intensity and power, so the paint color is often used for houses on large properties.
However, all shades of red can be overwhelming on a home, so to tone it down, you should pair it with some light-colored trim or bricks. Otherwise, a house with too much burgundy may resemble a barn.
7. Off-White
White and off-white are both great colors for people wanting to keep their house exterior simple. Many people favor off-white over pure white because it’s softer and gentler. It’s seen as elegant and sophisticated, while pure white focuses more on perfection and cleanliness.
Off-white can look lovely in almost any location, but it’s better suited for warm climates so it doesn’t blend in with snow during the winter months. This color especially looks good when paired with other neutral colors like gray and brown. However, if you want a pop of color, you can choose a lively paint color for your front door.
8. Warm Brown
Warm brown is a simple, welcoming color. It can make a house feel homey and secure. The color isn’t always described as the same type of brown, but most people compare warm brown to the color of cinnamon.
Since this is a neutral color that doesn’t stick out, it can work well in any setting. It’s an especially good color for fancy neighborhoods, rustic homes, and lots surrounded by nature.
9. Caviar
Caviar is the name of a popular exterior paint color that’s a type of black. It’s not as dark as solid black, and it seems to have a hint of brown in it. It’s a great color to use on homes with modern styles.
Any type of black paint on a home is considered dramatic and mysterious. Despite being so dark, this color may stand out from the neutral colors around it because of its uniqueness. It’s most commonly paired with browns and grays.
10. Gray-Green
If sage green is still too bright for you, you should consider gray-green for your house color. This color is used to describe any toned-down version of green. It keeps the house looking colorful without having the exterior paint stand out too much. It looks especially great with white trim.
This pale green color looks gorgeous in any neighborhood, especially if the house has a beautiful garden in front of it. People who choose this color are often seen as humble and easygoing.
Tips for Choosing an Exterior House Color
It may seem natural to settle on the color you like best for your home, but before you make that final decision, there are a few things to consider. Think about the following aspects before you start painting your home’s exterior.
Location
Where you live and who your neighbors are may influence your decision. Of course, you can’t let other people tell you what color your home has to be, but it’s a good idea to make sure it fits in with the nearby environment. For example, if you live along the beach by other light-colored houses, a black exterior could make your home stand out in a bad way, hurting the resale value for you and your neighbors. A home will look most appealing if it complements the colors around it.
Landscaping
Neighboring homes aren’t the only colorful objects that will surround your home. If there’s a garden, trees, or a fence, the colors of those objects will look best if your house color goes well with them. Think about how your house color will look next to your plants during every season to make sure there won’t be any unpleasant contrasts.
Other Materials
The paint color you choose won’t cover every inch of your home. Your roof, along with any bricks and stones, will remain the same color when you repaint, so your paint color should match those areas well. If the other materials on your house are neutral colors, then finding a color that looks good with them shouldn’t be too difficult.
Resale Value
Finally, don’t forget about the resale value of your home when painting it, especially if you might be selling it in the next few years. You should pick a color you enjoy that’s also appealing to potential buyers. So, even if you are in love with a vibrant color scheme, you should remember that it may be too overwhelming for the average person. If you don’t want to paint your house based on a future resale value, then you need to be aware that you’ll likely need to repaint again when it’s time to sell the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
No major decision can be made without asking some questions. Here are a few things people commonly wonder about when painting a house’s exterior.
How Often Should You Repaint a House?
No matter what type of paint you choose, all houses will need to be repainted at some point. Houses may need to be repainted every 5 to 20 years, but the exact number depends on the paint quality, exterior material, and craftsmanship.
How Many Coats of Paint Does a House Exterior Need?
Most houses need at least two coats of paint. However, more coats can help the paint job last longer. If you’re painting over a dark paint color with a lighter one, more coats of paint may be necessary.
What Types of Paint Are Used on House Exteriors?
The three main types of exterior house paints are acrylic, latex, and oil-based. Oil-based has decreased in popularity due to health restrictions, but acrylic and latex are both popular today.
Choosing the Right Paint Color for Your House
Choosing a color for a house is a big decision, whether you’re painting a new house or repainting an old one. Familiarizing yourself with popular house colors is a great place to start, but your choices aren’t limited to those hues. Think about what colors would work best with the house’s style and determine which of those colors can also fit the home’s location, resale value, and future color trends.
With all this in mind, you should have a better idea of what color to paint your home. It’s always great to follow your heart, but don’t forget to think about the decision logically too.
Read Next: A Peek Under the Roof: What Your House Color Says About You
