45 Dreamy White Houses Across the US

Choosing a color scheme for your home is no easy feat. There are tons of color combinations to try — from pretty blues and edgy grays to quaint yellows and farmhouse reds — but you can't go wrong with a timeless white exterior. This neutral hue suits almost any house style and can easily be twirled up with colorful doors, standout shutters and lush landscaping. Take a look at these gorgeous white homes from HGTV Magazine for all the inspiration.

Location: Charlotte, NC

Built in: 1952

Paint colors: Try (house) White Dove and (shutters and door) Black Beauty by Benjamin Moore for a similar look.

Some designers and architects pride themselves on creating trendy homes, but Caroline Brackett set out to do the exact opposite when it came to her own place. "I wanted to love my house for a long time to come," she says. "I'd hate to look around in three years and say, ‘That's so dated!'" Black shutters and painted white brick will look charming for ages, and lush green landscaping with overflowing windowboxes and potted ferns add timeless appeal.

Location: Springfield, MO

Built in: 1925

Size: 2,400 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Natural White and (front door) Lotus Flower, Sherwin-Williams

This white exterior is anything but boring. Homeowners Jen and Jonny Jeppsen preserved the home's unique, historic details — like the nearly-100-year-old door — while making plenty of eye-catching additions. Their favorite detail: "Our string lights give the yard a warm glow at night and make the house look so inviting."

Location: Darien, CT

Built in: 1988

Size: 3,807 sq. ft.

Paint and stain colors: Try (house) Gardenia by Benjamin Moore and (door) Gunstock by Minwax for a similar look.

This lovely Dutch Colonial is a classic beauty. The extra-wide door is a hallmark of the architectural style — along with the gambrel roof, dormers, flared eaves and decorative hood over the entryway. The warm wood tone pops against the white cedar shakes for can't-miss charm.

Location: Broad Brook, CT

Built in: 1969

Size: 3,000 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (front door) Jet Black, Benjamin Moore

"Our house is a saltbox Colonial, which means it has a sloping roof and only one story in the back. People love its historic look," say homeowners Scott and Sandra Downing. "We adore the way the vintage red brick walkway looks with the modern gray stones on the stairs. It’s a beautiful blend of old and new."

Location: Houston, TX

Built in: 1900

Size: 3,261 sq. ft.

Paint color: Ivory Lace, Sherwin-Williams

This turn-of-the-century stunner has been updated with 21st-century style, but some of the traditional details remain, like the original stained glass windows. A stained wood door, decorative dentil molding and bullseye trim also nod to its historic roots.

Location: Newport Beach, CA

Built in: 1999

Paint colors: (house) Warm White and (trim) Black, Dunn-Edwards

Bright white paint and edgy black trim modernized this California Craftsman home. The black-and-white contrast is not only undeniably eye-catching, it’s also the perfect backdrop for homeowner and designer Shannon Wilkin's groovy decorating style, which utilizes lots of funky vintage finds — like the peacock chairs on the patio.

Location: Salt Lake City

Built in: 1937

Size: 4,329 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (door) Soar and (house) Dover White, Sherwin-Williams

“This was an ordinary brick cottage when we moved in — good bones, but not a lot of charm," say homeowners Melissa and Troy Hardy. "Wrapping it in white composite siding and adding a portico breathed new life into it.” They topped their new portico with a pretty mock balcony for over-the-top charm.

Green Velvet boxwood tidily envelop a lush mix of plants: iceberg roses, a red-leaf Japanese maple and dawyck purple beech.

Location: Bentonville, AR

Built in: 1904

Size: 3,200 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) White Dove, Benjamin Moore

"It was our dream to restore an old home," say homeowners Shelley and Kevin Kraning. They love the original details like the diamond-patterned shingles on the awning over the window and the lamppost. A front-facing gable is a common feature of Folk Victorians like this one. The Kraning's found ornate corbels at a local flea market; even though they aren't orginal, they look right at home on the porch columns.

