Have you ever driven by a house and thought, "They must've gotten their paint from the thrift store," because the freshly painted abode is a ghastly green or yikes yellow? Right, no one wants their home to stand out that way.
So, how do you choose the perfect vinyl siding color for your home's exterior? In this article, we share tips for color section, trending colors for 2024, and tips from home designers specializing in color.
How to choose the right vinyl siding color
There are a few things to consider when choosing colors for your home's exterior. Let's examine what they are and how to factor them into your decision.
The best vinyl siding color for your home's architecture
Because architectural style often defines a historical era, there are the best colors for different styles of homes. For instance, typical colors for a mid-century modern home include ochre, muted mustard, olive green, or gray. According to Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist, Victorian-style homes can handle more saturated colors than other home styles.
The best vinyl siding color for your home's location
Have you ever seen a pink midwestern farmhouse? No, thought not. But pink is a popular color for a coastal bungalow. Where you live dictates the color options that best suit your geography.
"I prefer colors that nestle the home into the landscaping," says Ellen Kennon, interior designer and color expert with Ellen Kennon Design & Full Spectrum Paint, LLC. "Colors like muted greens, taupe, and gray are natural colors that help a home blend into the surroundings."
Your best vinyl siding color according to your homeowners' association
If you live in a subdivision with a homeowner association, chances are it has guidelines that stipulate house color. Always check your HOA bylaws before choosing a house color.
But even if you don't, Barnett suggests looking at the neighborhood. "You don't want your home to look just like your neighbors," she says. "But you don't want it to stand out, either."
The best vinyl siding color for your home based on color science
Did you know there's a science behind why specific colors go with others? If you struggle to find the perfect trim color to match the walls, grab yourself a color wheel. A color wheel provides a visual for which hues contrast or coordinate with each other.
Pick three colors to create a monochromatic (or analogous) scheme. These colors will be adjacent on the wheel–think three shades of blue. Or, choose colors opposite each other on the wheel to create a complementary color palette. The third strategy is to choose three colors that form a triangle–a main color and the colors on either side of its opposite.
All colors need to be equally saturated or muted. If not, one color will look dirty, and the other color will appear silly and childish. – Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist
18 vinyl siding colors trending in 2024
If you're looking for exterior paint colors that will improve your home's curb appeal, complement your new siding and home style, and blend in with the neighborhood, here is a list of popular vinyl siding colors to consider.
However, Barnett says, "Trends in exterior colors don't move as quickly as interior because it's so costly to change the exterior of the home."
Read Fixr's Paint and Color Trends Report 2024 for the complete lowdown on what's trending in the paint and color world.
Neutral vinyl siding colors
Photo courtesy of Kaycan by Saint-Gobain
Neutral colors include whites, off-whites, tans, beiges, blacks, and grays with low saturation. Neutrals give your home a classic but earthy look. Here are the top three neutrals from major siding brands for you to consider.
Tuscan Clay
The deep color of Tuscan Clay by Alside is the perfect color to hide dirt. If you live in a rural setting, this khaki-meets-taupe is the house color for your abode. Both the warm of brick red and the cool of a smoky blue complement this neutral equally well.
Pecan
The nut-brown shade of Pecan by Kaycan nestles into its surroundings like squirrels and field mice. It's comforting, natural, and warm. Pair it with a deep brown or mahogany trim for a harmonious, earthy experience.
Wicker
Very much like the basket, Wicker by Mastic, a PlyGem company, is a soft beige color with sandy undertones. This earthy color will hold your home in a cozy embrace. Trim it with soft green or blue for a truly calm, nature-inspired vibe.
Accent colors on doors, landscaping, and furnishings are more easily changed than on siding. For that reason, designers recommend sticking with neutral colors.
White vinyl siding colors
Photo courtesy of CertainTeed
Kennon rarely recommends using white on a home's exterior. "It soils too easily," she says. "And where I live in Louisiana, mold and mildew show." But if your heart is set on a classic white with black trim, here are our top suggestions.
Colonial white
This classic color from CertainTeed pairs well with any dark color to give your home a striking appearance. Black shutters, window trim, and gutters give your home a simple yet timeless appearance that fits in most communities.
Linen
White with a touch of gray, Linen from Kaycan by Saint-Gobain gives your home a timeless quality. Reminiscent of white sand beaches, this shade of white fits every region and home style. Pair it with an ethereal blue or bluish-gray for soft curb appeal. Or choose something more vibrant, like barn red, to make a bold statement.
Antique parchment
Choose Antique Parchment by Alside for a smooth, creamy white that flows easily. Highlight it with muted brown or green shutters and trim. This delicious combination transcends all the trends.
Remember to choose colors that coordinate with any fixed elements you have, like stone veneer or brick, or more expensive elements you don't plan to change, like the roof. – Ellen Kennon, interior designer and color expert
Gray vinyl siding colors
Photo courtesy of CertainTeed
Technically, gray could be grouped in the neutral category. But there are so many options in gray siding that we decided to make it a category unto itself.
Deep granite
A gray so deep it comes from Middle Earth, Deep Granite by Mastic commands calm and storm simultaneously. Trim with a soft plum or deep burgundy for a delicious combination.
Stonecrest
A mid-range gray with a hint of blue, Stonecrest by Kaycan comes from deep inside a heavy cloud before the storm. To remain classically neutral, trim it with a barely black, creamy white, or something in between.
