The 10 Best Shutter Colors for a White House

With a white canvas, any color can make your home a work of art

white home with picket fence and black window shutters
Photo: Jon Lovette / Stone / Getty Images
white home with picket fence and black window shutters
Photo: Jon Lovette / Stone / Getty Images
Mizuki Hisaka
Written by Mizuki Hisaka
Contributing Writer
Updated August 22, 2023
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You can totally transform the look of your plain, white house by choosing the right paint color for your shutters. From keeping it simple to making your house as eye-catching as possible, this guide will give you inspiration with some of the best shutter colors for a white house.

Once you have an idea of which color you’d like to go with, your local exterior painter can help bring your vision to life.

1. Black

Black wooden window shutters on white exterior, including different tones of black paint
Photo: Jon Lovette / Stone / Getty Images

There’s a reason why black and white has been in style for so long. This color combo is simple, chic, and contemporary. The black shutters will pop majestically against your white house, lending a bold vibe without flashy colors. 

Having a monochrome home exterior means that any colorful flowers in your garden will pop beautifully, and you still have a blank slate to work with for your interior color scheme. 

For inspiration:

2. Muted Blue

Window with muted blue shutters surrounded by a bougainvillea, including different tones of blue paint
Photo: Raquel Pedrosa / Adobe Stock

Although there are plenty of different blues to choose from, muted blues are a popular choice since they offer a light and airy aesthetic. The soft tones complement your white home without the harsh contrast of a navy or an aqua. Soft blue doesn’t have to mean pale either—a smoky gray-toned blue can be a beautiful choice, too. Muted blues look great in coastal areas against the sea and sky, but they can fit nicely inland as well. 

For inspiration:

3. Light Gray

Small white house with gray window shutters, including different tones of gray paint
Photo: Allison / Adobe Stock

If you want a farmhouse vibe with a modern spin, consider painting your shutters light gray. Just like with the muted blue shutters, the light gray offers an accent without too much contrast. Pair the shutters with matching planters underneath the windows for a sleek look.

Light gray and white are a great neutral color combination that have been used together in both interiors and exteriors for years. While incorporating more color is increasing in popularity, this is still a good choice since anyone looking to add subtle sophistication to their homefront.

For inspiration:

4. White

White wooden window shutters, including different tones of white paint
Photo: sergojpg / Adobe Stock

It might seem like an odd choice at first to opt for white-on-white shutters. However, it’s a great idea if you’re looking for something that’s sleek and elegant. You’ll want to match the shutter paint color exactly with the home paint color for the best results rather than mixing and matching with different shades of white.

If you’re planning to sell the house anytime soon, this is also a safe option to keep your home appeal high for a wider range of buyers, as bold colors are not everyone’s cup of tea.

For inspiration:

5. Olive Green

White house with olive green window shutters, including different tones of green paint
Photo: GAPS / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

For something boldly colorful without being blinding, consider olive green. The earthy tones complement any trees or foliage around your house, and your home will subtly stand out among the rest of the buildings in your neighborhood.

Even if your home isn’t nestled among trees, the olive green shutters will bring a little touch of nature to your city house.

For inspiration:

6. Light Blue

Window with light blue shutters and flower box, including different tones of light blue paint
Photo: meanmachine77 / Adobe Stock

Bright, light blue shutters on a white home add charm. A vibrant blue looks great against a beautiful, clear sky and adds a playful vibe to welcome you home. While black and gray shutters are classic and more serious, choose light blue if you’re looking for something lively.

For inspiration:

7. Light Brown

White suburban home exterior with brown shutters, including different tones of brown paint
Photo: JTGrafix / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

If black and gray aren’t speaking to you but you’d like to go with something neutral, consider light brown and tan tones. This can work especially well if you try to match the shutter colors to your roof color. You may not be able to get exactly the same shade because your roof and siding are likely made from different materials, but you can get close enough to give your home a pleasant, cohesive look.

For inspiration:

8. Light Pink

Country house with porch and pink window shutters, including different tones of pink paint
Photo: Javani LLC / Adobe Stock

This isn’t everyone’s first choice for exterior paint house colors, but if pink is your thing, consider going all out with light pink shutters—It’s fun! You can also think about pairing the shutters with a matching colored door for a home that’ll be the talk of your block.

This color choice, while eye-catching, is best suited for your own long-term home rather than a house you’re planning to sell.

For inspiration:

9. Muted Red

Large home with muted red window shutters, including different tones of red paint
Photo: JamesBrey / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Red shutters on a white house have a bold look with a hint of that homey, farmhouse vibe. Don’t worry: It doesn’t have to be fire engine red. There are a range of muted reds to choose from depending on the vision you have. 

You might go with something with a hint of orange, or maybe a deep purple-based tone is more up your alley. Whatever you choose, you can be assured that your shutters will pop.

For inspiration:

10. Warm Yellow

White cottage with yellow window shutters, including different tones of yellow paint
Photo: Susan Vineyard / Adobe Stock

Yellow might seem like a color that’s too bright and bold for your shutters, but there are so many great shades that could be a perfect fit. Many muted tones are bright without being loud like light yellows with tan undertones or warm yellows with an orange base.

Go with a tan-based yellow if you want to keep things chic, while the orange undertones are great for infusing personality into your house without going overboard.

For inspiration:

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Learn more about our contributor
Mizuki Hisaka
Written by Mizuki Hisaka
Contributing Writer
Mizuki Hisaka is a freelance writer with 6+ years of experience. She's written for various companies, websites, and publications, including The Knot, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, The Inquisitr, and more.
Mizuki Hisaka is a freelance writer with 6+ years of experience. She's written for various companies, websites, and publications, including The Knot, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, The Inquisitr, and more.
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