Remodeling Guides
Architecture
Home Exteriors Take Color Cues from Stone
Age-old yet with a thoroughly modern take, stone inspires exterior color palettes for home styles from traditional to contemporary
Stone, whether natural or veneer, is a popular way to add texture, pattern and interest to a home's exterior. But have you ever thought of using stone details as a jumping-off point for a home's exterior color palette? Maybe you should.
Since stone has a natural aesthetic, color schemes derived from it tend to be easy and noncoerced. Whether neutral or colorful, these schemes can work on nearly any style of home. Take color cues from the stones themselves or from grout. Restrict your palette to two or three colors for a polished effect. Use contrasting trim to offset architectural details.
Use an existing stone structure as a springboard for updating an older home's color palette. Or think about adding simple stone features (chimney, columns, porch) to a newer home for some colorful inspiration, not to mention added depth and texture. Just be sure to look at the big outdoor picture when choosing paint colors. Typically, you can get away with more deeply saturated colors outside versus inside.
Since stone has a natural aesthetic, color schemes derived from it tend to be easy and noncoerced. Whether neutral or colorful, these schemes can work on nearly any style of home. Take color cues from the stones themselves or from grout. Restrict your palette to two or three colors for a polished effect. Use contrasting trim to offset architectural details.
Use an existing stone structure as a springboard for updating an older home's color palette. Or think about adding simple stone features (chimney, columns, porch) to a newer home for some colorful inspiration, not to mention added depth and texture. Just be sure to look at the big outdoor picture when choosing paint colors. Typically, you can get away with more deeply saturated colors outside versus inside.
This home’s exterior utilizes nearly every hue found in the stone veneer. The siding picks up on the slatelike blue. The front door mimics the camel-colored stone. The custom gray garage door fits into the color scheme nicely. Crisp white trim sets off architectural details.
The earthy tones of this Craftsman-style home make the most of the stone exterior. Warm olive green, deep eggplant and ivory trim — instead of bright white — keep this exterior feeling warm all around.
The handsome palette for this home’s exterior draws on the deep jade and toasty tan found in the locally quarried granite stone details. Warm wood is added to the mix in the form of exterior doors.
Ask an exterior expert for more color combinations to ramp up curb appeal
Ask an exterior expert for more color combinations to ramp up curb appeal
This high-contrast exterior features charcoal gray outlined with bright white trim. The deep gray siding picks up on the various grays in the stone, while the walnut-stained cedar doors bring in another moody element.
The exterior palette of this cottage was completely inspired by the colors found in the stone features. Warm white acts as an offsetting backdrop to the green-brown window trim and rust-orange door. In small doses and with a light background, the ‘70s-like hues feel anything but dated.
Colorful front doors that make a statement
Colorful front doors that make a statement
The colors chosen for this home's exterior go a long way in accentuating its design details. Taupe siding takes its color cues from the Indian Creek stone column bases. Clean white trim and beefy white columns add contrast, symmetry and depth.
Bright and airy color palettes are possible with stone as well. Here, the light-colored gray stone sets the stage for a fresh gray and white color scheme. The greens of the landscaping pop against this clean palette.
The shingle siding and custom garage doors of this stately home get their color inspiration from the stone detailing. With cream trim added, the overall feel is warm, not stark.
More:
Stone Shows Massive Potential for Homes
9 Top Siding Materials
10 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal
More:
Stone Shows Massive Potential for Homes
9 Top Siding Materials
10 Ways to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal