Ugly House Colors You’ll Regret and Why They’re a Nightmare to Fix

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Ever wondered what the worst paint colors for a home’s exterior are? Maybe not, but we’re going to share our thoughts because the more you know, the better you’re prepared.

Indeed, your home’s exterior paint color can make or break the overall aesthetic and curb appeal. Not to mention, certain shades can make your property stand out for all the wrong reasons. In this post, we’ll explore some of the worst paint colors for your home’s exterior, why they’re so challenging to pull off, and we share our alternative tips to avoid common pitfalls.

Keep reading to learn all the paint colors to avoid, or at least the ones to be cautious of.

Our paint visualizer package is perfect for homeowners that want to upgrade their home in preparation of selling. If you do need help with other aspects of your exterior, we’ve got you covered there too. Learn all about our virtual exterior design services and exterior design package.

Our designers only use and recommend products that we know, love, or would use on our own properties. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. 

Digital rendering showing an alternative to the worst paint colors for your home.

Do exterior paint colors really matter?

Absolutely, your exterior paint color is your home’s first impression. It can attract buyers, set the mood and style you’re hoping to achieve, complement the architecture, and more. Colors that clash with the environment, look outdated, or highlight imperfections can make even the most beautiful homes feel less appealing. By avoiding the worst paint colors, you’ll ensure your home stays timeless and inviting.

Furthermore, exterior paint colors play a huge role in perceived value. So, even if you’re not worried about the color of your home, if you ever go to sell, keep in mind that buyers will be paying attention.

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.
Digital rendering of a rancher with pale yellow siding and white trim, with shade loving plants and aa curved walkway.

The Worst Exterior Paint Colors…. drumroll, please.

Neon or bright shades

Neon greens, pinks, and yellows might look fun on a poster, but they rarely work for home exteriors. These colors are overly intense and often feel jarring, especially in traditional or suburban settings.

Why they’re hard to get right

  • Clash with surroundings: Bright tones normally don’t complement natural elements like stone, wood, or landscaping.
  • Fade quickly: Neon hues tend to fade under UV exposure, leaving a dull, washed-out appearance over time.
  • Too trendy: They often feel trendy, meaning they’ll date your home within a few years.

Alternative tip

Opt for softer versions of these shades, like sage green or pale yellow, which offer the vibrancy you may be looking for without overwhelming the design. Some of our favorite more colorful choices for this style are Yellow Bisque by Benjamin Moore (seen above), Sea Salt by Sherwin-Williams®, and October Mist by Benjamin Moore.

Virtual rendering of a multi-level home with black windows, charcoal gray as the central color, and wood columns.

Pure black

Black exteriors are a striking showstopper, but can be tricky to get just the right shade. If done incorrectly, they create a heavy, uninviting atmosphere.

Why they’re hard to get right

  • Absorbs heat: In sunny climates, black paint can lead to overheating and higher cooling costs.
  • Shows imperfections: Black paint highlights flaws like cracks, chips, and uneven surfaces.
  • Overpowers other features: It can overshadow details like trim, shutters, or landscaping.

Alternative tip

Try a softer black or charcoal gray to maintain a bold look while adding warmth and depth. These shades are a fantastic way to create a statement, even if for some it’s a bit too bold. After all, our designers use blacks and charcoals often! The paint colors we keep coming back to are Sherwin-Williams® Iron Ore, Black Fox, and Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal, and Black Beauty.

Digital rendering of a stucco home showing an alternative to the worst paint colors.

Pepto-Bismol pink

While pink might work in coastal areas or for specific architectural styles, bright pinks can feel kitschy.

Why they’re hard to get right

  • Context-dependent: Pink is appropriate in so few situations. It’s more of a niche hue dependent on location and architecture.
  • Reflects poorly: It can look even worse in direct sunlight.
  • Limits resale appeal: Many buyers find pink off-putting or hard to envision with their own design preferences.

Alternative tip

If you are aa die-hard pink fan, go for a muted terra cotta or blush tones. These feel more sophisticated and can actually work well with the right accent colors. We never said we didn’t like pink by the way! We have definitely used Sherwin-Williams® Alyssum on front doors (seen below), and even Pink Flamingo as the central color on a coastal commercial property.

White brick rancher with a pink front door, a metal roof, and a stone and paver walkway.

Traditional farmhouse with sage green shutters, black front door and accents, with minimal landscaping.

Stark white

White will always remain a classic color choice, but too much of it can wash out your home, especially in bright sunlight or snowy climates.

Why they’re hard to get right

  • Blinding in sunlight: Stark white reflects light aggressively, making your home harsh to look at.
  • Lacks depth: Without contrasting elements, it can feel sterile and boring.
  • Hard to maintain: Dirt and grime are more noticeable one pure white exteriors.

