What is the most popular color for a house exterior?
Neutrals remain a popular choice for exterior house paint colors. Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar, shares that clean, crisp whites, such as the brand’s Ultra White 7006-24, and warmer off-whites like Swiss Coffee 7002-16 are popular paint choices.
Similarly, Lindsell Andersen, the principal of Gilded Antler Interiors, states that she’s seeing a tremendous amount of white as of late. “Even beyond the modern farmhouse look, clients still want that crisp, traditional exterior. Most are selecting Sherwin Williams Pure White or Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace for this clean, bright look,” she says. Emily Kantz, color marketing manager at Sherwin-Williams, agrees that Pure White is popular among homeowners. It’s a “versatile, bright white has the slightest yellow undertone that keeps it from appearing too stark.” She also suggests Greek Villa SW 7551, which she describes as a “sunny white that comes to life in natural light, making it the ideal color for exterior, especially on trims to make other colors pop.”
Among homeowners painting exterior wall colors, Sargsyan, the staff economist at Houzz, shares that the 2024 US Houzz Outdoor Trends Study found neutrals are the top choice, specifically white (23%), gray (19%) and beige (10%). “This is reflective of what we’re seeing in interior spaces, creating a consistent palette for the whole house,” says Sargsyan, who concedes that some homeowners still embrace colors such as black (8%), green (8%), blue (4%), red (3%), yellow (3%), and even orange (1%). “Popular trim colors include white (28%), black (22%), and green (13%),” she adds, pointing out that, perhaps surprisingly, the majority of renovating homeowners (71%) choose a wall color that contrasts with the trim color for their exterior wall color scheme.
Lichtenstein, the designer based in Thornwood, New York, echoes these findings. Neutrals “are gaining popularity not just inside homes but also for exteriors, as they strike the perfect balance between a clean, modern aesthetic and a warm, inviting feel,” she explains. “The versatility of these warm neutrals allows them to complement various architectural styles, and they pair beautifully with darker accents, which adds to their appeal in contemporary and classic designs alike.”
According to Kantz, a neutrals are fun to pair with a different front door color for a pop of personality. You might want to consider painting your garage door a different color too. (While painting your entire home exterior may be out of the question, painting your door trim a bright shade or adding white trim around windows may make for a quick weekend DIY project.) “Front doors and accent features have become mini canvases for bold expression,” says Hendricks, the cofounder of Hendricks Churchill. “I have successfully and recently been able to use vibrant pops—like deep teal, chartreuse, burnt orange, or rich burgundy—to punctuate otherwise neutral exteriors. These accents allow for some personality against a monochromatic backdrop.”
Beyond white, Kim, the director of color marketing at Valspar, notes that homeowners are choosing colors that feel a bit more daring or that nod to the surrounding landscape. “We’re seeing more consumer interest in simple colors that make a bold statement, such as Dark Kettle Black 4011-2 and the warm greige Heritage Gray 7007-24,” says Kim. In the past few years, the company has also seen more customers opt for blues and greens including Encore 8002-45G and Warm Eucalyptus 8004-28F, which was named Valspar’s 2026 Color of the Year. “Homeowners are gravitating toward soft browns and calming blues or greens inspired by the outdoors,” she says, noting that the hues can visually connect the home to its surroundings.
What color is best for the outside of a house?
The short answer: The best exterior paint color for your home depends on the aesthetic you seek.
The longer answer: The best exterior paint ideas will depend on a number of factors, ranging from the location of the house to its architectural style. What works for a seafront villa in a warm climate won’t necessarily work for a rustic barn-style home in the woods, a suburban Victorian, or a townhouse in the city.
First, you’ll need to check to see if there are any restrictions on the house paint colors in the area, which could be the case in historic districts or gated communities. You should also consider the materials used to construct the home, such as brick, wood shingles or siding, stone, or terra-cotta roof tiles. You may also want to take the neighbors into account so that the home doesn’t stick out too much from theirs—unless that’s the goal, of course.
