When it comes to choosing exterior paint colors for your home, earth tones are a popular option. Earth tones are natural, muted shades that draw inspiration from the colors found in nature. They create a warm, inviting look and blend in well with natural surroundings like trees, stones, and landscaping. Choosing earth tones for your home’s exterior has many benefits. They are versatile and work with a variety of architectural styles. Earth tones are also timeless and have enduring appeal.
Page Contents
- 1 What are earth tones?
- 2 Benefits of using earth tones on house exteriors
- 3 Popular earth tone color combinations
- 4 Choosing your home’s primary exterior color
- 5 Choosing exterior paint sheen
- 6 Choosing exterior accent and trim colors
- 7 Best exterior paint brands for earth tone colors
- 8 Preparing your exterior surface
- 9 Conclusion
What are earth tones?
Earth tones describe a color palette of soft, natural shades like tans, browns, muted reds, greens, and blues. They are often created by combining a primary color with brown, black, or gray to tone down the vibrancy. Earth tones mimic the colors found in dirt, moss, trees, rocks, and other organic elements you see outdoors. When used on a home exterior, earth tones convey a sense of familiarity and comfort.
Some examples of popular earth tone colors include:
– Beiges like sand, cream, tan, khaki
– Light and medium browns
– Terracotta
– Sage greens
– Muted reds like brick, clay, and burgundy
– Greys with brown or green undertones
– Softer shades of blue like slate and denim
The naturally soothing palette of earth tones works well for many decor styles including Craftsman, Prairie, Mission, Farmhouse, and Cottage. They are versatile enough to use on any style home but feel especially complementary on rustic exteriors or in natural settings.
Benefits of using earth tones on house exteriors
There are many benefits that make earth tones a practical and attractive choice for house exteriors:
1. Timeless and classic
Earth tones have an inherently timeless look, which means they will retain their attractiveness for years. You won’t have to worry about these natural, organic colors going out of style. The longevity of earth tones allows your exterior paint job to last without looking dated.
2. Versatile
The muted, harmonious nature of earth tones makes them extremely versatile. Earth tones complement just about any architectural style from contemporary to traditional. You can use different shades of earth tones across the body, trim, and accents of your home. Lighter earth tones can even work well on houses with brightly colored front doors for contrast.
3. Inviting and warm
Earth tones lend a welcoming, low-key elegance to home exteriors. They evoke feelings of comfort and familiarity, reminiscent of being in nature. The inherent warmth of earth tones makes them ideal for creating an exterior palette that is both stylish and inviting. Rich earth tones like browns, taupes, and burnt oranges are especially welcoming.
4. Enhance natural surroundings
Choosing exterior paint colors that complement your home’s natural surroundings is important. Earth tones are an excellent choice if you have lots of trees, gardens, flowers, rocks, or woodsy areas on your property. Painting your exterior using tones pulled from your surroundings creates a harmonious, peaceful look. The earthy shades almost mimic the outdoors.
5. Hide dirt and wear
From rain and wind to pollen and UV damage, house exteriors really take a beating. Fortunately, earth tones do a fantastic job of hiding dirt and wear which means you won’t have to wash or paint as often. The natural dusty look of earth tones helps camouflage issues like weathering, mildew, and stains.
6. Provides neutral background
Earth tones are extremely neutral, meaning they offer an ideal backdrop for other exterior elements. You can pair earth tone exterior paint with colorful landscaping, potted plants, outdoor décor, furnishings, and more without clashing. The neutrality gives you flexibility to play around with different colors.
Popular earth tone color combinations
When using earth tones on your home’s exterior, you can choose a single earth tone color for your siding or paint scheme. However, combining two, three, or more earth tone shades creates even more visual interest. Here are some of the most popular earth tone color schemes for home exteriors:
Beige and brown
For a subtle, elegant look, pair a light beige with a medium-dark brown. You can use the beige on the bulk of the exterior with the brown on trims and accents. Try beige with chocolate brown, beige with chestnut brown or beige with taupe.
