Choosing Shutter Colors for a White House
If you’ve been following along for any amount of time, you know that we updated the exterior of our home this year. We replaced our siding with James Hardie fiber cement board in their standard white shade, added bronze gutters, painted the remaining wood trim in Behr Bit of Sugar …. and are still deciding what color to paint our shutters more than two months later.
Choosing a shutter color for our white house has been quite the mind-bender for me. I originally wanted to do a shade of greige/taupe, but then I decided that wouldn’t go well with the cooler white tone of our siding. So, then I went back to black, but that felt a little stark. Now, I’m just giving myself some time to gather inspiration and watch how the house looks as the seasons change. I’ll most likely end up installing the shutter in the spring at this point.
Here are some of my top contenders for shutter colors.
Shutter Colors for a White House
1. Black
There’s nothing more classic than black shutters on a white house, especially a colonial house like the one above. It’s timeless and elegant, and just feels so regal, which is why I was leaning towards black shutters for my own home originally. At the same time, it also feels like the default choice since it’s done so often, which is one of the reasons I’ve been exploring other options before committing to black.
Color Picks: Benjamin Moore Onyx (softer black)
2. Hunter Green
The shutters on our house were a dark hunter green when we bought it, and I liked it well enough, but because we had to get rid of our old shutters when we redid the siding, I kind of want to try something new this time. Overall, a dark green is another gorgeous and classic pick for shutters on a white house … it gives Father of the Bride-house vibes (see top photo) or cottage on Martha’s Vineyard (see bottom photo).
Color Picks: Sherwin Williams Dard Hunter Green
3. Greige
On a white house, greige creates a soft contrast that’s not too bold, but still has enough depth to make an impact. It’s understated yet sophisticated, and I was seriously considering this option until I realized how much the cooler undertone of our white siding made the warmth in greige pop a little too much, and cooler tones started to read too gray. But! When it works, this color combo is gorgeous.
Color Picks: Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray, Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
4. Beige
Beige shutters on a white house may sound a bit too safe, but when done right, they can add a relaxed, coastal feel, like a cottage in Nantucket or the Hamptons. Beige is warm, inviting and totally charming.
Color Picks: Farrow & Ball Shaded White, Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
5. Sky Blue
Sky blue shutters give off a cheerful, breezy vibe, reminiscent of southern houses along Charleston’s Rainbow Row. It’s playful and unexpected without being overwhelming and adds a soft pop of color that feels both fresh and traditional.
Color Picks: Benjamin Moore Brittany Blue, Sherwin Williams Atmospheric
6. Navy
Navy shutters have the classic feel of black but with a little more depth. The combo of white clapboards and navy shutters has that Ivy League, East Coast-preppy aesthetic — a la the above house, which is in Maine. It’s timeless, sophisticated, and just a little bit daring.
Color Picks: Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, Sherwin Williams Naval
7. Sage Green
Sage green is one of those colors that feels both vintage and fresh. Sage shutters add a soft, organic vibe to a white house, and I think the color is especially ideal for a home with lots of greenery, or a garden-focused landscape.
Color Picks: Farrow & Ball Pigeon, Sherwin Williams Clary Sage
8. White
White shutters on a white house might sound counterintuitive, but there’s something undeniably chic about this tone-on-tone look. It brings to mind the pristine, sun-soaked homes of Santorini or the minimalist facades of Scandinavian houses. The all-white palette is a modern, crisp choice that feels both architectural and ethereal, making your home look larger and more streamlined. It’s perfect for those who love a clean, simple look but still want to make a statement.
Color Picks: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, Sherwin Williams Extra White
For now, I’m leaning towards black or sage green, it’ll just be a matter of finding the right shade for each. If I go for black, it’ll definitely be an off black, not a true black, to soften the overall effect. For greens, I’m leaning toward something with more of a neutral undertone than a blue one. Think Farrow & Ball French Gray. Stay tuned!
