Exterior Color of the Week: Bewitching Black

Like a certain subset of teens who came of age during the 1980s, I had a brief flirtation with the goth look, sporting black from head to toe, complete with dyed black hair, dark makeup and nail polish, and, of course, all-black clothes and shoes. At some point I came to my senses and discovered color once again, and while I am still a sucker for the perfect little black dress, I tend to prefer more vibrant colors on and around me.

But I’ve been noticing a clear trend toward the dark side when it comes to home exteriors, and I’m an enthusiastic fan. It started with the occasional glossy black front door I started to spot with increasing frequency and has since moved on to entire houses clad in the dark hue. In this week’s installment of our exterior paint color series, we take a look at some fantastic examples of black painted homes, as well as ideas for exterior color palettes that feature black as the main hue.

While I would make the case that black can be used on just about any style of home, I would not necessarily recommend it for every climate or geographical location. Because dark colors absorb more sunlight and heat than lighter hues, it may not be the best choice in a predominantly hot and sunny climate. Not only will your energy costs go up, as your air conditioner will have to kick in more often to offset the heat absorption, but you may also need to repaint sooner because the black hue will be more susceptible to fading and weathering.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you live someplace that is sunshine-deprived, or if your lot is heavily wooded, black may appear too dark and heavy and therefore feel oppressive. It is best, then, for mostly sunny yet mild climates.


Black is a surprisingly flexible exterior color in that it can offer a slick and elegant vibe, as in the first example, or go more down-to-earth and rustic, as shown here. The key to upping the charm is to work in native natural elements, such as wood and stone, that are reflected back in the surrounding environment. Landscaping will also help soften the impact of this striking color choice.


Think about how you can use contrasting hues as a tool to set off interesting shapes, elements and features on your home. Black and an off-white hue have been used to play up the recessed deck on the handsome contemporary home here.


Of course black need not be limited to modern- and contemporary-style homes. It looks fantastic on a wide range of architectural styles. I think the key to working with it is to pay attention to scale and contrast. Break it up with a light trim and accent color, but only if you have good-looking accents to showcase. Another bonus to using black as the body color for your home is that, as it’s a neutral, you can pair it with any color you like for your front door.


You can more easily pull off a dramatic siding color if you have generous glazing on your home. If this home had few windows and were painted solid black, it could appear a bit too heavy and somber. But because of the ample large windows, as well as the two-toned color scheme, the black is more of an accent and offers just the right amount of drama.

Also, with the darker color on top and the lighter color on bottom, the house feels less towering. Conversely, if you put a darker color on the bottom and a lighter on top with a home like this, it will look tall and substantial.


Dark colors tend to make a home seem smaller but the lot larger, so if you have a large home on a small lot, a dark color will help to visually bring it down to scale. Also, If you have wood siding on your home, you can soften the impact of the dark hue by using a semitransparent or semisolid stain. This will allow some of the grain to show through, which adds a nice texture.


I entered my goth phase slowly, with a few choice articles of black clothing and black nail polish to start. Similarly, If you like the look of some of these homes but just aren’t ready to commit to an entire house clad in black, think about using it in smaller doses. Just keep in mind that contrasting colors make things stand out, so keep elements like a less-than-attractive garage or screen door, or gutters and downspouts, the same color as whatever surrounds it, and save the contrasting schemes for elements that are worthy of the extra attention.


Try These Palettes

Because black is such a dramatic color choice on a house, I prefer pairing it with a natural wood or steel door, letting the black take center stage. But a neutral blue-gray door teamed with a soft, cool white trim and the black makes a great exterior palette.

Siding color: Japanese Sable
Trim color: Whale Bone
Front door and accent color: Chance of Showers

All from Kelly-Moore


Nothing is more welcoming than a bright red door. This classic color palette is another strong option when working with black.

Siding color: Blacktop
Trim color: Silver Satin
Front door and accent color: Night Flower

All from Benjamin Moore


This palette is for the truly adventurous. I think it would work best on a contemporary-style home with minimalist, low-profile trim.

Siding color: Greenblack
Trim color: Grizzle Gray
Front door and accent color: Impetuous

All from Sherwin-Williams

Tell us: Tastefully stylish or too somber? What do you think of the black-clad trend for houses?

See more exterior colors: Navy | Orange | Green | Gray | Red

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