Best Exterior House Paint Colors: The right color for a home’s exterior can make or break a first impression. “Paint sets the vibe you want your home to exude,” says Katie Burnett, an interior designer at Rumor Designs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Paint reflects what you want to emphasize as well as what era of architecture you want to represent.” But just like when you choose interior paint colors, you have practically unlimited options.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by this decision especially considering what a big, expensive, and highly visible job painting your home can be you’re certainly not alone.
That’s why we’ve put together an expert guide to help you choose the exterior color palette you love.
Best Exterior House Paint Colors 2025
1. Bright Yellow, Blue, and White
Yellow and blue are two of the happiest colors. Add bright colors to your home’s exterior, and your home will be filled with a vibrant energy that is calming at the same time.
For this San Francisco Victorian, Kelly Finley used Benjamin Moore Imperial Yellow to blend the garage and siding, and Bedford Blue to cover the stairs and front door.
White trim helps the architectural details stand out.
2. Royal Blue, Turquoise, and White
Try your hand at subtle color blocking by painting the trim turquoise, the window shutters royal blue, and the siding white.
Designer Maria Augusta “Guta” Louro for this Sao Paulo home Calca Jeans on the window shutters, and Banho de Espuma Chona on the door and window frames are both from Suvinil.
Summer colors pop with charming hanging chairs. It’s clean, sophisticated, and fun. Light Gray, Plum, and White.
3. Dovetail and Glacial Green
Bring a fairytale-like cottage in the woods to life through dovetail gray siding and glacial green accents. Artist Frances Schultz’s Bee Cottage in East Hampton, New Yor,k is a great example.
The dark gray front door and landscaping (especially above the doorway!) enhance the dreamy space.
4. Greige and White
Make a white exterior even more appealing with greige accents. This home’s front door, shutters, and trim stand out slightly against the cool white siding.
The result is a balanced, calm display. Nearby, consider planting colorful flowers in reds and pinks for a sweet touch. White planters near the entrance can add even more charm.
5. Bright White Accents
If your home is made primarily of materials you don’t want to paint, pay attention to the details. Take this Jersey Shore home built by Joe Lucas, for example.
It has cedar shingles to weather naturally for classic bayside charm and a dark roof. Bright white railings and windows complete the tried and true color palette.
How to Pick Exterior House Colors?
This is a scenario where you should take your time and do the work yourself. If you’re lucky, you’ll be living with these colors for the next decade, so try not to let anything (including your contractor’s schedule) interfere with your decision.
Pay attention to the context:
Consider your surroundings, your climate, and the color of existing windows, roofing, and other elements of the exterior that won’t change.
Ask yourself, ‘How will the paint look in the winter when everything is white? How will it look in the summer when there is lush vegetation all around?
Sample some combinations:
Before choosing a color, try several different shades. Explore different color families and multiple options within the same color family.
I recommend painting several sample options on your home before you actually make a selection. If possible, Photo shopping a picture of your home is a surefire way to see the impact of a new paint color.
White is always popular, but don’t be afraid to try more saturated shades of blue, green, and even black.
