The Best Color Choices for a House With a Brown Roof

If you’re wondering what house colors go with a brown roof, you’re in luck. Brown is a neutral color, which opens the door for a ton of attractive paint pairings. Whether you’re looking for a little inspiration or putting the final touches on a remodeling project, here are six considerations for the right house color if you have a brown roof.

1. White

This color is a classic for a reason (and it’s a particularly flattering exterior color for an historic home). Not only will it make your roof a significant focal point, but it’s also a great choice if you’re looking for an overall crisp, clean vibe. If you want a bit of depth within this more standard palette, consider an off-white color with warm undertones.  

For inspiration: 

• Sherwin-Williams Pure White 

• BEHR® Ultra Pure White 

• Benjamin Moore® White Dove

• Valspar® Ultra White  

2. Taupes and Beiges

Believe it or not, beige is anything but bland. For one, it’s a universal neutral that can work in nearly any location. Its color palette cousin, taupe, comes from brown and gray shades, and it’s perfect for adding character. Beige and taupe are especially good paint colors to complement brick features on your exterior, too.

For inspiration:

• BEHR® Harvest Brown

• Valspar® Villa Grey

• Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige

• Clare Turbinado

3. Yellows

Yellows have range. Deeper variations have red hues, while lighter ones carry a hint of blue. Depending on your personal preference, a light yellow house color for a brown roof can be a solid choice because of its monochromatic tendencies. When combined, light yellow and brown offer an eye-popping contrast.

For inspiration: 

• Sherwin-Williams Daybreak

• Clare Golden Hour 

• Sherwin-Williams Lemon Twist

• Benjamin Moore® Golden Honey

4. Terra Cotta

While you may associate terra-cotta with Spanish design, this color can work with nearly any style. Specifically, the color’s red undertones pair nicely with a warm-hued brown roof. Plus, the way this color catches the light can make your home look bright and welcoming during the day.

For inspiration: 

• Valspar® Terra Cotta Red

• BEHR® Terra Cotta Clay 

• Glidden® Dusty Terra Cotta 

• Sherwin-Williams Rookwood Terra Cotta

5. Greens

Green and brown are earth tones, making them an aesthetically pleasing, soothing pairing. Consider sage green with white accents for a conventional look or a pale pistachio for an unassuming presentation. But if you’re looking for a shade with a “wow” factor, deep forest green is the way to go. This color scheme is also a nice exterior paint color for a Craftsman-style house.

For inspiration: 

• Sherwin-Williams Soft Sage 

• BEHR® Thai Basil 

• Clare Money Moves

• Clare All The Sage 

6. Blues

Blue works wonders as a house color for brown roofs, and there are tons of complementary shades to choose from. When paired with a brown roof, dark blue gives off an elegant essence, while sky blue can lighten the overall look. 

For inspiration: 

• Sherwin-Williams Stardew 

• Clare Summer Friday 

• BEHR® Hemisphere 

• BEHR® Blue Moon Bay 

Tips to Coordinate Your Exterior and Roof Colors 

The number one tip when matching any house color and roof color is to ensure you like the combination. There are a few design tips worth keeping in mind, though, including ones that go beyond checking the color wheel.

Consider Your Climate

Climate matters when choosing a roof color and siding color. Generally, the color of your roof should be darker than the house’s exterior color. Homes in hot climates fare better with lighter-colored shingles and exterior paint, as light colors reflect heat rather than absorb it. On the other hand, homes in colder climates can go darker, as deeper hues can help absorb sunlight and retain heat. 

You also want to consider what exterior paint formula is best for your goals and geographic location. For example, if you’re in a hotter climate, pick a paint with a higher heat resistance. 

Take a Look at Neighboring Houses

While paint can be a vessel for creativity, you don’t want to get too carried away. Consider your location and what’s been done before. Instead of matching, take inspiration from your neighbors’ paint choices. You might find a way to complement their choices while giving your home a unique touch (and avoiding standing out too much). 

Pay Attention to Tone

When exploring what paint goes with a brown roof, it’s important to know that you have some freedom. Warm tones—such as beige, yellow, and terra-cotta—bring a fun, natural energy to an exterior. You can mix and match variations of these colors with one another for a traffic-stopping look. 

On the literal opposite end of the spectrum, cool tones, like blues and greens, are popular exterior paint colors for a brown roof because of the variety within their color wheels. You can match cool hues or weave them together in the form of trim or shutter colors for slight variations that offer subtle yet intriguing contrast.

Consult Your HOA

No matter how often you paint your home, if you live under a homeowners association (HOA), you’ll want to make sure your painting project is HOA compliant before you break out the brushes. 

Ensure that your perfect hue is good to go with your HOA, and be aware of any scheduling restrictions your HOA might have in place for renovations such as painting. The cost of painting the exterior of your house can be a big expense, so it’s always better to ask for permission before painting rather than having to redo the whole thing later.

Consider Your Home’s Accents

Other parts of your home’s exterior can influence the best color of exterior house paint to complement your brown roof. For example, white accents—like your shutters, gutters, window trim, or garage door—work nicely to contrast brown hues. Consider adding white to your home’s exterior wardrobe, as it can bring charm to any exterior color you choose, be it green, blue, beige, terra-cotta, or yellow. 

Alternatively, you can match your window trim and front door color with your roof. This works especially well when you opt for a light exterior paint color, like white, light blue, or sage, for added contrast.

Cost to Paint Your Home Exterior 

The cost to paint the exterior of a house ranges widely. The average cost is around $3,150, but that figure may not reflect the price of your project since many different factors play into it. Some of those factors include:

• The size of the house

• The number of stories

• The type of siding on the house

• The type of paint used

• The condition of the previous coating of paint

With all those details taken into account, the price can be anywhere from $600 to $7,500.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Painting a house yourself will naturally save money compared to hiring a pro. The downside is this task is labor-intensive and potentially dangerous if your home has multiple stories. You’ll also have to prepare the surface, make repairs, and apply primer, which will take you much longer than a pro. While hiring a local exterior painter is more expensive, you’ll get what you pay for—a beautiful, long-lasting paint job on your home.

Staci Parks and Allie Ogletree contributed to this piece.