One of my favorite things to do as a designer is help homeowners choose new paint colors for their exterior. I love a good transformation, and a fresh new look for your home can dramatically improve your curb appeal. Over the years, I’ve curated a list of my favorite colors, and today I’m sharing my top picks from Sherwin-Williams. It wasn’t easy to narrow it down to just 12, but these are the best-performing, most consistent Sherwin Williams exterior paint colors that I turn to time and time again.
In this post, I’m showing each exterior paint color with a simple white trim color (SW Pure White), so that you can easily compare these popular shades. However, each of these Sherwin-Williams paint colors can be combined with other hues and shades to create gorgeous and sophisticated exterior color schemes for your home’s exterior. I’ve mentioned a few of my favorite coordinating colors below.
1. Alabaster (7008)
If you’re looking for a beautiful, warm, bright white for your exterior, Alabaster is a fantastic choice! It is a hugely popular white because it has just enough warmth to soften its look, without being overly creamy. If you have a north or east-facing home, this is a nice bright white for you to try.
Pair SW Alabaster with off-blacks like SW Iron Ore or SW Urbane Bronze for that dreamy modern farmhouse look. Looking for more whites? Check out my post on the top white paint colors for exteriors. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Alabaster HERE.
2. Shoji White (7042)
When you are looking for an off-white, it’s hard to beat Shoji White. It’s warm, but doesn’t typically show too much yellow or beige, so it works well in all lighting conditions. I love pairing SW Shoji White with warm browns and bronzes, like SW Black Fox. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Shoji White HERE.
3. Repose Gray (7015)
I love a light gray house with white trim, and Repose Gray is my go-to light gray for exteriors. It’s a neutral gray, with a hint of warmth, and light enough to almost pass as a soft white. I love the way SW Repose Gray looks with crisp white trim and navy blue or black shutters.
If you have a west-facing home, and want a neutral gray that won’t look too warm in the late afternoon sun, Repose Gray and its neighbors on the same paint strip (SW Mindful Gray and SW Dorian Gray) are great options. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Repose Gray HERE.
4. Accessible Beige (7036)
When you need a darker shade than off-white, but not quite beige, Accessible Beige can be the perfect choice. Yes, it has “beige” in the name, but it has enough gray to put it into the greige family. SW Accessible Beige can work with almost any accent color, but I happen to love it with white trim and an aqua front door. SW Agreeable Gray is another fantastic option in this light-medium greige color family. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Accessible Beige HERE.
5. Mega Greige (7031)
Mega Greige is a beautiful medium-toned greige body color. Chances are you’ve seen this color on one of your neighbors’ houses, because it’s that popular. If you need a paint color for resale, this is one you should consider as it seems to have universal appeal. Some of my favorite dark accent colors to pair with SW Mega Greige are SW Attitude Gray and SW Iron Ore. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Mega Greige HERE.
6. Magnetic Gray (7058)
Magnetic Gray is a cool gray with hints of blue-green, and one of my long-time favorites. It looks amazing with white trim, and dark charcoal or copper accents. On a west-facing home, the blue-green will be slightly neutralized, while on a north-facing home, you can expect the undertones to really shine through. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Magnetic Gray HERE.
7. Tavern Taupe (7508)
Taupe has always been a popular shade for exteriors, and Tavern Taupe is a top performer in the taupe family. It’s very nicely balanced, inviting, and works well in all lighting conditions. I love Tavern Taupe with browns and reds, and it also looks great with navy. It you like your taupe a little lighter, SW Tony Taupe is just as fabulous. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Tavern Taupe HERE.
8. Felted Wool (9171)
Felted Wool is medium gray that is warm, but doesn’t lean too far into brown. In certain light, you might even detect a slight hint of green. It has a really nice, natural, earthy feel to it, and looks gorgeous with off-white trim (like SW Shoji White). Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Felted Wool HERE.
9. Gauntlet Gray (7019)
I’ve always loved a charcoal house with white trim and black accents. It has a bold quality, while still feeling classic and elegant. While I admit that Benjamin Moore takes the prize for my favorite charcoal paint color (Kendall Charcoal), Gauntlet Gray is a close second. It’s on the same paint color strip as Repose Gray, so it’s neutral with just a hint of warmth. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Gauntlet Gray HERE.
