10 Unexpected Color Schemes for Home Exteriors
Give your home’s face a brand-new look with paint picks that go beyond the everyday
Laura Gaskill
2 May 2014
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
Repainting your home’s exterior is one of the best ways to really boost curb appeal — and while professional painting isn’t the cheapest home project, changing your house color does offer a lot of bang for your buck. And keep in mind that if your current paint job is still in good shape, you could choose to just paint the trim and front door for an updated look without investing as much time or cash. See if one of these fresh exterior color scheme ideas might suit your house.
Sand and aqua. This combination calls to mind beaches and pristine aqua waves, so it’s a natural choice if you want to cultivate a coastal vibe. The aqua front door here is bold, while the underside of the porch roof and the roof overhangs suggest blue sky. White trim keeps the overall look neat and crisp. The aqua hue appears again in a custom beach glass mosaic on the stair risers.
Brick and aqua. If you have a brick home, updating the look can be as simple as painting the front door and shutters. Consider a watery shade of aqua and shiny gold hardware to brighten up traditional brick.
Black and white. A black and white palette can be classic and traditional or quite avant-garde. Try a crisp white paint on siding and an inky black on trim, doors, railings and stairs for a chic, minimalist look. The details really make this work — seek out matte black hardware for your door as a finishing touch.
Soft mint and white. A pretty, light shade of mint green looks springy and will work well on any house style. Keep it simple with all white trim or kick it up a notch with deep navy-blue shutters.
Watery blue with black shutters. Treat pale blue just as you would the soft mint in the previous picture — pair it with white trim and a navy or black door and shutters.
Mint and aqua siding. Two strong shades together is a bold look, not for the color shy. Temper the vibrant combo with plenty of white on the doors, garage and trim. Natural wood fencing brings a welcome organic note here.
Shades of gray. Many midcentury homes have a combination of brick or masonry and siding. Take a cue from this new midcentury-style home and update the look with a different shade of gray paint on each type of siding. Call attention front and center with a bright blue door.
Taupe and lupine blue. A preppy take on the classic beach-inspired pairing of sand and blue, this crisp shade of cornflower feels more New England nautical than Caribbean. Accessorize with classic white rockers or Adirondacks and Cape Cod–style lanterns.
Every blue in the book. Pale blue siding, cornflower-blue shutters and a vibrant turquoise front door add up to megawatt curb appeal. A palette with this much going on tends to work best on a small cottage or bungalow — it could be a bit overwhelming on a large colonial. Keep the details light and breezy with barn-style porch lights, white trim and a wooden porch.
Navy house, orange door. A navy house with white trim couldn’t get any more classic — but the juicy orange door adds personal flair. A bright red, lemon yellow or chartreuse door would also look stunning here.
Tell us: Which of these exterior color schemes caught your eye?
More:
Get more info about repainting a home’s exterior
Guides to picking a front door color
How to pick an exterior house color
Tell us: Which of these exterior color schemes caught your eye?
More:
Get more info about repainting a home’s exterior
Guides to picking a front door color
How to pick an exterior house color
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I like the aqua for my front door. Have a small home have neighbours on both sides. What colour should I paint the garage?
We've lived here for 20 years now. I always hated the robins egg blue but, until I started adding black accents.....now when it comes time, we will repaint it robins egg blue again! I love the 2 colors together! I painted the chimney, the corner planter, stepping stones and made a wall planter. (I put my homemade signs on it during the Holidays and seasons!