What Color to Paint a House With a Green Roof

If your roof is painted green, you might be struggling to pick an exterior house paint color that complements—rather than clashes with—the vibrant hue. And while it’s true that green is not as neutral as a black or brown roof, there are still a handful of shades that will help you achieve just about any look, whether you want a bright and buoyant façade or one that’s muted and calm. 

Keep reading to find out more about what color you should paint a house with a green roof, as well as other factors to consider before making a final choice, like how your home’s architecture impacts the overall look and what your homeowners association will and won’t allow. 

1. White

When it comes to matching paint to a green roof, you can almost never go wrong with a neutral shade like white. White siding provides a nice contrast to green, and you can use the pairing to create multiple different styles, from farmhouse to colonial. Try adding light gray trim and accents to modernize the look. 

For inspiration:

• Sherwin-Williams Extra White 

• Benjamin Moore® White Heron 

• Clare Fresh Kicks 

• BEHR® Frost 57 

2. Cream, Beige, or Taupe

These three shades are all fair game when searching for a color to pair with your green roof. Cream provides a contrast that’s similar to white without being quite as stark. On the other hand, beige and taupe are a bit closer to brown on the color wheel, so these shades conjure images of lush forests when coupled with green. Get the most out of a cream or beige by using the lighter hues on your window trim, shutters, fascia, soffits, front door, and garage door. Then, follow up with a darker taupe to add dimension to your home while setting the tone for that striking green roof.

For inspiration:

• Clare Neutral Territory 

• Sherwin-Williams Taupe of the Morning 

• Benjamin Moore® Soft Chamois 

• BEHR® Plateau 

3. Yellow

Yellow and green may seem like polar opposites, but the truth is these two shades work surprisingly well together. While pros generally recommend pale yellow exterior paint colors for green roofs, bright hues aren’t off-limits—it all depends on your roof’s exact shade of green. In general, a darker, more muted green will benefit from a bright yellow pairing, whereas paler yellows will better complement light green paint. 

If you do go with a bright yellow, muting some of that brightness with white accents is a good way to ensure your home doesn’t feel overwhelmingly yellow. Keep the yellow as a siding and utilize a bright white for other parts of your home’s exterior. On the other hand, if you go for pale yellow, you might want to throw in a dark slate gray for your shutters, door, and outdoor light fixtures.

For inspiration:

• BEHR® Bicycle Yellow 

• Clare Lemonade  

• Sherwin-Williams Icy Lemonade 

• Benjamin Moore® Hawthorne Yellow 

4. Red

Though red and green may seem like a better fit for Christmas, there are plenty of red exterior paint colors that look good alongside a green roof. In general, avoid bright, primary reds for the best results (and to ensure your home doesn’t look like it’s perpetually decorated for the holidays). 

For inspiration:

• Benjamin Moore® Spanish Red 

• Clare Big Apple  

• BEHR® Torch Red 

• Sherwin-Williams Flower Pot 

5. Brown

If you’ve always dreamt of living in a cabin in the woods, pairing a green roof with brown house paint will give you that same cozy feeling without you having to move. Different shades of brown will have a different impact on the way your house looks and feels, so keep that in mind as you go about your search. For example, dark brown paired with green will give your home a spooky vibe, whereas a light brown will make it look distinctly like a Swiss chalet.

For inspiration:

• Sherwin-Williams Renwick Golden Oak 

• Benjamin Moore® Copper Mine 

• BEHR® Nut Brown 

• Sherwin-Williams Burnished Brandy 

6. Gray

If you’re looking for a way to mute a vibrant green roof, gray house paint is perfect for the job. The various shades of gray are a natural fit for toning down bright greens and complimenting pale ones. The combination creates the appearance of gray clouds above a grassy knoll—perfect for those who love to curl up with a good book on a rainy day.

For inspiration:

• Clare Wink 

• Sherwin-Williams Mineral Deposit 

• Benjamin Moore® Arctic Shadows 

• Benjamin Moore® Storm Cloud Gray 

7. Green

A green-on-green palette may seem like a lot, but you can never have too much of a good thing. Using just one shade across both your roof and siding creates a monotone effect that’s as cool-looking as it is functional. You can also pair two different varieties of green for a bit of contrast, like mint green with forest green or seafoam green with moss green. 

Some homes even go so far as to have a darker shade of green on the front of the home and a lighter color on the sides. If you have a dark green roof, try using sage green for your siding and white or beige accents and trim. If you go for a monotone look, throw some natural wood into the mix for your shutters, window frames, doors, posts, fencing, and more for the ultimate down-to-earth home.

For inspiration:

• Benjamin Moore® Lime Twist 

• BEHR® Gingko 

• Sherwin-Williams Green Vibes 

• Clare OMGreen 

Tips for Choosing a Color to Paint a House With a Green Roof 

Now that you know what colors you can paint a house with a green roof, consider a few factors to determine exactly which one is the best option for your home.

Consider Your Home’s Architectural Style

When deciding on the best color for your home’s siding, think about how your home is built and the other exterior features at play. If your home is built from dark brick, for example, it may be more trouble than it’s worth to try to paint it pale yellow. 

You also need to consider the colors of your garage door, window trim, gutters, and front door, especially if you’re not planning on changing them. While red siding may mesh well with a green roof, the results won’t look as good if you also have a front door color like bright yellow. 

Take Landscaping and Decor Into Account

What you have in your front yard and right beside your door also has an impact on the color scheme of your home. Make sure that you’re picking a shade that also matches the color of your flowers, decor (think rocking chair and welcome mats), and the type of lawn that you have (whether it’s grass, wood chips, or something else).

Test Your Paint

Before committing to a color, apply a small amount of paint to a part of your home that’s not easily visible. That way, you can see what it will look like and decide whether or not it’s the right fit for you before making a huge investment. 

Sometimes, home improvement stores or local paint stores will give you very small samples for free, or you can purchase peel-and-stick paint swatches that are slowly becoming all the rage. Just make sure you check in on your swatch throughout the day so that you can see how the paint color appears in different lights. 

Consult Your HOA

Although it would be nice to pick any color and run with it, every homeowners association has different rules and regulations that determine what you can and can’t use. Find out what your HOA’s painting guidelines are before you even start your house paint search so you don’t wind up committed to something that you can’t actually use.

If your HOA is particularly concerned about the final look of your home, you may want to reach out to a local exterior painter to ensure you get the best finish possible and don’t end up with a less-than-positive letter from your HOA. 

Audrey Bruno contributed to this piece.