10. Granite Peak (6250)
Granite Peak is a fabulous blue-green gray that will command attention. It’s a lighter alternative to navy, with enough gray to give it a smoky feel. SW Granite Peak looks amazing with white trim and black or natural wood accents, and is perfect for those of you that want to make a bolder statement with your exterior. It also happens to be an amazing dark slate blue for interiors…just sayin’ Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Granite Peak HERE.
11. Pewter Green (6208)
Pewter Green is my go-to dark green for exteriors, because it has the perfect combination of green, blue, and a touch of gray. I love pairing the gray-green tones of Pewter Green with stained wood features, and dark accent colors, like SW Sealskin. A solid choice for craftsman architectural style homes! Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Pewter Green HERE.
12. Homestead Brown (7515)
I don’t do a lot of brown houses these days, but when you need a brown, Homestead Brown is the one! It’s a lovely body color paired with neutral shades of traditional colors, like off-whites or taupe trim, and also a fabulous accent color on shutters, gables, garage doors, and dormers. Order a peel-and-stick sample sheet of SW Homestead Brown HERE.
What is the most popular color for a home exterior?
Are you looking for the perfect exterior paint color that is both popular and timeless, or one that can help sell your home? When it comes to choosing an exterior color palette, there are certain colors that have remained popular over the years, and that are also considered universally appealing (great for resale). Greiges, tans, creamy whites, and dark grays are all timeless neutral colors for the exterior of your home. And, because they are neutrals, they can help your home blend in seamlessly with natural surroundings, giving it a classy, sophisticated look. Whether you have a more contemporary style home
When it comes to exterior paint colors, should you use darker or lighter options?
It depends. Darker shades are trending today, and can infuse your home with some contemporary style. On the other hand, white exterior paint colors are super popular today, and also quite timeless. So, when it comes to exterior paint colors, both darker and lighter shades can be a great option. It comes down to the architecture of your home, and how your home fits it with surrounding homes. See my post on Tips for Choosing Exterior Paint Colors for guidance. Also, keep in mind that paint colors will always appear lighter when exposed to ample natural light. So, you don’t want to go too light with your exterior paint colors, or you risk blinding your neighbors.
How do you choose the right paint colors for your exterior?
Once you’ve narrowed in on the color family you want for your exterior, it’s time to order samples of several colors and test them on your exterior walls. View the samples in the morning and late afternoon to see how the color shifts throughout the day. Testing the colors is the best way to find the ideal exterior paint color for your home, with its unique lighting conditions.
Wrap-up
These popular Sherwin Williams exterior paint colors are tried and true favorites. Next time you’re planning to paint your exterior, be sure to add these to your list of samples to try. Any one of them will enhance your curb appeal, and make your house much more enjoyable to come home to.
Looking for Benjamin Moore colors for your exterior? Check out my post on the best Benjamin Moore exterior paint colors HERE.
What about Pearly White? It is rarely mentioned but seems like it would be a beautiful exterior color.
Pearly White is a nice white, with gray tones that make it a little cooler than other whites. Worth a try for sure!
Are white shutters the best option for all of these as pictured? (or most on trend… ? is black safer for resale down the road?)
I’m wondering this as well. I’d like mine to recede into the body v stand out but I’m so unsure!
No, white isn’t the best shutter color for all of these. I used white in these pictures just to keep the focus on the body color. Black is a great choice for shutter colors, and very good for resale!
Thanks so much for this article! Help please…would Accessible Beige works as the trim color for Mega Greige or Anew Gray exterior siding? Thanks a million.
Accessible Beige works well with Mega Greige, but I would pair Anew Gray with Agreeable Gray instead.
What about unusual grey on an old brick house?
Thank you, I’m having a hard time deciding on exterior paint. This was very helpful to look at.
What a great page! Very helpful to see each of these colors and how they change the look of the same house.
I painting a very large house “night owl” . Can you recommend a trim color? I will be adding some stained wainscoting and shingles.
What do you think of Browse Brown with Halcyon Green shutters?
What color do you recommend for a white
trim?
