Blog | SmardBuild | Chicago Remodeling

5 Best Exterior Paint Colors for 2025

Written by Mark Smarduch | Jul. 02, 2024

It is time to level up your home’s exterior with the top 2025 paint colors! From bright and warm to deep and cool, there's a color for everyone. When you're ready to update your home's exterior color, we’re here to help you find the right fit.

At SmardBuild, we use our experience and expertise to deliver gorgeous exterior remodeling results in the greater Chicago area. Take a look at what 2025 colors you'll see across the major paint brands and baked into fiber cement siding in 2025! 

 

What Are the Most Popular Exterior House Colors for 2025?

Earthy, warm tones and spins on classics are the popular exterior house color trends in 2025. Let's take a tour of what colors you can expect to see at the top of exterior home color lists in the coming year!

1. Soft Orange

This color is incredibly warm and comforting, like creamy tomato bisque. It's soft and pairs beautifully with both lighter tones and darker ones. For your home's exterior, choose a more subtle hue that leans toward neutral rather than bold on such a large surface. If you'd like to use this color more sparingly, it's perfect for shutters, your front door, or even the gables of your home. Here are a few examples from major paint brands of this soft, neutral orange:

  • Behr: Oxide
  • Sherwin Williams: Baked Clay
  • Benjamin Moore: Tuscan Tile
  • Dulux: Autumn Fern 2
  • Glidden: Copper Penny
  • Dunn-Edwards: Desert Oasis

2. Fresh Spring Green

This refreshing green might remind you of new spring growth. With yellow undertones, this green reads more like a grounded earth tone. This color is definitely a mood booster and is perfect for a home that's surrounded by trees and bright landscaping. Stand out from your neighbors with this bright and fresh green! 

  • Behr: New Bamboo 
  • Sherwin Williams: Pickle
  • Benjamin Moore: Huntington Green
  • Dulux: Celtic Moor
  • Glidden: Jitterbug
  • Dunn-Edwards: Organic Matter

3. Airy Blue

Airy blue is a bright but calming blue with purple undertones that will remind you of a clear sky. These blues feel less intense than a blue with a pure white base. 

  • Behr: Wind Speed
  • Sherwin Williams: Atmospheric 
  • Benjamin Moore: Ocean Air
  • Dulux: Summer Medley 
  • Glidden: Magic Wand
  • Dunn-Edwards: January Frost

4. Woodsy Green

Another green made the list, but this one is a deep, saturated green that feels like you're deep in a forest at dusk. With undertones of blues, these shades are on the cooler side and would pair beautifully with icy white. If you'd like to use it as an accent, choose a white siding and use this color on shutters and your front door. 

  • Behr: Vine Leaf
  • Sherwin Williams: Hunt Club
  • Benjamin Moore: Bavarian Forest
  • Dulux: Jade Cluster
  • Glidden: Holly Leaf
  • Dunn-Edwards: Lock Ness

5. Earthy Gray

Classic gray is getting cozy and inviting with yellow undertones that makes it an earthy neutral that pairs well with blues, greens, beiges, creams, and whites. It's incredibly versatile and timeless. Gray exterior house colors will always be a popular go-to. 

  • Behr: Sparrow
  • Sherwin Williams: Argos
  • Benjamin Moore: Nimbus
  • Dulux: Shingle Steps
  • Glidden: Elusian
  • Dunn-Edwards: Silhouette 

James Hardie Siding

Smardbuild is so proud to be the top James Hardie Preferred Remodeler in the Chicago area, which means we have the privilege of working with this world-class medium including their special collections. There are so many reasons to choose James Hardie siding. Hardie board fiber cement siding looks like rich, gorgeous wood siding but costs less and requires less maintenance and repair with colors that last and last. Hardie board siding is also more durable, weather-resistant, and fade-resistant than vinyl, making it the best choice to protect your home while looking fantastic for up to 50 years!

James Hardie options include: 

  • Shingle siding- Also called shake siding, this look gives a Cape-Cod feel at a fraction of cedar shake prices and delivers improved durability.
  • Lap siding- James Hardie plank lap siding is the most popular brand of siding in North America. This timeless, traditional siding comes in a stunning array of appealing options so that you can get just the right look.
  • Vertical siding- Add contrast to your lap siding or go completely vertical!
  • Architectural collection- Truly anything is possible. The architectural collection includes panels and unique textures, lines, and trim.
  • Trim- Hardie trim boards help you put the finishing touches on your home’s new look. 

How to Pair Colors for Your Home Exterior

Some clients have a dream shade in their mind and set off on a quest to find the right color; some need to do more hunting. We love James Hardie’s Color Plus Technology which lets you pair color options with their easy and intuitive tool. Here are some color combinations to help you start dreaming!

  • Monotones- Pick one color and dial the intensity up and down to land on two colors of the same tone. Try putty and warm grey, spring green and dark green, or icy blue and deep blue. 
  • Bold color statements- Say something with color. Choose to be the boldest and brightest on the block. Consider pairingnclassic bright white with deep forest green and light earthy gray.
  • Classic contrasts- Black and white, forest and cream, classic combinations provide contrast, look great, and stand the test of time.

Pro Tips for Picking Your Exterior Paint Color in 2025

There are plenty of little ways to make your details pop. Consider some of the following factors if you need help settling on a color:

  • Weather- The typical climate in your area will impact popular exterior colors. Dark colors that fade or absorb heat don’t appear as often in sunny climates.
  • Landscape- How can you use your surrounding greenery to highlight your color scheme? Can you pick up your favorite blooms in your accents?
  • Home history- Some color combinations are classic on a cape cod or a farmhouse. Looking for color trends for your home’s period and architecture may inspire you to select options that weren’t previously on your radar.
  • Neighborhood character- What’s the color palette range in your neighborhood? What catches your eye as you drive around town? Are you aiming to push the envelope or blend in?

Get the Best Look on The Block

Our experience, craftsmanship, and attention to detail set us apart from any other builder you consider for your exterior remodel in our service area. We are the top James Hardie Preferred Remodeler in the Chicago area for a reason. We deliver stunning exterior remodeling results within your budget because we care about quality and communication every step of the way. We love to help our Naperville, Addison, and Wheaton neighbors design and execute the home exterior remodel of their dreams. We would love to talk to you.