Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing Exterior Colours
With summer well underway, now is the time to tackle that outdoor painting project! Not sure where to start? Natural surroundings, neighbouring colour schemes, exterior colour trends, and your own personal preferences all play a role.
Below is a snapshot of some of our favourite Benjamin Moore colours for exteriors, as well as some of the questions we receive from our customers about how to choose the right colour for their home.
Still looking for more information? Click here to get more tips on how to choose your exterior paint colours with confidence, download a copy of our Exterior Colour Combination brochure or book an in-home Exterior Colour Consultation with our certified Colour & Design Consultant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you choose exterior paint colours for your house?
A. The best inspiration may come from your outdoor surroundings. Select hues that are compatible with your neighbourhood, architectural style and natural surroundings. For a classic exterior colour palette, check out Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection for tried and true favourites that are perfect for any home, including Stonington Gray HC-170, Edgecomb Gray HC-173 and Narragansett Green HC-157.
Q. What are the most popular home exterior colour ideas?
A. Dramatic exteriors in dark rich hues have been an ongoing trend that Benjamin Moore colour
experts now see as a mainstay. Homeowners are diving into show stopping dark exteriors like Black Satin 2131-10, Black HC-190, Kendall Charcoal HC-166 and Dragon’s Breath 1547, to name just a few.
If deep hues aren’t your style, start your exterior paint colour journey by considering the area you live in. For example, if you have a lake house, you may want to consider deep blues or if you have a cabin in the woods a rich forest green may be more appropriate.
Q. What is the best exterior colour for a small house?
A. Light, airy paint colours can make a house’s exterior appear larger from the outside. White Dove OC-17, one of Benjamin Moore’s most popular hues, is a favourite white paint colour for exteriors. Other favourites include Cloud Cover OC-25, Distant Gray OC-68 and Cloud White CC-40. Explore more white paint colours in the Benjamin Moore Off-White Collection.
As with any exterior paint colour, it is important to first choose colours that match with exterior existing elements like roofing, stone or brick accents, and landscaping.
Q. Can I paint my vinyl siding?
A. Yes! You can paint vinyl siding. Clearly, painting your vinyl siding is less expensive than replacing it. And with the right paint colour, you can enjoy an entirely new look. Check out our vinyl approved colours here.
Q. Should the shutter colour match the front door colour?
A. Many homeowners opt for window shutters to match perfectly with their front door’s paint colour. Others choose shutters that are a shade lighter or darker, which adds subtle contrast and individual style. When looking for front door colour ideas and inspiration, take colour cues from the paint colours inside your home. What shades does your front door open into? Green, gray and blue doors are a naturally gracious expression for the entrance to your home, especially when they contrast with a house’s warm undertones. Matching your shutters will help extend this contrast.
