Choose the Perfect Exterior Paint Colors for Your Colonial House

Colonial style homes are distinguished by their symmetry, simple lines, and understated elegance. The exterior paint colors you choose for your colonial house can either enhance its welcoming charm or take away from its historic character. Selecting the right hues involves understanding which colors were popular in the colonial era, as well as which modern shades will give your home the look you desire.

We'll look at recommended shades from brilliant white to soothing pastels, earthy greens, and even bold black. With the right combination of colors suited to your home's architecture and surroundings, you can achieve a facade that balances old-world charm with modern livability.

Classic White for a Timeless Look

White has historically been the most popular color choice for colonial home exteriors. A bright white exterior provides a clean, classic look that allows other architectural details to shine. That's why many colonial revival homes today feature a crisp white facade with black shutters and doors for contrast.

When selecting a white exterior paint color, options include:

• Brilliant bright white for a fresh, contemporary vibe.
• Softer antique white for a more vintage appeal.
• Stark, true white for contrast against darker accents.
• Buttery off-whites to soften and add warmth.

A timeless combination is a bright white exterior with black shutters and doors. For a more layered look, consider different whites on the siding, trim, and accents. For example, use antique white siding with bright white pilasters and window trim.

Paint Color Ideas

• Sherwin-Williams White Duck
• Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Behr Ultra Pure White
• Benjamin Moore White Dove

Shades of Blue for Authentic Colonial Style

While white may be the quintessential colonial exterior color today, historically blue was even more prevalent. Paint research shows blue was a widely used facade color in the 18th century colonial era. From deep navy to soft powder blue, colonial builders utilized the color extensively.

Blue remains a top choice for colonial home exteriors today. Medium to dark blue shades work particularly well. They add dimension and elegance, while still feeling true to the period. Good colors to consider include:

• Rich navy - stately and sophisticated
• Vibrant cobalt - eye-catching and bold
• Classic powder blue - soft and restful
• Weathered blue - authentic patina

Pair your blue exterior with white or off-white trim and perhaps a pop of red on the front door. Stick to traditional colonial blues for a historically accurate scheme. Or choose bolder shades of blue for a contemporary colonial revival look.

Paint Color Ideas

• Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue
• Sherwin-Williams Naval
• Behr Patriotic Blue
• Benjamin Moore Hale Navy

Soft Pastels for a Delicate Appearance

While pastel exterior colors like peach and light pink only came into fashion after the colonial period, they can still enhance the graceful elegance of a colonial home. Soft shades of pink, peach, yellow, and sage green create a delicate, feminine facade.

Recommended pastel colonial colors include:

• Blush pink
• Buttery yellow
• Coral rose
• Seafoam green
• Lavender blue

Avoid bright, neon versions of pastels that may look too unnatural. For a more contemporary vibe, go for deeper shades like salmon or violet. For a traditional appeal, use a light hand with soft, muted pastels. Accent with white or dark trim for contrast.

Paint Color Ideas

• Benjamin Moore First Light
• Sherwin-Williams Relaxed
• Behr Cinnamon Toast
• Valspar Oyster Shell

Sophisticated Neutrals for Visual Warmth

Warm neutral paint colors like beige, tan, and buff add a subtle sophistication to a colonial home exterior. Unlike stark white, soft neutrals add a cozy, welcoming warmth to your facade. They also beautifully contrast white architectural details like columns, quoins, trim and mouldings.

Recommended warm neutral colonial colors include:

• Creamy buff
• Golden tan
• Rich sandstone
• Khaki brown

Pair your neutral exterior with black or dark blue shutters and accents for a classic look. Or opt for pops of red and yellow for a more cheerful, contemporary vibe. Just avoid dull, muddy neutrals that could make your home look dull.

Paint Color Ideas

• Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige
• Behr Khaki Tan
• Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan
• Valspar Rocky Road

Vibrant Contrast with Black and Red

For a dramatic, modern take on the colonial exterior, try a bold black paint color contrasted with bright white trim. The inky black facade serves as a striking background, allowing the home's architectural details to stand out.

Black also beautifully complements red brick. The bold contrast draws the eye to the brickwork and gives it visual pop. Consider painting your door a glossy red for an extra punch of contrasting color.

Deep, saturated shades work best for a black exterior, like:

• Carbon black
• Espresso brown-black
• Deep burgundy

Black is ideal if you want to modernize the look of your traditional colonial home. Keep trim light for contrast and add bright accent colors for personality.

Paint Color Ideas

• Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black
• Rustoleum Chocolate Brown
• Behr Blackened Cavern
• Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green

Earthy Greens for Natural Harmony

Verdant green is a great exterior color choice for colonial homes, as it ties into the lush greenery of the surrounding landscape. Sage, olive and forest green hues complement any plantings, lawns, and trees around your home.

When selecting a green:

• Avoid neon or lime greens that may look dated.
• Soft muted greens work well in traditional schemes.
• Bolder emerald greens create a more striking statement.

Pair your green exterior with tan, cream or brown trim. Accents in red, black or navy blue can provide attractive contrast. Just be sure your green exterior complements, rather than competes, with the natural greens of your property.

Paint Color Ideas

• Benjamin Moore Mystic Olive
• Sherwin-Williams Renwick Olive
• Behr Grant Forest
• Valspar Samovar Green

Achieving the Perfect Color Combination

When creating your exterior colonial color scheme, consider factors like your home's architecture, setting, personal taste and the overall look you want to achieve. Here are some tips:

• Typically, choose a lighter main color and darker accent colors for contrast.
• Use trim, shutters, doors and other details to provide color variety.
• Colors should complement architectural style - for example, avoid neon colors on a traditional home.
• Select colors appropriate to your environment - a shady lot may suit deeper hues.
• If you have brick or stone, select colors that complement the masonry.

It often helps to grab paint swatches and create sample boards of potential exterior color combinations. View swatches at different times of day to see how light affects the colors. With a thoughtfully conceived colonial exterior color palette, you can create a home that's both historically charming and distinctly you.

Your colonial home's exterior paint colors should enhance its inviting, graceful style. Time-honored classics like white, blue, and earthy greens are always suitable choices that reflect colonial history. For a contemporary twist, don't shy away from bold modern hues like black or vibrant reds. Just be sure to tailor your color scheme to your home's unique architecture and surroundings.

You can give your colonial house an attractive facade with the right colors that balance old-fashioned elegance with your personal style. Prioritize colors you'll enjoy looking at each day as you come home. Most importantly, choose a color palette that reflects the mood, lifestyle, and era you want your home to evoke. With thoughtful color selection, you can create a colonial exterior that gracefully spans both past and present.