Choosing the perfect exterior paint colors to match a brown roof can seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be with the right guidance. This article provides invaluable tips for complementing the array of brown roof tones, from warm reddish browns to cool grayish browns.
You’ll learn how classic neutral paint colors allow your roof to take center stage and how going monochromatic with rich brown hues creates seamless blending. See how crisp white exteriors beautifully contrast brown roofs when accented with black.
Plus, get inspired by specific color palettes from top paint brands illustrating foolproof color combinations for warm, cool, neutral, and vivid contrasting schemes. With clever use of undertones and color intensities, you can find the ideal exterior colors to make your brown roof shine.
Tips for choosing exterior house colors to go with a brown roof
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- Pay attention to undertones. Warm brown roofs look best with other warm earth tones like tans, terra cottas, and yellows. Cool grayish-brown roofs pair better with cool paint colors like grays, blues, and greens.
- Off-whites, beiges, and neutral grays make classic pairings that let the roof color stand out. They complement both warm and cool brown shades.
- Go for light exterior colors if your roof is dark brown, and darker paint colors if your roof is light brown. Contrast is key.
- Use white on siding or trim for crisp contrast against a dramatic brown roof. Add black accents on windows, doors, and shutters for even more pop.
- Try a monochromatic scheme using different depths of brown. This allows the roof color to seamlessly blend with the overall exterior.
- Colorblock with shades of contrasting hues on siding, trim, doors and shutters to add striking visual interest against a brown roof.
Focus on Undertones
Pay attention to the subtle undertones in both your roof color and potential exterior paint colors. Warm reddish browns pair best with other warm earth tones like tans, yellows, oranges, and reds. Cool grayish browns work well with other cool neutrals like grays, blues, and greens. If your roof is somewhere in between, aim for paint colors with similar undertones. Soft sage greens or muted terra cotta reds are great options for balancing warm and cool.
Stick With Neutrals
Neutral exterior paint colors are classic choices that allow your roof color to stand out. Timeless off-whites, warm grays, beiges, and other earthy neutrals complement most shades of brown beautifully. Go for lighter neutrals if your roof is dark or darker neutrals if your roof is lighter. Adding black or dark brown accents on windows, doors, and trim grounds the scheme.
Try Monochromatic
Choosing exterior paint colors in the same brown family as your roof is a foolproof approach. Varying the depth and warmth of browns gives contrast while remaining cohesive. For example, pair a reddish-brown roof with richer chocolate or chestnut browns on the siding. Or complement a grayish roof with warmer tan or khaki accents. Brown on brown allows your roof to blend seamlessly.
Use White for Contrast
A crisp white exterior provides the perfect contrast against a dramatic brown roof. It also enhances and complements natural brick, stone, or wood elements on your home’s exterior. For a hint of softness, choose an off-white paint with a slight undertone like ivory, oatmeal, or almond rather than a stark bright white. Dark brown or black windows and accents will really make your roof pop.
Go for Colorblocking
Use blocks of contrasting colors on different exterior surfaces to highlight and harmonize with your roof. For example, try a neutral gray-brown body color with brighter red-brown accents on the shutters and front door. Or pair a warm cream siding color with rich chocolate brown trim. Contrasting colors paired with brown roofs make for dynamic, eye-catching curb appeal.
Complement with Earth Tones
Rich earth tones like terracotta, adobe, sage, and olive naturally bring out the warmth in brown roofs. Earth-inspired hues also complement natural stone, brick, and wood siding beautifully. Pop your roof color with bright clay reds and oranges or ground it with muted olive and moss greens. Just ensure trim and accents tie it all together.
Use Blue and Green for Cool Contrast
On the cooler end of the spectrum, shades of blue and green offer an unexpected yet balanced contrast to brown roofs. Go for muted rather than bright shades like icy blue-grays, aquas or mints. Deep forest greens also pair strikingly with rich woodsy roof browns. Keep white or neutral trim to prevent colors from clashing.
Incorporate Natural Materials
Wood, brick, stone, and other organic materials integrate seamlessly with brown roof colors. Incorporate natural siding or accents like cedar shake shingles, flagstone paths or timber beams. Complementary wood stains and brick or stone colors will make your roof blend in beautifully with nature. Keep other exterior paint colors simple to let the textures shine.
