26 Inspiring Tan House Color Schemes Pros Love for Your Exterior

If your home features a tan exterior, you may be wondering just what other colors to pair with this shade. We're sharing 26 examples of beautiful color schemes for tan houses to inspire you as you embark on your own exterior home design journey.

Meet the Expert

• Mark Kaufman is a principal designer at GTM Architects.

How to Choose Colors That Complement a Tan House

Keep in mind that selecting a color to use alongside your tan exterior comes down to personal preference. Mark Kaufman, principal at GTM Architects, says that warm and cool tones alike can make for excellent options. However, considering your home style is important when selecting your hues.

Kaufman says that traditional homes look best with dark green or blue shutters, noting it's a very timeless traditional look. If your home is contemporary in style, focus on grays, browns, and navies.

When it comes to roof color, Kaufman prefers incorporating a darker-toned roof. He is a proponent of deep brown, dark gray, or slate-colored roofs in particular.

Tan and White

Tan and white are a classic color scheme that will appeal to anyone who is drawn to neutrals. It's guaranteed to create a light and airy exterior that will create a welcoming feeling.

Tan, White, and Brick

If your tan home also features brick, you may want to keep things relatively simple when selecting a third color. Thus, white is a no-fail option that makes for a risk-free accent.

Tan, Copper, and Green

This tan house features a copper roof but also boasts an unexpected pop of dark green, which perfectly complements the lush landscape surrounding the property.

Tan, Terracotta, and Blue

This Spanish-style home features a beautiful terra cotta roof that complements the tan exterior nicely. If you're looking to mix things up a bit, look to the other side of the color wheel and select a beautiful blue to use on the shutters.

Tan and Blue Gray

Bring a French countryside feel to your own home by pairing a tan exterior with blue-gray windows. Just close your eyes and imagine you're in a villa in Provence.

Tan and Aqua

There's no reason to shy away from aqua if you're looking for a blue that's a bit brighter. Blue and yellow are never a dull combo and will create a striking statement with its whimsical hues.

Tan and Cornflower Blue

Coastal homes and the color blue go hand in hand. This shingle-style home, located on Cape Cod, looks extra charming with the addition of cornflower blue shutters and a matching front door.

Tan and Bright Blue

Bright blue is also a peppy pick for those who desire just a little bit of color; this shade reads teal and certainly brings the charm.

Tan and Red

Here's another example of just how powerful a colorful front door can be, as illustrated by this bold hue that dresses up this otherwise minimalistic exterior.

Tan and Brown

If you're drawn to a sleek, sophisticated look and do not wish to use bright colors, go for a tan and brown exterior like the one shown here. Since this home features lots of decorative detailing—wrought iron railings, valences, and more—it is wise to keep the color scheme relatively simple so that it doesn't distract from all at play.

Tan, Wood, and Brown

That said, leaving your front door a natural brown wooden shade can look beautiful as well. This earthy exterior is nice and relaxed.

Tan and Burnt Red

Less severe than bright red, burnt red is a nice option for individuals who gravitate toward colors in the red-purple family. It also adds a farmhouse-like touch to this home.

Tan, White, and Blue

Maybe you love the idea of tan and white but are curious as to whether a bit of color on the exterior of your home is for you. If that's the case, consider painting your garage doors a favorite hue (in this case, light blue), which is an excellent way to try out a new color without going all in.

Tan and Wood

If you're drawn to a rustic look, consider leaving wood exposed in its natural state rather than painting over it. This warm wood makes a welcoming statement and pops against the greenery in the front of the home.

Tan and Beige

If you can't decide between tan and beige, why not embrace both colors? Go for a two-toned look with a half-and-half approach, which reads contemporary and chic.

Tan and Black

What could be more classic than tan and black? This color pairing is a particularly smart choice for a traditional style of home, like the colonial house shown here.

Tan and Sage Green

Sage green is calming and serene and adds an elegant touch to this tan exterior. The light green color plays nicely with the gray roof and its soft tones.

Tan, Blue, and Black

Here is another instance where blue proves to be an excellent color to use alongside a terracotta roof. Even just a pop of color will majorly transform the exterior of your home—if you don't have shutters, simply paint the front door.

Tan and Dark Gray

If your home features a dark gray roof, you may decide to continue the shade onto the shutters, as seen here. Paired with a lighter tan exterior, this shade brings in some welcome contrast.

Tan, Clay, and White

This home features tan in the form of a stone base, while white and clay serve as accent colors. Both of these colors are present in the stone itself, making them no-brainers.

Tan and Green

A bright green door will provide you with the cheeriest welcome home after a long day. This color is less commonly used on exteriors but is full of life nonetheless.

Tan and Dark Green

Dark green is another classic choice that pairs nicely with more traditional houses that have tan exteriors. Green has been having a major moment in the design world over the past several years in particular and surely is here to stay.

Tan and Off-White

Less pure than classic white, off-white is also a safe choice for anyone who prefers a neutral facade. Potted plants and greenery surrounding the doorstep add natural color to the entry.

Tan, Blue, and Red

Don't be shy about going for a tan, blue, and red exterior if you cannot choose between the two primary colors. Just use one on the windows and the other on the doors.

Tan and Midnight Blue

So deep in tone that it almost reads black from some angles, midnight blue is a magical color that will add a sense of grandeur to your tan exterior.

Tan, Wood, and Black

Tan, wood, and black are modern hues that happen to be popping up everywhere but are here to stay for the long haul.

Read Next: 70 Exterior Paint Colors For a Better Looking Home

Read the original article on The Spruce.