2021 Exterior Paint Favorites from Benjamin Moore

Painting a home’s exterior is a big undertaking, but it’s one that is worth it. Our exterior designers often argue that changing a home’s color can make one of the biggest impacts on curb appeal. So it should come as no surprise that choosing a good color and quality paint brand is key, and there are many shades by reputable brands that don’t disappoint. For simplicity’s sake, we are going to focus on one brand today. Stay with us to discover our 2021 exterior paint favorites from Benjamin Moore that we’ll be reaching to time and time again this year.

Is it time to take the plunge and paint your home? Paint color is just one part of the curb appeal equation. Partner with brick&batten for a virtual exterior design. We’ll work with you to choose the best color pallet, shutters, lighting, and porch accessories. Getting started online is super easy!


 

Before and after of a home painted with Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore

Kendall Charcoal: A Versatile Neutral

There’s a reason Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore has only continued to rise in popularity each year. This neutral is flexible and unimposing. It’s dark without being too moody, and natural light loves it for that reason (and we do too!). In the before and after above, we used Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore on the trim. Both these paints have warm, earthy undertones. We could write an entire novel about Kendall Charcoal, but we decided just an article would do instead. That said, Kendall Charcoal has earned a top spot in our 2021 exterior paint favorites by Benjamin Moore.

 


 

Before and after of a home with shake siding rendered in a charcoal gray
White house with painted black trim

Go Dark on Accents with Onyx

Adding contrasting accents can really make a white house pop. It’s hard to go wrong when pairing one of Benjamin Moore’s off-white paints with Onyx accents. Take a look at the dramatic difference in the two photos above. We love providing our clients with multiple renderings so they can visualize two color options when they add it to their order.

Benjamin Moore includes Onyx in their Color Preview collection, which they define as, “A collection of bold, saturated colors that brings spaces to life for those looking to illuminate their world with pure, extraordinary color.” Well said, Benjamin.


 

A before and after of a home painted Soot by Benjamin Moore

Before and after of a rustic home with modern updates

Ah Soot! A Bold and Lively Paint Choice

In 2021, we’ll be pitching designs that utilize dark paints as main colors, not just accent colors. Currently, Soot is one of our exterior paint favorites from Benjamin Moore. In the design above, we actually used it in combination with Onyx accents. In some lighting, Soot features slightly more blue undertones than Onyx, making it almost navy. We don’t follow the antiquated rule of not mixing navy and black. As you can see, these colors can work in harmony. However, if you really want to lean into the navy look, choosing Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore is almost always a win in our book.


 

Before and after of a home painted with Sea Glass by Benjamin Moore

Lean Into the Coastal Look with Sea Haze

If your 2020 plans to visit the beach fell through, bring the beach to you with Sea Haze. Benjamin Moore attempted to recreate the look of polished sea glass when creating this mid-toned neutral, and we think they nailed it. We often suggest Sea Haze to our clients who aren’t fans of off-white paint but still want a light and airy vibe.


 

Before and after of a traditional brick home painted with Olympic Mountains

Opt for a Timeless Beige with Olympic Mountains

While yellow-beige was quite popular in the early 2000s, it’s been two decades later and now a different kind of beige has taken center stage. Olympic Mountains by Benjamin Moore is a light, dare we say almost white, beige. Rather than yellow undertones, it shows off gray undertones. This color can complement any home style, from colonial to midcentury. When you choose a classic color like beige, you won’t need to worry about it falling out of style any time soon. In fact, Benjamin Moore includes this color in its Classic Colors Collection.


Before and after of a pale blue home painted gray

Jockey Hollow Gray Looks Good on Historic and Modern Homes Alike

Even though Jockey Hollow Gray is part of Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection, don’t be fooled. Your home doesn’t need to look historic to pull this color off. Jockey Hollow Gray is very similar to Olympic Mountains, and we love it for similar reasons. However, Jockey Hollow Gray serves as the slightly darker option out of the two. This versatile color looks great with both black and brown accents.

We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.

 


 

Before and after of a home painted Graphite

Graphite: A Different Kind of Dark Gray

Dark gray is always in, but this year Graphite by Benjamin Moore is having its moment in our designs. Additionally, monochromatic color schemes are taking over the fashion world, and it’s slipping into the exterior design world too. For the above exterior makeover, we utilized a trio of dark gray paint. We used Graphite on the siding, Onyx to highlight the soffits and fascia, and Tricorn Black to make the garage pop.


 

House Painted Chelsea Gray

Meet in the Middle with Chelsea Gray

Chelsea Gray by Benjamin Moore is one of the most neutral medium grays we’ve ever come across. We wouldn’t describe it as warm or cool, or light or dark. It truly falls in the middle! It’s the perfect compromise for spouses with varying opinions or generally indecisive homeowners. However, when you pair it with wood accents, it leans ever-so-slightly warm.


 

Before and after of a sprawling ranch home painted in an off-white with new shutters

Light Pewter Offers a Twist on Off-White

Honestly, we’ll never grow tired of Benjamin Moore’s classic off-white paints, like Swiss Coffee and White Dove. Although lately, our clients have been asking for options that are a slight variation of off-white. Light Pewter by Benjamin Moore reads as a light gray, and almost off-white in daylight.


 

Overall, Benjamin Moore provides a collection of unmatched, timeless-yet-timely paints. You will be seeing more of our 2021 exterior paint favorites by Benjamin Moore in designs this year.

If you’re still not sure about the best color for your home or how to make your exterior stand out for all the right reasons, learn more about our virtual design service. Using a picture of your home, our design team will create a realistic rendering of your home’s exterior like the one’s in this article and provide you with a clickable shopping list, so you know exactly what to get to bring the design life.

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