SOURCE: Country Living
Nothing can change the appearance of your home’s exterior like fresh paint. Most of us have quite a lot more trepidation when it comes to exterior painting than we do around painting the interior of our home. It makes sense because this colour change will be on full display for your neighbours. We’re most definitely putting our taste out there to be judged and if we make a mistake, everyone will know.
I want to provide you with timeless tips that will always help you achieve your dream home. There are some secrets that apply to exterior paint that we don’t consider when selecting the colours inside our home. If you’re planning to paint your home’s exterior this is an absolute must read!
Table of Contents
6 Important Considerations Before You Paint Your Home’s Exterior
1/ Architectural Style
SOURCE: Universal Restoration
This mistake is made on both the outside and inside of homes and it usually happens when you select paint based on a photo or video of another home. Your home’s architectural style should be one of the biggest drivers when making a decision around any finishing you add to your home. The problem is that what’s considered good taste for a traditional home is very different from the colours we select for a modern home.
There may also be important historical reasons that colours were used so take some time to educate yourself on your home’s history. For example, craftsmen homes were designed in protest to the very ornate Victorian style that preceded this style. Many of the homes were designed using muted, earthy colours. You don’t have to follow any rules but it’s always good to know what the origins of your home’s style is and try to embrace some of the history.
If you need inspiration for your own home’s colour palette try searching Pinterest for homes that are similar in style to your own. You can also walk through your own neighbourhood and see what colours your neighbours are using. You may find tons of inspiration right outside your front door.
Source: Country Living
2/ Neighbourhood and Demographics
SOURCE: French District
Have you ever driven through a neighbourhood and done a double take when you spotted a purple house? Or a green that’s way too bright for the home and the area. Most of us will be nodding our heads because yes, we’ve seen them.
While we all want to be unique, paint is not the way to express your individuality. When we try to be creative and go off book, we can end up being the people with the purple house. Don’t be that guy! Instead, look for colours that will enhance your home and be respectful of the vibe of your community.
Where you live and the demographics of your neighbourhood should also be considered. Some cultures are more drawn to bold colours so if you live in a neighbourhood like that you’ll feel more inclined and more comfortable with bolder colours. Many of us recognize the Painted Ladies from San Francisco and if you’re lucky enough to live in a neighbourhood that embraces colour in this way, you’re extremely lucky.
If you live in a gated community there may be rules to abide by. There are areas that are run by condo associations that will dictate which colours you may use on the exterior of your home. While this may feel restrictive it’s clear there’s a reason (purple house) for these rules. The goal should be to have your home blend into the neighbourhood, not stand out.
3/ Coordinating with Brick/Stone/Siding
SOURCE: Graham Lumber
Before you ever select your paint colour you’ll need to consider all of the existing materials that exist as part of your home’s exterior including:
- Roof tile
- Front door
- Window trim
- Siding
- Brick, plaster, etc
Start by examining your home’s foundation colour closely. In some cases like siding or plaster it will just be a single colour. In the case of brick and stone it can include several colours that you’ll want to take into consideration.
When dealing with brick or stone, ask yourself a few questions before you begin. Is it fairly consistent in its colour across the brick? Does it have a pattern that includes 2 or 3 shades or orange or pink? Or is it multi coloured and includes shades outside of the main colour?
You’ll want to be sure that the colours you select work with all the tones and shades included in the brick. If you have a home with orange brick, read this post for colour palettes that work. If you have a red brick house, these palettes will be best.
Aside from the home’s features you’ll also need to consider the hardscaping of your yard. This includes any non-living structural elements of the landscape design. This can include stone, concrete, wood and brick.
4/ Lighting and How It Affects Paint Outdoors
SOURCE: Town and Country Living
Lighting always plays a very significant role in selecting colour but nowhere is it more important than your home’s exterior.
Natural sunlight provides a full-spectrum source that reveals the truest, most vibrant colours. Conversely, artificial light is often warmer or cooler but it lacks the full spectrum and creates fixed shadows. Sunlight changes throughout the day, while artificial light is controllable and consistent.
You need to keep in mind that colours appear much lighter in natural light. That means that you need to be a bit more open minded with the colour palettes you select. Don’t be scared off by colours that appear too dark. They will look less saturated when they’re painted on your home’s exterior.
