Decoding Exterior Paint Colors: Choosing the Perfect Palette for Your New England Home

Are you feeling overwhelmed and stuck when it comes to choosing the perfect exterior paint colors for your home? We understand the feeling – when you Google “best exterior paint color combinations,” you’ll discover literally hundreds of options. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! By considering important factors such as the look and feel you want, your home’s architecture, and high vs. low color contrast, we can help you narrow down your choices and make the process less daunting. So grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive in!

Look and feel

What’s the look and feel you want to your home to have? For example, do you want a sophisticated color palette, a timeless look, or something fun or whimsical? Do you want a touch of drama or intensity in your color palette? Perhaps you prefer a peaceful and serene palette.
Consider your home’s architecture, too. Is your historic? Mid century modern? Arts and Crafts? Classic colonial? Coastal? New construction? If your home has a distinct architectural style or is historic, do some online research into colors that are appropriate for the style and age of your home.

Identify what you’re not changing

Before selecting paint colors, make sure to identify the external elements that are staying put. Areas to consider are your roof, any stone or brick on your home, and landscaping. For example, if your roof is brown, you’ll want to consider a warmer color palette. If you have gray stone on your house, you’ll want to look at the cooler color tones.

High color contrast or low color contrast

Do you like high or low contrast between colors? An example of a high contrast color palette would be a white house with black shutters, and a red door. An example of a low contrast color palette would be a pale gray house with off white trim and a light blue door.

Warm versus cool color palette

Are you drawn toward a warm, cool, or a warm/cool combination palette? Warms colors are reds, oranges, yellows, browns, and beiges. Cool colors are blues, greens, purples, and grays. Black and white are neither cool nor warm – they are considered true neutrals. A warm/cool combination palette would be a deep blue house with a bright red door or a beige house with a hunter green door.

Timeless paint color combinations

Clarifying your preferences in each of the above areas will help you focus on the best color palette for your home. Here in the New England area, the majority of houses are painted gray, white and black, or another neutral.

Here are examples of cool, warm, and combination palettes from Benjamin Moore:

Cool

Body: Coventry Gray HC-169
Trim: Cloud Cover OC-25
Door/shutters: Jet Black 2120-10

This is a timeless cool palette. Coventry Gray is a medium blue gray, Cloud Cover is an off-white, and Jet Black is a classic door color.This is a great palette for more traditional homes.

Body: Woodlawn Blue HC-147
Trim: White OC-151
Door/shutters: Chelsea Gray HC-168

This cool combination is a serene choice, especially if you’d like to substitute color for a neutral. Woodlawn Blue is a pale blue that combines well with the white and gray door for a subtle look and feel.

Warm

Body: Jackson Tan HC-46
Trim: Natural Wicker OC-1
Door/Shutters: Earthly Russet 2173-10

This warm palette works well with more contemporary homes, ranches, and bungalows. The Jackson Tan is a grounding color with a lot of depth. The Natural Wicker is an off-white that complements the tan, while the Earthly Russet is a red brown that pulls the palette together.

Body: Revere Pewter HC-172
Trim: Cromwell Gray HC-103
Door/Shutters: Black Satin 2131-10

Although Revere Pewter is gray, it’s a warm gray. Combined with the Cromwell Gray, a deeper green gray, and a classic black door, this is a warmer color palette. If you enjoy a neutral palette, but want some warmth and sophistication, this is a good option.

Combination of Warm and Cool

Body: BM Nimbus Gray 2131-50
Trim: BM Pure White OC-64
Door/Shutters: BM Caliente

Nimbus Gray typically looks more pale blue than gray. Combined with white trim and a dark red door, this is a classic New England look for your home.

Body: Hawthorne Yellow HC-4
Trim: Brilliant White OC-150
Door/Shutters: Coventry Gray

For those who enjoy more intense color, yellow is a classic, timeless choice. The brilliant white trim combined with the Coventry Gray accent color brings a level of sophistication and makes yellow the star of the show.

Written by Claudette Rowley, True Color Expert Consultant at Claudette Rowley Designs.