If you want to enhance the look of your house in an easy and not too expensive way, then you can count on your shutters! Shutters are available in a wide variety of materials like vinyl, medium density fiber or MDF, synthetic foam, faux wood, and basswood. They are also highly customizable, which means you have a wide array of styles and colors to choose from that will give you the look you want for your house. 

There are four basic types of exterior shutters: raised panel, louvered, board and batten (BnB), and Bermuda. Whatever you choose between those four, you have to pick the best color that will complement your home’s main color. Here are 17 colors to choose from that will make sure your exterior shutter looks amazing and your house becomes more beautiful than ever!


Black Shutters

This is arguably the most popular choice for exterior shutter paints. Black is a well-known versatile color that fits most, if not all, occasions. Design experts like Sue Wadden, Sherwin-Williams’ Director of Color Marketing, guarantee that black shutters are a great way to increase the attractiveness of your house’s exterior. Especially if you have a white house, black shutters will complement it greatly!

Wadden recommends the Tricorn Black SW 6258 to partner with your white exteriors, particularly if you want a classic, elegant look.

Image by WikimediaImages from Pixabay 

A black-and-white palette will never fail you! Moreover, the color combination will highlight the architectural elements of your house’s exterior, according to the creator of Chalk Paint, Annie Sloan. 

If you want your exterior design to look effortlessly sleek and elegant, black shutters are the way to go.


Gray Shutters

Another one of the most considered choices, gray shutters are installed on a lot of homes.

This color evokes a modern yet classic look, an up-to-date look without trying too hard to be voguish.

Gray shutters are not as versatile as black shutters, but they can be nice partners to different colors.

They can complement light neutral colors like cream and white as well as blue hues and jewel tones.

If you have a brick, stone, or stucco exterior, gray shutters can also definitely work well with it. 

Photo by Damien Schnorhk on Unsplash

Light Gray Shutters

This shutter color is best installed on houses with tan-colored exteriors.

Light grey shutters can create an outstandingly beautiful look that is not too basic.

Since gray shutters naturally suggest a classic but modern style, light gray shutters can bring out an elegant vintage look from a house.

This color can enhance the appearance and style of any building.


White Shutters

This color is the second most famous option for shutters. The characteristics of being versatile and timeless are shared between black and white. Both colors can be easily paired with almost any other color and material, but white is especially tolerable for any color you might possibly want to use. However, white shutters are the ultimate match for bold and neutral colors because they let them shine more. In addition to that, white shutters can be great partners to stone and natural wood shakes. 

Photo by Barbare Kacharava on Unsplash

Also, if you want to make your windows look larger, white shutters can easily do the trick for you. This helps more when the window trim is also in white color. 


Bright Red Shutters

If you are someone who wants their house to look vibrant and fun, bright red shutters are one of your best choices.

This color works excellently on white, tan, cream, blue, gray, and pale yellow exterior colors.

You can also use bright red shutters with brick, stucco, and tan stone exteriors.

Bright red is brave and attractive — a perfect choice if you want your exteriors to catch attention.

Image by Q K from Pixabay 

Dark Red Shutters

Do you want something that looks fierce?

If your answer to that is yes, then you should consider dark red shutters as one of your top options.

This color will definitely make a statement without being too spiteful to the eyes.

Dark red shutters are also great at adding warmth to the look of your exteriors while also giving a classic look.

This shutter color can actually be partnered with everything, but it suits olive, brown, and navy blue the most among all.

Photo by Ilya Kozhukhov on Unsplash

Soft Yellow Shutters

If you are after a fun and cozy look, soft yellow shutters are a great choice. This shade of yellow can definitely turn some heads but not hurt the eyes with its brightness.

If you have white, blue, or gray exteriors, soft yellow shutters will definitely look great on your house.

If you want a more summer or charming vibe, a color palette of white, blue, and soft yellow can help you achieve that.

Photo by Fanny Rascle on Unsplash

Buttercream Yellow Shutters

A bright yellow color can be too much for the eyes especially when the sun is shining brightly.

With a buttercream yellow shade, you do not have to worry about your house looking overwhelming.

Buttercream yellow shutters enhance your exterior by making it look more laid-back.

It evokes a soothing aura that cannot be easily attained by any other shade of yellow, especially brighter hues.

Buttercream yellow shutters are perfect combinations with charcoal black and white exteriors, as well as a green environment.

Photo by Véronique Trudel on Unsplash

Dark Green Shutters

Aside from black and white being the top color choices, dark green shutters are quite popular as well. Shades like Charleston green and hunter green are often chosen by homeowners.

