Choosing the best exterior house paint colors in 2023 can be daunting.
As a homeowner, painting your home’s exterior is a big investment. Accordingly, you want to find a timeless but modern house color that maintains curb appeal for years to come.
That's why our expert team sorted through all of the trending colors and classic house combinations to make things easy for you. We found the 10 best exterior paint colors from popular brands like Sherwin Williams, Behr, and Benjamin Moore.
Now, from what’s on-trend to classic neutral undertones, here are the 10 exterior house colors that made our 2023 list.
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2023 Exterior Paint Color Criteria
Our professional designers selected exterior paint colors popular with our home painting customers that have staying power.
Experience has taught us that today’s color trends are not necessarily ones you’ll be happy with in the future. That is why our criteria incorporate both modern and classic home styles with an emphasis on versatility.
From off-whites and dark grays to navy blues and onyx black exterior trim, we’ll give you a wide range of color ideas. In the end, our goal with this list is to help you avoid the regret of choosing the wrong paint color for your home.
To achieve this, we’ll provide exterior home color photos from actual houses we’ve painted.
These real-life house pictures are the best way to determine what colors you like and dislike, new trends or otherwise.
At the end of this list, we’ll show you exactly how to choose a color scheme for your home. So without further ado, let’s begin with our top 2023 house paint color, “Alabaster” from Sherwin Williams.
1. Alabaster by Sherwin Williams
One of the most popular exterior colors for 2023 is Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams. Alabaster (SW 7008) is both timeless and on-trend this year as warmer, off-whites are in for exteriors.
No question, this is a rare combination for any modern exterior or interior paint color.
As mentioned, it’s a warmer off-white color with some beige undertones, without looking yellow in most cases.
Likewise, it’s the perfect exterior neutral tone, best suited to brighten up homes that get lots of shade. The versatile shade can be comfortably used as a siding or body color as well as a contrasting house trim color.
In addition, Alabaster is an off-white option that works well to modernize exterior brick and traditional clapboard siding. This classic color contrasts beautifully with darker toned roof shingles, navy shutters, black trim colors, or charcoal front doors.
A final key characteristic is Alabaster’s versatility. Accordingly, this creamy color plays nicely with a variety of existing exterior stone, metal, or decorative brick features.
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2. Benjamin Moore White Dove
Inching towards the cooler off-white exterior color spectrum, we have White Dove by Benjamin Moore. This very popular white shade has hints of gray that steers it towards the cooler side of things when compared to Sherwin’s Alabaster.
Did you know Alabaster is one of Florida’s most popular house paint colors? Check out Improovy Painters of Riverview if you are looking for an exterior painter near Tampa, FL!
However, White Dove (OC-17) is still regarded as a warm soft off-white. As an exterior paint color, you can use White Dove on your home’s siding or trim. Similar to alabaster, this trending color is best used to brighten up shaded houses. The color really pops when surrounded by greenery and contrasted with black shutters or slate-toned windows.
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3. Tricorn Black
Tricorn Black (SW 6258) by Sherwin Williams is another popular color, traditionally used for doors and shutters as an exterior accent.
These days, black exteriors are trending and Tricorn Black is a modern choice for a house body or siding color. Indeed, painting your house black can be an option for more contemporary home styles.
For the rest of us, Tricorn Black can add a touch of sophistication as a coordinating exterior trim, window, front door, gutter, or shutter color. This color really pairs well with off-whites like Pure White or Rarified Air (SW 6258).
In terms of color tones, Tricorn is a true black that falls in the neutral family. Lauded as many designer’s favorite black paint color, its lack of undertones makes it a versatile shade.
This means it can pair beautifully with warm or cool tones of white, gray, or even a taupe exterior. I’ve also seen it used as a black window color with beautiful results.
Do you have a brick house that needs painting? Check out our favorite painted brick home before and after photos of the year.
4. Pewter Cast Gray By Sherwin
Sherwin’s Pewter Cast (SW 7673) is a cool-muted tone of gray that works well for exterior stucco, lap siding, or cedar shingles.
For homes with dark gray shingles or black roofs and exposed stone or brick, this gray exterior color’s adaptability is key.
It also pairs nicely with white exterior trim colors like Zircon (SW 7667).
