21 Shutter Ideas That Will Transform Your Home's Exterior

While the vast majority of window shutters on modern homes are inoperable, they remain a popular exterior design feature. (In fact, it's uncommon to see a home with no shutters at all.) From farmhouse shutters with a barn-door look to Bahama shutters that give your home that right-on-the-beach vibe, there's no shortage of shutter styles out there; you just have to find the one that's right for your home.

So, whether you're looking to add shutters to your home to amp up the curb appeal or refresh your existing shutters, these inspiring shutter ideas are guaranteed to give your home's exterior an entirely new look.

To enhance the down-home feel of a farmhouse-style abode, take a page out of this charming Georgia home's book and give your shutters the barn-door treatment with the classic Z-brace design.

It doesn’t take a bold color to make a vibrant impact on a neutral home. Here, muted pink shutters pair well with the off-white stucco exterior, creating just enough contrast for a healthy dose of color.

Looking for ways to elevate an already-elegant stone exterior? Shutters should be your go-to.

Pro tip: Choose a hue that highlights your stone's specific undertone to accentuate it and enhance the visual effect.

This sweet, cottage-style house employs a clever design trick that you may not notice at first glance. To visually balance the space to the left of the chimney, a lone shutter is positioned on one side of the off-center window. This visually pulls the window to the left, helping it appear centered on the wall.

Adding shutters is a highly effective, low-lift way to increase your home’s curb appeal without a major renovation. The functional, dusty blue shutters on this French Quarter home make a major impact, occupying nearly 50% of the visual.

You don’t have to hang shutters next to every single window. Here, shutters on one half of the house emphasize the home’s charming asymmetrical design.

Painting your shutters in a subtle, complementary color to your home’s exterior (think one shade darker or lighter) will let the architectural components do the talking — without completely overhauling the aesthetic. The designer-approved color combo (Meteorological and Provence Blue by Behr) on this Colonial adds a moody feel that doesn't detract from its stately style.

Does selecting the perfect shutter color have you stumped? Let your front door be your guide, and paint shutters in a complementary hue. (It doesn't have to match!) While this method for creating color combos works on nearly any home, it's especially striking when employed on neutral exteriors.

Did you know it’s actually very easy to build your own shutters? For most homes, you just need a few planks of wood cut to size, your desired stain or paint and exterior-grade screws.

You simply can’t go wrong with black shutters — as evidenced by this charming Cape Cod. Whether your home's exterior is gray stone, classic brick, neutral board-and-batten, colorful siding or anything else, black shutters look good with almost everything.

If you’re having trouble deciding which shutter style would match your home, look to your garage doors. They often have molding, trim and other details that will help guide your decision and create a cohesive look.

Painting your shutters to match your windowsills (and vice versa) will add depth and create an eye-catching aesthetic. If this look is too bold for you, choosing subtly tonal shades can soften it up.

This eye-catching Dutch Colonial in California features daring contrast. The solid black awnings could feel stark against the robin's egg paint color on the exterior, but off-black shutters help to balance the look. The results are equal parts striking and dreamy.

There’s no rulebook saying you have to use the same shutter style on every window. In fact, switching it up can keep your home from looking too cookie-cutter.

Who says you have to put shutters on the top and bottom floors? This charming North Carolina home shakes up its exterior with top-floor shutters and bare windows below. Two teal planters flank the entryway and coordinate with the blue shutters up top.

Conversely, you can also install shutters on just the ground floor, and the HGTV Dream Home 2020 is the perfect example of why the look works. Shutters on the upper gable window would look cramped and overwhelming, while the two sets of shutters below offer just enough colorful contrast.

Looking for ways to dress up your existing shutters? Complementary window box planters are the final ingredient in the recipe for instant curb appeal. Filling them with color-coordinated plants is the cherry on top.

Nothing looks worse than improperly scaled shutters. Luckily, there’s an easy way to choose the right size shutters — just make them functional. This ensures they are properly scaled to their respective windows.

Whether you live at the beach or you’re simply after that breezy, coastal vibe, soft pink shutters might be for you. Pair them with a bright white or creamy neutral exterior for an elegant enhancement, or set them against light green for a unapologetically vibrant look.

Not a fan of traditional shutters? Try Bahama shutters instead. While they’re primarily designed for storm protection and sun control, they also boost your curb appeal and add instant beachy vibes.