22 Exterior Color Palette Ideas
Except instead of risking a bad selfie, you’re risking years of pulling into the driveway thinking, “What was I even thinking with that beige?” Picking the right colors can literally transform your curb appeal, and honestly, it’s the easiest facelift your home will ever get.
I’ve spent way too many hours scrolling through Pinterest boards, lurking in paint forums, and standing in front of paint sample walls at Home Depot like I’m about to crack a secret code.
And let me tell you—the right combo can make your home look timeless, bold, or downright dreamy.
1. Classic White with Black Trim
You can’t go wrong with this duo. White siding + black trim is the crisp white shirt and dark jeans of house colors—it just works. Add a wooden front door for warmth, and you’re golden.
2. Moody Charcoal with Natural Wood Accents
Charcoal screams modern, but pair it with natural wood details (garage doors, shutters, porch posts), and suddenly it feels earthy too. Perfect for a balance of sleek and cozy.
3. Navy Blue and Bright White
Navy feels bold without being loud. Throw in some bright white trim, and your house instantly looks sharp, coastal, and classic. Ever noticed how navy makes literally everything look expensive? Same rule applies here.
4. Warm Taupe and Cream
If you love neutrals but want more depth, warm taupe siding with creamy white trim hits that sweet spot. It’s calm, elegant, and never looks outdated.
5. Forest Green with Stone Accents
Bring nature to your doorstep (literally). Forest green siding paired with stone or brick details feels timeless and rich. Bonus: it hides dirt way better than white.
6. Soft Gray with Blue Accents
Gray houses sometimes risk looking “meh.” Add a blue door or shutters, though, and suddenly you’ve got personality. Think subtle but with a wink.
7. Beige and Olive
Neutral beige siding gets a chic upgrade when paired with olive green trim or shutters. It’s earthy, warm, and feels different from the usual beige-and-white combos.
8. Black on Black
Yes, it’s dramatic. Yes, it’s bold. And yes, it looks killer. A black exterior with black trim makes your house stand out in the coolest way. Just make sure your landscaping game is strong to soften the look.
9. White with Red Brick
Got brick accents? Pair them with white siding and trim. It keeps everything crisp while letting the brick pop like it deserves. IMO, this combo is peak timeless.
10. Sage Green with Cream
Sage has been having a major moment inside homes, but it works beautifully outside too. Sage siding + cream trim feels fresh, calming, and fits into suburban or rural settings.
11. Gray and Black
A gray body with black trim feels modern without trying too hard. Throw in a wood door or porch ceiling if you want to keep it from feeling too cold.
12. White with Navy Accents
If you flipped #3, you’d get this: white siding with navy shutters, trim, or doors. It feels coastal chic—like Cape Cod, but less touristy.
13. Terracotta and Cream
For a Mediterranean vibe, terracotta stucco with creamy trim looks warm and inviting. Throw in some clay pots on the porch, and boom—instant vacation vibes.
14. Slate Blue and Charcoal
Cool tones lovers, this one’s for you. Slate blue siding with charcoal trim looks sophisticated without being flashy. It’s the cool-toned cousin of navy and white.
15. Greige and White
Greige (gray + beige) is basically the Switzerland of house colors—neutral, versatile, and friendly with everyone. Add white trim, and you’ve got a combo that feels polished but not boring.
16. Dark Green and Black
Want mysterious but chic? Deep green siding with black trim pulls it off. It’s moody without being over the top, kind of like that one friend who always wears black but somehow looks elegant.
17. Cream and Brown
A little vintage, a little cozy—cream siding with chocolate brown trim gives serious cottage vibes. Picture it with window boxes and you’ll see what I mean.
18. Dusty Blue and White
Not quite navy, not quite pastel—dusty blue with crisp white trim feels soft and welcoming. It’s the kind of house that makes people slow down when they drive by.
19. Black and Wood
If you’re into that Scandinavian, modern farmhouse vibe, this one slaps. Black siding with natural wood trim or doors looks dramatic and warm at the same time.
20. White with Gray Stone
If your home has stonework, keep the siding white and let the stone bring the texture. Add a gray roof, and the whole look ties together perfectly.
21. Earthy Brown with Olive Accents
Love nature-inspired tones? Pair rich brown siding with olive green trim. It blends beautifully into wooded lots while still feeling stylish.
22. Monochrome Gray
Different shades of gray—light for the siding, dark for the trim, maybe mid-tone for the door—create depth while keeping it sleek. Kind of like layering neutrals in your wardrobe.
Quick Tips for Picking Your Palette
Alright, 22 ideas is a lot to digest, so let me give you some cheat codes:
- Consider your roof color. You don’t want siding that fights with it.
- Look at your landscaping. Dark colors pop against greenery, while lighter tones blend.
- Factor in sunlight. Bright sun can make light colors look washed out, while dark colors can fade faster.
- Test samples. Always, always paint swatches on your actual house. (Trust me, I once thought I picked “warm gray” and ended up with “sad lavender.” Not fun.)
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your home’s exterior color palette should make you smile when you pull into the driveway. Neighbors might compliment it, Pinterest might approve, but you’re the one living with it. Whether you go classic white and black or bold moody green, the key is choosing a combo that fits your vibe.
