When it comes to choosing exterior paint colors for farmhouses, there are a few key factors to consider. The color palette should complement the natural surroundings, withstand weathering, and evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia. Most experts recommend sticking to a palette of 3-5 earthy, muted colors that will highlight the home’s rustic charm.
What are some popular color schemes for farmhouses?
Here are some of the most popular farmhouse color schemes:
| Color Scheme | Description |
|---|---|
| White with black or dark gray accents | A classic look, white allows other architectural details to stand out while dark accents add contrast. |
| Light gray with dark gray or black accents | Soft and weathered, light gray makes a great field color with darker accents on trim. |
| Red with white or cream accents | From barn red to brick red, red evokes a sense of warmth and Americana charm. |
| Blue with white accents | From navy to sky blue, blue offers a cheerful, inviting look. |
| Sage green with cream or white accents | An earthy green feels right at home in the countryside. |
| Yellow with white accents | Cheery yellow complements surrounding fields and pastures. |
The most common accent colors are white, black, gray, brown, and tan. Trim, shutters, and front doors typically feature a bold pop of contrasting color.
Should I choose warm or cool paint colors?
When debating warm versus cool paint colors, there are benefits to both depending on the look you want for your farmhouse:
Warm paint colors like reds, yellows, and browns evoke feelings of comfort and nostalgia. They feel welcoming and timeless. Warm earthy hues complement the natural materials often found on farmhouses.
Cool paint colors like blues, grays, and greens have a more modern, refreshing feel. They can help a farmhouse feel more contemporary. Cool neutrals like gray and white have an airy, peaceful vibe.
Most design experts recommend warm, muted natural tones for a classic farmhouse scheme. But if you want a more modern farmhouse look, integrating some cooler gray-blues or sage greens can give you that updated vibe.
What are the best paint colors for a white farmhouse?
If you’ll be painting your farmhouse white or off-white, here are some of the most popular accent colors to consider:
– Black – Classic and striking, black window sashes, doors, and shutters make the white walls pop.
– Gray – In shades from light dove to charcoal, gray accentuates architecture details.
– Red – For a patriotic Americana vibe, try barn red or brick red accents.
– Navy – Dark and sophisticated, navy makes a bold contrast.
– Green – Sage green or olive green accents bring nature’s palette to a white farmhouse.
– Brown – Rich chocolate or chestnut brown evokes a sense of warmth.
– Yellow – Cheery sunflower or butter yellow gives off good vibes.
Should trim and siding colors be the same or different?
There’s no wrong answer when it comes to matching or contrasting trim and siding colors. However, here are some popular approaches:
– Same color – Having trim and siding match in the same neutral color (ex: light gray) gives a cohesive, streamlined look.
– Lighter trim – Using a lighter shade on the trim and a darker shade on the siding creates nice contrast (ex: white trim with gray siding).
– Darker trim – Reverse it by pairing darker trim with lighter siding for drama (ex: black trim and white siding).
– Different colors – For a more eclectic look, choose two complementary colors (ex: sage green siding with cream trim).
Many farmhouses use white trim with a gray, green, red, or blue siding color for bold definition. But don’t be afraid to get creative and break from tradition!
What are the best paint colors for a gray farmhouse?
Gray is a popular field color for farmhouses, providing a peaceful, weathered vibe. Here are accent colors that pair beautifully with different shades of gray siding:
– Light gray – White, red, navy, sage green
– Medium gray – Red, black, yellow
– Charcoal gray – White, sage green, terra cotta
– Blue-gray – White, light yellow, coral
Aim for accent colors with enough contrast so they pop against the gray. Warm shades like brick red, sunflower yellow, and terra cotta can help keep a gray farmhouse from feeling too cold.
Should I paint my farmhouse doors a bright color?
One fun way to add personality to a farmhouse is by painting the front door a bright, cheery color. Typical options include:
– Red – Barn red and fire engine red are classic choices.
– Yellow – From muted mustard to bright daisy yellow.
– Green – Sage green gives off relaxing vibes.
– Blue – Nautical bright blues complement white siding.
– Purple – From lavender to violet, purple packs a punch.
– Turquoise – Vibrant and fun, perfect for a beachy vibe.
– Pink – Try rose pink, coral, or even bubblegum pink.
– Black – Make a statement with a dramatic black door.
Painting your door black or a dark color can also mimic the look of an aged, weathered wood door. Get creative and let the door color reflect your personality!
