Choosing the right exterior paint colours for your home is more than just about aesthetics. The colours you pick will define your home’s character and can even affect its value. But with so many options available, making the right choice can be daunting. Here’s a simplified guide to help you select the perfect exterior house paint colours.

How to Decide What Colour to Paint Your House Exterior?

1. Work With Your Home’s Existing Elements

What you need is to work around what you already have, because changing everything can be expensive. Take a close look at your home’s current colours and features. This includes the roof, stones, bricks, and any permanent landscaping components. It’s essential to choose exterior paint colours that complement these existing elements. The key is to harmonize with the colours you already have in play rather than trying to completely reinvent them. By doing so, you can achieve a cohesive look without the need for a costly overhaul.

2. Consider Your Home’s Style

The architectural style of your home can be a valuable reference point in selecting the right colours. Traditional homes with classic designs usually look best with timeless, neutral shades like white, beige, or gray. On the other hand, modern and contemporary homes can handle bolder and more vibrant colours.

3. Evaluate Your Surroundings

One way to ensure your home’s exterior paint colours blend seamlessly with the environment is by observing other homes in your neighbourhood. Consider the dominant colour schemes used in the area and choose a complementary colour for your own home. This will not only create a cohesive look but could also add value to your property.

4. Keep It Simple

While experimenting with different colours can be fun, it’s best to stick to a maximum of three main colours for your home exterior. This includes the primary colour for your walls, a secondary colour for accents like shutters or trim, and a third colour for small details like the front door or window frames.

5. Don’t Forget About Lighting

Natural light can greatly impact how your chosen exterior paint colours appear. A colour that looks perfect in the shade may look completely different under direct sunlight. Consider how much natural light your home receives throughout the day and test out sample colours in different lighting conditions before making a final decision.

6. Think About Maintenance

Choosing the right exterior paint colour means considering long-term maintenance as well. Darker shades tend to fade faster and require more upkeep, while lighter colours are more forgiving and can hide imperfections. Take into account the level of maintenance you are willing to commit to when making your final decision.

7. Get Professional Advice

When in doubt, it’s always best to consult with a professional. A colour consultant or an experienced painter can provide valuable insights and help you choose the perfect exterior paint colours for your home. They can also advise on the best type of paint to use for your specific climate and exterior materials.

Best Exterior House Colors 2024

When selecting the best exterior paint for 2024, it’s essential to consider choices that not only enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal but also offer practical benefits. Here are some top recommendations:

White or Off-White

Opting for white or off-white as the exterior paint colour of your home is a timeless choice that offers a range of benefits. Firstly, these lighter hues have a remarkable capability to make your home appear more spacious, welcoming, and radiant. They reflect sunlight effectively, contributing to a cooler interior in warmer climates and reducing energy costs. Furthermore, white or off-white exteriors fit seamlessly with any style of architecture, enhancing the property’s curb appeal and potentially its resale value.

When considering the best exterior white paint brands, we recommend:

• Sherwin-Williams: For those leaning towards a pristine white, Sherwin-Williams offers ‘Extra White’ as part of their Duration® Exterior Acrylic Latex line. This paint is known for its durability and resistance to weathering, making it an excellent choice for maintaining a fresh look over the years.
• Benjamin Moore: For off-white enthusiasts, Benjamin Moore’s ‘Simply White’ from their Aura® Exterior Paint line is a top contender. It provides a slight warmth that enhances the architectural details of your home without overwhelming them. The Aura line is also celebrated for its Color Lock® technology, ensuring the colour’s longevity and vibrancy.
• Valspar®: Valspar’s ‘Ultra White’ from the Valspar Reserve® Exterior line is another excellent option for homeowners seeking a bright white. This paint is renowned for its stain resistance and easy cleanability, making it a practical choice for busy households.

Black or Charcoal Gray

For a more dramatic and contemporary look, black or charcoal gray can be fantastic exterior paint colours for 2024. These dark hues offer a bold contrast to natural surroundings and create a striking statement, particularly in modern homes. When paired with white accents like trim or shutters, these colours can make your home stand out in the best way possible.

Some top recommended paint brands for black or charcoal gray are:

• Behr: Behr’s ‘Carbon’ from their Marquee® Exterior Paint line is a rich, deep charcoal colour that can add a touch of sophistication to your home’s exterior. This paint also boasts advanced dirt and fade resistance, ensuring long-lasting beauty.
• PPG Paints™: PPG Paints™ offers ‘Black Magic’ from their Timeless® Exterior Paint line. This pure black colour is ideal for achieving a high-contrast look and provides exceptional coverage, durability, and resistance to cracking and peeling.
• Dunn-Edwards: Dunn-Edwards’ ‘Night Watch’ from their EVERSHIELD® Exterior Paint line is a trending dark green, bordering on black. This colour is perfect for homeowners looking to make a statement without going completely black. It also features exceptional hide and coverage, making it an efficient choice for achieving your desired look.

