Perfectly Suited: 15 Top-Rated Color Combinations for Your Home Exterior

Posted on Jun 21st 2018

Perfectly Suited: 15 Top-Rated Color Combinations for Your Home Exterior

Selecting a single color for the outside of your house can be difficult enough, but trying to find two or more hues that work well together makes the decision even more challenging. Whether your aim is to highlight architectural details or simply to find a co…

By Marie Proeller Hueston and Katie Nolan

Posted By Marika Dienes

Two-Tone Olive
1/15
Deep natural colors that recede into the landscape are typical of Craftsman-style houses. For this renovation, Rill Architects chose a duo of Benjamin Moore olive greens: Gloucester Sage (HC-100) and Dakota Woods Green (2139-20). A yellow-orange stain on the front door adds a lighthearted dash of color. "Front doors should always have character and draw subtle attention to themselves," Jim Rill points out.
Related: Welcome Home: 11 Fresh Ways to Spruce Up Your Front Door
Photo: rillarchitects.com
Straw and Sage
2/15

"A balanced look always provides plenty of curb appeal," says interior designer Kerrie Kelly, principal of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab, in Sacramento, California. "Starting with a neutral shade in straw yellow sets a welcoming palette, while accents in sage green give a lively look to traditional architecture. This combination is an approachable classic year-round."
Related: 9 Ways to Crank Up Curb Appeal with Nothing But Paint
Photo: kerriekelly.com
Putty and Gray
3/15
Older neighborhood dwellings guided the color choice for this Midwest home. "We chose a soft neutral for the body of the house that would allow it to stand out and yet still complement the other homes around it," reports Kristen Schammel, interior designer for Highmark Builders, in Burnsville, Minnesota. "This exterior is simple, traditional, and admired!"
Related: 7 No-Fail Exterior Paint Colors
Photo: highmark-builders.com
Red and Black
4/15

"Red is a classic color," says interior designer Cindy McClure, owner of Grossmueller's Design Consultants, in Washington, D.C. "I love using it on smaller homes because they handle the color so well. Black accents like the front door and shutters look great when set off by white trim."
Related: Before and After: DIY Facelifts for 8 Home Exteriors
Photo: grossmuellers.com
Gray and Blue
5/15

"Gray is a great neutral that can match just about any style of home and is a beautiful complement to brick," says Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. "The slightly more saturated shutters and door provide a sophisticated accent and bring in the tones of sky and sea." Seen here are Sherwin-Williams's Comfort Gray (SW 6205) and Rain (SW 6219).
Related: The Most Popular Paint Colors in America
Photo: sherwin-williams.com
Green, Cream, and Burgundy
6/15

"The combination of green, cream, and burgundy is a favorite for Victorian-style homes," reports Erika Woelfel, director of color marketing for Behr Paints. "The bold color scheme gives this home a dramatic yet warm appearance." The trio of Behr colors used here are Ivy Wreath (QE-46), Terra Sol (QE-20), and Country Lane Red (QE-07).
Related: 18 Victorian Homes We Love
Photo: behr.com
Charcoal and Lime
7/15
A wonderful way to make a bold color statement on modern houses—even the smallest ones—is to start with a strong neutral and add a bright pop of color on the front door. This home, designed by Ana Williamson Architect, in Menlo Park, California, combines two Benjamin Moore hues: Gunmetal (1602) for the siding and Tequila Lime (2028-30) on the door.
Related: 9 Bold Rooms That Will Make You Rethink Black Paint
Photo: awarchitect.com
Greige and Teal
8/15

You can still achieve a modern look without using shocking hues if those colors just aren’t for you. Here, greige—that’s gray and beige—with a teal door and natural wood and stone accents puts a modern spin on the traditional neighborhood home. This combination still looks warm and welcoming without feeling dated.
Related: America’s 50 Favorite Streets
Photo: Zillow Digs home in Edmonds, WA
Blue, Red, and Tan
9/15
Blue is a popular exterior color for homes in waterside settings like this one. Adding red and tan to highlight trim and architectural features was a eye-catching choice by designers at New Urban Home Builders, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The trio of hues also gives the lakefront compound a Scandinavian feel.
Related: 11 Paint Colors Designers Pick for Their Own Homes
Photo: ashleyavila.com
Black and White
10/15

Black and white never goes out of style. Whether you have an old home or a new build, this classic combo looks fresh forever—plus it really pops against a green lawn.
Related: The Most Popular House Styles in America Right Now
Photo: Zillow Digs home in Laguna Beach, CA
Black and Taupe
11/15

A twist on the traditional black and white color scheme. If crisp white and classic black looks classy, swapping in taupe warms up the look and brings a touch of warmth and coziness to your home exterior.
Related: 12 Outdoor Upgrades That Make Your Home More Valuable
Photo: Zillow Digs home in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Yellow and Blue
12/15

Some might think that a double dose of primary colors is too bold for a house, but when executed with finesse, it’s a real charmer. Here, aqua blue and mellow yellow keeps play off each other for a quaint effect.
Related: 9 Paint Color Rules Worth Breaking
Photo: Zillow Digs home in Coronado, CA
Brown and Sand
13/15
Nearby houses inspired the color scheme of this charming home. "The sandy color on top resembles the muted tones common on neighboring houses," says architect David Neiman, of Neiman Taber Architects, in Seattle, Washington. "The brown is a darker complement that provides a strong visual base. Red window frames add an extra punch of color."
Related: 19 Rooms That Prove Beige Isn’t Boring
Photo: neimantaber.com
Turquoise and White
14/15

Turquoise is a fun choice for those who live in warmer climates; it evokes sunny skies and the sea. If you’re nervous that it’s too bold of a color for your neighborhood, cool it down with white accents. When used in combination, the palette is bright and cheerful.
Related: 15 Tiny Beach Bungalows for Your Next Vacation
Photo: Triton Builders; Uneek Images
Taupe, Red, and White
15/15
Honor the history of your home with a simple palette. The white columns maintain the old house charm, but the soft taupe and red give it a 21st century twist.