Dark Exterior Color Trend: Why We Love It
The hauntingly beautiful home trend we can’t get enough of.
We’ve been seeing dark exterior colors trending for a few years now, and although they may be bold and somewhat daring, our love for them isn’t waning anytime soon. If you’re on the fence about going dark on your exterior, scroll through these photos for some inspiration.
The McGee’s at A-Frame Haus.
Design by House Seven Design.
Although many trends in the design industry come and go, dark exteriors have managed to remain on the forefront due to their timeless nature. Evolving from 19th and 20th century European design, dark exterior colors have adapted to complement a variety of architectural styles.
Design by Michelle Adams
While they are extremely versatile, we love the way dark exteriors have the ability to bring a classic element to modern homes and a unique historical twist on traditional homes.
Lorenzo Rausch’s beautiful home.
Design by Lauren Nelson.
When surrounded by a green landscape, they bring an unmatched contrast that we just can’t get enough of.
Design by The Graham & Co.
Design by Bobby McAlpine
Design by Pettersson Horvath.
Design by Nesting with Grace.
Photo by Xo Mrs Measom
Design by Nicholas Lewin via House and Home.
Design by M House Development.
Design by Muskoka Living.
Our Swan Lake House.
Design by Mowery Architects.
Do dark exteriors require a lot of upkeep and maintenance? Maybe, but in reality, any painted house does.
If you’re worried about fully committing to a dark exterior, think about doing an area of your exterior dark and keeping the rest light. We recently went dark on the McGee house mudroom exterior while keeping white brick on the front facing exterior, and we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.
Here are some half-way dark exterior looks that create the perfect balance:
From our Promontory Project
Design by Ashley Clarke.
Design by Meagan Rae Interiors.
The McGee house exterior!
Would you go dark on your exterior? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Photo by Xo Mrs Meacham – should be Photo by Xo Mrs Measom*
Hi Guys! The second house you reference as "from your Instagram" is actually by Jennifer Mathews Interiors. It is her house in Long Beach, CA and it is beautiful!
I’d like to see more of Jennifer Mathews’ house in Long Beach, but can’t seem to find any other photos or articles. Can you please share any links? Thank you!
I can’t decide wether to go black or white!
Gorgeous! Black is a timeless colour that never gets boring, especially when paired with white or natural wood accents that are enhanced by a dark and stark backdrop. It’s practically a match made in heaven with contemporary or classic American architecture, which makes it such a bold statement to neighbours or passersby.
I really want this trend for my home, it’s so striking and clean paired with a wood door.
Yes, so beautiful!!
Beautiful!!
Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for this post! I have been contemplating black since we moved to our house 5 months ago. I’m definitely going for it now!!
Yes!! Do it!!
I went as daring as I could- with a medium/dark grey for the siding with dark trim – cannot decide what color to paint the 5 garage doors , the dark charcoal trim or the body color? Help ?
We love the black exterior craze so much we are going with a traditional white farmhouse and board and batten 2 car side entrance/2 car front entrance in black with cedar accents.
We love the dark exterior and are amidst building our first home, would love advice on your favourite dark hardy board colour!
What exterior color is the third house? I love it.
Hi! We just reposted, it we didn’t design it! You could try checking with the designer we tagged under the photo!
I absolutely despise dark gray or black for exterior or interior paint. I don’t understand the appeal of painting a traditional, historic, any structure such a dark color. Everyone is entitled to their own taste and opinions, but I hope this trend/phase ends soon. It hurts my heart to see beautiful historic homes in my area, architecture from the 1700-1800s, painted black.
What sheen do you recommend for exterior — siding, trim, doors?
Thank you
And shutters too?
Thank you for this post! We are currently putting an addition on our cottage and are using Mastic Woodland Retreat Vinyl siding with white trim on the windows. I love the combination.
I would LOVE to paint my house black! However, we have a green metal room and I’m worried it won’t look good. What do you think?
We went dark in January 2020, but not because of the trend. I had no idea it even was a trend.
We went dark because that’s our style. Our house had been a very light cream color for years and it just wasn’t us. Now we absolutely love our homes exterior and get compliments all the time from neighbors ?.
Hi. We are about to paint our new home SW Iron Ore wIt’s black trim. What sheen do you recommend for dark body? Thank you!
Is it possible to list the colors you used above? We are trying to decide on a dark gray/blue for our exterior. Thank you!
How would a dark exterior look on a track home in suburbia? I recently did my backyard block wall in black. This is a contrast from all of the brown tones. My house needs painting and I want to make sure the paint color meshes with the backyard. I’m afraid to be the crazy house on the block if it turns out bad!
As with clothing, black house paint really is a neutral. Once we thought of it in those terms, it wasn’t so intimidating. It’s clean and simple on the house, but what we didn’t expect is how it really emphasized the greenery and the landscape around it.
Not sure why you show. A picture and not say what the color is and who sells it.
Love the dark exterior with back window … could you share paint colors that would be nice choices to consider?
I love the dark colors and especially love when it’s monochromatic (trim, window frames & siding).
Not sure how the heat in the south would effect it.
Absolutely!!! My friend & her hubby recently painted their gorgeous home black- & they have a silver front door . It’s oh so magical 🌠 I Love 💕 it!! It stands out amongst all the other beautiful homes! What a brave move!! I’m more black & white right now but who knows- someday? 🤍🖤🤍