The Best Exterior Colors for Historic Homes

Repainting your historic home ups its beauty, curb appeal, and resale value. Most historic paint colors are earth-toned, as paints were once developed from raw materials and pigments such as charcoal, clay, plants, and wood. That's why some of the most popular historic paint colors include greens, whites, grays, blues, and browns.

You can find historic-appropriate colors with many reputable paint companies that offer historic color collections. They may even replicate the colors of the period in which your home was built.

Here are the best exterior paint colors for historic homes across regions and neighborhoods. Before embarking on your project, check to see if your historic association has any exterior paint guidelines.

1. Classic White

If you’re looking for a timeless paint color, look no further than white. With slight but ever-important variations (such as yellow and green undertones), white paint offers beauty and light. You can opt for a distinct trim accent color for contrast or choose a similar tone for a more subtle look. During the Colonial period, white exterior paint became incredibly popular and remains a nod to the simplicity of earlier times.

While white paint can show more dirt or mold over time, you can pressure wash it gently to remove discoloration. You can repair white exteriors easily from dings and scratches. 

Stunning exterior white paint colors for historic homes: 

• Sherwin-Williams Pure White

• Benjamin Moore Monterey White

• Dunn-Edwards Historic White

• Benjamin Moore Elmira White

• Sherwin-Williams Creamy

2. Mossy Green

Take inspiration from Greek revival and neoclassical homes constructed after the Civil War by choosing a green color scheme. Rich with nature-inspired hues, green brings peacefulness to any historic home. 

Green exterior paint hides dirt and debris while offering a distinct shade that isn't too overpowering. Give your home a breath of fresh air by opting for a green color that encompasses a blue accent or brown undertones with hints of yellow.

Stunning exterior green paint colors for historic homes:

• Sherwin-Williams Sheraton Sage

• Benjamin Moore Cushing Green

• Dunn-Edwards Verdant Views

• Benjamin Moore Lush

• Sherwin-Williams Rookwood Blue Green 

3. Stone Gray

Natural colors from stained wood and stone are the mainstays in home design. Gray’s classic appeal permeates time and continually finds its way in and outside homes, especially as an exterior choice for historic homes.

To bring the past alive, aim for a somewhat darker gray, so your home looks stately instead of washed out. Opt for fade-resistant paint so the richer tones stay vibrant over time. 

Stunning exterior gray paint colors for historic homes: 

• Sherwin-Williams Downing Stone

• Benjamin Moore Rockport Gray

• Dunn-Edwards Pewter Patter

• Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray

• Sherwin-Williams Roycroft Mist Gray

4. Slate Blue

Blue carries a strong tie to American history and has adorned homes for centuries. Historic blues tend to include navy tones and offer a majestic, regal feel. Deep blues bring a bit of drama to your exterior while remaining elegant. Pair the blue body of your home with light-colored trim for a real eye-popping effect.

Be prepared to touch up a richer hue more often, but the effort is more than worth it.

Stunning exterior blue paint colors for historic homes: 

• Sherwin-Williams Needlepoint Navy

• Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue

• Dunn-Edward Ragtime Blues

• Benjamin Moore Hale Navy

• Sherwin-Williams Downing Slate

5. Earthy Brown

Rich with tawny, stone-like colors, browns have been popular exterior colors since the early 1800s. Browns offer a warm, coming-home feeling that can range from light beige to more clay-like tones. 

With the right trim color, accents, and landscaping, brown offers curb appeal like no other. The color ages well and doesn’t show much dirt and wear. 

Stunning exterior brown paint colors for historic homes: 

• Sherwin-Williams Colonial Revival Stone

• Benjamin Moore Valley Forge Brown

• Dunn-Edwards Art and Craft

• Benjamin Moore Jamesboro Gold

• Sherwin-Williams Downing Sand

6. Cheerful Rose

Soft pinks and dusty roses show sophistication, but also offer an uplifting vibe not seen with the other historic colors on this list. Full of romance and nature, rosy colors bring vibrancy when placed against a blue sky and crisp landscaping.

Bring elegance right to your front door with a charming historical rose shade. Include some brown and peach hints in your color to ensure your home doesn't look too pink.

Stunning exterior rose paint colors for historic homes: 

• Sherwin-Williams Renwick Rose Beige

• Benjamin Moore Georgetown Pink Beige

• Dunn-Edwards Half Moon Bay Blush

• Benjamin Moore Monticello Rose

• Sherwin-Williams Aristocrat Peach

Tips for Choosing Exterior Paint for Your Historic Home

Painting a home’s exterior is an undertaking and investment, so you want to ensure your newest coat lasts for as many years as possible. Beyond your color scheme, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Check with your historical association on any exterior paint guidelines.

• Consider hiring a paint expert or historic home contractor to do a paint analysis and determine the original color of your home.

• Choose a high-quality paint to increase its lifespan and reduce your maintenance costs.

• Prepare the surface before painting.

• Add an exterior sealant.

• Talk with at least three local exterior painting pros about your project before settling on a contractor and paint color.

Cost to Paint Your Home Exterior 

Painting a home’s exterior costs $1,810 to $4,500, or an average price of $3,145. The price fluctuates according to several factors, including home size, the type of paint, and whether or not you bundle up additional painting projects, like coating a detached garage or window sashes. Beyond that, your home’s siding is the biggest influence on the cost. Painting brick is more expensive than other siding types as it's porous and requires significantly more materials for adequate coverage. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro 

You can paint a house's exterior by yourself, though you should exercise caution when dealing with a historic home. The cost to paint a house yourself ranges from $500 to $1,000, but historic homes benefit from high-grade materials, which could up the cost a bit. You’ll also need brushes, rollers, a heavy-duty ladder, and a sprayer. 

Hiring an exterior painting pro costs about $1 to $3.50 per square foot, but they arrive with the expertise required to get the job done without any risk of damaging your historic property. Additionally, historic homes are often tall, so bringing in a pro equipped with safety gear is never a bad idea.

Lawrence Bonk contributed to this article.