The year of 2020 was definitely challenging, but there were still a few good things. If anything, spending more time at home gave everyone a chance to finally catch up on their household maintenance.

By now, you’ve probably worked your way through most of what needed to done on the inside of your house. After all, it’s hard not to notice little problems when you’re home all the time. Now, it’s time to shift your focus outside. Residential painting makes a huge impact upon how you feel every time you pull up to your driveway. Whether you just update the front door or do a complete paint job, this is one update that makes a difference in how you feel every day.

With 2021 shaping up to be an exciting year, you’ll want to check out these exterior paint colors that are already trending.

1. Cozy, Creamy Whites

Off-white shades are already trending, but we take this color up a notch by recommending ones that add a warm glow to your home. Right now, Benjamin Moore has two shades that we especially love. Seapearl and Swiss Coffee are go-to off-white colors that will transform the outside of your home. In the past, it was rare to use stark white for exterior painting, so we welcome the contrast that these colors have when we put them next to wood.

2. Serene Gray

Gray is the new beige, and this color trend has been revamped from previous years. In the past, cool shades of pale gray reigned, but now we are looking at warmer hues. Dovetail by Sherwin Williams plays both sides by having warm undertones that look cooler during certain levels of sunlight. We also love how their other color, Crushed Ice, sets a calm tone over your home that makes it feel even better to pull into the drive.

3. Dark Gray

Few colors can set the mood for elegance and sophistication like dark gray. Look for a color that has blue undertones to keep dark gray from looking too harsh. Cyberspace by Sherwin Williams is great for pulling off a moody tone without overdoing it. Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore is also a favorite pick among Barco’s Painting customers.

4. Beige

We know this color has been around a long time, but you just can’t go wrong with a classic beige. In 2021, you want to choose beige colors that are more subtle. The trending beige shades are nearly off-white, but still retain that pinkish warmth without turning yellow in certain light. Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams and Shaker Beige by Benjamin Moore are two colors that you can use to get a glimpse of why this color is still on-trend.

5. Bronze

Does your home have a lot of bronze accents on the exterior such as light fixtures and door handles? If so, then you’ll love how this color brings out the unique features of this lovely material. Urbane Bronze is Sherwin Williams’ color of the year, and it gives houses a sharp, trendy look that gets noticed from the curb. Aged Bronze by Benjamin Moore is another option that is just as beautiful when you put it on the outside parts of your home.

6. Pewter

It’s funny because this color has been around forever, but we find that people aren’t always able to picture it in their minds right away. Pewter blends the best of metallic and gray shades to provide you with the ultimate color to use for full paint jobs or as an accent. Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore and Pewter Cast from Sherwin Williams recently experienced a huge gain in popularity from seemingly out of nowhere. While it isn’t clear why pewter is suddenly trending, the way that it brings out natural wood accents on homes makes it clear that it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

7. Navy Blue

Navy blue is a fun color for us to use in residential painting because it has such a wide range of shades that you can choose from for the perfect match. While you can go super bold with interior paint jobs, we recommend going for something a little more subtle on the outside of your home. Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore and Admiral Blue by Sherwin Williams have more neutral tones that are more likely to get approval from your Castle Rock CO neighbors. These colors work just as well on your midcentury modern home as they will on a cozy farmhouse on the outskirts of town.

8. Slate Blue

Have you ever noticed what happens when you mix blue and gray together? You get the best of both worlds. If you’re torn between these two trending colors, then this is the solution that you’ve been waiting for. Slate blue reflects tranquility upon your home, and the most popular brands for paint have shades that let you pick out a color that is truly unique. When you do your color consultation, ask to see several different swatches. Then, check out the way the different paint colors look at various points during the day. It’s amazing how slate blue shades pick up the sunlight and completely change as the lighting around your house fades.

9. Wood

The down-to-earth vibe of 2021 has everyone looking at more earthy, natural colors. While wood isn’t technically a color, staining and adding natural trim around your home can make a huge difference in how cozy it looks. You can do a little wood to dip your toe into the natural trend slowly, or you can use lots to create that comfortable cabin feel that everyone loves.

10. Earthy Green

At first glance, green might not be quite what you have every envisioned for an exterior painting job, but there are shades that will change how you feel about this color. Earthy green is usually used as an accent color. When paired with other shades, it can make front doors and window trim really pop. Some houses can pull off a complete paint job that uses earthy green as the primary color. The best way to find out how this color works for your house is to arrange for a paint color specialist to do a virtual rendering of your home with earthy green as the focus. Green Earth from Sherwin Williams is a great color to start with, and you’ll also love Saybrook Sage from Benjamin Moore.

Bonus Option: A Colorful Statement Door

Similar to an accent wall on the inside of your home, the front door gives you a place to make a huge statement without a whole lot of commitment. Pink and green have been two colors that keep showing up this year, and we expect to see this trend continue. If green resonates with your style, then try Greyhound by Benjamin Moore. It’s got just enough of a unique look to make a statement without seeming overbearing.

Just looking at all of the colors that are on trend in 2021 is inspiring, but we understand if you are finding it hard to narrow them down to just one or two. Barco’s Painting offers color consultations that include having a professional visit your house to check out all of the details that influence your paint color selection. From looking at how the lighting hits your house to making sure that the color you choose blends well with your neighborhood, you’ll feel confident when it comes to making the final choice on your home’s exterior paint job colors. Give us a call today to schedule your consultation and get started on looking forward to making your house stand out in the upcoming year.