Colonial House Exterior Colors
Benjamin Moore Cloud White (OC-130) on the body, Chantilly Lace (OC-65) on trim and gutters, Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) shutters and a Behr Red Pepper (PPU2-02) front door: a palette built around symmetry.
The exact colors
Brand, name and code for every role, so you can order the same swatches.
Body
Cloud White
Benjamin Moore · BM OC-130
Trim
Chantilly Lace
Benjamin Moore · BM OC-65
Front door
Red Pepper
Behr · Behr PPU2-02
Gutters
Chantilly Lace
Benjamin Moore · BM OC-65
Shutters
Van Deusen Blue
Benjamin Moore · BM HC-156
Roof
Slate-gray shingles
not paint
Screen colors are approximations. Test a sample on your wall, in daylight, before you buy.
When it works
Colonials are about order: a centered door, evenly spaced windows and pairs of shutters. This palette lets that structure read clearly. Cloud White is a soft, slightly warm white that stays inviting in full sun, while Chantilly Lace on the trim is a touch brighter for gentle definition. Van Deusen Blue is a deep slate blue that reads dignified rather than nautical. It works on larger two-story homes and in historic districts, but check local review boards, which sometimes require approval for exterior colors.
House styles it suits
Colonial and Cape Cod homes are the natural fit. These are classic exterior house color combinations, and they also suit Federal and Georgian revival houses with similar symmetry.
Roof, brick and stone
Slate-gray shingles complement the blue shutters; black shingles work too. For brick colonials, keep painted parts to trim, shutters and door: white trim and blue shutters look great against a classic red brick, though you may swap the red door for black so it does not compete. Gray fieldstone suits as well.
Sheen and maintenance
Low-sheen on the body, satin or semi-gloss on trim, and semi-gloss or gloss on shutters and the door. Glossy dark shutters look crisp but reveal brush marks, so prep matters. Red doors can fade in strong sun; a south-facing entry may need refreshing more often than the rest of the facade.
Questions
Is Van Deusen Blue navy?
It is a deep blue with a gray, slate-like undertone, softer than true navy. Outdoors it often reads lighter than on the chip.
Do shutters need to match the door?
No. Contrasting shutters and door is a long colonial tradition; just keep the shutters consistent around the whole house.
How do I try this on my house?
Upload a photo of your house and preview the colors with AI before buying paint, then confirm with painted samples on the facade.
See this combination on your house
Upload a photo of your house; the AI keeps the roofline, windows and doors and repaints body, trim, door and gutters.