Picking the perfect brown for your home’s exterior is like solving a puzzle. You might think, “brown is just brown,” but start looking at options, and your head will spin – milk chocolate, espresso, ochre, or terracotta? The shade you choose can make the difference between your house feeling like a warm, welcoming home or just another dull building.
I’ve rounded up the best brown color combinations that are gorgeous and weather-resistant. I’ll also explain how these shades work with various exterior materials and architectural styles to help you choose the best option for your home.
Preview Your Perfect Brown Exterior
Test your favorite brown shades with mess-free Peel-and-Stick samples. See exactly how each color will look on your home’s exterior before you commit.
1. Hidden Valley by Benjamin Moore
There’s a good reason why Hidden Valley takes the top spot. It’s a rich brown with a subtle orange undertone that’s perfect for homes nestled in natural surroundings. Think of the deep, living color you see when looking at old-growth forest trees – that’s exactly what this shade captures.
What makes it really special is how well it performs in different lighting. Even in tree shade, your house stands out nicely. That orange undertone adds just enough warmth to keep the whole facade from looking dreary or dull.
For houses surrounded by greenery, this is hands-down the best pick. The color looks great all day long – which is exactly what you want from a top-rated exterior color. No unpleasant surprises after you’ve painted.
2. Dragon’s Breath by Benjamin Moore
Dragon’s Breath really shines on exteriors, particularly if you’re going for a modern look without being too bold. With an LRV of 7, it’s dark enough to make a statement, but its gray-brown base with hints of green keeps it from being overwhelming.
This color comes into its own on cloudy days – that’s when you can see all those beautiful brown undertones. It might lighten up a bit in sunshine, but it keeps its rich depth.
It’s super practical for exterior use – great at hiding dirt and weathering. If you’ve got lots of greenery around your house, the greenish notes in Dragon’s Breath will tie in beautifully with your landscaping.
3. Smokey Topaz by Sherwin Williams
I’ve been seeing this kind of brown popping up everywhere lately – and for good reason! Smokey Topaz looks particularly amazing when paired with red roof tiles and sandstone. It’s got this wonderful Tuscan villa vibe going on.
Sure, it gets lighter in direct sun, but that actually works in its favor – creating beautiful light and shadow effects.
It’s a perfect choice for hot climates – unlike white or beige, it won’t fade badly, and it doesn’t make your house look like it’s baking in the sun. Works beautifully with landscaping too, especially on larger homes.
4. Latte by Sherwin Williams
Latte falls into the warm beige family, as you can see in the photo above. On exteriors, it shows up as a versatile neutral with gentle sandy undertones.
Once it’s on your house, it’s actually more interesting than it looks on a paint chip – sunlight brings out its warmth, while shadowy areas reveal some cooler notes.
You can use this color with pretty much any finishing material – it looks great on everything from vinyl siding to stucco. It’s neutral enough to work with white trim or bolder elements like a dark front door or roof.
One of the best things about this shade is how it softens a building’s architectural lines. Instead of creating harsh contrasts, it helps your house blend naturally into its surroundings.
5. Chateau Brown by Sherwin Williams
Think super dark chocolate when you look at Chateau Brown – you know, the kind with over 70% cocoa? That’s the vibe. But there’s also a hint of gray that gives it a modern edge.
I’m really impressed by how this shade changes throughout the day. It’s soft and welcoming in the morning light, then turns more sophisticated and graphite-like by evening.
This brown holds its own in urban settings too, especially when paired with black or gray elements. Whether it’s metal, glass, or wood – Chateau Brown plays nicely with them all.
6. Alexandria Beige by Benjamin Moore
Alexandria Beige is an amazingly flexible taupe shade that gives you a neutral but distinctive facade. Just take a look at the example photo – it’s gorgeous with white trim and dark roofing.
It creates this smooth transition when used alongside brick, and like most browns, it’s a team player with landscape greenery – instead of fighting for attention, it sits back and lets the plants do their thing.
Got a larger house? Alexandria Beige might be your answer – it keeps things light and balanced across all building levels without making it look heavy.
7. Totally Tan by Sherwin Williams
Totally Tan brings warmth without going overboard – check out how it looks on that historic mansion in the photo. From what I’ve seen, it really shines when paired with white trim and darker elements like wrought iron railings.
Unlike its cooler brown cousins, this shade steers clear of any gloominess. It’s warm but manages to avoid that yellowing effect that can be such a pain with similar colors. It’s perfect for classical architecture when you want that elegant look without feeling too stuffy.
8. Homestead Brown by Sherwin Williams
Homestead Brown is like rich garden soil with a touch of gray in it. On a house exterior, it creates a warm, laid-back vibe while keeping things sophisticated.
You can see in the featured house how beautifully it works with white trim. What’s really interesting is how it changes across the facade – deeper in the shadows and softening to this lovely gray-brown where the sun hits it.
It’s a natural with, well, nature – the surrounding greenery creates a perfect contrast that brings the whole look to life and keeps things interesting.
