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Like the hues you choose for indoor spaces, exterior house paint colors should put a smile on your face day after day. That said, if you’re planning to put your house on the market in the near future, the wise course is to consider which exterior paint colors are going to attract the most buyers.
“Neutral and traditional colors are a good bet if you are going to paint your home’s exterior to get it ready to sell,” says Elizabeth Mendenhall, a realtor in Columbia, Missouri, and a former president of the National Association of Realtors. “You want a look that is warm and inviting. Unique colors may turn away some potential buyers.” If you’re painting for resale, consider these 12 exterior house paint colors with undeniable curb appeal.
1. Off-White
“The color you paint your home’s exterior can make or break people’s perception of your house,” says Erika Woelfel, the vice president of color and creative services for Behr Paints. Behr’s Smoky White (BWC-13) looks stunning on this farmhouse-style home, but would look just as classic on a Colonial.
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2. Yellow
“The color yellow on a house says ‘happy’ right off the bat,” observes interior designer Carla Aston, of Aston Design Studio, in The Woodlands, Texas. In order to attract the greatest number of potential buyers, stick with a pale shade, like Behr’s Corn Stalk (M290-3), paired here with Cottage White (#13) at the roof’s peaks.
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3. Light Blue
Whether your home is situated on the shores of America’s coastline or on a cozy suburban cul-de-sac, fresh color combinations like this light blue and deep aqua can enhance architectural elements. Seen here, Behr’s Watery (HDC-CT-26) provides a tranquil backdrop for shutters and doors in bright Blue Metal (HDC-AC-25).
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4. Gray
Ever since Ron Sonnek, owner of Sicora Design/Build, in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, posted a picture of this renovation online, he has received “literally thousands of requests for this paint color!” And what is the magic combination? Benjamin Moore Copley Gray (HC-104) trimmed with Benjamin Moore Elephant Tusk (OC-8).
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5. Taupe
In keeping with the natural trend, Jackie Jordan, the former director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams, reveals that taupe is one of the company’s most popular choices among neutral exterior paint colors. “Sticking with classic neutrals is a good way to play it safe when planning to put your house up for sale,” Jordan says. Tavern Taupe (SW 7508), pictured here, looks stunning with dark shutters in Homestead Brown (SW 7515).
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6. Putty
“We’re seeing a lot of putty, warm taupe, and gray hues—exterior house colors that blend in with the natural surroundings,” reports Amy Elbert, senior architecture editor for Traditional Home. “Inspiration might come from stone used in the home’s foundation or on walls and walkways on the property.” Pictured here, Sherwin-Williams’ Downing Earth (SW 2820).
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7. Blue Gray
Deep blue grays like the shade shown in this example “have a nautical, serene feeling,” says Amy Hendel, marketing director for Hendel Homes, in Wayzata, Minnesota, who oversaw the renovation of this waterfront cottage. “It’s also a good complement to white trim.” Here, Sherwin-Williams’ Needlepoint Navy (SW 0032) is crowned with Antiquarian Brown (SW 0045); both are from the company’s America’s Heritage Palette.
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8. Wheat
Not quite white and almost yellow, this buttery in-between feels both warm and clean. Behr’s Oklahoma Wheat (350E-3) will match up beautifully with both dark browns and gray-blues for accents, and will positively glow next to the green of a well-kept lawn.
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9. Green
A neutral shade that’s a cross between green and gray, like Benjamin Moore’s Cypress Green (509), never disappoints. This in-between green won’t fade in with the grass, and makes a wonderful contrast to either dark gray and black shutters or white and cream shutters.
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10. White
A white clapboard farmhouse is an American icon with timeless appeal. For the renovation of the one pictured here, Amy Hendel considered many exterior house colors but ultimately, she chose Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White (#967). “It’s not a stark white, but has creamy yellow undertones that would complement any style of home,” Hendel says.
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11. Brown
Like the best exterior house colors, Dunn-Edwards’ Art and Craft (DET682), makes a statement: This house isn’t going anywhere. Inspired by nature but utterly modern, this shade is a stunning complement to both stone veneers and metal accents.
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12. Red
Cheery, lighthouse red feels both traditional and fresh. Unlike some of the more subdued hues on this list, Benjamin Moore’s Million Dollar Red (2003-10) pops out against any background, whether your home is nestled in trees or on a clean landscape outlined only by the broad sky.
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