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Built in: 1908

Size: 2,500 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (door and window boxes) Northern Air and (house) Cloud White, Benjamin Moore

Two types of siding double the charm on this enchanting exterior. It doesn't get more quaint and cottage-y than painted white brick, while cedar shakes on the gables nod to coastal style. The result: off-the-charts charm. The natural-looking landscape and second-floor window box add to the storybook style. “We fell in love with this house after seeing the wild-looking blooms out front," say homeowners Christina Melloh and Michael T’Kach. "Plus, the front porch is just so sweet.”

Location: Boise, ID

Built: 1919

Size: 8,473 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (door) Carbon and (house) Ultra Pure White, Behr

“This Colonial wasn’t even for sale, but we loved its high portico and giant yard so much that we wrote letters to the owners until they let us do a walk-through. Eventually our enthusiasm won them over,” say homeowners Paula and John Kluksdal. Original to the home, the curved portico gives it a stately look. A timeless black-and-white palette accentuates the classic details.

Location: Tampa, FL

Built in: 1908

Paint colors: (house and trim) White Dove, Benjamin Moore; (front door) try Bright Parrot by Valspar for a similar look

Everything goes with white, but these homeowners decided to keep the color palette simple. Paired with white siding and trim, the bright green door ties in perfectly with the yard's thriving plants and lawn.

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Built in: 2014

Size: 4,200 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (door) Black, Cabot Stain; (house) try Spatial White by Sherwin-Williams for a similar look

"What sold us on the property was the 200-year-old elm in front," say homeowners Natasha and Nick Spadea-Anello. "We keep the landscaping simple to show it off.” Also on display: weathered wood trough-style planters with a unique lion head detail. The one on the left holds petunias and begonias. The two on the front steps are filled with dwarf spruce trees sculpted into spirals.

Location: Bergen County, NJ

Built in: 1935

Paint colors: (siding and trim) Spanish White, (shutters) Rodeo and (front door) Northern Cliffs, Benjamin Moore

"The little details of our home delight us the most: the Juliet balcony, the front door with side windows and the stone walkway," say homeowners Maryann and Jim McNamara. Painting the house off-white with light gray accents lets the home's charming details shine through.

Location: Pensacola, FL

Built in: 2016

Size: 3,300 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Silver Satin and (trim) Simply White, Benjamin Moore

"When we were designing [this house], we wanted to evoke New Orleans’ French Quarter," say homeowners Ned McWilliams and Emily Jeffcot. "So we went for a metal roof, tall columns and French doors on the second floor." Simple square columns, white siding and black window grilles keep the front from feeling too busy.

Location: Irvington, NY

Built in: 1850s

Paint color: Try Oxford White by Benjamin Moore for a similar look.

Homeowner Kathryn O’Neal-Dunham and her family aren't afraid of color. They did a big renovation when they bought this New York farmhouse — new kitchen, new bathrooms, new pipes and wiring, plus an addition — and they filled the house with punches of color and pattern. The exterior had just been painted white by the previous owners, so the O'Neal-Dunhams left it as is. They like how it contrasts with the bold colors inside.

Location: Charlotte, NC

Built in: 2012

Size: 3,877 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Oyster White and (shutters) Drizzle, Sherwin-Williams

“This house has so much character that you almost can’t tell it’s new construction," say Brit and Zack Drozda of their crisp white Crafstman-style home. The double-gable roof above the porch is a feature pulled from classic Craftsman architecture. Powder blue board-and-batten shutters, secured with wrought iron shutter dogs, boost the home’s charm.

Location: Birmingham, AL

Built in: 1926

Size: 3,500 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Night Blooming Jasmine, (shutters) Teton Blue and (front door) Blackout, Behr

Louvered shutters up the impact of this home’s mostly flat front. A subtle blue-gray color keeps them from overwhelming the white siding. “To play up the clean, symmetrical style of our Colonial revival, we accentuated it with a row of boxwood,” say homeowners Andrea and Goodloe White.

Location: Nashville, TN

Size: 3,800 sq. ft.

Paint colors: Try (house) Du Jour, (window trim) Soft Pelican and (shutters) Ganymede by Valspar for a similar look.

New-construction homes can sometimes lack character. That’s why Kerry and Cullen Roberts felt like they lucked out when they found this spec home with plenty to love right from the get-go — including the exterior. They were drawn to the large windows and charming shutters and dormers. An assortment of evergreen trees, shrubs and groundcover keep the landscaping looking lively all year long.

