While we know not to judge a book by its cover, the same cannot be said for a house. The colour of a home’s exterior is the first thing we notice – and it sets the design tone for the whole property. These classic paint colour combinations have stood the test of time and still look fresh today.
![In Black and White Exterior of a classic colonial house with black shutters painted in BEHR Carbon N520-7, the main house painted in BEHR Dusting Powder BL-W05 and the red door painted in BEHR Allure PPU2-03](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1-classic-exterior-paint-colours-behr-white.jpg)
In Black and White
Crisp and clean, a bright white exterior is an undisputed classic, especially when it comes to a home with neo-classical architectural details. Black shutters and a bright-red door provide just the right amount of contrast.
Related: 10 Tricks to Save on the Cost of Painting Your Home’s Exterior
![Fern Gully Exterior of a beautiful shingled home painted a silver green in BEHR Environmental PPU11-09 with white and yellow window trim and doors in BEHR Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06 and Marsh Marigold P250-3](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2-classic-exterior-paint-colours-behr-grey-yellow.jpg)
Fern Gully
This grey-green shade helps this home blend into the surrounding trees and landscaping, while the butter yellow window trim brings a bit of warm energy to the colour scheme.
![Stormy Weather Cute grey cottage exterior painted in BEHR Hush PPU26-16 with white trim in BEHR Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06, and a yellow front door in Buzz-In P300-6](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3-classic-exterior-paint-colours-behr-grey.jpg)
Stormy Weather
In a timeless palette, a soft grey exterior is accented by bright white trim and a sunny yellow door.
![Oldie, but a Goodie Welcoming front steps of a heritage craftsman house painted in BEHR Aged Beige PPU7-09, with white trim in BEHR Polar Bear 75 and red stairs and trim in red BEHR Fire Cracker PPU2-16](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4-classic-exterior-paint-colours-behr-beige-red.jpg)
Oldie, but a Goodie
When you own a home that’s over a hundred years old, look to the past for inspiration. Traditionally, heritage homes tend to stick to a base neutral colour such as beige, but amp up the interest with high-intensity accents (hello, burnt orange!).
![Something Blue Exterior of a beautiful blue colonial style house painted in BEHR Ice Drop M530-1, with white trim in BEHR Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06 and the door in BEHR Black BLACK](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5-classic-exterior-paint-colours-behr-blue.jpg)
Something Blue
Pulling inspiration from New England’s Eastern Seaboard, a baby-blue hued colonial home with bright white trim brings up pastoral images of clambakes, the Kennedys and afternoons out on the yacht. (We can dream, right?).
![Sophisti-slated Classic cedar shingled home exterior painted dark grey with BEHR Intergalactic N450-5, white trim in BEHR Polar Bear 75, and a blue door in BEHR Deep Breath S460-7](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/6-classic-exterior-paint-colours-behr-dark-grey.jpg)
Sophisti-slated
A matte slate exterior matched up with soft white trim and a deep sea blue is a timeless trio.
![Sage Advice Classic craftsman house painted sage green with BEHR Livingston N330-5 with cream and red trim in BEHR Navajo White 22 and Red Chipotle S160-7](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/7-classic-exterior-paint-colours-behr-sage-green.jpg)
Sage Advice
Inspired by the wild sage and red prairie-fire flowers that grow in the high deserts of North America, this calming colour scheme combines sage green with a soft beige and a hit of chili-pepper red.
![Rule of (Green) Thumb Exterior of a large colonial style house painted in a khaki green BEHR Urban Safari PPU8-04, with white window trim in BEHR White 52, blue shutters in BEHR Poppy Seed PPU15-20 and the burgundy door in BEHR Cherry Cola S130-7](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/8-classic-exterior-paint-colours-behr-green.jpg)
Rule of (Green) Thumb
Going with a darker forest green, paired with blue-black shutters and a burgundy door on a home’s exterior is also an excellent choice if you want the colours to transcend trends.
![Latte Order Modern farmhouse exterior painted tan and white with BEHR Ashen Tan N220-2 and Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/9-classic-exterior-paint-colours-behr-tan.jpg)
Latte Order
If you’re leaning towards a neutral palette for your place, you can’t go wrong with tan. Paired with bright white window trims, this super-light latte colour gives the house visual depth without overwhelming the eye with colour.
![Beach Outdoor Living Beautiful beach inspired back porch painted light brown in BEHR Mocha Latte PPU5-04 with white trim in BEHR Ultra Pure White® PPU18-06 and a green door in BEHR Vine Leaf N400-7](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/10-classic-exterior-paint-colours-behr-brown.jpg)
Beach Outdoor Living
Keeping it natural and neutral, this colour palette is pulled straight from Mother Nature with its earth-brown siding, rain-cloud grey decking, sea-foam white trim and forest-green door.
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