Green and brown
Deep forest greens complemented by warm terra cotta browns exude natural charm. Pair sage green with milk chocolate or olive green with clay red-brown for an organic, inviting combo.
Grey and ivory
Cool greys mixed with creamy off-whites or ivories create a relaxed coastal vibe. Try light grey with ivory white or charcoal grey with creamy beige.
Red and tan
For a Southwestern style, match rich reds with warm tans or creamy whites. Rusty red with cream or terra cotta with light tan work well.
Blue and tan
Soft sky blue or slate blue exterior paint blends beautifully with tans or khakis. The combo evokes serene blue skies meeting the sandy earth.
Orange and grey
Pairing muted burnt orange or terracotta with cool grey makes the orange pop. But the tones remain subtle and natural-looking. Try burnt orange with heather grey.
Yellow and brown
Muted golden yellow combined with a mid-tone brown like mocha or clay red-brown reminds us of Autumn leaves.
Blue, green and brown
Using three earth tones together like denim blue, olive green and terra cotta brown creates extra depth. The combo works for Craftsman style homes.
Choosing your home’s primary exterior color
When deciding on exterior paint colors for your home, your main siding color will take up the most surface area. This major color sets the overall tone for your home’s curb appeal. While personal taste plays a role, consider these tips for choosing the dominant earth tone paint color:
– Take inspiration from your home’s architectural style: Certain earth tones work especially well on specific styles. For example, beiges suit Mediterranean style homes, sage greens complement Craftsman bungalows, and brick reds match traditional farmhouse exteriors.
– Consider your home’s setting: Lighter earth tones tend to suit homes in sunny climates while darker shades complement those surrounded by lush greenery. Also take cues from natural elements on your property.
– Determine the look you want: Warm earth tones feel cozy and inviting while cooler ones are more relaxing. Red-browns and burnt oranges make a bold statement. Soft beiges and greys blend in.
– Sample paint swatches: Viewing actual paint samples outside and in different lighting ensures colors look how you expect. Don’t rely solely on photos when choosing.
– Mind sheen: Higher sheens show more wear while flat or matte finishes better hide imperfections. Consider your home’s condition when finishing exterior paint.
– Consider the style of your exterior accents: Your main color will serve as the base for trims, doors, shutters, and other accents. Visualize colors working together.
– Talk to your HOA: If you live in a neighborhood with an active HOA, ensure your paint color conforms to their approved exterior color guidelines.
Choosing exterior paint sheen
Exterior paint comes in a variety of sheens, also called finishes. The sheen you select impacts durability, appearance, and the overall look of your home. Here are some tips for choosing the best paint sheen for your exterior:
– Flat/matte: This non-reflective, opaque finish is ideal for hiding imperfections. However, flat paint scuffs easily and requires more frequent repainting. Use on pristine surfaces or as a primer coat.
– Satin: Satin offers a smooth, subtle sheen. It resists moisture, wearing, and staining better than flat finishes. Use for siding, trim, and front doors.
– Eggshell: Slightly more lustrous than satin, eggshell resists dirt well. Use on exterior shutters, entryways, fascias, and soffits. Not ideal for siding.
– Semi-gloss: Semi-gloss has a sleek, bright sheen. It’s very durable and easiest to clean but will accentuate flaws. Best for trim, window frames, and doors in good condition.
– High gloss: Extremely shiny and reflective, high gloss shows the most imperfections. Use on perfect surfaces or as an accent. Requires frequent touch-ups.
– Consider sheen consistency: Use the same sheen on all exterior elements like siding, trim, windows, and doors for a cohesive look. Avoid mixing highly contrasting sheens.
– Mind texture: Coarse or textured surfaces like stucco benefit from slightly glossy sheens for protection and to avoid a too-flat look. Smooth surfaces can use flatter sheens.
– Prepare surfaces properly: For any sheen to look its best and last, ensure surfaces are cleaned, scraped, sanded, primed, and repaired beforehand.
Choosing exterior accent and trim colors
The exterior accents and trim details frame and complement your home’s main siding color. Follow these guidelines when selecting exterior accent colors to coordinate with earth tone siding:
– Contrast shades: For trim to stand out, opt for an accent color at least 3 shades darker or lighter than your main color. For a more subtle contrast, stay within 2 shades.
