Beige, beiger, beigest.
Blech.
If you’re looking for a color to paint the exterior of your house that isn’t boldly bland, we reached out to a few local designers to see what new colors are turning their critical heads. One designer even commented about the “exciting paint colors that have emerged to refresh the sad taupe rut Kansas City has fallen into in the past decades.” (He had us at taupe rut.)
Gray’s Anatomy
Marci Knoff of Marci Knoff Interiors says at one time this house was painted “with a golden tan color and had a small amount of blue on one section of the house. The stone on the house has golden colors that prevented us from using something neutral,” she says.
So because the wood doors and stone dictated a strong color palette, Knoff went bold. “We tried several blues and landed on Sherwin Williams’s Grays Harbor SW6236. It’s the perfect shade that complements the stone, wood doors, and lush landscaping.”
Deep, Dark, Delicious
Designer Richard Lippincott at Madden-McFarland says to go for “unexpectedly dark and rich tones. This approach—extended to the trim and the body color—results in a dramatic curb appeal,” he says. “Surprisingly this works as beautifully on midcentury-modern homes as it does on more traditional homes, especially when combined with a jaw-dropping saturated front door.”
His favorite go-to for dark exterior colors?
Benjamin Moore Dragon’s Breath 1547: “This blackish bronze shade is dramatic and enhances already strong architectural details.”
Benjamin Moore Navy Masterpiece 1652: “Blue shades are re-emerging in popularity on exteriors. This gives a nod to Nantucket style without feeling too coastal for the Midwest. It’s excellent with wood shingles, cedar trim, warm neutrals, and stone details.”
Creamy & Dreamy
Designer Amy Thurston says she’s a fan of creamy whites. “Cream is just less intimidating, like a friendly neighbor,” she says. “Paired with charcoal or gray trim and shutters (rather than black) with a wood element, it feels equally sharp and fresh but also timeless. It works well with brick, shows up on siding, and looks good in any light.
You get all the impact and sophistication without the hard lines, all elements of a true classic.”
She chose both Farrow and Ball’s Schoolhouse White and Benjamin Moore’s China White.
Gray With Envy
PPG color consultant Michelle Schneider kept it in the PPG family. She says PPG paint’s Old Silk (PPG0993-6) is “a classic, stormy-gray color with a navy undertone that looks gorgeous on a home’s entire exterior, and pairs impeccably with either black or charcoal trim. It also looks idyllic next to vibrant greenery and will make you the envy of your neighborhood!”
If you’re searching for inspiration, Schneider says to reach out anytime. PPG offers free virtual color consultations to help homeowners choose paint colors for any project. And trust us, her recommendations have recommendations.