Some great white SW colors for trim include SW Pure White, SW Alabaster, and SW Snowbound. If you need a softer “white” trim color (to pair with a darker exterior, for example). Shoji White and Agreeable Gray can work well.
Hi!
I love this article and it has been quite helpful in color coordinating exterior homes. We are building a new home and have picked pewter green for the body and sealskin for the trim. We love the colors together. The stain for the wood accents has been a challenge. Do you have any suggestions on stain color?
Thank you!
Which color do you think would work best with brown/orange stacked stone?
If you’re planning to keep the stone as-is, you have a couple of options. You can go opposite on the color wheel, and try a navy blue or dark green body color. Something like SW Cyberspace or SW Pewter Green. Or, you could try something neutral and warm, like a tan to help the stone bland in. Depending on the colors in your stone, a charcoal might work well. Alternatively, you could limewash the stone, and completely change up the look!
Hi
What about sw cascades
I’m so stressing about choosing the right color
First time painting my home
Does lacewig go with baizegreen
We are planning to paint our house (exterior) and thinking of painting it white with a black trim. What SW paint would you recommend?
I would appreciate your help.
Thanks!
White Dove by Ben moore is a great option for an exterior house paint body color that contrasts well with black trim
What color white would you suggest for a house paint when the home is facing South – trying to keep the LRV at around 74-80ish? I get early to mid morning sun, and I’m having the toughest time selecting a white color to paint my house. I’ve tested SW Alabaster and Natural Choice, as well as White Dove and Ballet White from BM. (I love SW Peppercorn as an accent or trim color, and love SW Iron Oar, too.) PS: I don’t like beige as a house color. Everyone tells me white and gray are too trendy which confuses me even more. HELP!
SW Alabaster and SW Pure White are both popular and beautiful whites to pair with black trim.
Do you think darker colors makes a small house look smaller? Also, I was thinking of Summit Grey with extra white trim. Is SW Summit Grey loom more brown or gray? This is so scary. We almost went with Magnetic Grey, but I don’t know if it would be too green because where you said the color shines is on the side of the house nobody really ever sees. HELP
What color white would you suggest for a house paint when the home is facing South – trying to keep the LRV at around 74-80ish? I get early to mid morning sun, and I’m having the toughest time selecting a white color to paint my house. I’ve tested SW Alabaster and Natural Choice, as well as White Dove and Ballet White from BM. (I love SW Peppercorn as an accent or trim color, and love SW Iron Oar, too.) PS: I don’t like beige as a house color. Everyone tells me white and gray are too trendy which confuses me even more. HELP!
I have reddish brick with sandstone inlay what color would you suggest. I am leaning towards homestead brown and some sort of off white trim
Please help. I am using SW Cyberspace on the front door and black roof. What Sherwin William gray would like best on painted brick, trim and garage? I can’t use any shadow of white or cream paint on my brick.
I love Cyberspace! Some of my favorite grays with Cyberspace are SW Light French Gray, SW Dorian Gray (or either of its lighter cousins, Mindful Gray and Repose Gray), and SW Pewter Cast for a little darker shade.
Thank you for your reply. I love the clean modern farmhouse look. If we paint exterior body SW Light French Gray, black roof, black windows, and Sw Cyberspace for front door. What color would you recommend for the trim and garage door.
What color trim goes with SW Foothills house? Trim, shutters, door? Want earthy look option to compare with option with black shutters with Snowbound trim.
SW Shitake or SW Wool Skien would both be great trim colors with Foothills, and then an accent color like a blue-gray or gray-green would work great. SW Dried Thyme, or SW Cast Iron for greens, or SW Storm Cloud or similar for blue-gray.
Beautiful colors! We are painting our house (built in 1950)soon. It has a brown hip roof and I have no idea which colors to use. Our windows are white. Right now it’s cream siding which is being replaced with hardi plank . There are shutters in front. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Love the Pewter green. What trim colors would you recommend. I am thinking of Sherwin Williams Silvermist. Thank you!!
I’d like to know this answer as well. I did see a home with Casa Blanca and a black but I do not know what black was used. I would love a black option color.
I’d like to know this answer as well. I did see a home with Casa Blanca and a black but I do not know what black was used. I would love a black option color.
