We’re very close to choosing an exterior paint color. We have gone from wanting something charcoal to deep black and back to charcoal again. We’re going to do a trial run of one of these colors today!
But I couldn’t keep all of our research to myself. Finding exterior photos (good ones!) with paint colors attached is actually pretty rare. And the truth is, even when you do–samples are so important. Every color will look different on every house in every lighting, but hopefully these will serve as major inspiration for more of you! Here are 12 of my favorite dark exterior examples.
Onyx by Benjamin Moore | Source
Iron Mountain by Benjamin Moore | Source
Black by Benjamin Moore | Source
Graphite by Benjamin Moore, Trim: Onyx by Benjamin Moore | Source
Black Magic by Sherwin Williams | Source
Blacktop by Benjamin Moore | Source
Limousine Leather by BEHR Marquee | Source
Off-Black by Farrow & Ball | Source
Peppercorn by Sherwin Williams | Source
Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore | Source
Graphite by Benjamin Moore | Source
Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams, Trim: Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams | Source
See our favorite blue-gray paint colors here!
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Thank you so so much for this !!
Not my cup of coffee. Black houses look witchy to me; forbidding, scary, possibly dangerous. My house is yellow: feel free to comment.
I was looking for this information relating to 12 dark exterior paint colors were loving in action. You have really eased my work by posting this article, loved your writing skill as well. Please keep sharing more, would love to read more from you!
Your grey colors are really great I was amazed with such color combinations. I ever since love the white, grey and light grey combination. I like the SW Peppercorn, I would probably do this with our house painters northern beaches on our next painting projects.. Thank you for inspiring
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I loved your blog and thanks for publishing this about 12 dark exterior paint colors were loving in action !! I am really happy to come across this exceptionally well written content. Thanks for sharing and look for more in future!! Keep doing this inspirational work and share with us. Great to find https://www.interiorpainting.co.nz/ which has same kind of wonderful tips, if possible then visit.
What paint sheen do you use for exterior paint? We went with a satin for our black exterior and I’m wishing we went flat :/.
Flat
I just finished looking at the colors & I had also picked out Wrought Iron as my 1st choice. My dilemma is with the trim & shutter colors. The entire 1st floor is red brick & my front door is stained dark brown? How do you think the dark gray will look with the red brick? What colors would you suggest for the trim & the shutters (we’re only putting shutters on 2, 2nd floor windows).
don’t know what color trim will complement the dark gray. I’m also having a problem with the shutter color??? What do you think?
i love seeing photos of the different blacks…it is beyond helpful. what i’m wanting to ask is what product to use for my exterior siding and doors. i’ve painted my doors with good quality benjamin moore paint in a black color, and it turns chalky over time. is there a certain TYPE of paint that you recommend?
Your door handles are perfection! They are what I have been searching for! Could you share the source?
Have you seen the 2019 Little Women reboot? Some of it was filmed at Louisa May Alcott’s actual home, Orchard House, and the house is a gorgeous dark charcoal. Just thought it was a fun nod for you with your three girls. :) It’s such a beautiful movie, highly recommend for maybe when the youngest two are a bit older! Love all the paint colors and the one it looks like you landed on with the play structure!
Yes! That movie was a huge inspiration for me going for a dark house. I loved the set so much.
Ah!! I love that so much!! Thought that might be the case. :)
I love Wrought Iron. So pretty.
We used black beauty on our last house as a trim color- it has blue undertones, house was blue so it looked great. If you will be doing any stained wood make sure you test those next to your final choice. This will really show you, green, red or blue undertones. Looking forward to seeing your final pick!
I am always, ALWAYS a Wrought Iron fan, and I think it would look lovely. But Nightfall is really talking to me in your photo!! Can’t wait to see what you choose!
SW Black Magic (although I’m not fond of the name) is a winner against the copper lighting – which I believe you are installing? It is magical.
Lovely colors. I’d like to see those swatches with a piece of your roofing shingles beside them. With the colors laying on the stone patio, so far I like Onyx because it looks the most neutral yet still nice and dark and has enough warmth in it to look good with your stone.
We painted our shutters and front door Onyx and I love them. I debated Black Beauty but was so happy I picked onyx.
My fave ben moore black is Raccoon fur. I put it in my husband’s office! 2nd fave is SW Tricorn, but is lighter. Always be careful of the pesky undertones! A client went rogue after a consult, thought my suggestion was too light and ended up with a purple house!
We painted our first house Wrought Iron and loved it, but when we moved and had to choose a color for our new place we did everything we could to NOT use it again because it felt so boring not to try something different. We considered (agonized over!) most of the blacks you noted here and ended up with…Wrought Iron! It’s such a beautiful color, greens pop against it, and it’ makes an excellent backdrop for photos. I’m looking forward to seeing what you choose, but I definitely have a favorite:)
I didn’t think Wrought Iron was my favorite when I saw your instagram stories but I love it on the inspiration picture you shared! I think going a touch lighter like Wrought Iron would look beautiful next to your black windows, dark trim and lush landscaping.
I LOVE Blacktop! And wrought iron is my second favorite ????
Julia, these are all beautiful. In my mind, what it comes down to is whether or not you want the trim of the black windows and dining room doors to pop or blend in. With the deep charcoals (Iron Ore, Nightfall, Iron Mountain), the black trim really pops. With the deeper blacks (Black Magic), the trim is beautifully seamless. I think the best sample is where you can see the black window trim, the roofing material (since your roofline is very prominent) and the paint sample on wood all together. Good luck!
I love Blacktop best!!!
Really digging the Graphite/Onyx combo!
I have a black house, we painted it Benjamin Moore Black Panther, the trim is SW Tricorn Black. The swatch initially looked to have a purple undertone but up on the house it doesn’t at all. Really pretty. Choosing the color of the exterior was one of the hardest decisions, black is really tricky.
Thank you for sharing this! We are fixing up a colonial style house with tired white siding and I want to go with a dark color whenever we’re ready to update… this is a perfect resource. Your house is looking amazing and I can’t wait to see the finished exterior!
These are all stunning! I love the direction you’re headed! It’s been so inspiring to watch this unfold. My house is up for painting next year, so you’re giving me lots of outside-the-box ideas to test in Photoshop.
This may not help, as its interior, but I tested many dark colors for my modern/rustic cottage bar/entertainment area. It has a mix of finished and unfinished wood, as well as copper, bronze and iron metal tones. The bar top is an organic shaped walnut slab (very pronounced dark and light grain) that my husband finished. It also has a steel gray honed granite top. Benjamin Moore Onyx pulled everything together perfectly. I have BM Thunder on the walls. Super dark and moody. We love it, as do friends who visit. I literally have a paint store full of testers in my storage area, as I repaint frequently. The artist in me needs constant change. The bar area is one I wouldn’t touch as I love it just as it is!