6 Paint Colors Designers Would Never Use For Exteriors

Not all exterior paint colors are created equal, designers say. Generally speaking, there are six categories of paint hues that pros don’t consider viable for exteriors specifically. Below, they discuss each of these color families and explain why you’re better off going a different route—for your own sake and for your neighbors’!

Dark or Muddy Browns

According to Jessica Whitley, the founder of Jessica Whitley Studio and owner/creative director of Rivet House Hotel, both located in Athens, Georgia, dark and muddy browns aren’t a great choice for home exteriors. These shades, the designer says, “can make a house look outdated and unattractive, especially in areas that don’t get much natural light.” Additionally, Whitley states, “They also tend to absorb heat, making them less practical in warm climates.”

Intense Reds or Purples

These bold shades are simply too bright for an exterior, Whitley shares. “While red accents can work well, an entire home painted in intense reds or purples can feel overwhelming or too eccentric,” she says.

Neon Shades

On a related note, Whitley advises skipping any neon colors. “Extremely bright colors like neon greens, pinks, and yellows can make a home stand out in an unflattering way,” she says. “They may appear garish and don’t age well.”

Specifically, Danielle Balanis adds, skip the hot pink. “I never want to be hemmed in by rules or bound by boundaries, but I cannot in my mind find a case where I would use hot pink outside,” says the Birmingham, Alabama-based founder of Danielle Balanis Design. “Pinks for exterior should come off soft rather than brazen and overly bold.”

Pastels

This all depends on where your home is located and what the surrounding exteriors look like, according to Whitley. “Pastel colors like pink, baby blue, or light lavender can be tricky on a home’s exterior,” she says. “Though they work in some beach towns, they can seem out of place in other areas.”

Grays

Shelby Van Daley, the founder of Daley Home in Cedar Park, Texas, finds that grays have “an unnatural feel for an exterior color.” Instead, the designer says, “We prefer to use sunwashed tones and paint colors on the exterior of a home.”

Laura Lubin, the founder of Ellerslie Interiors in Nashville, Tennessee, agrees that certain grays just aren’t right. “Cool grays can feel lifeless and uninviting, especially in natural light,” she says. ” I prefer warm greiges, soft taupes, or creamy off-whites that bring a sense of warmth and harmony, complementing the natural surroundings.”

Primary Colors

Primary colors—reds, blues, and yellows—aren’t always the best choice for a home’s exterior, says Nicole Roe, the founder of R. Nickson Interiors in Winter Haven, Florida. “A bright red or blue might feel overpowering or too bold in natural light,” she says. Rather, opt for a red with brown undertones, Roe advises, or pick a blue with gray undertones.

“These subtle adjustments add depth and nuance to the color, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment while maintaining character,” the designer reflects.