Casa Blanca looks great with Pewter Green, though it can give off a buttery or antiqued look. I also really like SW Shoji White and SW Creamy with Pewter Green, because they tend to look a little more neutral (less buttery). Some great blacks with Pewter Green are SW Tricorn Black (very dark, pure black), SW Black Magic (a little softer than Tricorn), and SW Greenblack (an off-black with green undertones). These are all great accent blacks for shutters and doors.
We are painting our home with comfort Gray and Oyster Bay (going about 25% darker) as we have this on our home now but want it a bit darker. We are having a metal structure put on our back in a beige color. We are trying to find a trim color that will complement this structure but goes well with the color of the home. Any suggestions?
Do you think darker colors makes a small house look smaller? Also, I was thinking of Summit Grey with extra white trim. Is SW Summit Grey loom more brown or gray? This is so scary. We almost went with Magnetic Grey, but I don’t know if it would be too green because where you said the color shines is on the side of the house nobody really ever sees. HELP
No, typically darker paint colors on exteriors won’t make a house look smaller, like they can for interior rooms. Summit Gray is a great choice for exteriors. It is fairly neutral, with a hint of warmth to it. SW Extra White for trim may be a little bright. You might try SW Pure White or even SW Agreeable Gray to soften the contrast. One more piece of advice…I always recommend sampling colors on your home before committing to one. View the samples at different times of the day and in shade versus full sun to determine if the paint color will work with your unique lighting conditions. Good luck!
What would be your recommendation on for trim color to go with shoji white if your shutters and doors are urban bronze?
I’m thinking of painting the body of my house with SW Hardware, but I’m having trouble selecting an accent color. What would you recommend?
If you want a white trim, go with SW Moderne White or SW Agreeable Gray. Some great, dark accent colors with Hardware are: SW Sealskin, SW Cyberspace, SW Raisin, and SW Black Magic
Changed my mind again..Lol
Going with Granite Peak with white trim and black accents. This article has been extremely helpful. Thank you so much for helping me decide, but I have to ask you what you think of course. Although you have Granite Peak in your list it would be nice to still get am okay from you. What makes it hard for me is I have a West facing home. Granite Peak or Cyberspace?
Granite Peak with white trim and black accents will look beautiful! Between Cyberspace and Granite Peak, Cyberspace is quite a bit darker. You may not notice the black accents as well against Cyberspace, so I would lean toward Granite Peak. If you’re trying to decide between colors, I highly recommend sampling both colors on your home before making your final choice.
What about with a Burnt Sienna roof color? Any suggestions on a nice exterior color?
With a Burnt Sienna roof, something in the off-white or light beige family, like SW Accessible Beige, will look great. A dark blue, like Granite Peak or Cyberspace, would also look fantastic! Charcoal is another good option.
What about Tavern Taupe with a Burnt Sienna Roof?
What would be your recommendation on for trim color to go with shoji white if your shutters and doors are urban bronze?
SW Fawn Brindle is really pretty with both of those colors, or something like SW Amazing Gray.
Melissa, this is a great article! We are deciding on the exterior paint for the first time… If we were to go with SW Shoji White and would like dark shutters (but I am not a fan of urban bronze), what other color would you recommend? And we need to pick an accent color that is above the garage and on the dining room exterior (if that makes sense) but I am afraid to pick it to be too dark. Do you have any recommendations for that?
Would Urbane Bronze work as the accent color for felted wool and pure white for trim?
Yes! Great combination of colors.
This is so helpful! My mother in law would like a Grey ( but not too white looking ) full house color with a darker grey trim and wants to paint out the orange red brick to match house -any suggestions ?
For light grays, Repose Gray or Light French Gray are good options. Medium grays like Dorian Gray are beautiful. I recommend starting with the Dorian Gray paint strip (all of the grays are winners), and choosing a light and dark gray to pair together from that strip.
I have a Spanish style north-east facing stucco home. I’m planning to do tricorn on the front door and the rest I want to do in a warm white. Alabaster is looking bright (and almost cool). I have wood accents and a dark roof but the rest of the front will be all the same color. What white would you recommend? Or will alabaster warm up and not be stark when it’s actually painted?
