skip to main content

Home Decorating Exterior

Need help with exterior house colors; shutters, front door.

4 years ago

I want to paint my house shutters and front door as the current color is outdated (forest green). So I need some advice. I've seen that there's a trend now to let the front door pop with a different color than the rest, and I think it would be nice to do something fun or cute on the front door. But unsure if that's OK when you have shutters? Does the front door need to match the shutters?

If it's OK to let the door be a different color, I could use some advice.

Here are my current colors:

House siding: Cream colored, the best color match I could find from the samples I have at home is this one: (Although on my computer it looks almost pinkish toupe! My house is cream, not really yellow but more so than off-white.) Valspar Courtyard Tan 7002-13 https://m.valsparpaint.com/color-detail.php?id=2649&g=1017

The roof, if it matters, is Teak, from Owens Corning: https://www.owenscorning.com/roofing/shingles/trudefinition-duration/

(My current shutters are forest green, a common green from the 90's. But I want that gone.

See pictures of the house on the bottom.)

FYI: The front of the house faces north, so if I go anything dark it will look nearly black most of the day. So I'd like to go in the medium color ranges. Preferably no red or orange.

1. Is the roof color considered neutral since it's in the brown tones? Like wood? Can I do whatever I want of color as long as it matches the siding?

2. Can I do shutters in this blue https://www.behr.com/consumer/ColorDetailView/HDC-AC-24 with front door in a light blue such as https://www.ppgpaints.com/color/color-families/neutrals/shaded-brook OR https://www.behr.com/consumer/ColorDetailView/HDC-CT-26 OR https://www.behr.com/consumer/ColorDetailView/N440-2 ?

3. Are neutral shutter colors better? If so, do you have some suggestions?

4. Any other suggestions as to what might look good on the front door?

Here's our house currently; the white decorative pieces will be painted too (white) as they are very gray and grimy now. It was hard to get the colors right in the pictures, that's why I included links above to get you a better idea.

A sample of the siding compared to a paint color chart:

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

PRO
JudyG Designs
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Very first impression is there are way too many narrow shutters and none fit the windows properly. What is not taken advantage off is the mill work over the windows. If painted the white of the windows, the windows would be lovely without the shutters. Shiny red front door…..
Sammy
4 years ago
I agree with Judy about removing the shutters. If you do that, though, you’ll need to beef up the window trim. (Well, you don’t need to, but it’d look better.)
Related Discussions
Help with exterior shutter and front door color
Q
Comments (2)
How about a "blueberry"--very grayed-down blue. That color would be a complement to the warm rust of your brick & would liven things up without taking over. Also Williamsburg blue--a greyed blue-green--might work; that would be more interesting than plain dark green.
...See More
Need suggestions with front of house colors, door and shutters.
Q
Comments (7)
So glad you removed the shutters. They don't belong on your 1960s ranch home, even if they were put there by the original builder. Here are two articles to show you why: Shutters vs Shudders More detail about Shutters from Old House Guy I agree with you - no craftsman door. I will look for a door that is suitable for your ranch and others will jump in too :) The biggest improvement you can make is your landscaping. It is all jammed up against your house. Find a landscape designer to put together a plan for you that you can implement over time as your budget allows. Right now your landscaping acts as a barrier and not a sign of 'welcome home'. Wide & deep landscape beds with a wide entrance walkway open up your home. Good call on the black roof color for your new roof. Exciting times ahead!
...See More
Exterior front door/shutters Photoshop help needed
Q
Comments (0)
Looking for suggestions for front door color, shutters, and garage door. My daughter bought this home in winter so landscaping will need to be addressed this spring, if it ever warms up !! Are shutters attractive with this house design? Kids have talked about removing them. The roof has a gray green color. Can someone photo shop this for me? I would like to introduce a white front door and side lights. Taupe or brown shutters, should shutters match garage door which needs a new paint color? Or paint everything white? Or why white? Gray green? Thank you
...See More
need help picking SW shutter and front door colors!
Q
Comments (6)
I will have to do some measuring next time I make a trip to the house. I want to be able to relax on the porch with my husband, read alone, etc. I'm not planning on using the front porch as an entertaining area...more like just a relaxation area for us. Just looking for comfortable seating or swing that will go with some nice urns like you suggested. Each far side of the porch has 2 entry doors into the front sitting room and the den. I don't want to really block them off, so I'm trying to figure out a way to place furniture and decor without doing that.
...See More
Else
Original Author
4 years ago
I did think about removing them, but there are screw holes in the siding. Each shutter has four screws, one in each corner. The ones close to the windows could be covered by trim, but not the outer ones. So how would I deal with that?
Else
Original Author
4 years ago
I'm still interested in advice for colors for keeping the shutters as I'm not sold on the idea of removing them. I might, but I think the house will look pretty washed out without them. It would help if the siding was a bit darker. But it is what it is.

Related Stories

ENTRYWAYS Help! What Color Should I Paint My Front Door?

By Jennifer Ott Design

We come to the rescue of three Houzzers, offering color palette options for the front door, trim and siding

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

MOST POPULAR How to Choose a Front Door Color

By Vanessa Brunner

If choosing a door paint isn't an open-and-shut case for you, here's help

EXTERIOR COLOR Choosing Color: 1 House, 5 Exterior Paint Palettes

By Jennifer Ott Design

See how color variations change the look of this midcentury ranch-style home

DOORS What Color Should I Paint My Front Door?

By Susannah Hutchison

Extend a standout greeting with a memorable hue at your home’s entry

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Deep Red

By Jennifer Ott Design

Rich reds draw the eye and send an inviting message. See if one of these palettes speaks to you for your own front door

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Orange

By Jennifer Ott Design

Bring high energy and spirit to your home's entryway with a vibrant shade of orange on the front door

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Green

By Jennifer Ott Design

Fresh, fun and a pleasant surprise on a front door, green in subtle to strong shades brings energy to home exteriors

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Blue

By Jennifer Ott Design

Who knew having the blues could be so fun? These 8 exterior color palettes celebrate sunny-day skies to electric nights

FRONT DOOR COLORS Front and Center Color: When to Paint Your Door Black

By Jennifer Ott Design

Love the idea of a black front door? Here are 8 exterior palettes to make it work

Sponsored

More Discussions

Need decorating ideas for living room

7

looking who designed and or manufactured this vanity

12

Hallway decor ideas

2

Update exterior of home opinions

3

Empty wall area above sink p

3