26 Inspiring Tan House Color Schemes Pros Love for Your Exterior
If your home features a tan exterior, you may be wondering just what other colors to pair with this shade. We're sharing 26 examples of beautiful color schemes for tan houses to inspire you as you embark on your own exterior home design journey.
Meet the Expert
Mark Kaufman is a principal designer at GTM Architects.
How to Choose Colors That Complement a Tan House
Keep in mind that selecting a color to use alongside your tan exterior comes down to personal preference. Mark Kaufman, principal at GTM Architects, says that warm and cool tones alike can make for excellent options. However, considering your home style is important when selecting your hues.
Kaufman says that traditional homes look best with dark green or blue shutters, noting it's a very timeless traditional look. If your home is contemporary in style, focus on grays, browns, and navies.
When it comes to roof color, Kaufman prefers incorporating a darker-toned roof. He is a proponent of deep brown, dark gray, or slate-colored roofs in particular.
Tan and White
Tan and white are a classic color scheme that will appeal to anyone who is drawn to neutrals. It's guaranteed to create a light and airy exterior that will create a welcoming feeling.
Tan, White, and Brick
If your tan home also features brick, you may want to keep things relatively simple when selecting a third color. Thus, white is a no-fail option that makes for a risk-free accent.
Tan, Copper, and Green
This tan house features a copper roof but also boasts an unexpected pop of dark green, which perfectly complements the lush landscape surrounding the property.
Tan, Terracotta, and Blue
This Spanish-style home features a beautiful terra cotta roof that complements the tan exterior nicely. If you're looking to mix things up a bit, look to the other side of the color wheel and select a beautiful blue to use on the shutters.
Tan and Blue Gray
Bring a French countryside feel to your own home by pairing a tan exterior with blue-gray windows. Just close your eyes and imagine you're in a villa in Provence.
Tan and Pale Aqua
Energize a light tan exterior with pale aqua trim. Blue and tan are never a dull combo and will create a striking statement with its whimsical hues.
Tan and Cornflower Blue
Coastal homes and the color blue go hand in hand. This shingle-style home, located on Cape Cod, looks extra charming with the addition of cornflower blue shutters and a matching front door.
Tan and Light Brown
Mix tan siding with light brown trim for a subtle contrast that will add dimension to your facade, like this Southern California home from White Sands Design Build.
Tan and Red
Here's another example of just how powerful a colorful front door can be, as illustrated by this bold hue that dresses up this otherwise minimalistic exterior.
Tan and Brown
If you're drawn to a sleek, sophisticated look and do not wish to use bright colors, go for a tan and brown exterior like the one shown here. Since this home features lots of decorative detailing—wrought iron railings, valences, and more—it is wise to keep the color scheme relatively simple so that it doesn't distract from all at play.
Tan, Wood, and Brown
That said, leaving your front door a natural brown wooden shade can look beautiful as well. This earthy exterior is nice and relaxed.
Tan and Burnt Red
Less severe than bright red, burnt red is a nice option for individuals who gravitate toward colors in the red-purple family. It also adds a farmhouse-like touch to this home.
Tan, White, and Blue
Maybe you love the idea of tan and white but are curious as to whether a bit of color on the exterior of your home is for you. If that's the case, consider painting your garage doors a favorite hue (in this case, light blue), which is an excellent way to try out a new color without going all in.
Tan and Wood
If you're drawn to a rustic look, consider leaving wood exposed in its natural state rather than painting over it. This warm wood makes a welcoming statement and pops against the greenery in the front of the home.
Tan and Beige
If you can't decide between tan and beige, why not embrace both colors? Go for a two-toned look with a half-and-half approach, which reads contemporary and chic.
Tan and Black
What could be more classic than tan and black? This color pairing is a particularly smart choice for a traditional style of home, like the colonial house shown here.
Tan and Sage Green
Sage green is calming and serene and adds an elegant touch to this tan exterior. The light green color plays nicely with the gray roof and its soft tones.
Tan, Blue, and Black
Here is another instance where blue proves to be an excellent color to use alongside a terracotta roof. Even just a pop of color will majorly transform the exterior of your home—if you don't have shutters, simply paint the front door.
Tan and Dark Gray
If your home features a dark gray roof, you may decide to continue the shade onto the shutters, as seen here. Paired with a lighter tan exterior, this shade brings in some welcome contrast.
Tan and Midnight Blue
So deep in tone that it almost reads black from some angles, midnight
blue is a magical color that will add definition to your tan
exterior.
Tan and Yellow
Bring out the warmth in tan with yellow wood trim such as pine, like this adobe home in Santa Fe, NM. Or use yellow paint on the trim or front door to match the style of your home.
Tan and Ivory and Wood
Pair tan paint with dark stained wood siding and ivory trim to complement a Craftsman-style home. The earthy color palette will blend right in with landscaping and stone details.
Tan and Off-White
Less pure than classic white, off-white is also a safe choice for anyone who prefers a neutral facade. Potted plants and greenery surrounding the doorstep add natural color to the entry.
Tan, Blue, and Red
Don't be shy about going for a tan, blue, and red exterior if you cannot choose between the two primary colors. Just use one on the windows and the other on the doors.
Tan and Charcoal
Pair charcoal shutters with a dark tan facade for a mix of cool and warm tones. The contrast will create a sophisticated neutral color palette.
Light Tan, Wood, and Black
Tan, wood, and black are modern hues that happen to be popping up everywhere but are here to stay for the long haul.
Read Next: 70 Welcoming Exterior Paint Color Ideas
Read the original article on The Spruce.