Choose the Best Green Exterior Paint Colors for Your Home
Whether you're looking to give your home a fresh, natural look or make a bold statement, green exterior paint can be a great option. With so many gorgeous shades of green to choose from, it can be tricky to select the right one for your home's style and surroundings. Let's explore some of the most popular and eye-catching green paint colors for home exteriors.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Exterior Paint Colors
Selecting any exterior paint color requires taking a few key factors into account:
- Architectural style - A Victorian home may suit deeper, jewel-toned greens while a modern, minimalist home can handle brighter, bolder greens.
- Existing exterior elements - Consider how the green will complement or contrast your roof, trim, front door, and outdoor furnishings.
- Sunlight exposure - South-facing sides get more light. North-facing areas remain cooler. Pick shades accordingly.
- Climate and weather - In hot regions, lighter greens won't absorb as much heat. Darker forest greens suit cold climates.
- Landscaping - Coordinate green shades with your plants, trees, and grass.
Popular Green Paint Colors for Home Exteriors
Sage Green
One of the most versatile green exterior paint colors is sage green. Ranging from muted to crisp in tone, different hues of sage can create a variety of looks. Soft sage greens complement homes inspired by nature, creating a soothing, peaceful vibe. Use a light sage green on a craftsman bungalow for an earthy feel. Try a gray-tinged sage on a cottage for an elegant visual effect. Sage greens pair beautifully with brick, wood siding, and stone accents.
Emerald Green
For an elegant, luxurious look, emerald green is a stellar choice. Deeper and richer than forest greens, emerald greens perfectly accent white, black, and gray homes. Use it on front doors, window frames, or shutters for a striking pop of color. To keep the look classic, pair emerald greens with crisp white trim. For a more modern twist, accent it with grays and blacks. Emerald green adds drama and sophistication to any architectural style.
Forest Green
Forest green is ideal for blending a home with wooded surroundings. As a nature-inspired hue, it feels organic on brick or stone facades. Use forest green siding on a craftsman home nestled amongst trees or opted for a deep forest green door on a suburban colonial. For more modern homes, pair it with lighter neutral colors as an edgy, high-contrast combination. The depth of forest greens makes them ideal for creating a cocooning effect.
Cactus Green
If you want a bolder, punchier green for your home exterior, cactus green is an excellent option. These greens have strong yellow undertones, creating a brighter effect than classics like olive or sage green. Use cactus green on accent walls or front doors to give your home an instant color pop. Since they are bold, balance cactus greens with subdued neutral colors like beige, gray, and white. For contemporary homes, cactus green makes a lively, cheerful statement.
Achieving Different Tones of Green
There are a few simple tricks painters use to modify green paint colors:
- Add gray to mute and soften the tone.
- Mix in brown for an earthier, more natural look.
- Include white to lighten the shade.
- Add black to deepen and intensify the color.
- Use less or more blue/yellow to adjust cool vs. warm undertones.
Ask for color samples and test different swatches on areas of exterior wall to hone in on your perfect green before committing to painting the entire house.
Choosing Paint Finishes
For exterior paint projects, proper finish selection helps ensure durability and weather-resistance. Here are some guidelines when picking sheens:
- Flat - Avoid flat finishes outside as they absorb moisture and fade quickly.
- Satin - A nice compromise with decent durability and a soft glow.
- Semi-gloss - Resists moisture and easy to clean. Ideal for doors, trim, and accents.
- Gloss - Most shine and protection but can overemphasize imperfections.
Satin is suitable for siding, while semi-gloss works beautifully on doors, shutters, railings to give greens a lustrous, eye-catching sheen.
Whether you prefer muted, earthy greens or bold, vibrant shades, painting your home's exterior green is an excellent way to enhance visual interest and give your house personality. Take time to find the perfect green for your specific architectural style and surroundings. With so many options, you can easily achieve a refreshing new look with green exterior paint colors.