Location: Greenville, SC

Built in: 2013

Size: 4,000 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Simply White, Benjamin Moore; (shutters) Foothills, Sherwin-Williams

“Our house used to be a boring white box. We added taupe shutters with iron hardware, sconces and a window box," say homeowners Michelle and John York. A standing seam metal roof on the portico gives the mostly traditional house a modern twist. Now this white exterior is anything but bland. "It’s classic, yet not at all formal — the way a farmhouse should be.”

Location: Knoxville, TN

Built in: 1920

Size: 2,400 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Extra White, (shutters) Black of Night and (door) Show Stopper, Sherwin-Williams

"Even though there’s not a real place to sit outside, we still love to squeeze onto the stoop and watch people pass by,” say homeowners Jennifer and Randy Merryman. Wrought iron railings that curve around both sides of the front step give this small entry more presence, but it's the scalloped-edge awning that makes a statement. A pair of lush Kimberly Queen ferns in urn-style planters make the classic red door even more inviting. The small arched window in the door is a fun nod to the awning shape.

Location: Shreveport, LA

Built in: 2017

Size: 4,000 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Navajo White, (front door) Verdigreen and (shutters) Tricorn Black, Sherwin-Williams; (trim) White Dove, Benjamin Moore

“We modeled the exterior of our home after one we saw on a trip to New Orleans, re-creating its special elements with the double gallery and the wrought iron railings," say homeowners Megan and Enrique Jimenez. The lacelike ironwork is easy to see against the white exterior — even from the street.

Location: Fairfield, CT

Built in: 1957

Size: 2185 sq. ft.

Paint colors: Snowbound, Sherwin-Williams; (door) Parma Gray, Farrow & Ball

Looking for a way to make your home's exterior reflect your relaxed vibe? Homeowners Heather Lipkind and Jason Sunshine opted for a twiggy peace sign to adorn their laidback cottage on the Connecticut coast.

Location: Sacramento, CA

Built in: 2016

Size: 2,956 sq. ft.

Paint color: Ultra Pure White, Behr

“Everyone thinks our house has been here for 100 years — exactly what we were going for when we built it," say homeowners Emily and Micah Baginski. "The standing seam metal roof and cedar-stained Douglas fir beams remind us of old California farmhouses, while the smooth stucco column bases give a modern touch.” The triple-pane window and dentil molding emphasize the Craftsman style.

Location: Portland, OR

Built in: 1936

Size: 2,600 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Delicate White, (trim) Black Magic and (siding) Prairie Dust, Olympic

“Our Tudor-style house was built by a well-known local architect, so we kept it the original white and made only a few small updates to the exterior,” say homeowners Lynn and Steve Jackson. Multiple gables with steeply pitched roofs are a classic Tudor detail. Painting one tan calls attention to the peaks. The mahogany door is original to the house. The Jacksons sand and refinish it periodically to keep it in prime condition. They also installed a striped fabric awning above the door with a sweet scalloped edge.

Location: Knoxville, TN

Built in: 2011

Size: 4,250 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Pebble White, Glidden; (shutters and front door) Wedgewood Gray and (trim) White Dove, Benjamin Moore

“Even though we built our house, it’s in a historic neighborhood, so we wanted it to fit in. We love all its cottage-y touches, like the window boxes, the brick path and the cutouts on the shutters,” say homeowners Chris and Colleen Austin. Pale blue paint on the shutters and door and pink rose bushes at the start of the walkway contribute to this white home's welcoming color scheme.

Location: Mobile, AL

Built in: 1940

Size: 1,940 sq. ft.

Paint color: (front door) Iced Violet, Glidden

When Mae and Sam Dennis bought this fixer-upper, it was dirty yellow and hidden by a large tree. "We brought out the house’s character with fresh paint and plants.” Mae inherited the front door from her parents when they renovated their 1950s home. “We get a lot of compliments on the color,” Sam says. “People say it reminds them of something from a fairy tale.”