Charcoal smoke
Gray with a hint of olive green best describes Alside's Charcoal Smoke. Reminiscent of wet clay on the potter's wheel, this dull color can be brought to life with a touch of creamy white, mustard yellow, or deep red.
Natural lighting brings out the undertones in neutral colors more than interior lighting. So, if you don't want a purple house, don't choose a gray with purple undertones. – Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist
Green vinyl siding colors
Photo courtesy of CertainTeed
If you live for time outside, green is probably your go-to color for everything. Good news–green is popular for house siding, too. According to Fixr's Paint and Color Trends Report 2024, "46% of experts say earthy tones are the most popular color palette."
Soft meadow
This heartwarming color is a subtle blend of green and gray reminiscent of its name–a meadow. To have that nestling appeal Kennon speaks about, you can paint your vinyl siding this nature-inspired hue with Sherwin-Williams' VinylSafe Paint Color. Pair it with a soft cream to stay downy soft or a dark black to make a bolder statement.
Scottish thistle
Another soft green, Scottish Thistle, has more blue undertones than Soft Meadow. This PlyGem Mastic color blends well with a natural landscape and also enhances a more suburban neighborhood.
Forest
For a deeper hue, you want Forest by CertainTeed. The color is strong and stately, and it won't show dirt like the softer greens. Suitable for any neighborhood where first impressions are important, trim it out with varying shades of white, black, or rose.
Use our house color combination interactive tool to help you choose the best color for your home.
Blue vinyl siding colors
Photo courtesy of Allura
For your waterfront property, blue is the obvious choice. The possibilities of blue vinyl siding colors are endless, from coastal blue with white trim to deep navy blue.
Laguna blue
This impressive deep blue by Alside gives your home a rich curb appeal. Accent colors could include light colors like cream or more natural elements like cedar shingles. Either way, this eye-catching color choice will elevate your remodel in the eyes of the entire neighborhood.
Yarmouth blue
Save some money and paint your existing siding with Benjamin Moore's Yarmouth Blue. This color is available in their Colors for Vinyl collection and brings a classic look when trimmed with White Dove or Class Pewter.
Azure blue
Whether you live on the seaside or want to feel like you do, Azure Blue by Kaycan is the blue vinyl siding option for you. Trim it out with a bright white for a vibrant look and a creamy white for a softer vibe.
Colors always appear much lighter on the exterior as compared with inside the home. As a rule of thumb, choose a color two shades darker than you think you should. – Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist
Dark-tone vinyl siding colors
Photo courtesy of Brick and Batten
Dark exterior colors are preferable in northern climates, where they won't absorb the sun's heat. They're also more suitable for mid-century modern and contemporary homes than other styles, like a Victorian-era farmhouse. Either way, black, charcoal, or rich deep blue elevate the home's curb appeal to something stately and elegant.
Cola
If black isn't your thing, paint your existing siding with Cola by Sherwin-Williams VinylSafe Paint Colors. This deep color is a cross between coffee grounds and red clay and belongs on a home in the Southwest surrounded by sand and cacti. Add buff-colored trim and doors, and your home will command respect.
Cast iron
Not quite as dark as your Lodge cookware, this vinyl siding by Alside pairs beautifully with a deep barn-red or brick color. Whether you live deep in the forest or suburbia, the rich color will catch your breath whenever you come home.
Espresso
Just as the name describes, Espresso by CertainTeed is luxurious and inviting. It's a warm color that begs for a frothy cream trim.
Dark colors are the most trendy, but they will be out-of-trend much sooner than you need new siding. Proceed with caution before choosing dark vinyl siding.
Can I paint my vinyl siding?
Yes, you can absolutely paint your vinyl siding. But before you do, make sure you have thorough instructions that will ensure your paint lasts, and follow these tips.
- Buy high-quality paint created for vinyl siding. Reputable brands include VinylSafe Paint Color by Sherwin-Williams, AURA or Regal Select by Benjamin Moore, and Valspar Duramax.
- Barnett warns against covering light-colored vinyl with dark paint. The dark will absorb heat from the sun and cause the vinyl to warp. Painting with a darker color will also void some siding warranties, according to Barnett. "But," she continues, "it's perfectly okay to paint a dark vinyl with a lighter color."
- Test colors on all four sides of the house. Sunlight and shadows play a huge part in how your eyes perceive a color. You want to know what it looks like from every angle and every hour of the day before committing to painting the entire house.
- Once painted, avoid using a pressure washer as it could damage the paint job.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How long does vinyl siding retain its color?
Today's vinyl siding with color fade technology is designed to retain its color for a lifetime. Before making a purchase, compare manufacturers' warranties to see which includes the longest coverage period against fading.
Is there a way to prevent my vinyl siding from fading?
Always follow the care, maintenance, and cleaning instructions for your particular siding to ensure that it lasts a long time without fading.
What color siding has the best resale value?
According to Kennon, neutrals, like white, tan, beige, and gray, are the best colors for resale value. She also recommends green, as nothing clashes with it.
Carol J Alexander is a home remodeling industry expert for Fixr.com. For more than 15 years as a journalist and content marketer, her in-depth research, interviewing skills, and technical insight have ensured she provides the most accurate and current information on a given topic. Before joining the Fixr team, her personal clients included leaders in the building materials market like Behr Paint Company, CertainTeed, and Chicago Faucet, and national publications like This Old House and Real Homes.