Take your shutters from drab to fab
Window shutters aren’t just for controlling the amount of sunlight that enters a space or providing an added level of privacy and security. They also represent a prime opportunity to add a bit of personal flair to your exterior. An easy way to change up the look of your shutters is to apply a fresh coat of paint.
Learning how to paint your shutters is easy, but picking the perfect shutter paint colors that bring out the natural beauty of your windows might be a bit harder. That’s where we come in. We’ve gathered 10 exceptional shutter paint colors that are sure to make a great impression for a very long time.
As far as shutter paint colors go, gray might actually be the most versatile option there is, depending on the tone. Most gray paints are fairly neutral and soft, with light reflective hues that work on nearly any surface, including window shutters.
For inspiration:
Clare Chill
Clare Seize The Gray
Valspar® Grey Suit
Benjamin Moore® Gray
You can’t go wrong with a nice navy blue for window shutters, as many DIYers incorporate rich and deep colors as window accents. This bold blue complements a neutral exterior, though it can also beautifully contrast more colorful walls if you choose the right shade.
A light or pale blue is also great to paint shutters with, as these colors tend to hit that sweet spot between hardness and softness. You get a splash of color, but it’s muted, so it won’t draw too much attention from anything else.
For inspiration:
Clare Summer Friday
Sherwin-Williams Stardew
BEHR® Hemisphere
BEHR® Blue Moon Bay
If you have white exterior walls, black is a tried-and-true option for window shutters. This color creates a classic look, allowing other elements of your home’s exterior to take center stage. Certain heavily pigmented blacks also highlight the natural lines and design of the shutters.
For inspiration:
If you need to paint brick on your home, consider a smoky green hue to tie everything together. Otherwise, deep earthy greens add an impactful color splash to the shutters.
For inspiration:
BEHR® Jojoba
Clare All The Sage
BEHR® Flagstaff Green
Clare Money Moves
White shutters are extremely popular, and for good reason. This is a timeless color that matches just about any other exterior fixture. White shutters go well with white window trim, working to make the windows appear larger than life. With white shutters, feel free to go with neutral or bold colors for the rest of the house.
For inspiration:
BEHR® Swiss Coffee
Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa
Benjamin Moore® Cloud White
Valspar® Bistro White
Brown, particularly a darker brown, is a great fit for your shutters. Going with brown creates an elegant aesthetic that further emphasizes earth tones. Browns complement olive green, other browns, gray, and red, among other hues. Additionally, brown goes great with surface types like stucco, stone, and brick.
For inspiration:
Benjamin Moore® Cupcake
BEHR® Moose Trail
Valspar® Swiss Chocolate
Clare Coffee Date
If you want your shutters to really stick out, go with red. Vibrant and bold reds make a statement and beautifully match other brightly colored fixtures throughout the exterior, like colorful front doors and red roofs. Bright red shutters mix well with white, cream, tan, gray, blue, and yellow, while dark red shutters go well with olive, navy blue, and brown.
For inspiration:
BEHR® Flirt Alert
Clare Sriracha
Benjamin Moore® Country Redwood
Clare Big Apple
Yellows in all hues can help create a natural warmth or draw the eye to the shutters and, as such, the windows. If you want something subtle, go with a darker or muted yellow. If you want your personality to truly shine through, experiment with bright, eye-catching tones. You really can’t go wrong here.
For inspiration:
Benjamin Moore® Castleton Mist
Clare Lemonade
Sherwin-Williams Honey Bees
Benjamin Moore® Yellow Brick Road
Beige, tan, and other earth tones are a shutter’s best friend, as they offer a window-enlarging effect similar to white shutters. Darker beiges that approach brown offer a suitable alternative to gray and black, while lighter tones pair well with plenty of other colors, like green, brown, and red.
For inspiration:
Clare Like Buttah
Sherwin-Williams Eaglet Beige
Benjamin Moore® Crumb Cake®
Farrow & Ball Cord
Wait, purple? Yes, purple! This vibrant paint color is a great choice for shutters, especially if you prioritize warm yet bold aesthetics. Generally speaking, a dark purple, like plum, is more versatile than a light purple, but both work when paired with the appropriate counter colors. Deep purple goes well with tan, cream, gray, and green, while light purple is a match for light blue, gray, and other lighter hues.
For inspiration:
BEHR® Bohemianism
Clare Cosmic Vibes
Clare Prince
Benjamin Moore® Majestic Violet
At the end of the day, there is no “right” color to paint a window shutter, as it largely depends on the rest of your exterior, such as the walls, windows, and roof. Personal preference also plays a large role here, as one person’s least favorite color is another person’s favorite. With that said, here are some general tips when deciding on exterior shutter paint colors.
Paint quality matters: Your exterior is completely open and vulnerable to the elements, so choose a high-quality exterior paint that will withstand the rigors of the changing seasons. Acrylic, latex, and oil-based paints all have their pros and cons here, so do some research before settling on a base.
Match or contrast your current aesthetic: There are two schools of thought here. One says that you should match the general design of the remaining exterior, like the walls and roof, and the other says you should contrast pre-existing designs to create a unique color scheme. Both options have their merits, though some homes look better with certain colors than others.
Don’t forget about the trim: The shutters bump up against window trim, so make sure that the colors of both fixtures don’t clash and that they, instead, contrast in a pleasing way. You can also paint the trim and the shutters the same exact color to give the appearance of larger windows.
Call in a pro: If you simply can’t decide on the perfect color or if you’re unsure about the actual process, call in a local exterior painter for a consultation. They’ll have a list of the perfect colors for shutters ready to go.
