Dark Exteriors That Add a Sophisticated Touch
By: Mackenzie
For a sophisticated exterior that stands out, few design choices make as much of an impact as dark exteriors. Whether it’s the depth of black siding or the moody elegance of a deep blue, dark tones have a way of blending modern edge with timeless style. From striking facades with mixed materials to thoughtful landscaping that balances bold architecture, these exterior designs showcase how rich, dark tones can elevate any home. Read on for some of our favorite ideas.
Whether you’re looking at choosing the right color scheme or you want to add exterior elements to your design, we’ve got you covered. Our real designers will work with you to understand your goals and make a plan to manifest them. Learn more about what we do.
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Dark tones & mixed textures
Architecturally, this home is as interesting as it is compelling. The combination of flat and angled lines is perfect for dark exteriors, so we used one of our favorite black paint colors: Sherwin Williams’ Iron Ore. The black paint is the perfect deep shade to draw attention to the combination of vertical and horizontal siding. Our designers wanted to keep the contrast coming, so we complemented the façade with a garage awning and a front door awning — both black.
We also blended the garage with the entrance by using the same shade of wood for the garage doors and entry door. Further driving home the blend of materials, we used cultured stone near the entrance, intricate pavers for the driveway, and staggered steps for the walkway. Our designers even recommended a mix of colors for the landscaping. We especially love how the mixed elements in the design are all anchored by the deep black exterior.
Black paint with wood accents
When it comes to dark exteriors, one of our favorite iterations is black paint with wood accents. In the design above, we used Benjamin Moore’s Black Beauty to give the siding a deep, striking appearance. On a smaller home, choosing the right paint colors and accents is crucial to making a statement. Here, we opted for wood porch columns, tied together by the wood on the front door and portico roof, front steps, and the car port space to the right.
Sherwin Williams’ Greenblack brings the stucco on this ranch to life. For the midsection, we embraced wood siding, along with a wood front door and beams. The wood accents draw the eye to the entrance, where we used small sections of Greenblack to flank the front door and create an intentional look.
Offset nature with dark tones
Dark exteriors don’t have to be void of lighter or warmer shades to have an overall deep appearance. Here, we complemented the vertical siding — rendered in Sherwin Williams’ Iron Ore — with subtle sections of horizontal siding, painted with Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster — a warm off-white. The natural stone gabled sections, columns, and chimney build a bridge between the light and dark shades, deepening the façade.
Enhancing the stone on the house, we used plenty of stone in the landscaping. We wanted a balance between the bold exterior and nature, so we recommended a mix of plants. The blend of textures and colors throughout the landscaping is the ideal accompaniment to such a striking exterior.
Dark paint for a modern look
Modern homes and dark exteriors often go hand in hand. Here, we went for a clean, sleek, but bold aesthetic. Amplifying the different types of siding, we used Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray for the panels and Sherwin Williams’ Tricorn Black for the vertical siding. Our designers avoided going too stark with the aesthetic by bringing in wood window trim and siding, which creates a welcoming vibe. Plus, the wood adds to the modern appeal of the design.
Going gothic
If there’s a design style that speaks to your tastes but you don’t want to commit to an architectural overhaul, our designers can help. This homeowner enjoyed a gothic feel, so we infused the exterior with elements that pay homage to the style. Of course, dark exteriors are the ideal opportunity for this particular style, and we used Sherwin Wlliams’ Peppercorn for the siding. For a gothic feel, we painted the intricate window trim with Sherwin Williams’ Tricorn Black.
Adding to the gothic vibe, we surrounded the front door with rigid, dark granite, and brought the portico to life with intricate ironwork. We also added a subtle black planter at the base of the steps to add to the aesthetic. And, of course, the perfect finishing touch is the purple front door, rendered in Sherwin Williams’ Dewberry.
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.
Bold & beautiful
If dark exteriors are your vibe, you don’t have to stay within the confines of traditional black. One of our favorite hues to use for a bold appearance is Sherwin Williams’ Inkwell. Using this shade on the siding, coupled with the warm wood around the entrance and on the porch, brings the blue undertones out. The moody black shade brings sophistication to this exterior, which is amplified by white window trim.
Play around with pops of color
Just as you can play around with shades of black when it comes to dark exteriors, you can also exit the realm of black entirely. Here, we used Slate CraneBoard siding, which is a blue-meets-gray color. We deepened the look of the overall palette by painting the garage door black, and using black for the portico trim, columns, and awnings. Keeping the design fun and colorful, we embraced Benjamin Moore’s Wasabi for the front door.
Red brick with dark accents
There are traditional ways to approach red brick exteriors, with white trim and a navy front door. Or, you can use red brick as a segue to dark exteriors. Here, we did just that with a blend of dark colors throughout. For the eaves and trim, we used Iron Ore, and we went with Tricorn Black for the window trim. We wanted a different shade to draw the eye to the front door, so we used Benjamin Moore’s Black Forest Green. These dark tones combine with the red brick for a luscious, classy aesthetic.
Painted stone
We can’t forget about olive and other deep green shades when talking about dark exteriors. In this design, we painted the stone with Benjamin Moore’s Aegean Olive. This dark green is the perfect earth tone to deepen the exterior while also giving it a natural feel, which we amplified with subtle wood accents. We kept the palette dark with the black roof, creating consistency with the black chairs on the patio.
Embrace your dark side
Dark exteriors bring a unique blend of drama and refinement to any home. These palettes offer versatility too — from gothic-inspired details to sleek, modern looks, dark exteriors can adapt to nearly any architectural style. Whether you’re embracing bold hues or subtle contrasts, adding dark tones to your exterior palette is a powerful way to enhance your home’s curb appeal and make a lasting impression.
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