Unusual Exterior Paint Color Combos That Actually Look Really Great

When I was growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, my family took a lot of trips to Mississippi to see my grandparents, and on the way back, I remember, there was this one lavender house, right by the interstate, that always caught my eye. This one pale, pale purple home, in a sea of beiges, seemed almost magical. If you share my feeling that houses ought to be allowed to be any color they want to be (and your HOA does as well), then perhaps you’ll be inspired by these eleven boldly painted homes, whose exteriors (even before you get to the inside) proclaim them to be anything but boring.

Above: This pale pink house with bubblegum pink trim is in — where else? — New Orleans. See the full tour at Old Brand New.

We’ve seen black houses before, but this one, from Lonny, kicks things up a notch with a bright pink door.

Like the lavender house of my childhood dreams, this pale blue London townhome from The Style Scribe proves that delicate colors can make a big impact.

We’re back in New Orleans, for a look at a rowhouse that mixes eggplant, lime, cerulean, white, and touch of pink into an unexpectedly harmonious whole. Image from Follow Your NOLA, via Buzzfeed.

For lovers of pastels there’s also this pink house from Skona Hem, which looks just like a dollhouse come to life.

This notion comes from all the delightful black-on-black homes I’ve seen, like this one from Lonny. In this case, the doors (and window sashes) are painted in a slightly darker, glossier black. Potted plants stand out dramatically against the dark facade.

For the outside of their home, Jessica and Scott paired light grey exterior paint with black trim, and a bright yellow front door.

From Arch Daily, here’s a little house painted a brilliant emerald green. The green siding pairs particularly nicely with the natural wood next to the front door.

From Luxe, a white house with some unexpected light blue trim. If your HOA’s laws are particularly restrictive (or you’re hesitant to try an unusual color on the whole house), this could be a good way to try something unusual without making too much of a splash.

From Addison’s Wonderland, a deep teal (light navy?) exterior paired with white. The color is only a bit off-neutral, just a little bit bold — a great way to make your home stick out in your neighborhood without going too crazy.

Love these crazy color combos? Check out these unconventional interior palettes next!