Selecting the Perfect Shutter Color

What Are the Most Popular Shutter Colors?

There are many shutter colors to choose from, but the most popular is a stately black. Because they fit with any home exterior, black shutters are universally appealing. White is another popular exterior shutter color. They make windows appear larger and have an airy, crisp look. Navy blue shutters and gray shutters are common favorites, while deep greens are a popular shutter color for natural-tone home exteriors.

Why Shutter Color is Important

Window shutter colors can have a huge impact on the look of your home exterior. They are often used to display the accent color in your home’s exterior color scheme. Most exterior color palettes utilize three colors. The largest area is taken up by the base color, which covers most of the exterior walls. Then, there is a trim color, usually white or cream, though Tudor and Victorian houses traditionally have dark trim. Some homeowners get creative with the trim color and incorporate another hue into their ;exterior color scheme. The relationship between window trim and shutter color is important to consider, as they will be right next to one another.

Finally, the third color is the accent color. Your home’s accent color generally is expressed by the color of shutters, doors, and other details. In addition, the accent color is the best place to get creative as it is the easiest to change and typically is the part of your exterior palette that is the most flexible in hue. You'll see a lot more variation in the accent colors on homes than the base or trim color, both of which are often neutral. The accent color is where your personality can truly shine.

So why is the exterior shutter color so important? Because the accent color is what makes your home pop. It can be the standout color or the color that ties it all together. And, it’s a great way to show your personality. Let’s dive into some outdoor shutter colors and their best applications.

Black Shutters

Traditional and timeless. Black exterior shutters work well on virtually any home. They add definition and a touch of elegance. This shutter color looks good with any exterior color, from white to red to brown to gray, you can’t go wrong. Black shutters also complement brick, stucco, and stone beautifully. Much like a little black dress, they are flattering in any context.

Navy Blue Shutters

Buttoned-up and lustrous. Dark blue shutters are a great way to give definition and stray from the common black shutter yet maintain a traditional look that just has a bit more personality. If you have tan siding or stone, midnight blue shutters really pop. Other colors and exteriors that work well: white. Cream, and off-white, yellow, gray, red brick, natural cedar shakes, and even a monochromatic look with a lighter blue exterior.

Gray Shutters

Modern yet classic. Gray exterior shutters are installed on a wide variety of homes. They have a distinctly updated feel, without being too “trendy.” Gray and dark grey shutters have staying power as exterior design is moving towards more white-tinted, pastel, and muted neutrals. Gray shutters play nicely with many colors, from light neutrals like white, cream, and taupe, to blue, various jewel tones, dark gray, brick, stucco, and stone. Gray shutters make a subdued statement - a subtle nod to current design without going over-the-top.

White Shutters

Clean, airy, and bright. White exterior shutters may be second in popularity to black shutters, due also to their timelessness and broad spectrum of complementary colors and materials. White shutters, particularly when the window trim is white, will make windows look larger. They are an excellent match for bold colors and neutrals alike. A stunning combination when paired with stone and natural wood shakes, white shutters are a safe bet for any exterior.

Dark Brown Shutters

Handsome and stately. Dark brown shutters are also quite common, especially for homes that emphasize earth tones. A great option for homeowners who want an exterior palette of natural colors and textures to still look polished and refined. Dark brown shutters complement colors such as olive green, shades of brown from tan to mocha, light grey and dark red. They also work well on stucco, stone, and brown brick.

Green Shutters

Verdant and tranquil. Green exterior shutters are quite popular, particularly deep hues of dark green shutters, such as hunter green and Charleston green. These shades of green have been popular since colonial times, giving you another option for a traditional look. Dark green shutters look excellent on brick, yellow, neutrals from white to brown to tan to gray, and complement stone and stucco beautifully. Lighter sage green has also been popular in more recent years, especially on earth-tone homes and natural materials such as tan stone and stucco.

Blue Shutters

Charming and serene. Blue shutters are highly favored as well. Many homeowners opt for a deep cornflower blue, which is pretty and grounding but less serious than navy. Medium blues are great shutter colors for a variety of home exteriors. Much like a pair of blue jeans, they go with almost anything, including exterior colors like white, cream, tan, gray, red, and yellow. They also look great on stone, brick, and stucco. A lighter shade, such as powder blue, looks great on dark grey, tan stone, white and off-whites.

Red Shutters

Vibrant and bold. Red shutters are another popular choice that offers a statement with a classic look. Red doors are a favorite, and homeowners oftentimes want their shutters to match. Depending on the shade, bright red or dark red, different home exteriors complement red exterior shutters differently. Bright red shutters look great on white, cream, tan, gray, blue, pale yellow, brick, stucco, and tan stone. Dark red shutters work well with all of the above, in addition to deeper colors like olive, navy, and brown.

Earth-Tone Shutters

Clean and earthy. Tan shutters, natural wood shutters, and olive shutters are quite versatile. The lighter shades have a window-enlarging effect similar to white shutters, but without looking as stark. Darker tones are warmer, more subtle alternative to grey and black. Earth-tone shutters are beautiful when paired with other earth tones, including olive, deep green, brown, and rusty reddish-orange. They also look great with gray, navy, white, cream, brick, and blue-tinted stone.

Purple Shutters

Mysterious and elegant. Purple shutters are great for those who want a bold color choice that still plays nicely with their exterior palette. Dark purple shutters, like plum shutters, are more versatile than lighter shades. Deep purple shutters work well with tan, cream, grey, deep green, olive, brick, stucco, or stone. Lighter purple shutters, depending on whether they lean violet or periwinkle, can work with various lighter shades of exterior colors. Shades of blue and gray will look good with bluish purple shutters, whereas violet shutters work better with warm neutrals like tan and cream.

So, you see, you can go bold or subtle, classic or contemporary. The best shutter colors are the ones that resonate with your personal taste. For more information on Timberlane’s Premium Paint shutter colors, custom color matching, and other finishes, visit our page on Shutter Finishes.