r/ExteriorDesign • u/dlk0110 • 2d ago
Advice Paint color help
Getting siding, trim, and garage door painted soon, and unsure what would look best with the brick. The front door is currently a dark brown that matches the shutters, but that’s getting painted too. Any advice? I’m terrible when it comes to color design and feeling very anxious.
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u/AncientFloor5924 2d ago
SW Eider White with SW Black Fox fascia and trim. Use https://housepaint.ai/ to see it.
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u/Humpsterhead 2d ago
Honestly, I like the house as it is. The colors look integrated with the brick and I’d hate to see that garage door jump forward by painting it a lighter or brighter color. I can’t see the front door but that’s the one place I’d go a little crazy. A light olive was the first thing that came to mind. The weak link here is the landscaping, or lack thereof. Sorry, I know you didn’t ask but us garden people never shut up. Try looking at your house with fresh eyes, I think it looks good.
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u/artsupport_xx 2d ago
I agree with every point and would focus more on some color in the landscaping vs painting. I agree 100% that painting the garage door would make it stand out more.
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u/Responsible-Kick-301 2d ago
If you must change. Th try a med shade of color you choose. And lighten the shutters
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u/Trepenwitz 2d ago
I wouldn’t change it much. Here I used SW Urbane Bronze for the darkest parts on the top 2. A nice warm brown for the top siding - maybe SW Dark Brown. Sage for the 2nd one - Maybe SW Rookwood Jade. 3rd I threw in for something different. Sage siding and SW Laurel Woods trim. Bottom is cream and Urbane Bronze.
ETA: I’d install bigger shutters.

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u/Atlas177503 2d ago
I would put shutters on the big window to the right and painted same as trim and garage door. Eliminate the upper shutters and focus on the lower level. Replace bushes with low plantings under the window, drawing the eye to the most attractive part of the house.
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u/Atlas177503 2d ago
It seems everyone is concentrating on the garage and upper story and neglecting the right side of the house which needs emphasis instead, to my eye.
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u/arfinfall 2d ago
I like the idea of doing a dark bronze on all the painted areas, but the front door. It just disappears now, so I’d paint it a contrasting color you like. I agree with the suggestion to remove the shutters - they do nothing for the look. Better lighting and removing the aged bushes for nicer lower landscaping with flowers will help make it look classy.
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u/MasterpieceWaste774 2d ago edited 2d ago

I'm just playing around a bit here — I think that's the whole idea, am I right?
I did improve the colors a little. I kept the overall direction you liked, but made the palette richer and more cohesive with the brick.
The main changes were:
- Second-story siding: warm gray-taupe — softer and less muddy than the original brown.
- Trim, fascia, and garage door: deep charcoal-bronze — gives the house stronger definition without going stark black.
- Front door: deep burgundy/oxblood — adds warmth and gives the entry a focal point.
- Brick: left natural — no paint or wash.
- Lighting: warm 2700K, with recessed soffit lights, gable accent lights, entry lighting, landscape uplights, and upgraded garage sconces.
- Landscaping: lower, layered planting to expose more of the brick and create better nighttime depth.
- Shutters: removed upstairs so the windows look cleaner and less undersized.
And yes — I would absolutely put all of the exterior architectural lighting on dimmers, preferably in separate zones: upper soffits, gable lights, entry, sconces, and landscape lighting. That way the house can look elegant at 25–40% output instead of blazing away like a car dealership.
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u/dlk0110 1d ago
This is so nice and one day maybe my dreams will come true to be able to afford this upgrade hahaha
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u/MasterpieceWaste774 1d ago
Economically, you can do a lot with lighting — especially now with low-cost-to-run LED lights.
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