“The best color for the outside of a house depends on the style, location, and personal preference,” Lichtenstein echoes. Overall, she, like other designers we tapped, believes that neutral tones like soft grays, whites, and beige tend to be the safest bets. “These colors create a timeless look, enhance curb appeal, and are generally appealing to a broad range of potential buyers,” she says. “Neutrals also provide a great backdrop for bolder accent colors, allowing for flexibility in how you style the exterior with doors, shutters, or landscaping. Additionally, these shades reflect light, making homes look larger and more inviting.”
Lindsell Andersen suggests “neutral colors that are appropriate to your particular region.” To that point, she believes warm beiges with brick or stone accents, soft charcoals, and greens are always a beautiful choice. From a practical perspective, Kantz notes that homeowners who live in warm climates year-round might consider going for lighter colors to avoid heat retention that could make the interior of a home warmer and result in higher cooling costs. In general, Kantz also recommends sticking to neutrals, such as whites, grays, and blacks when it comes to exteriors, and adding a touch of your own personality through trims, front doors, and outside decor.
What exterior house color is recommended by design experts?
As you can imagine, design experts have recommendations as diverse as their signature styles. But white and black paints are go-tos for many of the architects and designers we consulted.
When it comes to white paints, designer Nicastro is a fan of Benjamin Moore’s Creamy White. “It checks the box for a classic ‘white house’ look while still offering an old-world feel,” she says. Designers Fattahi and McNairy, the cofounders of LALA Reimagined, also like Benjamin Moore’s White Dove for a neutral exterior. “This color has an undertone of beige that will blend in with the surroundings and highlight your landscape,” says Fattahi.
Fattahi and McNairy also love a black house and consider Greenblack by Sherwin-Williams the “new black.” Says McNairy, “It’s cool-toned black with subtle green undertones that evoke a sense of nature. We love using rich, mossy hues like this for exterior applications.” Nicastro recommends Blacktop by Benjamin Moore, noting that it has a beautiful brown undertone that adds warmth and depth to the black. Washington, DC, architect Colleen Healey’s go-to black paint is Benjamin Moore’s Graphite. “It’s not a stark black and not too blue,” says Healey of the dark gray paint.
What exterior colors last the longest?
Another case for applying whites or lighter neutral colors to your home’s exterior: “White paint colors have the longest longevity for exteriors,” says Kantz. “With its ability to coordinate with a variety of architectural styles from modern to traditional, white exteriors have an almost chameleon quality to them because they work with so many different exterior finishes and just about any color combination.” White exterior colors such as Pure White SW 7005, Alabaster SW 7008, or Snowbound SW 7004 are often preferred colors of many that live in the sunnier climates due to the constant sun exposure, she adds.
Neutrals have staying powers too. “The lighter colors reflect light and tend to hold up better, whereas a darker color absorbs heat and will fade and age faster than a lighter one,” says Lindsell Andersen. “Darker colors show more pollen and dirt and have to be cleaned more frequently.” Talk with your contractor about any specific concerns various paint colors may present in your area and to get a sense of what hues may have the best durability.
What exterior colors increase home value?
A classic white or other neutral may be the safer bet when it comes to resale value. Jennifer Patchen, a broker at Opendoor, shares with AD that “neutral and warm tones” are preferred exterior shades right now for houses on the market. “As a general rule, the exterior color of the home should complement other homes in the neighborhood,” she says. “Otherwise, it might stick out like a sore thumb!” For those looking to sell, she suggests opting for a beige, tan, or camel color that will act as a neutral canvas that can create a positive first impression for buyers. And according to data from Opendoor, the preference for subdued shades extends to the front door as well, with 44% of homeowners valuing white, gray, gray-blue, and gray-green at an entrance.
What exterior paint colors should you avoid?
Again, that’s a matter of personal style preferences so there’s no hard and fast rule for house paint colors that are off the table.
Still, paint experts like Kantz recommends keeping this important guideline in mind: “Since exterior painting projects often take up a lot more time, effort, and resources than an interior project, I would recommend homeowners avoid picking colors that they aren’t 100% sure they can see themselves enjoying for more than a few years,” says Kantz. “For this reason, I’d steer clear of colors that seem too trendy at the moment, such as bold or bright shades, and stick to those that have stood the test of time,” she elaborates. If someone feels strongly about adding a bright color to their exterior or one they’re less confident it, she suggests saving that for the front door, which can easily be swapped out over a shorter period.
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