Sample Different Tones
The way a color appears on a tiny paint chip can look very different covering an entire house exterior. Order some large paint samples and test out swatches on the home’s exterior surface. Natural outdoor light changes paint colors, so view samples at different times of day. Seeing options on the home’s actual siding is the best way to make your final color selection.
Now that you know what to consider when matching exterior paint colors with a brown roof, check out the following color palette ideas to spark inspiration:
Warm Neutrals Color Palette
A warm, neutral color scheme allows a brown roof to take center stage. The following Benjamin Moore paint colors complement a reddish-brown roof beautifully:
- Siding/Brick: Kiowa Brown (HC-58) – A warm, natural brown beige
- Trim: Edgecomb Gray (HC-173) – A softer, warmer gray
- Windows: San Antonio Gray (2062-30) – A charcoal brown-gray
- Front Door: Mahogany (ES-63) – A bold, reddish brown
The earthy beige siding and gray trim keep this palette subdued but stylish. Dark brown accents on the windows and mahogany front door deepen the look.
Crisp White Contrast Palette
For dramatic contrast against a dark brown roof, try this combination of clean white and bold black accents:
- Siding: Swiss Coffee (OC-45) by Benjamin Moore – A soft white with warm undertones
- Trim: Extra White (OC-152) by Benjamin Moore – A true, bright white
- Windows and Front Door: Black by Sherwin-Williams – A deep, dark true black
The bright white exterior lets the roof color pop while the nearly-black accents ground the scheme. White also highlights other exterior features like brick or stone.
Blue-Green Colorblock Palette
Here’s an eye-catching color-blocked scheme from Behr Paint to accent a grayish-brown roof:
- Siding: Silver Drop (PPU18-20) – A cool, tranquil gray with blue undertones
- Trim: White Metal (M470-1) – A clean, almost-white neutral gray
- Shutters: Patina Green (HDC-MD-19) – A muted blue-tinged sage green
- Front Door: Night Watch (PPU18-07) – A rich teal blue-gray
The contrasting hues in varying intensities make this modern combination pop while coordinating with the roof’s undertones.
Earthy Sunset Palette
For a southwestern or Spanish-style home, rich terra cotta paint colors beautifully match a warm reddish-brown roof. Try this combination from Valspar:
- Siding: Autumn Leaves (5007-10B) – A muted reddish-orange brown
- Trim: Navajo (5004-6B) – A creamy off-white with a warm peachy undertone
- Shutters: Terra Cotta Pot (1011-7) – A burnt orange-red brown
- Front Door: Clay (6009-7A) – An earthy, sandy light brown
The vibrant terra cotta colors paired with neutral trim give this palette bold curb appeal. The colors complement clay roof tiles beautifully.
Muted Sage and Olive Palette
For an earthy feel, try these tranquil sage and olive shades from Sherwin-Williams to enhance a gray-brown roof:
- Siding: Accessible Beige (SW 7036) – A light warm beige
- Trim: Shoji White (SW 7042) – A creamy off-white with a faint warmth
- Shutters: Ryegrass (SW 6226) – A fresh yellow-green
- Front Door: Sensible Hue (SW 6467) – A muted gray-tinged sage green
The soft contrast between the beige, white, sage, and olive exterior colors is subtle yet eye-catching. This pleasing, nature-inspired palette works year-round.
Crisp Black and White Contrast
For a bold graphic look, pair a dark espresso-brown roof with contrasting black and white accents:
- Siding and Trim: Extra White by Behr (P300-1) – A bright, stark white
- Windows: Black Suits by Behr (N450-7) – An ultra-deep true black
- Front Door: Chic Shadow by Behr (MQ3-61) – A warm chocolate blackish-brown
The super-contrasty combo highlights the roof dramatically while adding visual interest. Use sparingly to avoid looking too jarring.
In summary, brown roof colors offer many possibilities for coordinating exterior paint palettes. From crisp whites to bold rich earth tones, and clean grays to vibrant contrasting hues, you can find a scheme that makes your roof shine.
Just keep undertones and color intensities in mind. Always view large paint samples on your actual exterior before finalizing your perfect color combination. With the right exterior update, your brown roof can go from ho-hum to ultra-stunning.
