Exterior Cottage Paint Colors That Complement Natural Surroundings
When choosing exterior paint colors for a cottage, it's important to select hues that blend in harmoniously with the home's natural surroundings. Cottages are all about embracing the beauty of nature, so your color palette should reflect the plants, trees, landscapes, and water features that set the scene around your charming getaway home.
Whether your cottage is nestled in verdant woods, perched on a flower-filled meadow, or overlooking a serene lake, you can pick just the right colors to complement the views.
Take Note of the Lighting and Direction your Cottage Faces
Before selecting exterior paint colors, first consider the direction your cottage faces and how much sunlight it gets. A north-facing cottage will look best in warmer, brighter colors that offset the cooler light it receives. Meanwhile, a south-facing cottage can get away with cooler, more muted tones since it enjoys warmer southern sun exposure. Also pay attention to differences in morning light versus afternoon - some paint colors can shift in appearance throughout the day.
It's wise to test out a few paint color samples on your actual cottage exterior at different times of day. This will give you a better sense of how the shades interact with the specific lighting conditions around your home before you commit to painting the entire exterior.
Choose Colors Seen in Your Cottage's Natural Surroundings
When selecting exterior cottage paint colors, draw inspiration directly from the landscape your home is set within. Observe the gorgeous views and scenery outside your windows. What colors dominate the natural palette? Earthy greens from trees and shrubs? Serene blues from a lakefront or ocean vista? Warm, sunny tones like tans and burnt oranges?
Picking up on the most prevalent environmental colors and working them into your exterior paint scheme is a foolproof way to make your cottage feel connected to its beautiful surroundings. Here are some of our favorite nature-inspired exterior paint colors for cottages:
Soothing Bluish Greens
If your cottage is immersed in forests, gardens and leafy plants, consider a bluish-green exterior color. These verdant tones are reminiscent of moss and ferns and will seamlessly blend your home into wooded environments. Try a soft sage green or muted teal shade on siding or trim for a peaceful, Zen-like ambiance.
Natural Tones of Sand and Clay
For cottages situated in wide open meadows or surrounded by dirt paths, fields and exposed earth, warm natural tones are ideal. Think clay brick reds, sand beiges, or burnt orange hues reminiscent of terra cotta. These colors connect to the raw elements of soil, clay and rock present around your cottage for a down-to-earth vibe.
Cool Blues and Grays of Lakes and Skies
Cottages perched on glistening blue lakes look best in colors mirroring the beautiful water views. Paint your exterior a pale sky blue, slate gray, or even a bolder navy blue as an homage to the peaceful waters just beyond your windows. Likewise, neutral grays work to reflect the oft-cloudy skies above your charming getaway home.
Complement the Architecture and Details of your Cottage
When selecting exterior paint, you'll also want to consider how colors complement the existing architectural details of your cottage rather than compete with them. Work with features like peaked rooflines, shuttered windows, charming entryways and porches to determine an exterior paint scheme that highlights these beloved details.
Also keep in mind the overall size and proportions of your cottage when choosing color. Dark or bright paint colors may feel imposing and overwhelming on a tiny cottage, while they can add drama and flair to a larger home. Lighter muted colors tend to make small cottages feel more expansive.
Infuse Your Cottage with Personality
While blending into nature is important, you'll also want to choose some exterior cottage paint colors that speak to your own personal taste and the mood you want to create. Some homeowners love the cheerful vibe of a bright coral red or sunshine yellow door. Others prefer complementary colors like violet paired with green for a whimsical, cottage garden aesthetic.
Even if you stick to a neutral white or gray siding, add pops of color with festive front doors, shutters or accent trim to infuse your cottage with personality. This allows you to reflect the natural environment while also putting your unique stamp on your charming home.
Creative Ways to Incorporate Nature's Colors
Now that we've covered how to choose the right exterior cottage paint colors based on your surroundings, let's look at some brilliant ways to put these earthy color schemes into practice:
Pale Gray Siding with Olive Green Trim and Brick Red Door
This combination takes its cue from stone, foliage and clay. The cool gray siding mimics rocky textures, while olive green trim represents leaves and vegetation. A vibrant red door acts as the focal point, reminiscent of clay bricks dotting the natural landscape.
Light Sand Base with Navy Blue and White Accents
This beachy scheme evokes seasides and marinas. The sandy base color connects to shorelines, while pops of navy blue and crisp white represent ocean waters and seafoam. Use navy on the door and window trim to make these details pop.
Forest Green Siding with Rustic Wood Stain Accents
For a woodsy cottage nestled amongst trees, a deep forest green exterior with wood grain accents is ideal. The emerald painted siding blends with verdant woods, while stained timber beams, decks, porches and other details add organic contrast.
Ready to paint your cottage exterior in nature's palette? Keep these tips in mind:
- Test out samples first to see how colors look against siding and in different lighting
- Limit your scheme to 3 colors for visual unity
- Use darker shades sparingly for accents, lighter ones for large surfaces
- Choose colors within the same general tone for cohesion
- Add an unexpected pop of color like saffron yellow or robin's egg blue for personality
- Update classics like sage green with modern, brighter versions
Painting your cottage's exterior in natural, earthy hues that reflect the beautiful surroundings will help it feel connected to the environment. Discuss your vision with color consultants and try various samples before settling on the perfect pastoral palette for your charming home.