While painting the outside of your home is often about providing the exterior walls with added protection from the elements, a huge part of the decision on what paint to use is about the colour. After all, if you are going to use a paint that lasts 25+ years like our Emperor Masonry Paint, you want a colour that you will love for just as long.
In this guide we are going to cover some of the most popular colour schemes and how to best utilise them to create results you can be proud of.
Whites: Timeless and Classic
A classic choice for exterior walls, white shades can perfectly suit any property. A problem that can put some homeowners off having white exterior walls is their tendency to discolour and become dirty over-time. With our self-cleaning formulation, you do not have to worry about this. Your walls will stay looking pristine white for years to come, without constant maintenance.
White shades can be vast and varied, often making the process of finding that perfect shade slightly more nuanced than with darker hues.
The first place to start when selecting a white exterior paint colour is to decide if you want a colour with an undertone. If you are looking for a pure white, 'White' and 'Off-White' are two white shades with no discernible undertones.
'White' is our most popular shade, providing a bright, crisp white that is amazingly impactful particularly in direct sunlight.
'Off-White' while still a pure white, is slightly muted, making it perfect if you are looking for a more subtle white finish on your exterior walls.
(Left: 'White', Right: 'Off-White')
If the front of your home does not receive much direct sunlight consider using a warmer white like 'Warm White', which provides a yellow undertone that helps balance the cooler hue that your home experiences.
If your home receives slightly more sunlight, a cool and subtle off-white with a hint of grey such as 'Smokey White' brings a unique juxtaposition of neutrality and complexity.
(Left: 'Warm White', Right: 'Smokey White')
Greys: Modern and Versatile
Becoming hugely popular with exterior decorating in recent years, grey shades are often in most people's potential options when planning what colour to use in their project. 'Light Grey' and other lighter tones in particular create a sleek, modern aesthetic that feels current yet timeless.
Contrary to popular belief, grey shades are equally suitable for use in more traditional decor styles thanks to its neutrality, meaning soft greys can in fact complement the environment rather than compete with it. While grey colours out of sunlight can sometimes feel cool, warmer tones such as 'Chalky Grey' have a stone-esc hue that helps balance this.
(Left: 'Light Grey', Right: 'Chalky Grey')
Soft Neutrals: Traditional and Welcoming
Are you looking for a neutral with more warmth and complexity than a white? Soft neutrals such as creams are an ideal choice for a wide range of properties.
Often with yellow or peach undertones, soft neutrals give your home character without overwhelming. 'Witney Cream' creates a timeless look that evokes a sense of history, which is why we highly recommend it if you are painting a heritage or listed building. While in direct sunlight it radiates warmth, in overcast conditions the yellow undertones help prevent a cold look, making it versatile all-year round.
'Magnolia' is a classic off-white shade with blush undertones, making it a popular colour for those looking for an alternative to white. Much like creams, Magnolia reflects light to brighten a home’s exterior while the slightly more complex tone allows it to work beautifully both on traditional and modern properties alike.
(Left: 'Magnolia', Right: 'Witney Cream')
Earthy Tones: Blending with Nature
Earthy tones are generally speaking colours with a warm or brown tone. The benefit of these paint colours is that they blend beautifully with nature with an often a darker hue than white and cream shades.
These colours evoke a sense of nature making them an ideal choice for traditional and rural properties that want to harmonise with their surroundings rather than create contrast. This means they are often used on properties with period features or that want to highlight the environment around them.
The understated nature of earthy tones also makes them incredibly versatile, pairing well with a wide range of other accent colours from soft whites and greys to deeper, richer tones like browns and greens.
(Left: 'Earth Stone', Right: 'Brown Sugar')
Pastels: Friendly and Unique
Who said you had to use a neutral shade on exterior walls? Bright and beautiful pastel shades are a fantastic way to add character and bring out the personality of your home. They evoke positive emotions and are a superb alternative to more traditional exterior colours.
While bold, pastel shades allow you to express individuality without overwhelming the design of your home's exterior. The best pastel colours are bold enough to be noticed but soft enough to maintain a harmonious, balanced look.
'Green Mist' blends exceptionally well with natural settings and on rural properties, evoking nature, growth and regeneration.
Pale pink shades like 'Rose Pink' are fast becoming a favourite amongst homeowners for their ability to bring a huge amount of character and personality to an outdoor space. Bright, inviting and unique, Rose Pink is your ticket to creating a house like no other on your street.
TOP TIP: With pink and green being one of the most popular interior colour combinations at the moment, why not recreate this in an outdoor setting? Rose Pink is particularly beautiful when matched with green surroundings and climbing plants, providing a soft and surprisingly natural look to your home.
(Left: 'Green Mist', Right: 'Rose Pink')
Find the perfect colour for you
TOP TIP: Colours can appear different due to variances in computer screens and the light they are exposed to. The best way to get an accurate representation of a colour before you buy it is to order your sample to see the colour in person and in different lighting.
Ready to pick the perfect colour for your project? Why not start by ordering a sample of Emperor Masonry Paint with free delivery on all orders.