Whether you're buying a new house or planning a makeover of your existing home's exterior, picking the right paint color is essential. The secret: matching the shade of paint to your home's design. These tips will help you find the right pairing.
Cottage: Natural Charm
This charming cottage-style home is partially shielded from the street by an attractive gated fence and landscaping. The color of the house is a fresh blue-green backdrop for the lush array of bright flowers. The reddish-brown door blends nicely with the brick accents on the fence posts and walkway.
Colonial Revival: Pleasing Mix
Colors and textures blend effortlessly on this Colonial Revival house. A warm blue-gray color on the upper half contrasts beautifully with white below. Exposed wood shingles on certain standout features create a nice focal point, while white trim ties everything together.
Craftsman: Fresh Earth Tones
This attractive home displays a fresh spin on the earth tones that help define the Craftsman style. Arts and Crafts homes typically look good with paints that reflect the style’s emphasis on natural materials and organic colors. Here, well-coordinated greens with cream trim add to the home’s relaxed, timeless curb appeal.
Tudor: Rustic Charm
Classic red brick walls lend rustic charm to Tudor-style homes. Historically accurate, the stucco cladding the center gable is painted creamy white and paired with brown framing.
Victorian: Sophisticated Accents
The warm, sophisticated neutrals and red accents blend beautifully in this Victorian-style house. The brightly painted door provides the scheme with a deep contrasting color that’s picked up again on the trim below the cornice.
Ranch: Warm Neutrals
A pleasing beige-and-brown scheme works particularly well on this sprawling ranch-style home because so much surface area is exposed to the street. Natural stone adds texture to the facade, while the roof, front door and garage door match the trim.
Traditional: White and Bright
This classic home features a typical white field color with bright accents. Pale blue shutters and a sunny orange door are a fresh and unexpected break from tradition.
Georgian: Rich Blue
The deep blue of this Georgian-style home is a strong and inviting color. White trim adds contrast, and a wooden door acts as a focal point for the perfectly balanced architecture.
Eclectic: All in the Details
A neutral palette is perfect for this eclectic-style house because of the many details—such as divided-light windows, a columned portico and abundant texture. The brick walls are painted a slightly darker shade of gray than the shingled gables, offering subtle contrast. The welcoming red door provides a pop of color.
Cottage: Earthy Textures
This charming cottage-style home features a pleasing mix of earthy colors and textures. Dark-stained shakes siding blends nicely with the natural stone chimney, while small doses of white provide contrast. Interesting shutters painted dark green add color and detail.
Farmhouse: Classic Combo
Why fix what isn’t broken? The classic white-and-black combination on this traditional farmhouse sweeps you away to another place and time. A break from tradition, the dramatic black door is a nice, unexpected touch.
Dutch Colonial: Warm Neutrals
The sophisticated combination of gray, black and white on this classically handsome Dutch Colonial-style home creates a feeling of harmony that is restful to the eye. White trim and a dark front door and shutters partner effortlessly with the warm gray walls. The gray works well against the natural stone chimney because it offers contrast while still blending beautifully with the grout.
English Cottage: Contemporary Colors
This English country cottage is updated with a contemporary color scheme of warm neutrals. The home shows how opting for a light field color and dark trim can have a pleasing effect. The welcoming entryway is painted the same color as the trim, and the door adds a splash of color.