6 Dreamy Mediterranean-Style House Colors

Mediterranean-style houses have a certain old-world charm about them, drawing inspiration from Italian and Spanish architecture and reflecting their coastal influences. Often made from stucco with tile roofs, Mediterranean house colors sport a toned-down palette that allows the architectural features to be the true star. 

Whether you’re looking for neutral tones like white or tan or bold colors like blue and yellow to make your home stand out, here are some color ideas for your coastal beauty.

1. White

If you want the dreamy aesthetic of a house perched high atop Santorini, a white exterior with a Brilliant Blue roof or trim is the way to go. White paint reflects heat and, thus, is a popular choice for a Mediterranean house in the warmest of climates as it reduces the need for air conditioning. It’s also incredibly clean and makes the outside—be that the sea or your landscaping—really shine.

For inspiration:

• Sherwin-Williams Pure White

• Benjamin Moore® White Dove

• Sherwin-Williams Alabaster

• Benjamin Moore® Chantilly Lace

2. Tan

Tan paint blends the house into its environment while providing a neutral base to show off the trim and detailed ironwork, like railings. Evoking the earthen nature of stucco or mud-based brick housing commonly found throughout Mediterranean areas like Spain, Greece, or North Africa, tan exterior Mediterranean house colors are a classic palette that will immediately transform your exterior. 

For inspiration:

• Sherwin-Williams Oak Creek

• Benjamin Moore® Interlude

• Dunn-Edwards Moenkopi Tan

• BEHR® Baja

3. Golden Yellow

Almost appearing to mimic the sun’s glow, the warmth of golden yellows plays well with the natural elements used in Mediterranean houses. As a true color for many desert and coastal flowers, these shades of yellow paint are designed to embrace their surroundings and mimic nature.

For inspiration:

• Sherwin-Williams Daisy

• Benjamin Moore® Buttercup

• Farrow & Ball Babouche

• BEHR® Gilded

4. Brick Red

The shades of brick red extend to an almost yellow on the lighter end to deep, ochre tones, burnt orange, and sienna. Use these reddish colors to replicate the terracotta vibe that extends all throughout the Mediterranean region.

For inspiration:

• Farrow & Ball Red Earth

• Benjamin Moore® Terra Cotta Tile

• Benjamin Moore® Warm Sienna

• Sherwin-Williams Bold Brick

5. Burnt Orange

When you think “Mediterranean,” you might picture the setting sun and blazing colors that light up the ocean skies. Choosing a shade of burnt orange for your building lets it blend into its surroundings twice a day and stand out like a natural formation for the rest of the waking hours.

For inspiration:

• Sherwin-Williams Osage Orange

• Farrow & Ball Orangery

• Benjamin Moore® New Dawn

• Benjamin Moore® Tangelo

6. Earthy Greens

Earthy greens can be a great option for anyone who wants something more neutral without opting for the usual white or tan tones. Earth-toned greens are calming and colorful without being too loud. This option can level up your Mediterranean home by giving it a new spin with a low-key “wow” factor.

For inspiration:

• Sherwin-Williams Lounge Green

• Sherwin-Williams Cilantro

• Farrow & Ball Mizzle

• Benjamin Moore® Perfectly Pesto

Other Colors That Pair Well With Mediterranean Exteriors

Now that you’ve chosen the main shade for your house, it’s time to explore what colors to pair with it for a cohesive or eye-catching look. Here’s some inspiration to paint your roof, shutters, trim, garage and front doors, gutters, and more.

Accents for White Houses

The accent color you’ll choose for white houses depends on the look you’re going for. The great news is that any color goes with white, but the downside can also be the potentially unlimited options—how can you possibly choose?

If you decide you want to go for a boldly contrasting look, consider black or red. Going with all-black for your roof, shutters, trim, doors, and gutters will give your white house a polished look that’s contemporary and chic.

Adding a pop of red is definitely eye-catching. Rather than going with red for everything, you might opt to choose it for what you’d like the focal points to be. That might be your garage and front doors or just your shutters.

If a bold contrast isn’t your cup of tea, go with an all-white look by choosing off-white tones for all of the other components of your house or incorporate some gray to give your house highlights without anything overtly distracting.

Accents for Tan Houses

To turn your tan house fun and playful, consider adding burnt orange to the mix. This color can work well for your shutters and trim. You can pair the burnt orange with more neutral colors like darker brown for your doors and gutters.

For something contemporary, a darker tan tone looks great on the trim, doors, roof, gutters, and more. The darker tan will subtly complement the tan color while still helping parts of your house stand out. Or, try incorporating classic white instead to bring a brighter vibe.

Accents for Golden Yellow Houses

Golden yellow houses tend to stand out on the block, so why stop there? Pair the golden yellow with a bold, bright blue for something truly fun and eye-catching. The blue could work great for your trim, shutters, and even doors.

For something with a lot of contrast that’s not as loud as blue, go with black. This will look great on your doors, gutters, and the roof.

Accents for Brick Red Houses

When it comes to brick red houses, there are a few directions you can go. You might let the color stand for itself by adding white or black on your trim and doors. If you’d like something that’s more vibrant, consider a light pink tone. This color can bring your house to a new level of uniqueness, especially if you use it for your shutters.

Accents for Burnt Orange Houses

Besides going with black or white for your trim, doors, and more, you might think about choosing a shade of brown. It’ll bring to the earthy vibe of your house and offer a classy look. Brown shutters and doors work especially well if you’ve got a brown roof. 

Accents for Earthy Green Houses

Earthy green houses hearken back to the beauty of nature, so why not go all out with dark green for your shutters and doors? Choose a contrasting color of green to help the accent colors pop. You might also add a black roof for a more contemporary look.

Kristin Luna contributed to this piece.