Colonial Revival houses are known for their classic charm and timeless appeal. This architectural style, popular from the late 19th to early 20th century, is the perfect canvas for period-appropriate palettes and modern interpretations. White with black shutters may be the quintessential Colonial Revival color scheme, but it’s far from the only option. Whether you prefer bold hues or subtle shades, there’s a perfect color combination for your home. This guide will help you discover fresh paint schemes that honor the style’s classic design while helping you add a personal touch.
1. The Original
The classic white-and-black color scheme remains a timeless choice for Colonial Revival homes. This traditional palette allows the architectural details to shine while creating a crisp, clean appearance. To add a touch of warmth and personality, add a splash of color on the entry door—red is a classic choice, but blue and yellow are also popular. This combination draws attention to the elegant, portico-covered entrance, and creates an inviting focal point. White and black are easy to maintain, and their classic look can add value to your home by preserving its old-world charm.
Shown: Silver Sky (body), Deep Space (shutters); Awning Red (entry door), from Sherwin Williams
2. Rich and Warm
For a cozier feel, consider an earthy palette that embraces natural tones. A warm beige on the clapboards paired with chocolate-brown shutters creates a rich, inviting look. Adding a brick-red or burnt orange door enhances the warmth while providing a subtle pop of color, evoking the feel of autumn leaves. To prevent the overall look from becoming too dark, incorporate creamy white trim to brighten and define the home’s architectural features. The warm, earthy tones make the home appear welcoming and deeply rooted in history.
Shown: Weimaraner (body); Mascarpone (trim); Wenge (shutters); Dinner Party (entry area), from Benjamin Moore
3. Blue Beauty
Blue is a versatile color that can add depth and character to a Colonial Revival home. A dusty blue hue on the facade creates a sophisticated look that’s both classic and contemporary. This color choice works well for homes situated near water or in areas with lush greenery, as it complements the natural surroundings. Blue tones can evoke tranquility and elegance.
Shown: Rocky Hill (body); Cool December (trim); Sayward Pine (shutters), from California Paints
4. Stately Neutrals
For larger Colonial Revival homes, a light to medium earth tone can create a stately appearance without overwhelming the structure or its surroundings. Neutral shades provide a timeless backdrop and allow architectural details to shine. To add visual interest and connect the home to its environment, incorporate a blue-green accent color on the front door and shutters. These touches can subtly enhance the home’s architecture while maintaining its dignified presence.
Similar to shown: Revolutionary Storm (body); Prentis Cream (trim); Everard Blue (entry door and shutters), from Benjamin Moore
5. Woodsy Greens
When selecting a color scheme for your Colonial Revival home, look to your surroundings for inspiration. A green palette can beautifully tie your home to a leafy landscape. Choose a muted green for the clapboards and pair it with dark shutters to echo the colors of nearby foliage. This combination can complement existing elements like a slate-gray roof for a cohesive overall look.
Shown: Spanish Galleon (body); Sled (shutters); White (trim); Burnt Tile (entry door), from Behr
6. Basic and Balanced
A stormy gray hue on the clapboards can help your Colonial Revival home blend seamlessly with its surroundings. This neutral backdrop allows the landscape to take center stage. To emphasize the symmetrical facade—a hallmark of the Colonial Revival style—use a single accent color for both the door and shutters. This approach creates a balanced, harmonious appearance.
Shown: Gray Wolf (body); Crimson Strawberry (door and shutters); Sheet Metal (window sash), from California Paints
7. Two-Tone Body
Colonial Revival homes with varied wall cladding, such as clapboards on the lower portion and shingles above, offer a great opportunity to incorporate a two-tone color scheme. Typically, the darker hue is applied to the bottom section to visually anchor the house and prevent a top-heavy appearance. However, this rule can be bent when both colors are of equal intensity. For example, a saturated yellow on the lower clapboards can hold its own against a rich red on the upper shingles. This bold color combination highlights the architectural diversity and infuses the home with lively character.
Shown: Golden Fleece (clapboards); Salute (shingles); Antique White (trim); Iron Gate (shutters); Blissful Blue (porch ceiling), from Sherwin-Williams; Texas Leather (porch floor, stairs, and lattice), from Benjamin Moore; Warm Silver (silver banding on porch posts) from Modern Masters
8. Petal Pink
For a softer take on the traditional white exterior, consider a creamy body color with a hint of pink. This subtle hue can beautifully complement landscaping elements, such as pale peonies blooming around the home’s foundation. The result is a gentle, welcoming facade that maintains the Colonial Revival style’s classic elegance. The hue aligns well with natural elements. Petal pink looks great accented with darker trim or shutters.
Shown: Aged Parchment (body); Gallery White (trim); Dark Truffle (door and shutters), from Behr
9. Shades for Scale
When choosing colors for your Colonial Revival home, consider its size and how it fits into the landscape. Darker hues can give small to medium-sized homes more presence and a weightier look. However, dark colors might overpower the surroundings of larger homes. For a restored Colonial Revival cottage, a deep gray body color with crisp white trim and black shutters can create a striking, grounded appearance. Using varied shades to emphasize the structure’s scale and proportions can enhance its visual appeal.
Shown: Amherst Gray (body); Navajo White (trim); Soot (shutters), from Benjamin Moore; Rust (door) by Benjamin Moore, custom mixed in Hollandlac Brilliant by Fine Paints of Europe
10. Soft and Subdued
A soft color palette can enhance the architectural style of stucco-clad Colonial Revival homes, such as this Dutch Colonial with its distinctive gambrel roof. A light gray paint on the body coordinates beautifully with the shingles on the roof. This subdued approach allows the home’s unique features to shine without overwhelming the eye. The soft hues accentuate the graceful curves and lines.
Shown: Dolphin Fin (body); Windmill Wings (trim); Mesmerize (shutters); Bison Brown (door), from Behr
11. Sharp Contrast
To highlight the unique architectural features of your Colonial Revival home, consider using contrasting colors. A khaki-colored body paired with stark white trim on elements like oval accent windows, twin bays, and dormers creates a crisp delineation that draws the eye to these distinctive features. This approach works well with a muted gray roof, as it adds depth and visual interest to the overall exterior. Contrasting colors can make detailed elements more prominent, celebrating the house’s craftsmanship and design.
Shown: Filoli Carriage House (body); Du Jour (trim), from Valspar Paint. The wood entry door is finished with a walnut-color stain.