“Our neighborhood has large oak trees that curve over the streets and full azalea bushes everywhere,” Sam says. “We wanted that same storybook look in our yard.” They scored it with lush ornamental grasses, boxwood left untrimmed and whimsical sky pencil holly.

Location: Chandler, AZ

Built in: 1996

Size: 3,450 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Antique Paper and (trim) Looking Glass, Dunn-Edwards

Designer and homeowner Jo Gick made a few changes to the outside of her Mediterranean-style home to max out its curb appeal. She had the textured stucco smoothed out for a more modern look and contrasted the white exterior with gray trim (since black paint can fade in the blazing Arizona sun).“It was worth it to take the house from the ’90s to now,” says Jo.

Location: Annapolis, MD

Built in: 1900

Size: 3,536 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house and trim) Delicate White and (shutters) Black Magic, PPG Paints

“The first thing I noticed about this Queen Anne was the rounded, glass enclosed front porch — it’s so unique! Actually, the entire front is full of charming details, from the dentil molding on the porch to the fish scale shingles on the third floor,” says homeowner Mary Chris Gay. A common feature of Queen Annes: a decorative element on the gable. This one has three — fish scale and sawtooth-style shingles, plus a row of wood corbels. The original front door is sealed with a clear wood varnish and protected by a storm door. It boasts leaded glass and the original cast-brass knob. “You can still see the old keyhole, where the owners used a skeleton key,” says Mary Chris.

Location: Orlando, FL

Built in: 1925

Size: 1,147 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Greek Villa and (trim) Caviar, Sherwin-Williams; (front door) try Seaport Blue by Benjamin Moore for a similar look

“This house used to be mustard yellow, but it’s Mediterranean in style, so I wanted to paint it white like houses you’d find in Greece or coastal Spain," says homeowner Briana Lang. She painted her eight-panel door a shade of blue inspired by the ultramarine doors she saw on a trip to Cadaqués, Spain. Glazed terra-cotta tiles on the front porch and steps fit the home’s architectural style. Striped awnings were popular for Mediterranean homes in the 1920s. These black-and-white ones are a nod to the house’s history.

Location: New Orleans

Built: 2014

Size: 3,200 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Greek Villa and (trim) Snowbound, Sherwin-Williams; (shutters) Coastal Fog, Benjamin Moore

"The formal landscaping, arches and brick path make it really special," say homeowners Terry and Joe Drolla of their New Orleans home. These unique details take center stage thanks to the toned-down palette of white and greige. Pops of color come from the mix of flowers in the planters and window boxes. “These pink and white kinds soften our manicured landscaping,” Terry says. In the flower beds, lily of the Nile offer hints of light purple.

Location: Camas, WA

Paint colors: (door) Blue Burst, Valspar; (house) try Ultra White by Valspar for a similar look

This vibrant door is the only blue one on the block — making it stand out even more. Tidy rows of boxwoods on either side of the entry keep this bright white exterior looking sleek. Red potted plants flank the front steps for another burst of color.

Location: Glenview, KY

Built in: 1860s

Paint colors: (house) Pure White and (shutters) Roycroft Bottle Green, Sherwin-Williams

Not one to pass up an opportunity to use pattern, homeowner and designer Gretchen Black added Chippendale-style railings to the porch and fretwork to the front door of her classic Kentucky home. She and her husband kept the original shutters and paint job intact. “There’s nothing more timeless than a white painted house,” says Gretchen.

Location: Savannah, GA

Built: 1913

Size: 1,616 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Falling Snow, (trim) Looking Glass and (front door) My Sweetheart, Behr

“When we bought our house, it was a muddy gray-blue that faded into the background," say homeowners Kim and Dale Cheney. "Painting all the siding and trim white instantly brightened it and made it seem bigger, too.” The original door remains, with a fresh color: “I wanted something breezy and coastal,” says Kim. Seashell-inspired blush pink is light enough to let the door’s Craftsman details stand out.

Location: New Orleans

Built in: 2015

Size: 3,100 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore; (door) Mint Condition, Sherwin-Williams

"We love the fresh feel of our modern farmhouse," say homeowners Katie and Matt Bellerino. Plus, the porch railing has a custom crisscross design adding a touch of unique charm. “The railing is one of our favorite things about our home’s exterior,” says Matt.