Where this gray paint shines is when you have decorative exposed brick or stone with cooler undertones on your home. Oftentimes, it’s rare to find a gray paint color that coordinates with these elements.
Pewter Gray is the perfect deep cooler-toned exterior shade for the job. Combine this gray tone with wood accents and a dark blue or brown front door for a gorgeous modern exterior color palette.
5. Polar Bear by Behr
As a top-selling Behr exterior paint color, Polar Bear 75 is a classic cool white tone with a hint of warm-ish pink undertones. Accordingly, it works well as a trim color to bring out natural wood tones and pops against brown trim.
You can pair Behr’s Polar Bear with a dusty blue shutter or siding color for a classic yet contemporary farmhouse color palette.
Similarly, it looks great on board and batten siding styles as well. And if there isn’t a Sherwin or Ben Moore paint store nearby, this off-white neutral home color can be found at Home Depot.
6. Peppercorn Sherwin Williams
A wildly popular exterior dark gray house color is Sherwin Williams Peppercorn (SW 7674). While it can look dark in a fan deck or as a paint swatch, this gray lightens up on exteriors that get lots of natural sunlight. This rich, modern color is a trend-worthy option for cedar shake siding that has staying power.
Peppercorn is a crisp gray paint shade with slight red and blue undertones. Because of this, it works amazingly as a primary shade for homes with red front doors or brick chimneys. Again if you choose Peppercorn as an exterior paint color, make sure your house receives plenty of light.
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7. Poolhouse SW 7603
Finding the best light blue house color for your exterior is tough. Poolhouse (SW 7603) by Sherwin Williams simplifies this process. It’s a fantastic medium-ish light blue paint that’s both timeless and contemporary.
If you’re afraid of trending darker blue exterior shades like Hale Navy, you aren’t alone. On exteriors, Poolhouse becomes a breezy and cool medium blue shade when paired with white or off-white trim colors.
Exterior Colors Used In The Photo Above:
- Main Siding Color: Poolhouse
- Trim, Soffits, and Windows: Extra White (SW 7006)
Keep in mind, lighting plays a large role with this calming blue house color that has hints of green undertones. It looks spectacular as a siding color for traditional craftsmen or historic exteriors with plenty of lighting.
Consequently, Poolhouse can bring a modern twist to any traditional Victorian home color scheme makeover.
8. Naval by Sherwin Williams
Another top exterior blue paint color is Naval (SW 6244). A popular medium or dark blue house color, it sits on the warmer side of the exterior color wheel.
When compared to Benjamin Moore’s “Hale Navy”, Naval is more of a classic Navy with fewer grey undertones.
Naval was Sherwin-Williams color of the year in 2020 and for good reason. It can be used as a deep blue front door shade or as a lovely siding color for exteriors with plenty of light.
As a versatile neutral color choice, Naval can even be paired with a rosy pink front door for a pop of color.
As you can see in the image above, Naval works nicely with a dark gray front porch floor accent color like “Grey Shingle” from Sherwin.
9. Worldly Gray (Sherwin-Williams)
Looking for a light gray or greige house paint color with some warmth to it? Then Worldly Gray (SW 7043) may be a great option.
This exterior gray shade has very passive undertones of green and has an LRV of 57 which is on the low side. A lower LRV or light reflectance value means that it looks better on exteriors with plenty of light.
Worldly Gray shows as a more saturated, slightly darker version of the popular Agreeable Gray.
As an exterior color, it creates a soft and earthy feel. Because of Worldly Gray’s earthy tones, it pairs well with a Pearly White house trim color accented by black shutters.
10. SW Iron Ore
Another popular darker exterior house shade that is picking up steam is Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams. This trending color is characterized as a rich, dark gray that reads more like deep charcoal than black.
As a comparison, Iron Ore (SW 7069) is darker than Peppercorn and one shade lighter than Tricorn Black.
When it comes to color temperature, SW Iron Ore registers on the cool side with slight blue or slate gray undertones. Pair it with a neutral white siding color like Pure White or Alabaster for a beautiful, crisp contrast. If you prefer Benjamin Moore, a comparable shade is Wrought Iron (2124-10).
Iron Ore is also a super popular choice for front doors, garage doors, and exterior trim.
