Exterior Paint Color Pairings for Houses With Colored Brick
Choosing exterior paint colors for a brick house can be challenging. With so many potential color combinations, where do you start? The key is finding shades that complement the undertones of your home's brick. By understanding basic color theory and design principles, you can create an attractive exterior color scheme.
Read on for inspiration to give your brick house exterior a beautiful, pulled-together look.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Exterior Brick House Paint Colors
There are several important considerations when selecting exterior paint colors for a brick house:
- Brick color and undertones
- Surrounding landscape and hardscape
- Directional sunlight
- Color theory
The undertone of your home's brick sets the foundation for choosing complementary colors. Warm red bricks have orange undertones, while brown bricks tend to be more yellow-based. White bricks are fairly neutral. To choose harmonious paint colors, look at the color wheel to identify analogous shades or complementary colors across the wheel.
Also assess how the paint color will look against landscaping, fences, roofs, and other exterior elements. You generally want a cohesive look. View paint samples outdoors in natural lighting at different times of day.
Paint Color Combinations for Red Brick
From classic to contemporary, there are many exterior paint colors that complement red brick:
Grays
Shades of gray from light dove to charcoal provide an adaptable neutral that complements red brick. Gray creates a refined, sophisticated look. For a brick house with gray painted siding or trim, try accents in navy or forest green.
Greens
Green is situated opposite red on the color wheel, making it an ideal contrasting choice. From mint to mossy forest green, painted green accents make red brick pop. Olive greens and sages also bridge the vibrancy of the brick.
Plums
Deep plums and eggplant purples contrast beautifully with red brick, especially when used on accent features like doors or shutters. Plum provides depth while working in harmony with red brick's inherent warmth.
Blues
For a classic combo, navy blue or robin's egg blue partners nicely with red brick. The contrast of cool blue against the brick's orangey undertones looks crisp and timeless.
Paint Color Combinations for Brown Brick
Brown brick provides flexibility for choosing paint colors. Here are some foolproof options:
Tans and Browns
In the same color family, earthy browns, ochres, khakis and other tan-inspired neutrals blend seamlessly with brown brick. Keep tones lighter than the brick so the exterior doesn't look monotonous.
Yellows
Liven up brown brick with sunny yellow paint. Mustard, lemon, and buttercream yellows help brown brick feel warm and cheerful. Use yellows sparingly on trim for bright pops of color.
Terracotta
For depth, consider terracotta. As a deep orange-red, terracotta relates to the warm undertones of brown brick but provides enough contrast to not look flat.
Whites and Creams
Creamy off-whites, antique whites, and ivory accentuate brown brick's earthiness in a light, airy way. Soft whites and neutrals keep the focus on the texture of the brick.
Paint Color Combinations for White Brick
White brick's neutrality opens up lots of color pairing possibilities. Here are some ideas:
Dark and Bold Colors
White brick's lightness begs for contrast. Deep shades of emerald, navy, charcoal, and even black make white brick pop. Painting trim and accents in bold colors frames white brick elegantly.
Soft Neutrals
For subtle contrast, creamy whites, warm grays, taupes, and ivory are soothing counterparts to white brick. Light colors allow white brick's natural beauty to take center stage.
Achieving Contrast vs. Blending
Depending on your aesthetic goals, you can allow white brick to stand out against darker paint colors or select lighter shades to seamlessly blend. There are no wrong choices!
Using Accent Colors on Brick Houses
Accent colors are a great way to enhance brick houses. Use accents strategically on:
- Doors
- Window trim and frames
- Shutters
- Porch columns
Choose hues with some vibrancy like citrus yellow, cherry red, periwinkle blue or grass green. Accent colors will make your brick house feel livelier.
Design Principles for Combining Brick and Paint
Follow these fundamentals when pairing brick with exterior paint:
60-30-10 Rule
This popular guideline recommends one dominant color taking up 60% of the scheme, a secondary color at 30%, and an accent color for the final 10%. For brick houses, the brick itself will likely be the dominant color.
Warm and Cool Balance
Aim for a mix of warm and cool tones. If your brick has warm undertones, choose some cooler paint colors to contrast and balance it out.
Texture
Consider the finishes of your paint and brick. Flat paint absorbs light differently than glossy paint. You want there to be some interplay between the texture of the materials.
Harmony
Repeating colors in different shades and tones ties everything together. For example, use lighter and darker versions of similar greens or blues throughout the exterior.
With some color theory basics, you can confidently choose exterior paint colors to complement your home's brick. Trust your instincts and enjoy the process of experimenting with different color combinations.
Choosing exterior paint colors for a brick home requires assessing the brick's undertones and color characteristics. Grays, greens, plums, and blues make classic partners for red brick while yellows, tans, and terracotta colors accent brown brick beautifully. White brick offers flexibility to create bold contrast with deep colors or subtle interplay with light neutrals. Strategically placed accent colors can add liveliness and interest.
Follow principles like the 60-30-10 rule and seek balance between warm and cool tones, texture, and harmony to design a cohesive exterior paint scheme. With some inspiration from proven color pairings, you can confidently combine brick and paint into an attractive exterior.