10 of the Best Paint Colours for the Outside of Your House

The outside of your home is the first thing people notice, so choosing the right paint colour is a big decision, especially when using a paint like Emperor Masonry Paint, which will last in excess of 25 years.

To help inspire you and kickstart the process, we’ve put together our guide to some of the most popular exterior paint colours at the moment, so you can find the perfect shade for your home.

Things to consider

Before you start, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the colour you choose matches what you are looking for.

1. ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF YOUR HOUSE

The first place to start is by considering the style of your home, whether it’s Victorian, Edwardian or a new-build, to name a few.

Generally speaking, older homes pair well with earthier, neutral paint colours, while newer properties can often be much more flexible with the colours they complement.

2. YOUR SOUROUNDINGS

The setting of you home is an often overlooked element of picking a colour for the outside of your house, but can be one of the most important things to think about. A well-chosen colour can enhance the overall appeal, while an out-of-place shade may feel disruptive or unbalanced.

Try to think about what colours are common in your neighbourhood and whether you want to intentionally stand out or match the other shades used on neighbouring properties.

This is particularly important for terraced or semi-detached properties where your adjoining neighbour’s properties can impact how your house appears.

One of the best ways to harmonise your home with its setting is to draw inspiration from the natural landscape. Whether your home is in a rural, coastal or urban. Before committing to a colour, try taking a walk around your neighbourhood to see which colours work well on homes similar to yours.

TOP TIP: We always recommend checking whether there are any local restrictions on exterior paint colours, particularly in protected areas.

@lorkingjim using Witney Cream

3. THE LIGHTING

Natural light can drastically change how a colour appears.

• North-facing homes receive less sunlight, so lighter and warmer shades can help counteract this
• South-facing homes get lots of sunlight, making cooler tones much more accessible

TOP TIP: When testing samples, always check them at different times of the day and on each side of your house to see how they will look in practice.

4. TRIM AND FEATURES

Finally, take time to consider the other colours that make up the outside of your house. Traditional white trim is versatile, helping to provide you with more flexibility on what colour to opt for the walls, while black and greys can provide slightly more restriction on what colour would harmonise.

David Cowdell by Howells Home and Gardening Services using Heritage White

10 of the best paint colours for the outside of your house

1. WHITE

White is a timeless classic – a universally appealing exterior paint colour that suits almost any style of house from traditional cottages to modern new-builds.

Particularly here in the UK, its brightness helps counteract the overcast conditions through the colder months, while radiating a beautifully bright look in the warmer months.

It also creates a versatile foundation for exterior styling, allowing for bold front doors, complementary trim or textured elements like stone, brick, or wood accents.

One of the common worries with white exterior walls is their tendency to show dirt much easier than deeper tones. With our self-cleaning formulation, you don’t have to worry about that as your walls will keep their newly painted look.

Lymmprovements using White

2. OFF-WHITE

Due to the extremely high titanium content in Emperor Masonry Paint, which helps provide the 25 year performance, our standard White is a strong, brilliant white.

If you are looking for those pure white tones (without any undertones) but with a slightly more muted, softer hue, Off-White is a fantastic option.

It brings all of the versatility of a standard white, but with more complexity in different lighting.

Anthony Miller using Off-White

3. WARM WHITE

Warm White is a soft white that brings a timeless and welcoming feel to exterior spaces. Inspired by traditional lime pointing, it has yellow undertone that provides it with a homely, warming finish that is equally modern as it is traditional.

In bright sunlight it remains fresh while providing a warm depth of colour, while in indirect sunlight it can balance to appear bright without being cold.

The Painting Crewe using Warm White

4. LIGHT GREY

Subtle and understated, Light Grey offers a calming and adaptable backdrop that works fantasticly well on rendered properties.

In direct light it can appear bright and almost off-white, while in dimmer conditions it provides a modern tone without feeling cold.

It is particularly effective when paired with white trim as perfectly demonstrated by Harriet who combined Light Grey with bright white sills and windows on their beautiful Edwardian terraced house.

Harriet Bates using Light Grey

5. WITNEY CREAM

A warm, buttery cream with rich yellow undertones, Witney Cream is a hugely popular paint colour for those looking for a traditional shade.

While bringing more depth than off-white shades, it can offer an understated warmth that makes it beautifully appealing all year round.

We particularly love it when used in combination with natural wood to create a harmonious and inviting aesthetic.

Alastair Friend using Witney Cream

6. MAGNOLIA

The classic off-white shade. We think Magnolia has been unfairly treated in recent years, often associated with being outdated or uninspiring. The reality is, Magnolia has a timeless quality thanks to its neutrality and complexity.

With both a creamy hue and pinkish undertones, it has a softness that enhances natural light while also remaining entirely neutral.

This makes it perfect for all home’s – modern and traditional alike. When it comes to an ability to elevate a home’s exterior, not many paint colours come close.

Joe Harper using Magnolia

7. SMOKEY WHITE

With a subtle grey undertone, Smokey White sits between Off-White and Light Grey in the colour range.

This allows it to provide the clean, modern appearance of a grey with the versatility and freshness that an off-white shade provides.

Marcus Margerison using Smokey White

8. HERITAGE WHITE

Heritage White is another popular off-white shade with grey undertones, however it provides a slightly warmer hue than Smokey White.

This warmth makes it a perfect option if you want the neutrality of a grey toned shade without any blue undertones that Smokey White or Light Grey may provide in overcast conditions.

While having a combination of undertones, no particular one outshines the other, meaning it is a hugely adaptable and versatile shade that doesn’t appear overly yellow in direct sunlight or blue in indirect sunlight. This makes it the perfect paint colour if you want to harmonise your exterior walls with other elements of your home and your neigbours.

NH Decorators using Heritage White

9. BROWN SUGAR

While lighter tones dominate the most popular exterior paint colours, earthier, richer tones can be equally effective.

Brown Sugar is a deep beige that adds depth and character without overwhelming architectural features. We love how Deb used it to amazing effect to create this beautiful Med-inspired sunny corner, encapsulating the potential for a paint colour to transform your outdoor spaces past what you thought possible.

@deb_at_no27 using Brown Sugar

10. GREEN MIST

Who said exterior walls couldn’t be colourful? Green Mist is a soft green that is extremely popular with those looking to create a friendly and characterful kerb appeal.

The beauty of Green Mist is that it offers unparalleled harmony with more rural settings, echoing the green hues of the outdoors.

Providing colour without overwhelming, Green Mist brings a touch of tranquility and charm to any exterior.

David Willis using Green Mist.

We hope this has helped inspire you and get you one step closer to finding the perfect exterior paint colour for the outside of your home. Ready to refresh the outside of your house? Explore the full 18 colours in our standard colour range and order your sample with free delivery on all orders.