No question, adding this deep charcoal paint as an accent can modernize a tired-looking house exterior.
You can also pair it with lush landscaping and greenery to bring out earth tones in the shade.
How to choose a color scheme for the exterior of my house?
Now that you’ve read through this list, we recommend looking in your neighborhood to find color combinations you like.
Likewise, home styles also have a major impact on the color palette you choose.
Is your neighborhood full of stucco homes or do you live in a historic residential district? Look for examples in the neighborhood that match your property’s style and home design preferences.
Next, call your local paint store or a local painting contractor and ask about their favorite exterior color schemes. Their painters have likely completed a few house painting projects nearby and can provide valuable feedback.
And if Improovy happens to be in your neighborhood, we offer complimentary exterior design consultations. Indeed, this awesome free virtual perk comes with all of our exterior and interior paint jobs.
Whether you DIY or hire a painting contractor, we’re always happy to share our expertise.
As an expert in the field of exterior house painting, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide you through the process of choosing the best colors for your home. I have hands-on experience working with various paint brands, including Sherwin Williams, Behr, and Benjamin Moore. My expertise extends beyond the theoretical to practical application, having been involved in numerous house painting projects where the goal was to achieve a perfect balance between timeless elegance and modern appeal.
In the provided article about choosing the best exterior house paint colors in 2023, the author discusses the importance of making a wise investment in painting your home's exterior. They emphasize the need for timeless yet modern colors that maintain curb appeal for years. The article features the top 10 exterior paint colors for 2023, selected by a team of experts, with a focus on popular brands such as Sherwin Williams, Behr, and Benjamin Moore.
Here is a breakdown of the concepts and specific paint colors mentioned in the article:
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Alabaster by Sherwin Williams (SW 7008):
- Timeless and on-trend warm off-white color with beige undertones.
- Suitable for both modern and traditional exteriors.
- Versatile enough to be used as a siding, body color, or contrasting trim.
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White Dove by Benjamin Moore (OC-17):
- Cooler off-white with hints of gray.
- Warm soft off-white suitable for siding or trim.
- Ideal for brightening shaded houses and pairs well with greenery.
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Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams (SW 6258):
- Modern choice for a house body or siding color.
- Versatile true black without undertones, pairs well with various shades.
- Coordinates well with off-whites and adds sophistication to exteriors.
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Pewter Cast by Sherwin Williams (SW 7673):
- Cool-muted tone of gray suitable for stucco, lap siding, or cedar shingles.
- Adaptable to homes with dark gray shingles, black roofs, and exposed stone or brick.
- Coordinates well with white exterior trim colors.
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Polar Bear by Behr (Polar Bear 75):
- Classic cool white with warm undertones.
- Ideal as a trim color to enhance natural wood tones.
- Pairs well with brown trim and works on board and batten siding styles.
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Peppercorn by Sherwin Williams (SW 7674):
- Popular dark gray house color with slight red and blue undertones.
- Lightens up on exteriors with lots of natural sunlight.
- Suitable for cedar shake siding with a modern touch.
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Poolhouse by Sherwin Williams (SW 7603):
- Medium-ish light blue paint that's timeless and contemporary.
- Perfect for traditional craftsmen or historic exteriors with plenty of lighting.
- Pairs well with white or off-white trim colors.
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Naval by Sherwin Williams (SW 6244):
- Classic Navy with fewer grey undertones, suitable for medium to dark blue exteriors.
- Versatile for use as a siding color or a deep blue front door shade.
- Coordinates well with various accent colors.
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Worldly Gray by Sherwin Williams (SW 7043):
- Light gray or greige with passive undertones of green.
- Creates a soft and earthy feel, pairs well with Pearly White trim and black shutters.
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SW Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams (SW 7069):
- Rich, dark gray that reads more like deep charcoal than black.
- Cooler side with slight blue or slate gray undertones.
- Popular choice for front doors, garage doors, and exterior trim.
The article concludes with advice on how to choose a color scheme for the exterior of your house, encouraging readers to observe their neighborhood for inspiration and consult with local paint stores or painting contractors for valuable feedback. The emphasis is on finding a color palette that complements the neighborhood and the specific style of the house.
