Exterior trim provides decorative detail to your home’s facade.
Consider the architecture of your home before deciding which colors you’ll use.
Choosing anexterior paint colorthat complementsyour home’s styleand matches your personality is key.
Credit: Brie Williams
Black and White
Black exterior trimon a white house emphasizes architectural features for a more modern look.
For homes with darker siding, such as brown orcharcoal gray, white trim is always a good option.
Bright white can make other colors appear more vibrant, so it’s perfect for highlighting avibrant front door.
Credit: Laura Moss
These colors add a storybook feel to homes with many decorative details, such as Victorian-style houses.
Combining shades from the same color family highlights yourhome’s architectural detailswithout going too bold.
For example, if your siding is off-white, try painting your exterior trim alight tan or taupe.
Credit: Michael Partenio
Add a brighter color, such as yellow, to add emphasis to a door or windows for impact.
These guidelines can help you achieve the best look.
On masonry buildings, the downspouts often are painted bronze-green to simulate weathered copper.
Credit: Edward Gohlich
As a result, the windows recede into the facade.
If you paint the darkest trim color on top, you risk making the house appear top-heavy.
Houses withshingled upper storiesare the exception; these should be painted a lighter shade on the lower story.
