11 Top-Rated Exterior Color Combinations

It’s hard enough to select a single exterior color for your home, but trying to find two or more hues that complement each other and give your house an entire finished look can be pretty complex.

Your exterior house colors can significantly alter the appearance, quality and value that is perceived by both potential homebuyers and visitors.

The right combination of colors can turn an average-looking home into a stunning property, while the wrong choice of colors can make even the most luxurious house look tacky and uninviting.

Regardless of whatever color selection and combination you choose, you can bet it’ll give your house its own feel and personality. Whether you want your home to ooze sophistication or just look fun and inviting, the right colors can help you achieve your goal.

In this article, we’ll go over the basic exterior house paint colors, the associated personalities that they carry and our top color combination choices that are sure to drive some inspiration!

Basic Types of Exterior Paint

Before you dive in and try and pick your colors, you first need to know what kind of paint you will be working with. There are three main types of exterior paints:

Masonry Paint: This kind of paint is best suited for concrete, stone and bricks. It can also be used on cement render.
Textured Paint: As the name suggests, this paint is designed to add texture and dimension to a surface. It is often used on rough surfaces like stucco.
Smooth Paint: Smooth paint is the most common type of exterior paint. It can be used on any surface, from wood to Masonry.
Primer and Sealer: Primer is applied before the paint and helps to improve adhesion and durability. Sealer is applied after the paint and helps to protect the paint from weathering.

Whichever type of exterior paint you choose, make sure it is designed for the specific surface you are painting.

The Personality of Exterior Color

Colors have a wonderful way of making us feel a certain way. In fact, it’s backed by science!

Colors can affect our mood, emotions, behavior and even our perception. Different colors can make us feel happy, sad, anxious, excited and more.

With that said, color schemes for houses can give off different vibes as well. Choosing the right exterior color can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your home.

Here are some of the best exterior paint colors that are commonly associated with certain personalities:

White – Formal, Pure & Simple

White is the color of innocence and purity. It’s clean and classic looking, which can come across as formal or more minimalistic. A usual favorite, this color is best suited for homes with lush lawns and greenery.

Red – Vibrant & Passionate

Red is a very bold color that oozes confidence. It’s often associated with love, passion and energy. People who are attracted to red are usually outgoing. Using red brick instead of paint can give your home a more timeless look.

Yellow – Optimistic & Happy

Yellow is the color of sunshine and happiness. It’s often associated with positive feelings like optimism, joy and creativity. People who are going for a yellow exterior color are usually looking to add a touch of cheerfulness to their home.

Black – Bold & Powerful

Black is a strong and commanding color. It’s often associated with power, sophistication and mystery. People who dress well or who are trying to go for a classy look might paint their homes black.

Blue – Calming & Serene

Blue is the color of the sky and the ocean. It’s often associated with feelings of calmness, peace and serenity. Blue exterior house colors are perfect for people who are more laid back and want to create a relaxing environment.

11 Eye-catching Exterior Color Scheme Combinations

Now that we’ve got all sorts of knowledge on how the exterior colors of your home can showcase your (or its own) personality, here are some house color ideas to get those creative juices flowing.

Blue & Tan with Red Trims

If you’re going for more of a Scandinavian feel, pair blue with tan. You can also add red trims to really make the colors pop.

This is a great color combination for any home, no matter what style you’re going for, but it’s especially great for highlighting your trim and any architectural features your house may have.

Classic Black & White Combo

Black and white homes are a classic – it never goes out of style! Whether your home was built in the 1950s or 2000s, this color combination can create a fresh look that’ll stand the test of time.

Black and white looks stunning against a lush green lawn, and the contrast can really make your home pop!

What’s also great about this combination is that it’s easy to change up. You can add a bright accent color to make it stand out, or go for a more subtle look with gray or beige.

Brown & Beige with Red Accents

Different shades of brown and beige give a home’s exterior a lot of dimensions, while red accents add a touch of color without being overwhelming.

This particular color scheme is perfect for those who want a charming home without having to worry about maintaining a lot of different colors. Plus, it’s easy to change up the red accents if you ever want to give your home a fresh look.

Turquoise, White and Gray

If you live in a warmer climate, turquoise is a great house color to consider. It evokes sunny skies and the sea and has a calming effect and can help reflect heat. This makes your home more comfortable during the hot summer months.

Combine it with white and gray, and you have a palette that is not only eye-catching but also easy to work with. Use white trim and gray accents to balance out the turquoise and give your home a cheerful, yet refined look.

Shades of Olive Green

Green exterior house colors that blend into the landscape are usually found in Craftsman-style houses. Shades of olive green can also be found on Cape Cod-style houses and other traditional home styles.

You can even add a splash by adding a yellow-orange stain on the front door. This will make it stand out and add a touch of playfulness to the more subdued green tones.

Straw Yellow & Sage Green

A great year-round color scheme, siding paint in straw yellow and accenting it with sage green is perfect for making your home’s exterior stand out.

Use sage green on your window shutters, front door or garage door to add a pop of contrast against the straw yellow siding. This color scheme is perfect for homes in any location, from the suburbs to the beach.

Classic Red & Black

Red has always been a classic color, and adding black to accent it can really take the classiness to a whole new level.

Smaller homes can look much grander with black and red, while still keeping the elegance. Black trim around the doors and windows can make a huge statement on any home, and a red and black house with cedar accents will give it that extra touch of luxury.

Shades of Gray

Gray is such a great exterior color because it is neutral and can match just about any home style. Plus, it is easy to find complementary colors that will make your home stand out from the rest.

Having various shades of gray will give your home more dimension and make it more interesting to look at. Try pairing light gray with white, dark gray with black or even mixing different shades of gray together.

Cream, Burgundy & Green Trio

The combination of cream, burgundy and green can be used on a home’s exterior trim, shutters or even the front door. It gives off a dramatic yet warm vibe that can make any home stand out.

This trio is a favorite for Victorian-style homes as it adds a touch of elegance. When using this color scheme, it is important to keep the trim colors light and the accent colors dark to create a contrast that will make the home’s features pop.

Charcoal with Bright Contrasting Colors

Looking to make a bold statement? Use charcoal as your exterior color for your home and add a bright contrasting color as an accent. It’s a great way to add a bright pop of color without overdoing it.

Bright colors such as lime, orange or pink are perfect for this look. Not sure what color to choose? Try a few different colors out and see which one you like best!

Gray & Beige with Teal Contrasts

Want a modern look but don’t want to use intense color hues? Use gray and beige as your base colors and add teal as an accent to achieve a stylish and sophisticated look for your home’s exterior color.

You can do gray side paneling with a teal door and natural wood or stone accents to give some contrast and visual interest to your home’s facade. Beige can be used for the main body color with a darker shade of gray for the trim.

It’s Time For a Fresh Coat of Paint

With so many colors to choose from, it can be difficult to decide on the perfect hue for your home exterior. But by taking into account the type of home you have, the paint you want to use and what colors compliment those elements best, narrowing down your options becomes much easier.

And don’t forget about what makes you happy! Choosing a color that reflects your unique personality is always a good idea.

If you’re still having trouble deciding, don’t worry! Exscape Designs is here to help.