16 Exterior Color Combos for Popular House Styles

HGTV Magazine tested different color palettes on four common architectural styles — so you don't have to. Here are our favorite pairings.

From: HGTV Magazine

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Photo By: Jean Allsopp

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Photo By: Jean Allsopp

Photo By: Joe Hendrickson

So You Want to Paint Your House?

Painting the exterior of your home is a big job with lasting effects, so it's important to make sure the colors you choose are just right. Enter, the HGTV Magazine editors. We tried countless paint combinations on some of the most popular house styles in the country to come up with a list of tried-and-true palettes to up your curb appeal. Prepare to be inspired!

From: HGTV Magazine

Ravishing Ranches

Fun and Beachy

Aqua shutters give a sweet, whimsical feel to an all-white house, while a darker blue door adds dimension.

Paint colors: Snowbound, Reclining Green and Raging Sea (all by Sherwin-Williams)

From: HGTV Magazine

Ravishing Ranches

A Little Daring

A wild color goes a long way on a small home! The yellow-green glows against a slate gray exterior.

Paint colors: Coastal Storm, Laser and Arcade White (all by Behr)

From: HGTV Magazine

Ravishing Ranches

Cool and Calming

Dark brown and blue are always a winning color combination; the greige trim lightens the mood.

Paint colors: Dolphin Blue, Rave Raisin and Sculptor Clay (all by Behr)

From: HGTV Magazine

Ravishing Ranches

Perfectly Preppy

Is there a more alluring pair than pink and green? On this house, the duo has glam Palm Beach flair.

Paint colors: Frosted Petal, Windsor Green and Distant Gray (all by Benjamin Moore)

From: HGTV Magazine

Cool Craftsmans

Warm and Cozy

Forest green and deep red play up a Craftsman’s rustic look. Creamy beige trim marries the two.

Paint colors: Inverness, Luxurious Red and Realist Beige (all by Sherwin-Williams)

From: HGTV Magazine

Cool Craftsmans

Unexpectedly Chic

Painting light siding with dark trim flips the script — and leaves room for a wow moment like this door.

Paint colors: Seashell Gray, Tuxedo and Autumn Blaze (all by Valspar)

From: HGTV Magazine

Cool Craftsmans

Clean and Crisp

This house style fits in perfectly near the water. Cool blues and pale gray are a great nautical combo.

Paint colors: Arabella, Fog and Cavalry (all by Glidden)

From: HGTV Magazine

Cool Craftsmans

Down to Earth

Natural colors blend into the outdoors, just as Craftsmans are meant to do. Light gray trim breaks up the browns.

Paint colors: Persian Gold, Soft Secret and Dark Truffle (all by Behr)

From: HGTV Magazine

Captivating Colonials

Cheery and Charming

Yellow and green have a country cottage feel, and a soft white highlights the columns and trim.

Paint colors: Midday, Courtyard and Simple White (all by Sherwin-Williams)

From: HGTV Magazine

Captivating Colonials

Quietly Elegant

Powder blue accents and light gray siding give the house the feel of a serene English manor.

Paint colors: Gray Stone, Sweet Emily and Tundra Frost (all by Glidden)

From: HGTV Magazine

Captivating Colonials

Neat and Classic

Nothing says Colonial like a white house, black shutters and a red front door. You can’t go wrong!

Paint colors: Night Blooming Jasmine, Red My Mind and Little Black Dress (all by Behr)

From: HGTV Magazine

Captivating Colonials

Dark and Dreamy

Black shutters add a modern touch to a traditional color combo. A bright white makes the trim pop.

Paint colors: Hague Blue, Pitch Black and All White (all by Farrow & Ball)

From: HGTV Magazine

Magnificently Modern

Ultrasophisticated

Painting just one section of the house teal gives it the look of modern art — and highlights the fun design.

Paint colors: Ethereal White, Green Bay and Domino (all by Sherwin-Williams)

From: HGTV Magazine

Magnificently Modern

Not-So-Neutral

Gray and black could look severe, but with wood paneling and a green door, they seem upbeat and playful.

Paint colors: Frappe, Dark Kettle Black, Greenway and Swiss Coffee (all by Valspar)

From: HGTV Magazine

Magnificently Modern

A Bit Moody

The inky exterior is set off by a painted brown panel that mimics the home’s natural wood accents.

Paint colors: Downpour Blue, Pine Cone and Black Satin (all by Benjamin Moore)

From: HGTV Magazine

Magnificently Modern

Edgy and Fresh

Acid yellow trim works perfectly with the angular architecture: The door seems to say, “Come on in!”

Paint colors: Starless Sky, Citrus Spice, Aria and Dover Gray (all by PPG Paints)

From: HGTV Magazine

16 Exterior Color Combos for Popular House Styles

Related To:

Shop This Look

So You Want to Paint Your House?

Ravishing Ranches

Ravishing Ranches

Ravishing Ranches

Ravishing Ranches

Cool Craftsmans

Cool Craftsmans

Cool Craftsmans

Cool Craftsmans

Captivating Colonials

Captivating Colonials

Captivating Colonials

Captivating Colonials

Magnificently Modern

Magnificently Modern

Magnificently Modern

Magnificently Modern

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