Alternative tip

Choose an off-white or creamy shades to soften the look and to keep a timeless appeal. Even if some whites are too stark, we still like whites higher in LRV for many homes. At brick&batten, whites are actually our most used exterior paint color. We have a long list of favorite bright whites and go-to off-whites that include Sherwin-Williams® Extra White, Pure White, and Alabaster. If you want to know our opinion of the best whites for your exterior, look no further than this list. 

Traditional home with wood garage doors, white trim, and an alternative to the worst paint colors.

Muddy browns

Earth tones can be beautiful, but muddy browns date homes and make for a drab appearance.

Why they’re hard to get right

  • Feels heavy: Dark or muddy browns can make your home look smaller or uninviting.
  • Blends too much: These shades may cause your home to disappear into the landscape rather than stand out.
  • Associated with old trends; brown was overused in certain decades, giving it an outdated vibe.

Alternative tip

Choose warm taupes or rich mocha tones for a more updated and velvety appearance. You’ve probably heard, but when it comes to browns, you can’t go wrong with Sherwin-Williams® Urbane Bronze, Porpoise, and Benjamin Moore’s Dragon’s Breath.

Traditional rancher style house with a red front door, black shutters, and a concrete walkway.

Primary colors

Bright reds, yellows, and blues are vibrant but can feel cartoonish or overly bold when used as the dominant exterior color.

Why they’re hard to get right

  • Overpowering: Primary colors overwhelm rather than enhance a home’s architectural details
  • Neighborhood mismatch: These shade hardly ever align with neighboring homes, creating visual discord.
  • Challenging to accent: Finding complementary trim or door colors becomes difficult.

Alternative tip

Use these colors sparingly. Any of the three primary colors (blue, red, yellow) look great as a fun pop of color on a front door. This will help to keep the color palette neutral, but satisfy the color craving you may have.

Contemporary home with a modern garage door, vertical wood cladding, black windows, and wood lintels.

Olive green

Though trendy in certain eras, olive green feels too heavy or dated for modern exteriors.

Why they’re hard to get right

  • Dull appearance: Olive lacks the contrast needed to make homes stand out.
  • Hard to pair: Complementary accents are limited, making it tricky to create a cohesive look.
  • Gets lost in its surroundings: In wooded areas, olive green exteriors can feel camouflaged.

Alternative tip

Choose a lighter or more saturated green. In addition, you can also choose greens that have desirable undertones, like brown or gray, that make it easier to find an accent color. It should be noted, we use ‘olive greens’ often, however all are variations of the original so that the color is just right. As a matter of fact, our tried and true favorite is Benjamin Moore’s Aegean Olive. 

Lakefront cottage with wood garage doors, white trim, light blue siding, and a black front door.

Pastels in the wrong setting

Pastels can feel charming on beach homes or cottages, but can definitely look out of place elsewhere.

Why they’re hard to get right

  • Context matters: Pastels clash with traditional or modern architectural styles
  • Can feel washed out: In direct sunlight, pastel shades can lose their vibrancy.
  • Risk of looking juvenile; They sometimes give homes a less serious, playful appearance.

Alternative tip

Go for deeper or muted versions of pastels, like dusty blues or soft sages, for a broader versatility. We like to use Benjamin Moore’s Palladian Blue, Greyhound, and Boothbay Gray.

Digital rendering showing an alternative to the worst paint colors for your home's exterior.

Final thoughts on the worst paint colors for your home’s exterior

Ultimately, your exterior paint color is crucial for creating that welcoming and attractive home we find clients wanting. By avoiding the worst paint colors we mentioned above, you’re ensuring your home’s exterior makes a positive impression. Furthermore, prioritizing tones that enhance your architecture and setting will achieve a timeless, balanced look. Finally, remember that even small changes to your color palette can make a big difference in your home’s curb appeal and overall value.

Ready to get your home ready for the market? All we need are your answers to our short questionnaire for our designers to get started creating a custom design. We’ll even provide a shoppable resource list so getting started is as easy as clicking a few links. Get started here.

Author

Originally from Tennessee, Ami currently lives in South Carolina, which has been home since leaving the military in 2016. Interior and exterior design has always intrigued Ami, especially the styles and characteristics seen in other countries as an avid traveler and photographer. She lives for the renewal of older or historic homes that maintain their character, and regularly creates her own mood boards and virtual designs for inspiration or to help others with their spaces. Having always had a passion for design and following their work for years prior, Ami was excited to be brought onto brick&batten’s team of writers. Her writing endeavors actually started in an academic/scientific setting, then in a regulatory aspect. Writing about paint colors, emerging or current trends in exterior design, and so much more revolving around something she’s always enjoyed was a fun and welcomed change!

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