– Complementary colors: Colors located opposite each other on the color wheel nicely complement while providing enough contrast with your main hue.
– Analogous colors: Choosing an accent color adjacent to your main color on the color wheel creates a harmonious, blended look.
– Warm and cool balance: Pair a warm earth tone body color with cool accent shades and vice versa. For example, sage green siding with icy white trim.
– Historic combinations: Some classic color combos like navy and white or black and tan never go out of style.
– Visualize combinations: View color chips next to your main color swatch. Snap photos with combinations on your home. Seeing combos in real life helps.
– Natural inspiration: Match accent colors to natural elements on your property like white trim for snow or tan for bare earth.
– Mind finish: Use glossy or semi-gloss paints on trim and accents so they stand out from flatter main siding.
– Tie together: Paint items like window frames, railings, and decorative accents in the same accent color family to create a unified look.
Best exterior paint brands for earth tone colors
When selecting exterior paint for your earth tone color scheme, stick to high quality brands known for their coverage, durability, and color accuracy. Some top choices include:
– Behr: Known for excellent hide, durability, and range of colors including natural earth tones. Offers Marquee exterior paint line.
– Sherwin-Williams: Proprietary color-matching system ensures accurate earth tones. Duration and Emerald lines offer exceptional protection.
– Benjamin Moore: Offers extensive selection of nature-inspired earthy hues. Aura exterior paint gives long-lasting protection.
– PPG: Budget-friendly Paints exterior line comes in many earth tones. Timeless and Diamond lines offer superior coverage.
– Valspar: Trusted for excellent hide, warranties, and uniform satin sheen. Reserve line provides extra durability.
– Kelly-Moore: Known for excellent fade and chalk resistance across earth tone palette. Durable 1245 acrylic latex paint.
– Dunn-Edwards: Provides designer-selected earth tones. Aristoshield line offers thick coverage and protection.
– Glidden: Budget-friendly essential and premium lines offer range of earthy tones. Known for uniformity and hide.
– Be sure to buy quality exterior grade paints formulated to withstand sun, rain, snow, and temperature swings in your region.
Preparing your exterior surface
Proper surface preparation is crucial for your new earth tone exterior paint colors to adhere well and achieve maximum durability:
– Clean surfaces: Use a hose and non-sudsing cleanser to remove dirt, mildew, chalky paint, oil, and other grime from siding, trim, plaster, and masonry.
– Repair cracks and holes: Fix all cracks, gaps, and holes with caulk and patch compounds. This provides a smoother finish.
– Replace rotten wood: Inspect exterior wood surfaces and replace any boards or trim that are rotted or damaged.
– Sand glossy surfaces: For new paint to bond well, degloss shiny surfaces like oil-based trim paint using 150-220 grit sandpaper.
– Spot prime: After cleaning, spot prime any unpainted, repaired, or sanded surfaces with a bonding exterior primer.
– Full prime for drastic color changes: If switching from a dramatically darker or lighter color, do a full prime coat on the entire surface to aid hide and coverage.
– Remove hardware: Take down shutters, lighting fixtures, mailboxes and remove or mask handles and trims to keep paint off.
– Mask areas: Use painter’s tape and plastic sheeting to mask windows, landscaping, and surfaces not being painted.
– Check weather forecast: Paint when temperatures will remain between 50-90°F for 24 hours to ensure proper drying time. Avoid rain, high humidity, and wind.
Conclusion
Earth tones offer a versatile, welcoming, and timeless exterior paint palette for any home. From beiges and sages to brick reds and sky blues, earth tones allow you to create a exterior paint scheme inspired by the colors of nature. Combining your main siding color with complementary trim and accent shades in durable quality paint creates dimension and curb appeal. With proper prep and application, an earth tone exterior paint job will protect and enhance your home for years to come. When choosing your shades, take cues from your home’s style, natural surroundings, and the overall look you hope to achieve. With so many earth tone options, you can easily create a custom exterior color scheme to match your personal taste.