5/ The Importance of Testing First
SOURCE: Allison Corona
I always recommend testing before painting but it’s essential to getting the right colour for the outside of your home. As I mentioned above, colours will lose a lot of their vibrancy outdoors. That dark green may look more like leaf green and the difference can make you feel like you made a horrendous mistake. So before you do anything else, test the paint!
You obviously aren’t going to paint test samples on your brick or your garage but you do need to see these colours in relation to the brick at various times of day before you decide.
You can purchase large sample boards from Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams. If you can’t find them or can’t locate your preferred colour just buy a small tester size of the paint colours you’re considering and paint up your own large samples. Take them outside and view them in early light, mid-day light and evening light. Watch them change and make sure you love them at every time of day. Testing is time consuming but can help you avoid expensive mistakes.
6/ Selecting the Right Finish
SOURCE: Mindy Gayer
Now that you’ve selected the best paint colour, it’s important to understand which finish to purchase. Yes, you’ll be looking for exterior paint but just as with interior paint, you can find finishes ranging from flat to gloss.
You want a paint that is durable and tough as well as acquiring the correct sheen level. As a rule, the higher the gloss the more durable the paint will be. That doesn’t mean we should run out and purchase high gloss paint for our home’s exterior. Instead, take a minute to understand where each sheen level looks best and determine what’s best for your own home.
Flat – I don’t recommend this although some builders use this for the body of their new homes. If you’ve purchased a brand new home with a stucco or plaster body you may have a flat sheen. I would avoid this, particularly in Canada since it can retain water more than other sheen levels. This can result in mold or other issues we’d rather avoid.
Low Lustre or Eggshell – This is my favourite finish for the exterior of a home. I like to recommend this for siding, stucco and painted brick. If you’re considering painting the brick of your home, read this post first. Benjamin Moore Regal Select is an excellent option and their low-lustre paint is durable and long lasting.
Satin – I also love this finish for exteriors. It’s got a bit more shine than the low lustre but it isn’t shiny at all. This is a perfect choice for doors, shutters, trim and moulding. Again, Benjamin Moore Regal Select is an excellent product.
Semi-Gloss or Soft Gloss – This is another good option for doors and trim. It’s slightly more glossy than the satin finish but it still isn’t considered full gloss. Soft gloss is considered a factory finish and what you’ll likely see when you purchase a new door.
High Gloss – This is used much less often but could definitely be considered for a special use case. If you live in a modern home a high gloss front door can be extremely chic but it’s important to hire a professional. This requires a professional in order to avoid brush marks because the higher the gloss level the more you’ll be highlighting flaws.
The Best Warm White, Taupe & Greiges for Your Exterior
SOURCE: O’Hara Interiors
It’s no surprise that most people opt for neutral colours like warm white and taupe for their home’s exterior. It’s a safe choice but it also looks elegant and timeless and you won’t need to repaint until you’re ready for a change.
Anytime we discuss neutral paint colours it’s important to discuss how deeply undertones affect neutral colours.
Understanding Undertones
The primary reason your neutral paint colour didn’t work out is likely due to undertones. Undertones are everywhere but they’re most obvious when selecting neutral colours. The reason they can be so difficult is because when you look at a colour in isolation you won’t see the undertone. It’s only when compared to other similar colours that you’ll start to see the undertone appear.
Everything in your home has undertones. From the fabric on your sofa to the countertop in your kitchen, it’s all around us. The same applies to the exterior of your home. The white stucco, the beige door or the taupe garage door all contain undertones. Before you pick a coordinating paint colour your job is to determine which undertones are already present on your home’s exterior.
Start by picking up as many paint samples as you can get your hands on. Lay them out side by side and immediately you’ll start to see the undertones. In fact, sometimes what appears to be white suddenly looks yellow or pale green. Now pull it aside and you’ll see it return to a seemingly pure white.
Now start to compare the samples individually to the fixed materials on your home’s exterior. You’ll start to see how the undertone works together with the colour of these elements. The simplest way to find the undertone is to compare similar paint samples.
Let’s go through each colour and I’ll share my favourite paint colours.
Warm White
SOURCE: Benjamin Moore
No other colour causes as much confusion for people as white. It seems like it should be the easiest but once you grab a few paint chips you start to realize just how complicated it can be.
