The Popular Exterior Paint Color You Might Want To Avoid

Choosing a paint color for your home's exterior is not a simple feat. There are so many options out there, but not all of them excel on a home's shell. Of course, there are the classic neutral shades like off-white and taupe, but if you want your home to stand out, you might be looking for something with a bit more unique charm and character. A lot of people find themselves drawn to pastels. Pastels provide the opportunity to play around with color in a light and undersaturated way, creating a more subtle effect than vibrant neon colors or deep, moody shades. Within the pastel palette, there are also a ton of different colors to choose from, like purple, pink, blue, green, and yellow. On a home's exterior, however, pastel shades typically aren't the best choices. 

Pastels can look great on retro-style beach houses or more fantastical Queen Anne-style homes, but otherwise tend to look terribly out of place in urban and suburban neighborhoods. Choosing these colors could both make your home stand out for the worse and harm your resale value. Pastel paint also tends to streak when applied, shows flaws, and requires a ton of maintenance, making it a nightmare for upkeep. If you still want to incorporate these colors on your exterior, play with primary neutral shades and save the pastels for accents like the door, trim, and shutters. Alternatively, you could explore a few colorful but trendier alternatives to dated pastel paint. 

Thinking you have to go neutral or cookie cutter is a common mistake when picking out an exterior paint color. There are plenty of charming choices out there that aren't pastel. For pink, consider a more muted dusty rose or a warm-toned coral. Both of these tones are playful and work beautifully with gray and white trims. A dusty rose offers an earthier take on pastels with all of the same whimsy, and is a subtle choice that suits both city townhouses and cozy cottages. Coral is commonly found on the exteriors on the homes in Cinque Terre, so it would look gorgeous in similarly sunny climates like the mountainous deserts of the American Southwest or coastal beachfronts. 

Blue shades off the pastel spectrum are timeless and classic. Slate blue, for instance, is a calming, sophisticated gray-blue, well-suited to both modern and colonial styles when paired with crisp white or black accents. Navy blue, a timeless choice, adds depth and sophistication. Although often associated with Cape Cod-style coastal homes, navy blue would also look great on a countryside cottage or a colonial home. 

Greens like sage and moss evoke natural beauty and looks great on home exteriors. Sage green has become incredibly popular on home interior walls, but would be just as lovely outside. This natural tone blends seamlessly with landscapes and earthy finishes like stone and wood. For something darker and less common, try out moss green. This shade exudes warmth, suits both suburban and rural settings, and looks lovely with cream or taupe accents.