Choosing exterior paint colors for your home can be an exciting yet daunting task. The color palette you select can greatly impact the overall look and feel of your house. When your siding or brick is a tan or light brown hue, you have the perfect neutral backdrop to add pops of color with the trim and accents. But with so many paint options to pick from, how do you choose trim colors that will complement the tan without clashing? Here are some tips on pairing trim colors with a tan house exterior.
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What is Considered a Tan House Color?
Tan house colors fall within a range of light brownish-beige hues. They are much warmer and richer than plain beige. Some popular tan siding colors include:
- Khaki
- Buff
- Camel
- Almond
- Brown sugar
- Peach
- Bisque
- Mushroom
- Fawn
Lighter tans have a hint of gray, while deeper tan hues contain more brown. The undertones of your particular tan color will help guide your trim color selection.
Consider the Undertones
Determining the undertones of your tan house color is key to picking complementary trim colors. Here are the three main tan house color undertones:
Warm Undertones
Tans with warm orange and yellow undertones include:
- Khaki
- Buff
- Camel
- Almond
- Brown sugar
These warmer tan shades pair well with deeper hues like navy, green, brown and terra cotta.
Cool Undertones
Tan siding colors with subtle gray or blue undertones include:
- Mushroom
- Driftwood
- Fawn
Cool tan exteriors look best with trim in lighter tints of sage, light blue, pale yellow, or soft white.
Neutral Undertones
Some tan house colors have more neutral undertones. Examples include:
- Biscuit
- Parchment
- Sandstone
With neutral tan siding, you have more flexibility when picking accent colors. Earth tones, pastels, and deeper hues usually work well.
Best Trim Colors for Tan Houses
Now that you know how undertones impact color pairing, here are some of the most popular trim color options to match a tan exterior:
White
A crisp bright white trim will pop beautifully against tan siding. White is a safe choice that allows other accent colors to stand out. Different shades like extra white, pure white, or antique white give slightly different effects.
Light Gray
For a more subtle contrast, light gray makes an elegant trim color with tan. Cooler grays work best with tan siding that has gray undertones. Warmer grays pair well with tan that has yellow/orange undertones.
Black
Deep, dramatic black trim frames a tan house in a striking way. Black accents work with all shades of tan siding but may overpower very pale tans. Use black trim sparingly or try dark brown instead for a softer statement.
From a bold navy blue door to blue shutters, navy trim offsets a tan exterior beautifully. Navy looks particularly great with khaki, buff, brown sugar or other warm-toned tan siding.
Sage Green
An earthy sage green creates harmony and contrast against tan at the same time. Sage trim shingles or windows provide a subtle nature-inspired look on tan house exteriors.
Terra Cotta
For southwestern style, terra cotta trim gives warmth and definition to tan stucco siding. Use terra cotta for exterior accents like window boxes, shutters, planter pots or front doors.
Soft Yellow
Buttery yellow trim enlivens a tan exterior with cheerful brightness. Soft muted yellow works well with neutral and warm-toned tan sidings. Avoid pairing pale yellow and very cool-toned tan.
Charcoal
Charcoal gray trim provides contrast slightly softer than black. Use charcoal to accent warm tan colors like almond or khaki. Pairing charcoal and cool tan risks looking drab.
Red Brick
For traditional curb appeal, brick trim on keystones, chimneys, walkways and accents complements tan siding. Red brick adds striking definition without overpowering the main tan exterior color.
Cream
Cream trim gives off a subtle vintage vibe against tan siding. Try cream on windows, columns, railings and other trim details. Cream has flexibility to pair with cool, warm or neutral tan undertones.
Using Multiple Colors
The trim does not have to be all one color. Feel free to mix and match complementary hues. For example:
- White window sashes with black window frames and sage green shutters
- Terra cotta door and cream window trim
- Navy columns and dark red brick accents
Using three colors is often the visual sweet spot. Be sure to pick a dominant color and use the other two more sparingly.
Tips for Picking Tan and Trim
Here are some final tips for choosing trim to match your tan house:
- Select tan and trim colors in person. Color swatches can look very different outside.
- Hold trim color samples up to various sections of the tan siding and view at different times of day.
- Use lighter tints of darker accent colors to avoid overwhelming the tan.
- Don’t be afraid to deviate from tradition. An unconventional pop of color can make your home uniquely yours.
- Pay attention to surrounding nature and landscape. Choose accent colors that complement plants and terrain.
- Use multiple smaller accents of bright colors instead of painting large sections in bold hues.
- Test samples on a small inconspicuous area first. Make sure you love it before committing.
Visualizing Color Combinations
Seeing tan and trim color pairings together helps envision how they’ll look. Here are some popular tan and trim combinations:
| Tan Color | Trim Color 1 | Trim Color 2 | Trim Color 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khaki siding | White | Black | Navy |
| Buff brick | Red brick | Sage green | Terra cotta |
| Mushroom stucco | Light gray | Charcoal | Sea glass |
| Fawn siding | Buttery yellow | Cream | Pale pink |
Conclusion
Finding the right trim colors to accent your tan house comes down to understanding undertones and experimenting with complementary hues. Lighter tints of deeper colors tend to work well. Remember to have fun with it and choose shades that reflect your personality! The trim doesn’t all have to match, and you can always repaint if you don’t love the initial colors. With the right tan and trim combination, you’ll have a uniquely beautiful home exterior that makes a wonderful first impression.