Black and Charcoal have become a surprising Exterior Paint Trends for 2021

While exteriors are typically less susceptible to fleeting design trends, there has recently been a shift in popular house paint colors. Traditional bright whites are being traded for more confident, statement-making palettes on siding, trim, and front doors. Think vibrant blues and greens, creamy neutrals, cheerful pastels, and perhaps most surprising, monochromatic schemes of charcoal and black.

This new affinity for bold outdoor colors could be traced back to the difficulty of the past year, says Lisa Tharp, designer and creator of ECOS Paints’ new color collection Lisa Tharp Colors. “There is a greater need for celebrating what is good and letting go of decisions that, in the grand scheme of life, are not that important,” she says. Nivara Xaykao, color marketing and development associate manager at Benjamin Moore, adds that exteriors in 2021 are seen as an extension of a home’s square footage. “Many people are starting to realize the potential of these outdoor areas as an additional living space,” she says.

Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, notes a major exterior trend this year: monochromatic black facades. “Black exteriors are so different from what has been done in the past,” she says. “People are gravitating toward this surprising and modern look, even on traditional-style homes! Dark, saturated hues have the power to make any house stand out and look more modern.”

When choosing accent shades for homes with darker siding, consider a few non-traditional shades for a playful, eye-catching combination. “For trim and accents, pastels like pink, baby blue, and lemon can add some much-needed fun and cheer to exteriors,” Xaykao says. Pleasant Pink, Ocean Air, and Weston Flax are a few of her favorites.

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