exterior masonry paint colours, how do i choose?!

If you’re choosing exterior masonry paint colours for your house, you might have lots of different reasons for doing so. Some people might just like the look of it, whereas others might have a different incentive! In fact, one study shows that painting external house colours can increase your return on investment by up to 55% – great if you’re selling up.

first things first – what do i need to paint my house?

Painting an exterior wall is a whole different kettle of fish from painting the inside. You’re going to need a whole lot more paint for starters – which you can calculate per the litre. It may also be helpful to have an idea of your budget in mind, with the average price looking at around £1,500 to £3,000.

Of course, that largely depends on how you’re doing it. If you’re grabbing a ladder and doing it yourself, good for you! If you’re calling in a tradesperson, this may push up your bill. Both will be worth it – just make sure they’re using premium products.

how to pick out an exterior masonry paint

The best exterior paint for your house should offer numerous benefits from a durable and weatherproof finish to breathability and enduring colour.

As the bare minimum, you should opt for a paint that provides smooth coverage whilst allowing the flexibility for the substrate to dry out – this will help it resist flaking and peeling. After all, you’ll want your home to stay drop-dead gorgeous for years to come.

our recommendations

Some recommendations from the paint nerds at splat: we have many options when it comes to exterior painting and all depends on the colour you’re aiming for; these include Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Johnstones, Sandtex, Dulux and more…

Each of these is strong as they come, featuring water-based formulas. So you can expect lasting results and a smaller environmental impact than their oil-based counterparts. As with any DIY project, you should also follow the label depending on what material you’re painting – is it brick or stone? Our friendly team can point you in the right direction, so if you get stuck just get in touch.

Now with those tricky decisions out of the way, it’s time to decide what colour to paint your house.

on choosing a colour palette

When it comes to finding the ideal colour palette for the job, your tonal choices make all the difference. On the whole, there are four tones you can choose from: neutral, warm, cool or deep.

go neutral

Whites and neutrals are timeless for a reason; they create clean-cut edges and coordinate with any other hues under the sun, however subtle or dramatic.

go warm

Warm colours are almost always inviting and friendly and pair beautifully with a white or neutral tone for a softer look. These are your midtones and cover honeyed golds and oranges, coral, blossom pink and dusty reds.

go cold

These shades are reserved for those who want their home to exude a light and airy feel, ‘cleanse’ the space and create a sense of contrast between the vibrancy of the surrounding greenery. Think light blues and greens like F&B’s borrowed light.

go bold

Looking to make more of a statement? Let your bay windows be the centre of attention with a deep and dark blue set against more neutral whites. We recommend Railings 31 against the All White 2005 – one of our absolute favourite pairings when it comes to exterior wall paint colours!

Of course, the main attraction doesn’t need to be plain white. A common theme in seaside or summer houses is a lighter blue, such as the Lulworth Blue 89.

picking multiple external house colours

It’s a myth that you only need one colour to paint your house. You should go with a minimum of two (but don’t overdo it!) to add accents and draw the eye to certain areas. They don’t even need to be that different: a pair of colours only a few shades apart can work wonders to create the illusion of depth.

Contrast with your front door colour

Another option is to draw all attention to the front door, sticking with a classic red set against a more neutral white or cool yellow. This is wonderfully British and gives your house a quick update if you’ve not got time to paint the whole thing.

You may even consider framing the door with gentle greys. Try the no. 297 preference red and the no. 291 school house white, or the 296 rangwali. Either way, don’t forget to consider your front door colour when repainting your house exterior as you’ll have a nasty surprise if they end up clashing!

Other contrasting features

Others may choose to contrast different features against one another, for example, painted railings against a more neutral façade for a commanding entrance. Or bay windows against the brickwork. Here, a duck egg blue set against white offers a beautiful suburban feel, brightening up the whole neighbourhood! We highly recommend the W55 to finish off the look.

what do your external house colours say about you?

Like it or not, the colours we’re drawn to have a lot to say about us. It might sound like we’re away with the fairies, but colour psychology is used in a whole variety of disciplines from health, advertising, urban design and a myriad more.

While there may be other factors influencing what external house colour you choose – you may be concerned about the neighbours around you, for example, or fitting in with the general landscape – these choices can also be an insight into your personality! So it goes to reason that they might affect the first impression your house is giving off.

9 exterior masonry paint colours and design ideas for your home

1.     sophisticated grey

Striking an effortless balance between black and white, grey is one of the most popular house colour choices. It is modern and helps to provide a sense of security to all who enter – and following the greige trend, marks a sophisticated vibe.

2.     soothing green

Naturally, green evokes images of the world around us and can have a calming presence on the eyes. As a symbol of new beginnings, it offers positive vibes, great for welcoming visitors. Green is frequently associated with green-fingered people, too, so don’t be surprised to see it featured on garden sheds.

3.     crisp white

White is the second most popular colour to paint a house exterior, offering simplicity and ubiquity. It’s also a symbol of purity, and those with louder personalities can offset it with a big bright front door!

4.     unassuming black

It’s not as scary as it sounds. In fact, black is the third most popular colour to paint a house, offering a sense of luxury and sophistication. Homeowners choosing black may be mysterious, but they might just be the stylish type.

5.     barnyard red

Dusky shades of red like 212 blazer evoke the image of the old barns dotted across the Southern USA, but they look as equally dashing on brickwork. Contrast this warm tone with a bright splash of white and you could create a timeless feel fit for any house.

6.     refreshing blue

Blues make us think of the ocean, open skies and are ubiquitous in nature. Whether you’re angling towards calmer baby blues or a more domineering navy, this cool tone has so much to offer. It really is an underdog in the world of exterior wall paint colours, and who doesn’t love an underdog?

7.     mellow yellow

Yellow is a polarising one: love it or hate it, you have to admit it creates a splash. A mood-boosting yellow such as 233 dayroom yellow works a treat as a carefree addition to traditional, period facades – keeping them from becoming dreary and pulling them into the contemporary moment.

8.     organic brown

Another exterior masonry paint deeply intertwined with nature, brown is earthy, grounded and humble. If you’re looking for an effortless aesthetic, chocolatey tones paired with red tiles, white trims and olive-green bay windows can create a picture-perfect image of domesticity.

9.     soft pink

Whether you’re taken with by the recent Barbie-inspired trend or a long-term fan of pink, these warm, rosy shades can be surprisingly versatile. You could add a hint of blush with 245 middleton pink or, if you’re feeling brave, you could drench your masonry with an exuberant hot pink like w92 lake red.

discover the full colour palette today

Of course, your home is your castle, and you can go far beyond the conventional with our vast range of exterior house paint colours. Head over to our designer paint section to see a range of premium Farrow and Ball paints, from friendly ammonites to seductive cinder rose.

Remember, all of our paints are more eco-friendly than your standard paints and will stand the test of time on your house’s exterior. Yep, that means they’re water-resistant, breathable, and protect against algae and fungi too. You want your house to look your best, so why not explore the selection today?

Looking to be inspired? For more paint tips, check out our extensive DIY blog.