A freshly painted home can increase curb appeal. But, what color paint should you choose?
While your home's current exterior pallet may reflect your preferences, if you're selling, neutral paint colors are best because non-distracting tones help buyers imagine themselves living in a house. However, houses painted completely in neutral tones can risk looking a little boring!
Here are five of my favorite neutral color pallets that are simple enough to please the masses, but won't leave your home with boring curb appeal. I've included notes on why they work, how to use them, and the exact paint colors. Which is right for your home?
1. Black + White + Red
The arched ruby-red door is the perfect contrast to the traditional dark-brown timber and white stucco Tudor-style palette. This pallet will work well with a traditional style home. A red door can make a positive and memorable statement when your home is on the market. Buyers and Realtors may refer to it as "the house with the red front door."
Paint colors: Sherwin-Williams Navajo White + Sherwin-Williams Black Bean + Behr Ruby Ring
2. Gray + White + Dove
This cottage house has fun touches, like the window boxes, a brick path, and cutouts on the shutters that give it a classic Cape Cod vibe. The muted pallet works best in a relaxed neighborhood. Try it if your home is in the suburbs, the country, or near the beach.
Paint colors: Glidden Pebble White (shutters and front door) + Benjamin Moore Wedgewood Gray (trim) + Benjamin Moore White Dove
3. Yellow + White + Black
White paint emphasizes the architectural features of this older brick home while the black trim on the porch windows adds depth and style. Yellow can be tricky for an exterior color but when done right, can look absolutely charming. Concord Buff from Sherwin Williams is a go-to yellow for professionals as it's a neutral yellow that doesn't ever look neon - not what you want! When using yellow for the primary exterior color, remember to offset with dark touches like the black window trim and brown roofing used here, so the whole look isn't too pastel.
Paint colors: Sherwin-Williams Concord Buff + Sherwin-Williams Dover White + Sherwin-Williams Black Swan
4. White + Gray + Dark Blue
This home's stonework is accented with white and gray trim, and deep-blue accents that give it a unique personality. A white, gray, and dark blue color combination is pleasing with many architectural styles and looks especially beautiful with stone or stucco accents.
Paint colors: Valspar Sequoia Glade (front door and shutters) + Valspar Pam’s Lace (trim) + Valspar Ivory Brown (siding)
5. Carbon + Pure White
Classic black and white is really the only choice for this grand colonial home built in 1919. White conveys a look of clean and un-cluttered, which is very appealing to buyers. This classic color combo can suit most any style of home.
Paint colors: Behr Ultra Pure White + Behr Carbon
Perfect Curb Appeal
Now that your paint is on par, try adding these great finds for the finishing touch to your perfect curb appeal!
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👉 STOP! Read this before you put your home on the market: 9 Things That Make Your House Look Dated
Great question! With exterior stain that’s in good condition add interest with the trim, window, and door colors. Green or blue can look beautiful with the natural color of the logs. For extra color, add shutters painted in tones to match the trim. I prefer that log homes are not painted. A log home isn’t easy to stage because of the overbearing dark wood present inside and out, but plenty of bright touches with decor like bright trim on the exterior and cozy fur throws on beds, floors, and seating areas inside can appeal to a broad range of buyers.
Alicia, what about all of the log homes we have in our area where the logs will remain stained versus painted. What do you recommend there?
Thank you,