For a north-east facing home, you will probably have to push the warmth of your white a little more. If Alabaster is looking icy and bright, then you should try a slightly darker and warmer (more beige) white. Give Shoji White or White Duck a try, and maybe even Natural Choice.
I love summit gray with white trim and a black door. Is there one shade lighter than summit gray? What bright white trim would you recommend? I love your website! You provide so much help and advice that I keep searching for! Thank you
I haven’t seen anyone ask about a home with dark window frames (charcoal) with a horizontal hardiplank; a Modern Prairie home with hip black metal roof in front. Front faces west. What colors would you recommend from SW? Would you paint the trim a different color or allow the entire house to be one color and have the dark framed windows be the focal point? Thinking of pairing something up with Walnut front door (either dark brown stained or clear stained). Any suggestions?
I have a Mediteranean style stucco house with orange barrel tiles for the roof. Some yellow seen in the tiles. The front of the house is west facing. No shutters. No window trim just some trim accents. Is there a very subtle blue I could use? What color for the trim?
I have a red brick home, with tan stucco. The red brick has some variation, such as charcoal colored bricks integrated throughout. I want to paint the stucco Alabaster, and the trim dark brown. What are your thoughts about this combination?
I love the clean modern farmhouse look. If we paint exterior body SW Light French Gray, black roof, black windows, and Sw Cyberspace for front door. What color would you recommend for the trim and garage door.
Help!!! How many colours should I have? My brick snd stone bungalow has a reddish brick with a dark bronze/brown colour through it. I’ve painted the garage doors and front door Urbane bronze which I love. I love Shogi white as well so I’m thinking of painting my pillars and the metal porch railing in that colour. Currently, my railing, front window frame and the transom over my front door is bright white, the pillars are a creamy colour and my soffit and fascia are taupe. Should the porch rail be the same colour as the window frame or the garage doors? I’d like to make it look more uniform, as there is a lot happening. I’d much prefer the Shogi white as opposed to the bright white of the window for the pillars and railing.
What color goes well with Urban bronze? I would like to use urban bronze for the garage and front door and shoji white for the exterior. What about the trim and borders of the house, windows, above the garage? What color would go well?
Try something like SW Fawn Brindle or Dorian Gray, which are both great “bridge” colors between Urbane Bronze and Shoji White.
Thank you so much! What other combinations go well for a dark exterior garage door/ entrance door, light for the exterior walls and a bridge color with a light red roof tile?
What about Morris Town Gray with white trim
And black accents? Would those colors work well together and with a medium brown roof?
Morris Room Gray is a great exterior color choice, and would look beautiful with white trim and black accents. Try pairing it with SW Pure White or SW Shoji White (for a softer look). These colors should all work well with a brown roof.
My roof color is weather wood. I like agreeable gray. What color would work for the shutters and front door? Thanks
A navy or blue-gray would look great, and black is always a classic.
Hi,
My roof is gray and green. I’m considering painting the house SW Willow Tree with SW Alabaster for the trim. Is Willow Tree a grey green? Would SW Iron Ore be a good choice for the front door? I appreciate your opinion. Thanks in advance.
Yes, Willow Tree is a very pretty gray-green. It will look great with Alabaster trim and Iron Ore on the front door.
What color shutters to go with Mega Greige?
Mega Greige is such a great neutral that you have a lot of different options for shutter colors. Some of my favorite SW dark shades to pair with Mega Greige are: Urbane Bronze, Andiron, Sealskin, Cyberspace, and Iron Ore
South East Florida, South facing. Soji While or Accessible Beige. Both with white trim?
Have white hurricane shutters and white hurricane windows.
Shoji White will give only a slight contrast with white trim, so I would probably lean toward Accessible Beige and add some color to the front door.
Wonderful article and so helpful. I love the look of Granite Peak for our house exterior, but am not sure about trim and especially door and garage door colors. I think I’d like something dark for the door. Our door is currently Cyberspace and while I love it, I have doubts that it will pair well with Granite Peak. Any recommendations?
Wonderful article, I’m thinking about painting exterior either Kendall Charcoal or Gauntlet Grey but I want to pop it with a white trim thinking about SW pure white, What do you think ? any suggestions for garage and door ? I have a small I level cottage like house. Thank in advance.
