One of the most exciting parts of building or renovating a home is choosing the exterior colors and finishes. A stylish exterior color scheme combines complimentary paint color selections for the siding, trim, doors, and shutters. It should also be in keeping with the home’s architectural style and call attention to its best features. You’ll also need to consider the best type of paint to use and its sheen, or finish. To learn more about choosing the right exterior paint formulas and finishes, be sure to check out our Benjamin Moore Exterior Paint Guide. Ring’s End partners with Benjamin Moore because they offer superior, high performance products you can count on. Ready to give your home amazing curb appeal? Read on for inspiring home color ideas with some of the best Benjamin Moore exterior paint colors!
Picking an Exterior Color Scheme
Most exterior color schemes start with individual colors for the siding, trim and front door, plus an accent color for shutters, the garage door, or other details. When choosing colors, keep in mind the colors of any stone or brick accents on your home, as well as the roof, decking and landscaping materials. The undertones of nearby materials can affect the way a paint color looks on your home.
What are undertones? They’re subtle warm or cool shades that influence the appearance of a paint color, but aren’t always apparent at first. For example, we all know how different two shades of white paint can look when placed side-by-side. If a white has a beige or yellow cast it has warm undertones, and if it has a blue-gray cast it has cool undertones. With grays, you’ll often see brown or green undertones on the warm side and blue or purple undertones when cool.
Matching the undertones of paint colors to the undertones in nearby materials is a great way to start narrowing down paint color options. On this farmhouse style home, Kendall Charcoal on the front door picks up the warm gray undertones of the stone porch flooring.
Exterior Paint Color Ideas & Inspiration
When choosing exterior colors it’s also important to keep your home’s architectural style in mind. A modern home with minimal ornamentation may look best with a simple palette, while an older home with details like corbels and shutters can be brought to life with contrasting colors. Neutrals like Coventry Gray and colors from Benjamin Moore’s Historic Collection are popular choices for traditional home styles.
One of Benjamin Moore’s most popular interior paint colors, Revere Pewter makes an elegant exterior siding color, while White Dove makes the trim stand out.
This Victorian style home’s siding is painted in Pale Oak, with a contrasting white trim color in White Dove to highlight the detailed carpentry.
Of course, a historic color palette is always suitable for traditional style architecture. This classic Colonial home features Hale Navy, an elegant navy blue with gray undertones that’s an all-time Benjamin Moore favorite of homeowners and designers:
Evening Dove is a medium-dark blue that anchors a historic color palette; this home combines it with shutters in Boothbay Gray — a light gray color choice with blue undertones that complement the cool smokiness of Evening Dove. The muted reds of Rich Chestnut on the front door create a striking color combination.
Classic cottages and bungalows might be painted almost any color. The pale blue-green of Beach Glass sets off this Craftsman-inspired home, paired with the neutral off-white tones of White Dove on the trim.
Benjamin Moore’s Chelsea Gray house paint gives this traditional cottage a warm, modern look paired with the sophisticated teal of Newburg Green.
Creamy white and beige colors are the perfect complement to stucco exteriors. If your home is Spanish Revival or French Country style, consider a warm shade like Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee.
Contemporary and transitional architecture lends itself to bright, silky whites like Benjamin Moore’s White Dove.
If an off-white exterior shade appeals to you but you prefer warm undertones, check out Seapearl’s distinct pale greige look.
Charcoal gray and deep navy provide a trendy update to ranch and farmhouse style homes. This modern farmhouse makes a statement painted in Benjamin Moore’s dark gray Wrought Iron, with a lovely natural wood accent in Woodluxe Platinum Stain.
Mid-century homes look up to date in today’s popular dark shades, accented by a pop of color. This home features Old Navy:
Whatever your home’s architectural style, with a little creativity and patience you can create an exterior color palette that’s as unique as you are. Whether you plan to DIY your home’s exterior paint or hire professionals, with the right products we know you’ll love the end result.
Ring’s End carries a wide selection of Benjamin Moore paints in-store and online, shipping anywhere in the U.S. Try our Benjamin Moore Paint Color Samples that are popular with professional interior designers for creating large paint swatches to test potential exterior colors before painting them on your home. Our favorite designer tip for testing paint swatches on the exterior of your home is to paint a large poster board using a Benjamin Moore half-pint paint color sample; then move it around the outside of your home to observe the color in different lighting conditions. Need help? Give us a call, or chat with us online. Our expert team is ready to recommend the best paint brands and products for your home.