Whether you’re building a brand new home or you’re looking to give your digs a fresh coat, picking the right house exterior colour schemes can be a daunting decision. Especially considering there are thousands of different shades to choose from. Picking one shade, the right shade, is no easy feat.
We spoke to paint brands Dulux, Haymes Paint and Wattyl, for some exterior paint suggestions, plus we have tips, tricks and professional advice from Three Birds Renovations on choosing the right paint colour for your home facade. “When you’re choosing colours for your dream home, the selections should be based on the vision you want to create for your home and how that makes you feel – not on trends that may come and go.”
Here are some of the best exterior colour schemes to inspire your selection, so all you need to do is figure out which is your favourite, and start sampling!
1. Pastels
Pastels bring personality to an otherwise simple exterior, and it’s a bold, yet beautiful statement to paint your home in one of these colours.
Three Birds Renovations suggests using pastel colours for cute cottages, Art Deco abodes and Palm-Springs style homes. But for some, painting an entire facade in pastel colours can be a little scary.
“If you’re keen on adding a pop of pastel to your exterior without going all-in, consider a coloured door, as we did at House 5. It’s a great way to incorporate pastels without the full commitment.”
Other great pastel options:
- Haymes Paint: Orchid Mist, Light Admiralty Grey and Spatial
2. Primary colours
It can be difficult to pull off vibrant hues on the home, but if done correctly, it can be really beautiful. The key is using pops of primary colours for accenting architectural details like the front door, trims, and letterboxes.
“While primary colours can be playful, they can also be overwhelming and tricky to pull off on exteriors,” Three Birds Renovations warns. “If you love vibrant colours, consider using them as accents rather than the main colour scheme.”
Other great primary options:
- Haymes Paint: Stormy Blue, Marigold, Bright Ember and Danish Blue
3. Shades of grey
From pale to opaque, warm to cool – shades of grey are a popular, modern choice for house exteriors. The colour has longevity and versatility, suiting almost every style of home.
“We love Dulux Grey Pail, the perfect Hampton’s grey, that we used at House 11. Grey continues to be one of the most popular exterior colour schemes, from the timeless charm of soft Hampton’s greys to the fresh appeal of greeny greys, and from crisp, cool whites to warm earthy tones – these colours are timeless classics.”
You can highlight architectural details with a crisp white colour to emphasise the subtlety, yet beauty of a grey facade.
Other great shades of grey:
- Dulux: Teahouse and Tranquil Retreat
- Haymes Paint: Charcoal Grey, Dave’s Train, Overcast and Classic Grey 1
- Wattyl: Colorbond Steel Shale Grey and Ironstone
4. Two-tone
Sometimes all you need is one swatch card with a few different options and voila – you’ve got your dream colour scheme in the palm of your hand!
Select a colour you love and go a few steps lighter or darker on the swatch card to find a coordinating hue.
“A two-tone colour scheme is a fabulous way to highlight architectural features like detailed exterior trim work,” Three Birds Renovations said. This approach adds depth and contrast, making your home’s features pop. Think classic white paired with a soft grey.”
Other great two-tone colours:
- Haymes Paint: Oak Buff 6
- Wattyl: Colorbond Steel Surfmist and Deep Ocean plus Colorbond Steel Dune
5. Earthy tones
Play off surrounding landscapes and the textural elements of your home with a palette of earthy colours. Warm hues pair well with timber and stone features.
“At our latest project, Erin’s Urban Farmhouse, we used earthy tones to bring the exterior to life,” Three Birds Removations said. “The secret to a beautiful earthy-toned home is incorporating loads of texture to give the neutrals some depth. We used stone walling combined with vertical cladding and painted brick.”
Three Birds Renovations love…
Other great earthy tones:
- Haymes Paint: Warm Brown, Chimney Ash
- Wattyl: Colorbond Steel Wallaby, Evening Haze and Woodland Grey
6. Green
Give your home a natural, calming feel with green hues like sage. “Believe it or not, green is our go-to colour when we’re not lusting over white!” Three Birds Renovations said.
“We’ve used many different greens to create feature walls, ceilings, and cabinetry internally. Externally, we used a stunning green/grey at House 12, our Contemporary Cottage. Green is underrated in our eyes – it’s a versatile colour that can be both bold and calming.”
Other great greens:
- Dulux: Gentle Calm Quarter, Jungle Cloak and Mint Twist
- Haymes Paint: Wilds and Olive Drab
7. White and bright
Keep things fresh and simple with a striking all-white exterior. Architectural lines are a must to add texture.
