8 Designer-Endorsed House Colors to Seriously Upgrade Your Curb Appeal

Be honest: When was the last time you really thought about the *outside* of your house? Naturally, we're major proponents of decorating our interiors to the nines (and spend a lot of time mulling over them as a result). But it's not right that our homes' exteriors should be so ignored—after all, first impressions matter, whether you're welcoming guests for the first time or hoping to stand out as a memorable property to potential homebuyers.

However, repainting your home's exterior is a big decision (and a major undertaking, to say the least). So it's critically important to pick a color you'll actually like...as well as one that won't stick out like a sore thumb in your neighborhood. (Angry calls from the HOA are never fun.) And if your abode is from a specific time period or mimics a classic historical style, things can get even more complicated from there—will a bright red front door look out of place next to some neoclassic columns? Do you *have* to stick to traditional shades when repainting a Colonial? These questions could make any homeowner want to put off repainting until next spring.

But never fear. We caught up with a few of our favorite designers to get the scoop on their most tried-and-tested home exterior hues—so you can paint confidently, without changing your mind in a season or two (or causing a commotion with the neighbors).

Read on for our favorite designer-endorsed exterior paint colors, and then go forth and give your home a fresh coat—and a facelift.

Meet the Expert

Ashley Clark is the founder of Skout, an interior design studio, and homewares shop of the same name.
Kishani Perera founded her namesake design studio after graduating from UCLA and was named one of LA's Top Designers of 2019 by the Hollywood Reporter.
Cortney Bishop is the owner and principal designer of Charleston-based Cortney Bishop Design.
Natalie Ebel is a designer and the co-founder of direct-to-consumer paint brand Backdrop.

01 of 08

Benjamin Moore "Simply White"

Ashley Clark of Skout loves "Simply White" for exteriors—and considering its popularity among designers both indoors and out, she's not alone. "It's soft without being yellow," she explains. Another perk: It's great for upping your curb appeal and making your landscaping seem all the more enticing. "It proves to be a great palette with landscaping and exterior decor—it makes your plants really pop," she notes.

Benjamin Moore "Simply White" $50.00

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02 of 08

Dunn Edwards "Jet"

On the flip side, Clark favors the deep dark shade "Jet" for creating drama. "It's my go-to color," she says, especially when paired with her previous pick. She likes the contrast it creates with "Simply White." "Depending on the lighting and location, it's not black, but the perfect dark, dark charcoal."

Dunn Edwards "Jet" Paint Sample $5.00

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03 of 08

Benjamin Moore "Deep Creek"

Designer Kishani Perera keeps coming back to this shade, which was the perfect mix of classic and modern to add some character to the garage of this Hollywood Hills home. "I wanted to select a shade that referenced not only the history of this house, but also felt in harmony with the nature that surrounded it," she explains. "I’ve always associated olives and green tones with a classic Spanish home, but wanted an earthy shade—the undertones of green found in "Deep Creek" accomplished everything I was hoping to with its muted coloring, which was rich but subtle."

Benjamin Moore "Deep Creek" $50.00

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04 of 08

Benjamin Moore "Crownsville Gray"

Another hue with a sense of history, Perera was drawn to this shade for a 1920 Spanish home's trim because of its warmth. "We opted to keep the tones lighter and softer for a more modern, urban feel, but still wanted a richness and warmth. "Crownsville Gray" was the perfect taupe-y olive, with a freshness and contemporary feel, to reference the past while hinting at the updated interiors within," she says.

Benjamin Moore "Crownsville Gray" $50.00

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05 of 08

Farrow & Ball "School House White"

house paint — Design: Cortney Bishop, Photo: Katie Charlotte

Designer Cortney Bishop admits that she definitely plays favorites when it comes to exterior whites. "I’m using a lot of Farrow & Ball "School House White" in my recent projects," she says. "It’s an old-school white that seems familiar and cozy, but still bright enough to make a statement along a street full of homes. It’s definitely not a cool white, but a neutral off-white that’s surely timeless!"

Farrow & Ball "School House White" $125.00

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06 of 08

Farrow & Ball "Wevet"

House paints — Design: Cortney Bishop, Photo: Katie Charlotte

For a white that feels a little more current, Bishop opts for another Farrow & Ball favorite: "Wevet," so named after the Dorset word for spiderweb, owing to its slightly grey, almost gossamer appearance. "When I'm working on a more modern project, "Wevet" tends to be my go-to choice. It's sophisticated, while also being familiar. It's not overly striking but does have a chicness to it that reads clean and crisp," she notes.

Farrow & Ball "Wevet" $125.00

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07 of 08

Benjamin Moore "Wrought Iron"

""Wrought Iron" and I go way back!" says Bishop. "Many of my clients are drawn to a black and white house, and rather than revving up the contrast with a deep, dark hue, I often introduce "Wrought Iron." It's a slightly muted version of true black, making it a great alternative when you want to make a statement rich in warmth and depth that adds just enough drama," she describes.

Benjamin Moore "Wrought Iron" $50.00

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08 of 08

Backdrop "After Hours"

Another beloved designer shade that's dark yet full of character: "After Hours" from direct-to-consumer paint newcomer Backdrop. Natalie Ebel, a designer and the co-founder of the brand, describes the color as "a soft charcoal black" that she loves using in a semi-gloss finish. "Outdoors, you want to create a clean contrast against landscaping, tiling, even the sunset," she says, so high-contrast hues are a go-to. "Using "After Hours" on doors gives entry points some cool drama."