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Built in: 1930

Size: 5,500 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house and trim) Extra White, Sherwin-Williams; (shutters) Blue Nocturne, Fine Paints of Europe

This classic Colonial is full of timeless design elements: a slate roof, stonework and, of course, a can't-go-wrong navy and white color scheme. When homeowners Dana and Scot Malloy moved in, the front door was green. They stripped away the paint and stained the wood to emphasize the grain — another traditional choice.

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Built in: 1950

Paint colors: (house) Polo Mallet White and (shutters) Sandoval Blue, Ralph Lauren

"We love how cozy our Cape Cod looks from the outside," say Minneapolis homeowners Katherine and Scott Kovarik. Multipaned windows are characteristic of Cape Cod–style homes. A row of three floor-to-ceiling windows on the left — with 36 panes total — lets in plenty of sunlight. Boston ivy climbs up the brick house and contributes to the charm. “The yard and white exterior remind us of an English cottage,” they say.

Location: Kansas City, MO

Built in: 1924

Paint colors: (house) Pure White and (trim, shutters and door) Privilege Green, Sherwin-Williams

Amanda and Chris Chaney bought a fixer-upper, despite warnings from friends and family. A winning combo of white and green paint refreshed the exterior. The Chaneys show off gorgeous blooms in two second-story window boxes and a basket mounted by the front door. The iron balcony railing under the center second-story window is too small to support any weight, but it adds a touch of romance to the front of the house. "We saw the potential and loved it back to life," they say.

Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Built in: 1914

Size: 3,000 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Cheviot and (trim) Quarry Stone, Sherwin-Williams; (front door) Poppy Seed, Behr

This white, English-style cottage with a rolled roof has serious “Once upon a time...” cred. Wisteria and English ivy on the house are as whimsical as the roofline. “Our house keeps catching my eye when we drive up the street,” says homeowner Amy Brennan.

Location: Bentonville, AR

Built in: 1910

Size: 1,900 sq. ft.

Paint color: (house) Extra White, Sherwin-Williams

The multi-level red roof is a total eye-catcher next to the bright white clapboard. “It gives our cottage a dollhouse look,” say homeowners Emily and Jacob Kaler. New diamond-shaped grilles add to the old-world feel.

A Japanese cedar tree offers lush greenery year-round. “We like that it’s fluffy, which is why we never trim it,” says Emily.

Location: Atlantic Beach, FL

Built in: 2019

Paint colors: (house) Whitetail and (shutters) Storm Cloud, Sherwin-Williams

Lots of people dream about moving to the beach. Homeowners Holly and Mike Izard took the plunge and built a house that fully embraces its beachy identity. An aluminum roof can withstand salty air, and the porch’s three shutter panels between the columns offer shade. The blue-and-white color palette is a classic nautical duo.

Location: Kansas City, MO

Built in: 1930

Paint colors: (house) Navajo White and (trim) Black Bean, Sherwin-Williams; (door) Ruby Ring, Behr

Homeowners Kelly and Todd Powell love their 1930s home for its classic look and the area's tree-filled streets. On houses with lots of peaks and sharp angles — common traits for Tudors like this one — an arched door adds softness. Plus, it has a charming cottage-in-the-woods feel. A bright red door and matching geraniums lining the walkway standout against the white stucco.

Location: Houston, TX

Built in: 1938

Size: 2,000 sq. ft.

Paint colors: (house) Snowbound, Sherwin-Williams; (steps and porch) Flannel Gray and (front door) Laser, Behr

“The old mousy brown color of our home blended right into the hedges," say Houston homeowners Kim and Cooper Etheridge. "Painting the brick bright white puts the spotlight on the house — and a can’t-miss-it-green door doesn’t hurt.” The creeping fig covering the brick chimney is the only remaining part of the original landscaping. Sleek striped awnings give the classic cottage a modern edge.

Location: Charlotte, NC

Paint colors: Try Black and Simpy White by Benjamin Moore for a similar look.

White siding with black accents is a can't-go-wrong look for a classic home. Here, the double garage doors are cleverly painted white to blend in with the rest of the exterior, letting the traditional beauty of the main house shine through.