21 Exterior Color Ideas for Red Brick Houses That Turn Heads
Choosing the right exterior color ideas for red brick houses is one of the most impactful and agonized-over decisions a homeowner can make. The warm, earthy tones of red brick are beautiful on their own, but the wrong trim, door, or shutter color can make your home look dated, muddy, or mismatched. The good news? With the right palette, your brick home can look like it belongs on the cover of a design magazine. Whether you prefer classic, contemporary, or cottagecore, these 21 ideas will guide every brushstroke. Exterior color is one of the highest-impact home decorating ideas you can act on. A fresh palette changes how the entire property feels from the street.
What Makes These Color Combinations Work
Red brick has undertones of orange, brown, or even purple, and the best exterior color pairings work with those undertones, not against them. Cool whites clash with warm bricks; creamy whites harmonize. Dark doors create drama while light shutters add airiness. Understanding this interplay is the foundation of every idea below. Color on the outside is just the beginning. Browse all our outdoor decorating ideas to see how paint and materials work alongside landscaping, decking, and fencing. Once your exterior color is locked in, make sure the layout supports it. These front yard visual flow ideas help you arrange landscaping so the color palette reads as intentional from the curb.
Why This Matters
Your home’s exterior is its first impression for guests, neighbors, and potential buyers. Studies show curb appeal can increase a home’s value by up to 7%. A well-chosen color palette communicates care and intention before anyone even steps inside, often more effectively than any single interior update could. Extend your exterior color thinking to every horizontal surface. These deck stain color coordination ideas show how to pick a stain that either matches or deliberately contrasts with the house.
1. Crisp White Trim with a Black Front Door
The most timeless pairing for red brick. Bright white trim (try Benjamin Moore’s “White Dove”) frames your brick beautifully, while a matte black door adds modern sophistication. Add black house numbers and light fixtures to complete the look. This combo works on ranches, colonials, and craftsman styles alike. Front door paint kits with primer, Rust-Oleum Door Paint Kit in Teal or similar
2. Navy Blue Shutters and Door
Navy is red brick’s best friend. The cool depth of navy creates a striking contrast without clashing. Pair with white or off-white trim for a classic New England feel. Try Sherwin-Williams “Naval” for shutters and doors.
3. Sage Green Shutters
Soft sage green pulls the natural greens of your landscaping up to your roofline. It feels organic, calm, and beautifully cottagecore. Works especially well with brown-toned bricks.
4. Creamy Off-White Trim
Skip stark white and go creamy; it warms the overall palette and softens the look. Benjamin Moore’s “Navajo White” is a popular choice that harmonizes with orange-red bricks without yellowing.
5. Charcoal Gray Roof + White Trim
A dark charcoal roof grounds the warm brick while white trim lifts the eye. This three-tone combination of brick, charcoal, and white is endlessly elegant and suits contemporary ranch-style homes perfectly.
6. Forest Green Front Door
A deep forest green door on a red brick house feels lush and distinguished. Think of English country manor energy. Add brass hardware for warmth and a potted boxwood on each side for structure.
7. Tan or Sand-Colored Trim
For a more monochromatic, earthy approach, use tan or sand trim that mirrors the mortar between bricks. This low-contrast look feels cohesive and sophisticated, especially on sprawling ranch homes.
8. Burgundy or Oxblood Shutters
Tone-on-tone works beautifully here. Deep burgundy shutters echo the red in the brick while adding depth. This creates a rich, layered look that photographs beautifully in autumn. Shutter hardware kits and exterior shutter paint, Rust-Oleum Shutter paint, or similar
9. Slate Blue-Gray Shutters
Slate is cooler than navy and softer than gray. It gives red brick a coastal, relaxed personality. Great for homes in the South or Mid-Atlantic where a breezy feel is desirable.
10. Black Shutters + Black Door
All-black accents on red brick are bold, modern, and dramatic. It works especially well when your brick is a deeper, darker red. Keep trim white to avoid the look of feeling heavy.
11. Turquoise Front Door
For the adventurous homeowner, a turquoise or teal door pops brilliantly against red brick. It’s unexpected, cheerful, and highly Pinterest-worthy. Balance it with neutral white trim and simple landscaping.
12. Warm Gray Trim
A greige (gray-beige) trim bridges the gap between warm brick and modern gray trends. It’s subtle, sophisticated, and works with nearly every brick undertone.
13. Red Door (Yes, Really)
A red door on a red brick house? Done right, it’s stunning. Choose a red that’s slightly different in tone, deeper, more plum, or more orange to create tonal contrast. A red door is also said to symbolize welcome in many cultures.
14. White Brick Wash + Black Trim
Partially limewashing or whitewashing your brick, then adding black trim, modernizes a traditional facade dramatically. This semi-DIY approach gives you a fresh, Scandinavian-inspired exterior.
15. Olive Green Trim
Olive is earthier than sage and pairs beautifully with warm, orange-toned bricks. It feels vintage, editorial, and surprisingly elegant on Cape Cods and bungalows.
16. Yellow Ochre Shutters
A bold, unexpected choice, but yellow ochre shutters warm up darker bricks and evoke Mediterranean or historical American charm. Pair with a simple white trim to keep it balanced.
17. Bronze or Copper Accents
Less a paint color and more a material choice, bronze window frames, copper gutters, and aged metal light fixtures complement the natural warmth of red brick without needing a single drop of paint.
18. Light Blue-Gray Front Door
A soft, muted powder blue door feels calming and charming on a red brick facade. It’s less dramatic than navy but infinitely more interesting than white.
19. Dark Brown Trim
Chocolate brown trim on red brick creates a woodsy, cabin-inspired look. It’s particularly effective on homes surrounded by mature trees. Try Sherwin-Williams “Kona” for depth.
20. Greige Garage Door
Don’t neglect the garage; it’s often 30% of your visible facade. A greige or warm gray garage door ties together a neutral trim palette while letting the brick remain the star.
21. Classic Black + Iron Rail Combo
Wrap it all together with matte black trim, black iron railings, and a bold black front door. This all-black exterior accent approach on red brick is strikingly modern and highly popular in real estate staging.
Quick Action Plan
- Weekend 1: Identify your brick’s undertone in natural light (orange, brown, or purple-red).
- Weekend 2: Order 3-5 paint sample pots and test them on a poster board held against the brick.
- Weekend 3: Choose your trim color first, then door, then shutters.
- Week 4: Paint in the proper sequence: trim first, then doors, then shutters last.
Exterior color doesn’t stop at the siding; consider how your plantings read against the house, too, with these front yard plant color ideas that use heuchera’s wide color range to accent the facade.
FAQs
Conclusion
The right exterior color ideas for red brick houses don’t just boost curb appeal; they give your home a personality and a story. Whether you gravitate toward classic white trim, bold navy doors, or moody charcoal accents, there’s a palette on this list that will make your brick home truly shine. Start with your undertones, test before you commit, and let your home reflect the beauty and care you bring to everything.
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