Home Home Improvement Painting Foolproof Exterior Paint Colors That Will Make Yours the Prettiest House on the Block We asked the experts for their no-fail picks for exterior paint colors. By Betsy Goldberg Betsy Goldberg Betsy is a content and editorial strategist with more than two decades of experience as a highly-skilled editor and writer. She has graced the mastheads of notable magazine brands including Real Simple, Us Weekly, HGTV Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Highlights: * Former deputy editor at Real Simple * Former editorial and content strategy director at Bed, Bath, and Beyond * Former deputy editor at Airbnb Magazine * National Magazine Award Finalist (2015) * Current deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 8, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty Images Deciding which colors to paint the outside of your house is daunting (a big commitment!)—so we asked the pros for help. While the process of applying your exterior house paint of choice is its own challenge, we can at least help you pick the right paint colors. Here, top designers share their go-to hues for a home's siding, trim, and front door for a cohesive, eye-catching look. Try one of their perfect pairings for the prettiest house on the block. Our easy-to-follow chart, below, outlines foolproof paint color picks for your home's exterior, with a little feedback from our experts on what makes these colors flow. For more information on these paint colors (and where you can get them), scroll on. The Best Time to Paint Your House's Exterior realsimple.com Click here for a larger version. 8 Great Exterior Paint Color Pairings 01 of 08 Gray + White + Blue "A dark gray with a rich brown undertone is beautiful with white or off-white trim, for contrast. Pair that with a robin's egg blue front door to pick up the color of the sky." – Sally Wheat Siding: Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore Trim: White Dove by Benjamin Moore Front door: Tahitian Breeze by Behr 02 of 08 White + Navy + Gold "A golden yellow front door is a flash of unexpected chic. It's beautiful on a white house with grayish-blue shutters." – Elaine Griffin Siding: Brilliant White by Benjamin Moore Trim: Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore Front door: Marblehead Gold by Benjamin Moore 03 of 08 Beige + White + Taupe "This is a timeless trio of colors found in nature. They'll never go out of style or feel dated. If you want a lighter house, just swap the siding and trim shades." – Tracy Morris Siding: Hardwick White by Farrow & Ball Trim: Clunch by Farrow & Ball Front door: Squirrel Tail by Benjamin Moore 04 of 08 White + Black + Green "I love a crisp, classic exterior, like a warm white with a cool, deep black. A front door with a pop of color—bright green!—is very welcoming to guests." – Tobi Fairley Siding: Pure White by Sherwin-Williams Trim: Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams Front door: Derbyshire by Sherwin-Williams 05 of 08 Tan + White+ Blue "This tan is the perfect neutral—it has just enough of a green undertone to beautifully blend in to the landscape. A dreamy blue door is fresh and impactful, so keep the trim subtle—a dab of cream is all you need." – Beth Haley Siding: Canvas Tan by Sherwin-Williams Trim: Westhighland White by Sherwin-Williams Front door: Seaworthy by Sherwin-Williams 06 of 08 Blue + White + Red "This is a regal color combination that's super-versatile—it looks great on a modern home or a traditional one with lots of molding. The deep red door makes a big statement." – Vanessa De Vargas Siding: Bay View by Dunn-Edwards Trim: White by Dunn-Edwards Front door: Deep Hibiscus by Dunn-Edwards 07 of 08 White + Black "The simplicity of black and white works on virtually any home. Choose a white that's crisp and dressy, and a black that's saturated, with plenty of punch." – Maria Von Hartz and Annie Fitzgerald Siding: Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore Trim: Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore Front door: Onyx by Benjamin Moore 08 of 08 White + Gray + Black "No other color endures the test of time like white does. Pair it with crisp gray trim. You can use the gray on the front door too, but you'll get a dramatic dark-and-light contrast if you go with a pitch black door instead." – Andrew Howard Siding: Sheep's Wool by Benjamin Moore Trim: Mole's Breath by Farrow & Ball Front door: Pitch Black by Farrow & Ball Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit