10 Classic Exterior Paint Colour Combinations to Paint Your Home Now

While we know not to judge a book by its cover, the same cannot be said for a house. The colour of a home’s exterior is the first thing we notice – and it sets the design tone for the whole property. These classic paint colour combinations have stood the test of time and still look fresh today.

Exterior of a classic colonial house with black shutters painted in BEHR Carbon N520-7, the main house painted in BEHR Dusting Powder BL-W05 and the red door painted in BEHR Allure PPU2-03

Behr: Dusting Powder BL-W05, Carbon N520-7, Allure PPU2-03

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In Black and White

Crisp and clean, a bright white exterior is an undisputed classic, especially when it comes to a home with neo-classical architectural details. Black shutters and a bright-red door provide just the right amount of contrast.

Exterior of a beautiful shingled home painted a silver green in BEHR Environmental PPU11-09 with white and yellow window trim and doors in BEHR Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06 and Marsh Marigold P250-3

Behr: Environmental PPU11-09, Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06,...

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Fern Gully

This grey-green shade helps this home blend into the surrounding trees and landscaping, while the butter yellow window trim brings a bit of warm energy to the colour scheme.

Cute grey cottage exterior painted in BEHR Hush PPU26-16 with white trim in BEHR Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06, and a yellow front door in Buzz-In P300-6

Behr: Hush PPU26-16, Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06, Buzz-In...

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Stormy Weather

In a timeless palette, a soft grey exterior is accented by bright white trim and a sunny yellow door.

Welcoming front steps of a heritage craftsman house painted in BEHR Aged Beige PPU7-09, with white trim in BEHR Polar Bear 75 and red stairs and trim in red BEHR Fire Cracker PPU2-16

Aged Beige PPU7-09, Polar Bear 75, Fire Cracker PPU2-16

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Oldie, but a Goodie

When you own a home that’s over a hundred years old, look to the past for inspiration. Traditionally, heritage homes tend to stick to a base neutral colour such as beige, but amp up the interest with high-intensity accents (hello, burnt orange!).

Exterior of a beautiful blue colonial style house painted in BEHR Ice Drop M530-1, with white trim in BEHR Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06 and the door in BEHR Black BLACK

Behr: Ice Drop M530-1, Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06, Black...

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Something Blue

Pulling inspiration from New England’s Eastern Seaboard, a baby-blue hued colonial home with bright white trim brings up pastoral images of clambakes, the Kennedys and afternoons out on the yacht. (We can dream, right?).

Classic cedar shingled home exterior painted dark grey with BEHR Intergalactic N450-5, white trim in BEHR Polar Bear 75, and a blue door in BEHR Deep Breath S460-7

Behr: Intergalactic N450-5, Polar Bear 75, Deep Breath...

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Sophisti-slated

A matte slate exterior matched up with soft white trim and a deep sea blue is a timeless trio.

Classic craftsman house painted sage green with BEHR Livingston N330-5 with cream and red trim in BEHR Navajo White 22 and Red Chipotle S160-7

Behr: Livingston N330-5, Navajo White 22, Red Chipotle...

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Sage Advice

Inspired by the wild sage and red prairie-fire flowers that grow in the high deserts of North America, this calming colour scheme combines sage green with a soft beige and a hit of chili-pepper red.

Exterior of a large colonial style house painted in a khaki green BEHR Urban Safari PPU8-04, with white window trim in BEHR White 52, blue shutters in BEHR Poppy Seed PPU15-20 and the burgundy door in BEHR Cherry Cola S130-7

Behr: Urban Safari PPU8-04, White 52, Poppy Seed PPU15-20,...

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Rule of (Green) Thumb

Going with a darker forest green, paired with blue-black shutters and a burgundy door on a home’s exterior is also an excellent choice if you want the colours to transcend trends.

Modern farmhouse exterior painted tan and white with BEHR Ashen Tan N220-2 and Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06

Behr: Ashen Tan N220-2, Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06

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Latte Order

If you’re leaning towards a neutral palette for your place, you can’t go wrong with tan. Paired with bright white window trims, this super-light latte colour gives the house visual depth without overwhelming the eye with colour.

Beautiful beach inspired back porch painted light brown in BEHR Mocha Latte PPU5-04 with white trim in BEHR Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06 and a green door in BEHR Vine Leaf N400-7

Behr: Mocha Latte PPU5-04, Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06,...

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Beach Outdoor Living

Keeping it natural and neutral, this colour palette is pulled straight from Mother Nature with its earth-brown siding, rain-cloud grey decking, sea-foam white trim and forest-green door.