Should I use the same exterior color on a detached garage or outbuilding?
When it comes to exterior paint colors for detached garages, sheds, and other outbuildings, you have a few options:
– Use the same siding/trim colors as the main farmhouse for a cohesive look. This helps the buildings feel connected.
– Paint the outbuildings a lighter or darker variant of the farmhouse colors for subtle coordination.
– Choose a complementary accent color from the farmhouse for the outbuilding doors and trim (ex: white farmhouse with sage green shed).
– Go bold with a completely different color that contrasts the farmhouse for a striking look (ex: blue farmhouse with red barn).
– Paint small utilitarian buildings like garden sheds in neutral colors like gray or olive to help them blend in.
Take cues from the main farmhouse, but don’t be afraid to get creative with outbuildings by playing with different hues and levels of color contrast.
Which paint colors hold up best over time?
When selecting exterior paint colors, you’ll want hues that can withstand sun exposure, moisture, and other environmental factors over the years. Here are some of the toughest paint colors:
– White – A white exterior reflects light and heat, reducing fading and wear.
– Yellow – Cheery yellows like buttercream and sunflower hold their vibrancy.
– Gray – Cool and neutral grays weather well. Look for those with warm undertones.
– Red – Reds with an orange/brick tone are very colorfast.
– Green – Deep forest greens and sage resist fading. Lighter greens can fade faster.
– Blue – Navy blue wears well over time. Pastel blues fade more quickly.
– Brown – Deep chocolate and brown have great longevity.
Aim for darker, earthy tones over pale pastels. And invest in top-quality, 100% acrylic exterior paint for superior durability. Proper prep and primer also helps paint adhere and last.
Should color choices be different for wood versus brick versus stone exteriors?
The material used for your farmhouse’s exterior siding and walls can impact which colors enhance it best:
Wood – White lets the texture show through. Grays bring out the grain. Colors like sage green, brick red, and navy suit traditional wood siding.
Brick – White or light gray stand out on red brick walls. Black trim creates bold contrast. Avoid colors too similar to the brick color.
Stone – Natural, earthy colors like brown, olive, gray, and cream complement stone’s organic vibe. Avoid stark white.
Combination – If using multiple materials, pick a color scheme that flatters each one, like white siding with navy trim on brick walls.
Consider how exterior colors will interact with the surface they’re on. Your goal is to pick hues and contrasts that make each material look its best.
How can I choose colors that complement the surrounding landscape?
The view from your farmhouse should factor into your color selection. Choose a palette that enhances the landscape:
– Woods – Moss green, deep brown, and cream reflect forested surroundings.
– Fields – Yellow, green, or red echo open farmlands.
– Riverfront – Blues and grays evoke water.
– Desert – Sandy tans, warm terra cotta, ochre yellows suit arid settings.
– Mountain – Charcoal, slate gray, and cream mirror a mountain backdrop.
– Lakefront – Blues complement lakesides, or go nautical with red, white, and navy.
Drive around your area for inspiration. Notice how the natural colors, vegetation, and geography create an overall palette. Use this as a springboard for choosing farmhouse colors.
Should I match the roof color to my exterior color scheme?
The roof color presents another opportunity to integrate your farmhouse into the surrounding landscape. Here are some tips for choosing a coordinating roof color:
– Match the roof color to the siding or trim for a streamlined look, like a dark gray slate roof with gray siding and white trim.
– Complement the field color by selecting a roof color from the same palette, like a terra cotta roof on a white house with olive green trim.
– Contrast the exterior scheme with a bold roof color that pops, like a black roof on a light yellow farmhouse.
– Opt for a traditional galvanized tin metal roof in silver, black, or dark gray for a classic farmhouse look.
– Consider matching the roof color to elements like painted shutters or doors for asymmetry.
– Research options like asphalt shingles in darker hues, standing seam metal roofing, or cedar shake wood shingles.
The roof sets the tone for your whole exterior color scheme, so make sure it complements the surroundings and your design vision. Don’t be afraid to go bold or traditional!
Conclusion
When painting a farmhouse exterior, keep the surroundings in mind and stick to an earthy color palette for a warm, timeless look. Contrast lighter siding with black or white trim, and consider a colorful front door for personality. Prioritize durability in your paint selections so your finish weathers well. Integrate outbuildings by choosing coordinated colors. Most importantly, let the natural hues found around your farm inspire your choices. The right exterior paint colors can capture the beauty of your rural setting for years to come.