Sandstone or Terracotta

In recent years, natural tones like sandstone and terracotta have gained popularity as exterior paint colours. These earthy hues offer a warm and inviting touch to any home’s exterior, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a more rustic or Mediterranean-inspired look.

For trusted brands in these colours, we recommend:

• Clark+Kensington®: Clark+Kensington’s ‘Grecian Marble’ from their Exterior line is a beautiful sandstone colour that can bring a sense of calm and serenity to your home. This paint also features advanced UV protection, making it resistant to fading and cracking.
• Farrow & Ball: Farrow & Ball’s ‘Red Earth’ from their Modern Emulsion Exterior line is a striking terracotta colour that can add warmth and character to your home’s façade. This paint also boasts excellent durability and weather resistance, making it suitable for all climates.
• PPG Paints™: PPG Paints™ offers ‘Rustique’ from their Timeless® Exterior Paint line, which is another beautiful terracotta option. This colour offers high coverage, exceptional durability, and resistance to dirt and grime, making it a practical choice for any home.

Beige or Taupe

Beige and taupe are classic exterior paint colours that have stood the test of time. These neutral tones offer a sophisticated and timeless look to any home, making them a safe choice for homeowners who don’t want to stray too far from traditional colour palettes.

Some of the top brands include:

• Benjamin Moore: Benjamin Moore’s ‘Revere Pewter’ from their Aura® Exterior Paint line is a popular taupe colour that can add depth and warmth to your home’s exterior. This paint also boasts exceptional fade resistance, ensuring the colour stays true for years to come.
• Sherwin-Williams: Sherwin-Williams offers ‘Safari’ from their SuperPaint® Exterior Acrylic Latex line, which is a lovely beige colour with subtle green undertones. This paint features advanced UV protection and excellent adhesion, making it an ideal choice for homes in sunny or humid climates.
• Valspar®: Valspar’s ‘Champagne Mist’ from their Reserve® Exterior line is a soft beige with a hint of peach that adds a touch of elegance to any home’s exterior. This paint also offers exceptional resistance to fading, cracking, and peeling, ensuring long-lasting beauty.

Gray or Greige

Gray and greige (a combination of gray and beige) have been dominating the exterior paint colour scene in recent years. These versatile shades offer a modern and chic look to any home, making them a popular choice for homeowners looking to update their curb appeal.

Some highly recommended brands for these colours are:

• Benjamin Moore: Benjamin Moore’s ‘Edgecomb Gray’ from their Regal® Select Exterior line is a beautiful greige colour that can add warmth and sophistication to your home. This paint also features advanced fade resistance, ensuring long-lasting beauty.
• Behr: Behr’s ‘Classic Silver’ from their Premium Plus Ultra® Exterior Paint line is a light gray with blue undertones that offers a cool and clean look to your home’s exterior. This paint also boasts advanced dirt and fade resistance, making it suitable for all climates.
• Sherwin-Williams: Sherwin-Williams’ ‘Dovetail’ from their Emerald® Exterior Acrylic Latex line is a popular medium gray colour that can add depth and drama to any home’s façade. This paint also features exceptional durability and protection against harsh weather conditions.

Exterior Paint Colors FAQs

How do I choose the colour combination for my exterior house?

Choosing the right colour combination for your house exterior involves considering several factors. Look at the style of your home, the surrounding landscape, and the colour palette of nearby buildings. It can also be helpful to draw inspiration from nature, as natural colours tend to harmonize well together. Experiment with colour swatches in natural lighting and consider consulting with a professional designer or using online tools to visualize the colours of your home.

Should exterior paint be lighter or darker?

The choice between lighter or darker exterior paint depends on the effect you wish to create. Lighter colours can make a building appear larger and more inviting, reflecting more sunlight and potentially leading to cooler interior temperatures in warm climates. Darker colours offer a bold, dramatic look, but they can absorb more heat and may fade more over time. The climate, architectural style, and landscape can all influence whether a lighter or darker colour is more appropriate.

What is the best colour to paint the outside of a house?

The best colour for painting the outside of a house often depends on its architectural style, the surrounding environment, and personal preference. Neutral colours like beige, gray, and taupe are timeless and tend to appeal broadly, making them a safe choice. However, trends also play a role, with current preferences leaning towards natural and earthy tones, as well as dark and bold hues like navy, charcoal, and deep green for a modern look.

What colour exterior makes a house look bigger?

Light and neutral colours tend to make a house look bigger. Shades of white, light gray, beige, and pastels can create a sense of expansiveness by reflecting more light. These colours can visually push the walls outward, making the home appear more spacious. For the best effect, consider contrasting the light exterior with darker accents like doors, window frames, and roof tiles to add depth and interest.

To Conclude:

Choosing the right exterior paint colour for your home is a big decision. It’s important to pick a colour that you love, suits your home’s style, and feels right in your neighbourhood. Remember, the best colour is one that reflects your personal taste and complements your home’s design.

If you’re looking for professional help to get the perfect exterior paint job, consider Home Painters Toronto. With 36 years of experience painting homes in the Toronto area and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), they have the expertise to help you select the best color and provide a flawless finish.