“At Three Birds Renovations, we’re known for our signature ‘Coastal Cool’ style, which often includes a white and bright exterior colour scheme. This look suits coastal homes (whether they’re near the coast or not!). Crisp whites paired with bright accents create a fresh, airy feel that’s both timeless and modern.”
“If you’re looking for a quick pick, there’s no such thing as a go-to shade of white that suits every house. There are hundreds of shades of white to choose from and it’s crucial to consider factors like the architectural style of your home and its surroundings. It’s also essential to sample a few whites directly onto the house, as white can look dramatically different in various lights.”
Three Birds Renovations love…
- Warm white: Dulux White Dune Quarter (as used on House 15)
- Neutral white: Dulux Snowy Mountains Quarter (as used on House 8)
- Cool white: Dulux Casper White Quarter or Dulux Lexicon Half (Houses 6 & 10)
Other great white options:
- Haymes Paint: Minimalist 1 and Whitewash 1
- Wattyl: Colorbond Steel Dover White, Southerly and Monument
8. Monochromatic
Contrast can look luxurious and expensive, while still holding onto a minimalistic edge. “Monochromatic colour schemes are a sophisticated and timeless choice,” Three Birds Renovations said.
“By using varying shades, tones, and tints of a single colour, you can create a cohesive and harmonious look that adds depth to any exterior.”
Other great monochrome colours:
7 Three Birds Renovations tips for choosing house exterior paints
1. Choose a colour you love
There’s nothing worse than painting the exterior a colour just because it’s ‘in’, only for it to go out of style a year later. House facades should survive the test of time, and that starts with making sure you love it.
2. Play with ‘safe’ colour options
“While it’s hard to top classic schemes like a warm white, contemporary light greys or even monochromatic, you can easily dress up these safe choices with accent colours by updating the door, a bench or potted plants on the porch.“
3. Trust the colour wheel
You must make sure that the colours you select complement each other, and the secret to this is using the colour wheel. “In Reno School, we dedicate an entire lesson to ‘Colour Combos that Work,’ teaching our students how to master the colour wheel. This snazzy little circle reveals which colours are destined to go together and which should go to any lengths to avoid each other. It’s such a handy tool to help choose the right colours.”
“If you’re not keen on diving deep into colour theory, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel – steal with pride! Scroll through our Instagram page, which is jam-packed with inspiration from our projects and those of our clever students. Find a colour scheme you love and use it for your project. Pinterest is another fabulous place to discover gorgeous colour combos that’ll make your heart sing.”
4. Always sample first
You can’t rely on swatches and Pintrest alone. You need to test, test, test! “The biggest (and potentially most expensive!) mistake people make when choosing an exterior house colour is not testing the paint on their own house before committing,” Three Birds Renovations said.
“Exterior colours can look drastically different depending on the time of day, weather, and the surrounding environment. Always test your chosen colours in multiple areas and under different lighting conditions to ensure you love what you see before you buy litres of paint and commit hours of labour. A little testing now can save you a lot of heartache (and money) later.”
5. Finish and durability
There are two key things to look out for when selecting paint: finish and durability.
“Glossy finishes can reflect more light and highlight architectural details, while matte finishes offer a more subdued, modern look. We’re not big fans of shine, so we usually opt for low-sheen paint for our exteriors. When it comes to durability, your exterior paint needs to withstand the elements, so durability is essential. We love Dulux paint for its exceptional performance, durability, and advanced paint technologies – perfect for the harsh Aussie climate.”
Three Birds Renovations loves…
● Exterior Walls, including brick & render: Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen
● Exterior Trims: Dulux Aquanamel Semi Gloss OR Dulux Super Enamel Semi Gloss
6. Have a vision board
Vision boards are essential for any home makeover, whether it’s a large scale renovation or small. “At Three Birds Renovations, we never start a project without one. Your vision board should include inspiration for every aspect of your home, including the exterior colours. In the case of House 9, The Bold Extension, our vision board was packed with pictures that guided our choice to paint the exterior a bold black (Dulux Domino) and we’d researched hundreds of beautiful black exteriors as inspiration for our own.”
7. DIY vs Professional Painters
It may not be an easy choice; do you want to save money and do it yourself (with potential for mistakes) or have a professional do it – hassle-free?
Three Birds Renovations said, “Painting is a job many home renovators choose to DIY to save money, but when it comes to painting the entire exterior of your home, it might be worth considering bringing in the experts. Yes, it costs more, but the job will done quicker and professional painters have the experience and skills to deliver a high-quality, long-lasting finish.”