The simple explanation is in the variety of undertones and how they affect white paint. If you’ve used white and it just didn’t look great, it’s almost certain that the undertone of the white you selected wasn’t working with the surroundings in your room. Learn more about white paint in this post.
White can be challenging for the exterior of your home simply because of the maintenance required. White will always show off dirt more than a deep colour would. Consider the environment before deciding on a colour like white. Is your home located in a place that receives extreme weather conditions? Do you experience a lot of snow or rain? These are factors that can invite dirt to become attached to your home’s surface and create a dirty look. While I love the look of a white exterior I would consider the surroundings before making a selection. Here are my favourite warm white paint colours.
Beige
SOURCE: La Urbana
For many homeowners beige might feel like an easier colour to consider versus white. Given what we’ve discussed regarding neutral colours and undertones it’s important to know which undertones to look for.
In beige paint there are five possible undertones to look out for – pink, green, yellow, gold and orange. Once you become familiar with the undertones it will be a lot easier to understand your beige options.
Beige is a very hardworking, long lasting option because it’s timeless and will never, ever be out of style. Learn more about beige paint in this post.
Greige
SOURCE: Benjamin Moore
Greige is the combination of both gray and beige and the result is a subtle but sophisticated neutral. You’ll find greige paint options that are both cool and warm but the most important fact to know about greige paint is that it will always contain undertones.
Greige paint can contain undertones of green, blue or violet so when selecting greige for your home pay attention to the undertones and make sure they work with your exterior’s fixed materials (stone, siding, etc).
Pam’s Exterior Colour Choices
If you prefer a bold, sophisticated colour versus a neutral, you’re in luck. Regardless of whether you’re painting with a neutral or a strong colour, the most important factor in selecting colour is to work with the colours that already exist. We’re not creating a brand new palette in isolation. When we work with the existing colours present in your home’s exterior you’ll end up with a more sophisticated and polished look.
Here are my favourite exterior paint colours for 2026.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Painting Your Home
SOURCE: Brick and Batten
Painting the exterior of your home is considerably more stressful than when painting the interior. We are covering a significant amount of surface area, usually with a single colour. The importance of getting the colour right is so much more heightened but it can be done.
Selecting a colour is important but there are ways you can set yourself up for success regarding the technical aspects of painting. Avoid these mistakes and you’ll be on the track to success.
1/ Know the Temperature
This is one of the most significant factors related to chipping and peeling paint. Exterior house painting is best done when temperatures are between 10 and 30 degrees celsius (50 to 85 degrees fahrenheit).
It is crucial that temperatures stay above freezing for at least 24-48 hours afterward to allow the paint to cure properly. If conditions are warmer or cooler than the recommended temperature you may find your paint isn’t adhering to the surface.
2/ Not Enough Surface Preparation
Preparing your home’s exterior for painting requires that you give your home a thorough cleaning. Use a pressure washer to remove dirt, mold and mildew so that your paint can attach to a clean surface.
Use a wire brush to remove any loose or chipping paint you can see. Sand any rough areas to maintain an even surface. Once you’ve prepped your home’s exterior let it dry for 24-48 hours so it can thoroughly dry before painting.
3/ Rushing Drying Time
Drying times between coats is not a suggestion. If you rush through the job you’ll end up with uneven coverage and potentially peeling paint. Always review the recommendations from the manufacturer regarding drying times between coats.
4/ Using Inferior Products
I always recommend purchasing high quality paint. I prefer Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams because they’re both reliable for interior and exterior work. Along with the paint, your painting project will be impacted by the quality of primer, brushes and rollers.
Yes, it’s expensive to paint your home’s exterior but using poor quality products will end up costing the same or more as high quality products. So often an effort to save some money results in more time and more money correcting the mistakes made by poor quality products. Purchase once with the best products you can source.
How I Can Help
SOURCE: Amy Crane Colour
If all of this has left you feeling overwhelmed instead of reassured it might be time to call in reinforcements. If you prefer to leave the paint selections to the experts I would love to speak with you about how I can help.
I offer virtual consultations for both your interior and exterior. I can help give you the home you’ve been dreaming of regardless of where you’re located. Contact me here and let’s get ready for a new aesthetic for your home this year.