Dark green shutters are great choices for yellow, tan, gray, white, and brown exteriors but also complement stucco and stone exteriors as well. In addition to that, brick exteriors can also look a lot better with dark green shutters especially with a green smoke hue. 

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

If you want an expert’s recommendation, the Vice President of Color and Creative Services of Behr Paint, Erika Woelfel, recommends their Black Evergreen paint. This is a great color for your shutters if you want a shade that can greatly enhance your house’s exterior appearance. 


Light Green Shutters

Dark green is a notably great option for your shutters, but light green is not bad either. Since lighter, more refreshing colors are a rising trend recently, light green shutters are a great choice for your home.

This is especially a great match for houses that have earth-tone exteriors and materials like stucco and tan stone. A specifically great choice is a lighter sage green hue that can give your house a calming look.

Image by djedj from Pixabay

Pale Blue Shutters

If you want a shade of blue that is not too strong nor too light, pale blue is what you need. This uplifts your exteriors with a balanced blue hue that does not feel extreme, but casual. Pale blue shutters can definitely catch the attention of anyone who walks by your house.

If you want a lighter shade, powder blue is a great alternative! It works well with dark gray, white, and tan stone. You can partner these shades of blues with a red door or colorful flowers. 

Photo by Milana Jovanov on Unsplash

Blue Shutters

Looking for a color that evokes a sense of peace?

Blue shutters are mostly chosen by people who want a relaxed exterior.

Homeowners particularly choose the deep cornflower blue shade because of its attractiveness without being too dramatic like navy blue.

Balanced or medium blues are great options for home exteriors, not just shutters, because they are also versatile.

They work well with almost everything, but are best paired with red, yellow, cream, tan, gray, and white.

Of course, blue shutters also work well with stone, stucco, and brick exteriors. 

Photo by John Prefer on Unsplash

Navy Blue Shutters

If you want a color that makes a statement but do not feel like going for the dark red color, navy blue can be a great choice!

This is not exactly a fierce color, but it is strikingly beautiful, elegant, and rich-looking.

Navy blue shutters have that bold aura that can easily go well with a neutral-colored exterior. This color is a bit dramatic, but definitely not a messy and overwhelming sight. 

Image by Republica from Pixabay

Dark Purple Shutters

There are people who are not contented with a bit of a dramatic flair — they want something more than that. Dark purple shutters give out a mysterious and elegant look at the same time. You may think that this color is picky when it comes to choosing a partner hue, but no!

Dark purple shutters are even more versatile compared to lighter colors. This color cna make a great combination with deep green, olive, tan, and cream as well as materials like brick, stone, or stucco. 

Image by Bruce Emmerling from Pixabay

Light Purple Shutters

While the darker shade of purple helps add a deep character to your exteriors, light purple shutters can assist in a more relaxed, cute, and fun-looking outer look.

This color can be a great pair to multiple light shades.

If you manage to get shutters with a bluish-purple hue, match it with blue and gray shades for a better outcome. 


Beige Shutters

Some of us just want a comfortable, warm-looking house both on the inside and outside.

Beige shutters look simple, especially with a tan-colored exterior, but they also look pretty.

If you want a more comfortable and earthy look for your house, beige shutters are the way to go!

They go especially well with red, blue, green, and brick exteriors. 

Photo by Fredrik Öhlander on Unsplash

Brown Shutters

If you want to take the earthy characteristics of your house to the next level, brown shutters are your best choice. When you say earth tones, brown is the first color that will come to mind alongside green. This neutral yet captivating color is a great option for people who want their exteriors to look more refined. Brown shutters are great pairs to brown brick, stucco, and stone exteriors. Shutters with a darker shade of brown are an excellent complement to olive green, tan, light grey, mocha, and dark red. 


Choosing the Best Exterior Shutter Color For Your Home

When looking for the color that will best fit your exterior shutter, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Study your house’s siding, doors, and trim — this will help figure out what color to choose for your shutters. Take note that the color of the shutter that you will choose should be analogous to the color of your exteriors. Lastly, experts advise that you invest in high-quality paint that can withstand all the environmental factors your exterior shutters might experience. The best exterior shutter color you can choose is the one that represents your personality the most and complements the other components of your home’s exterior. 

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avatar for Matt Greenfield

Matt Greenfield

Matt Greenfield is an experienced writer specializing in home improvement topics. He has a passion for educating and empowering homeowners to make informed decisions about their properties. Matt's writing focuses on a range of topics, including windows, flooring, HVAC, and construction materials. With a background in construction and home renovation, Matt is well-versed in the latest trends and techniques in the industry. His articles offer practical advice and expert insights that help readers tackle their home improvement projects with confidence. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a seasoned professional, Matt's writing is sure to provide valuable guidance and inspiration.

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