What color goes well with SW Studio Blue Green on the house? Looking for trim and shutters colors
For trim, you could do an off white, which always looks great with greens. Something like Shoji White or Oyster White. Navy blue or black shutters would be a great accent.
Hello great article and insight. We are building a home and looking at Granite Peak for the siding. The windows will be white but I am not a fan of white soffit, facia and gutters. Is there a trim color that would work well together with the Granite Peak and white windows, without making the windows look out of place? Thanks in advance!
Something like SW Wool Skein or a darker version like SW Universal Khaki would work well. Or, you could use a gray like SW Front Porch. If you want to go dark you could try a black (SW Black Magic), which also looks greta with Granite Peak.
What is a good off white trim to go with repose gray? I don’t want a stark white.
Give SW White Duck and SW Aesthetic White a try, and maybe even SW Oyster White. Good luck!
thinking of painting my exterior BM natural cream with Chantilly lace trim, husband won’t due white for main color…. looking for a grey, blue, black for my shutters and front door. Your thoughts on that combination?
Thank you HELP!! lol
Natural Cream is a great color for exteriors, and a white trim color will look really nice. My initial thought is that Chantilly Lace might be a bit too bright for the trim color…you might also give BM White Dove or BM Simply White a try for the trim. BM Kendall Charcoal is a solid dark gray choice with these colors. For a black, BM Onyx or BM Black Satin. Blues…BM Hale Navy, BM Wolf gray are favorites. Good luck!
I’m thinking on painting the exterior with Alabaster , for window molding thinking on Pavestone and roof iron ore . Do you think this is a good combination or what is your suggestion? Not sure what should be used for door and garage door. Hope you can help me .. Thank you
I have a mid-century one level living home that we are looking to paint gray with white dove trim. I thought I loved Farrow and Ball Manor house gray, but the sample on the house was too light. I am considering Peppercorn SW 7674 or Gauntlet Gray SW 7019. Do you have other suggestions.
We are doing the entire house, after a complete interior remodel and I am soooo nervous about making a mistake!
Help ! Would exterior paint color “Bone”by Kelly Moore work with “ Agreeable gray” by sherwin Williams. We have a two story side panel house and there’s shiplap only on side facing ( around garage) and one small section on the top story , the rest of house has stucco. I’m confused what to do ! Appreciate your help.
Our painter has recommend Tavern Taupe with white trim with our Burnt Sienna Roof. What are your thoughts?
Is SW Silvermist a good color for home exterior?
What trim would you recommend for SW Greek Villa?
what’s your thoughts on taking the plunge on a 1970 era colonial style going urbane bronze on siding with a lime wash white on lower brick part.. our house is Tan now. Just worried it’s a trend. would make the shutters the same to make it not stand out. my wife dow trumps white. .. Otherwise would have to think of diff color pallet..
guess i should of error ckd my words. should say would make shutters same color so wouldn’t make stand out. sorry
Love the info provided. We are picking a color for our lakehouse. Board and batten on gables and love shake siding on front. We have about 30” of light to medium grey stone on bottom. Please lap siding on sides and back. I’ve been looking at Anew grey with White Dove siding, as I’m using Agreeable grey on interior walls with white Dove trim there as well. I have black windows and 2 sets of Black 8 ft tally 12 wide patio doors in back. All will be trimmed in the white Dove. Will this combination work? I want the “look” to be more on the light side, not dark for main exterior color.
What white would you use for a SW-facing home? I chose Snowbound originally but the HOA denied it since it was too close to the neighbor so still trying to get the look I want but I need to go a bit darker! Would love your input!
Hello! Love all your advise! We are the crazy ones who still like brown. We like SW Homestead Brown with white trim and our shutters dark-leaning toward black or a color similar to the Main color. Any advise on that combination? Our painter uses SW.
Thank-you! we have a Cape Cod style home.
Pairing Homestead Brown with white trim and black shutters is a great combination! I also really like gray-greens (like SW Retreat or SW Rare Gray) and blue-grays (like SW Jubilee or SW Cadet) with Homestead Brown. Other advice would be to use a warm, or off-white with Homestead Brown rather than a bright white, to create a softer transition. I like SW Alabaster, SW White Duck or even SW Natural Choice with Homestead Brown.