Exterior Color Schemes for Taupe Houses
Taupe is a versatile neutral exterior house color that pairs beautifully with other hues. From warm terra cotta tones to cool shades of gray-green, taupe offers homeowners endless options for creating an inviting curb appeal.
The Benefits of Choosing Taupe Exteriors
Taupe is a timeless neutral that flatters homes of varying architectural styles from traditional to contemporary. Unlike trendy bright colors that can date a home's look, taupe exteriors maintain their elegance and don't fade quickly in the sun.
The innate versatility of taupe allows homeowners to thoughtfully select complementary colors, textures, and detailing to enhance their home's curb appeal. Whether keeping things simple with a monochromatic taupe palette or boldly contrasting with a vibrant purple door, taupe provides a neutral backdrop to highlight intentional design choices.
Choosing the Right Shade of Taupe
Since taupe comprises undertones of brown, gray, and sometimes green or pink, homeowners should gather several paint swatches across brands to compare warm and cool versions side-by-side. The goal is finding the perfect neutral taupe that harmonizes with the home's roof color and landscape surroundings without veering too warm with yellow undertones or too cool with obvious gray.
Painting large swaths of color samples on spare drywall or thick white cardboard can further assist in choosing the ideal taupe. Evaluating samples outdoors in different lighting at various times of day ensures the taupe shade complements the home as light shifts.
Exterior Color Combinations That Complement Taupe
Taupe elegantly pairs with light neutrals like warm ivory or cool pale gray for a refined two-tone exterior. The visual contrast makes details like white trim pop while maintaining a peaceful, non-jarring color scheme.
For bolder contrast, deep burgundy plum exquisitely complements taupe on traditional colonial or craftsman-style architecture. The interplay between taupe's coolness and plum's warmth creates striking dimension.
Creative Color Palettes for Taupe Houses
While taupe quietly recedes, allowing bolder colors their chance to shine, creative pairings like cobalt blue shutters or an acid yellow front door enliven taupe exteriors with playful pops of color. For tropical climates, vista blue creates breezy contrast while maintaining the tranquil feeling taupe evokes.
Creating an overall monochromatic look that incorporates the taupe house color on exterior elements like shutters, window boxes, and even the front door makes small details pop through subtle variation in the shade and hue. An umbrella of cool taupe shades gives cohesion while allowing light neutrals and deep accents provide pleasing contrast.
Factors Influencing Exterior Color Choices with Taupe Houses
While personal preferences impact each homeowner's exterior color selection, geographic location and architectural style also guide appropriate color pairings.
Cool shades of taupe harmonize with verdant landscapes in rainy Pacific Northwest climates, while warm terra cotta taupe flats complement Spanish colonial architecture in the Southwest. Consider how natural elements surrounding the home interact with color choices.
Likewise, a sleek modern home coated in taupe contrasts beautifully with a vibrant teal front door, while the same flashy color overwhelms the elegance of taupe on a traditional cape cod. Ensure accent colors suit the existing lines and angles of the architecture.
Strategies for Showcasing Taupe Exteriors
Visual contrast creates hierarchy, draws the eye, and makes architectural details pop. Strategic color placement directs attention to a home's best assets and creates balance.
Place darker taupe or brown shades on the bottom half of the exterior structure to ground the home and give it gravitas. Contrasting dark bottom with light taupe or ivory on top makes a home appear larger and taller.
Conversely, homeowners can intentionally place the darkest taupe shade on the top half of the house to diminish imposing facades that overwhelm the landscape and shrink the home's overall silhouette.
Best Exterior Paint Combinations with Taupe Houses
The following superior exterior color combinations elegantly enhance the beauty of taupe houses across architectural styles:
- Pale blue-gray with moody dark taupe brown trim
- Rich navy blue shutters against light warm taupe siding
- Bright cherry red front door popping from cool slate taupe
- Deep hunter green garage color contrasting neutral gray taupe
Shades of white, cream, gray, and brown also pair sublimely with taupe houses. Homeowners can shift the feel from warm and welcoming to stately and elegant through simple accent color choices.
Recommended Taupe Shades by Home Style
The perfect taupe ultimately comes down to personal preference, but the following suggestions complement popular architectural styles:
- Contemporary: Cool, modern grays with green undertones
- Colonial Revival: Warm sandy brown tinged with yellow ochre
- French Country: Peachy pink clay-based light taupe
- Mediterranean: Brown and gray stone-inspired taupe
- Victorian: Complex mix of purple, brown, and slate gray
Preparing Surfaces and Applying Taupe Paint
Like any new paint job, proper prep work ensures exterior taupe shades adhere smoothly and last. Carefully wash the house, scrape loose peeling sections, sand glossy areas, caulk cracks, and spot prime patched segments before painting.
When applying taupe paint, maintain environment and surface temperatures above 50degF. Use high quality primer and 100% acrylic exterior paint for durability. Allow proper drying time between coats for maximum adhesion and protection.
While darker taupe shades show less grime compared to white houses, seasonal upkeep preserves the color and surface integrity:
- Gently wash with mild soap and water using soft cloth or brush
- Rinse thoroughly from top to bottom
- Avoid abrasive scrub brushes/cleaners that damage the finish
- Touch up paint nicks and flaws regularly
- Clean out gutters and ensure proper drainage to prevent water damage
After a few years, taupe painted exteriors need to be re-painted due to the effects of weather and sun.