Picking the right colors for your home’s exterior can be exciting and a bit scary. The good news? You can pick colors that look great and make your home stand out. Start by looking at what you already have—your roof, bricks, and landscaping. Then test a few colors in real sunlight. That’s how you find the perfect match.
In this guide, you’ll learn simple ways to choose exterior paint colors that fit your home and make you happy every time you pull into the driveway.
Why Exterior Paint Color Matters
Your home’s outside color is the first thing people see. Paint colors influence how your home is viewed and can affect your property’s value. A good color choice makes your house welcoming and boosts what realtors call “curb appeal.”
Colors also set a mood. Warm colors such as reds, oranges, and yellows make homes feel cozy and welcoming, while cooler shades create different feelings. Think about how you want visitors to feel when they walk up to your door.
Start with What You Already Have
Before you pick any new color, look at the parts of your home you can’t change.
Your Roof Color:
Begin by using color direction from fixed exterior elements like roofing, stone, brick, and landscaping. Your roof is usually the biggest thing people see. If you have a red-toned roof, neutral colors work well. Green or blue roofs give you more freedom with color choices.
Stone, Brick, and Other Features:
Do you have brick around your home? Stone near the entrance? When choosing colors to complement stone or brick, select one shade within that feature and use that to guide exterior paint decisions. This keeps everything looking like it belongs together.
Landscaping:
Your trees, grass, and flowers matter too. If your home has an expansive front lawn or lots of greenery, cool gray-painted siding can really make your surroundings stand out. Green plants look amazing next to gray or beige homes.
Look at Your Neighborhood
Take a walk or drive around your area. What colors do you see? Look at the color schemes of neighboring houses—if your home is flanked on both sides by white houses, consider choosing something different to avoid monotony.
You don’t need to match everyone else. But you also don’t want your home to look completely out of place. Find a balance between fitting in and showing your style.
Think About Your Home’s Style
Different home styles look best with certain colors.
Traditional Homes:
Classic styles like Colonial or Cape Cod homes often look great in historical-inspired directions with tried-and-true neutrals and classic grounded looks. Think whites, creams, and soft grays with darker trim.
Modern Homes:
Modern style homes are typically dressed in neutral tones, but saturated colors can make a statement. Clean blacks, deep grays, or even bold colors work when used right.
Craftsman Style:
If you have a Craftsman-style home with intricate architectural details, stick to muted tones to allow your home’s design to shine. Earth tones like olive green, warm brown, and soft gold fit perfectly.
Popular Color Combinations for 2025
Want to know what’s trending? Here are some popular exterior house painting combinations that look fresh and modern.
Earthy Neutrals:
Homeowners are gravitating toward soft, earthy neutrals like creamy taupes, sandstone, and beige with warm undertones. These create a timeless, welcoming feel.
Sage Green with Cream:
Earthy sage green unquestionably dominates predicted exterior paint trends, harmonizing with nature and creating a calming feel. Pair it with cream or white trim for a fresh look.
Dark and Dramatic:
Dark, dramatic exterior paint colors are an ongoing trend that experts now see as a mainstay, with homeowners loving colors like Black Satin and Kendall Charcoal. Use these with white trim for sharp contrast.
Soft Blues:
Pacific Blue, cheerful and fresh, strikes just the right energy when paired with crisp white edging and dark-colored roofing. Blues give homes a coastal, calm feeling.
Warm Grays:
Grays are always popular. Warm grays with balanced greige tones offer enough warmth to keep them from feeling dull and work well on traditional homes and ranches.
How Light Changes Color
Here’s something many people forget: Colors cast differently under various lighting conditions—a paint color under a shaded tree will appear darker than an exterior hue in direct sunlight.
Paint tends to look lighter when exposed to natural light, so when painting samples, do it in several areas around the house and look at them at different times during the day. Morning light is different from afternoon light. North-facing walls look different from south-facing ones.
Test Before You Paint
Never pick a color from a tiny paint chip alone. If you think you have settled on a color, get a sample before you commit.
Here’s how to test properly:
- Buy sample sizes of your top 3-5 color choices
- Paint large swatches on different sides of your house
- Look at them for several days in morning, noon, and evening light
- Check them on sunny and cloudy days
- Ask family or friends what they think
This small step saves you from making a big mistake.
Use the Three-Color Rule
Homeowners typically use three to four colors when creating an exterior color scheme, considering trim, windows, garage doors, shutters, and other exterior elements.
Here’s a simple formula:
- Main color: 60% of your home (siding)
- Secondary color: 30% of your home (trim, fascia)
- Accent color: 10% of your home (front door, shutters)
This creates balance and keeps your home from looking too busy.
Pick Colors That Match Your Mood
Colors make us feel certain ways. Warm hues such as reds, oranges, and yellows typically stimulate and energize people, while cooler tones like blues and greens have a calming effect.
For a Welcoming Feel:
Choose warm beiges, soft yellows, or light oranges. These colors make guests feel invited.
For a Calm Look:
Pick cool grays, soft blues, or gentle greens. These colors feel peaceful and relaxing.
For Bold Style:
Go with deep blues, rich browns, or even black. These make a strong statement.
Consider Your Climate
Where you live affects which colors work best. Dark colors absorb heat, which can be a problem in hot, sunny areas. They may also fade faster in intense sunlight.
Light colors reflect heat and stay cooler. In Central PA, where we get cold winters and warm summers, you want paint that handles all weather. Both light and dark colors can work well here.
Don’t Forget Your Front Door
Your front door is a special spot. The front door is almost always your best opportunity to make a statement, so consider a bold, welcoming color that you love.
Popular front door colors:
- Classic red (friendly and inviting)
- Navy blue (elegant and timeless)
- Forest green (natural and rich)
- Sunny yellow (happy and cheerful)
- Black (modern and sophisticated)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Picking colors indoors: Paint chips look different inside under artificial light. Always test outside.
Ignoring your roof: Your roof is a huge part of your home’s look. Make sure your wall colors work with it.
Following trends only: Trends are fun, but you need to love your color for years. Pick what makes you happy.
Skipping the test: Never paint your whole house without testing samples first. This is the biggest mistake people make.
Using too many colors: Three or four colors maximum. More than that looks messy.
Work with Professionals
Choosing colors is one thing. Painting your home’s exterior is another. Professional painters know how to prep surfaces, choose quality paint, and apply it correctly.
At UDA Services, we help homeowners in Central PA pick colors that look beautiful and last for years. Our team understands which paint types work best for different surfaces and weather conditions.
Professional painting means:
- Proper surface preparation
- High-quality paint and materials
- Clean, straight lines
- Protection from weather damage
- Results that last 7-10 years
Final Thoughts
Picking house colors for exterior painting doesn’t have to be hard. Start by looking at your roof, bricks, and landscaping. Check out what colors your neighbors use. Think about your home’s style and what mood you want to create.
Test your top color choices in real sunlight for several days. Use the three-color rule to keep things balanced. And remember—pick colors you love, not just what’s trendy.
When you’re ready to transform your home’s exterior, contact UDA Services for a free quote. We’ll help you choose the perfect colors and deliver professional results that make your home look amazing.
Your home deserves colors that make you smile every time you see them. With these tips, you’ll pick the perfect paint colors for your exterior.