The Exterior Paint Trend That'll Help Your Home And Garden Feel More Cohesive

Exterior painting is only done once in a blue moon, and it can make a big difference in your curb appeal. Because of this, it's important to pick a color you love — and one that will stand the test of time. If you've ever driven through a neighborhood full of newly built homes and found yourself squinting at the shiny, disjointed houses, it could be because they had the wrong paint undertone. Homes that are bright and cool-toned were once trendy, but they often feel disconnected from the surrounding property.

Most yards and gardens are filled with warm-colored plants — sunny green grass, beige tree bark, and yellow, red, and pink blooms. It isn't often that we see natural landscapes in stark gray, solid black, or electric white hues. If you want your home to feel more cohesive with its surroundings, reach for exterior paint colors with slightly warm undertones, such as warm white or beige. These paint color trends give dated homes a modern revival that complements the landscape.

"The reason you want to go with warm whites when used outside is that the sun is a very bright source of light that is cool-leaning," says The Paint People's YouTube channel creator, James, "So you want to counteract that blueness with a little bit of warmth in whatever off-white you're using." Just like interior design trends, exteriors are also beginning to lean away from the cool-toned, ultra-minimal, and modern look. Luckily, this shift away from stark white and gray opens up a world of new possibilities that are so much more inviting, cohesive, and unique.

If you want to make your home look more cohesive, warm white and beige are great colors to explore — and they're far from boring. There can be a lot of variation in terms of their intensity and depth. For a practical shade with just a touch of warmth, Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee is a stunning paint color that's a perfect alternative to white. Creamy by Sherwin-Williams, on the other hand, leans confidently into a soft yellow undertone. For a darker look that's still comfortable and stylish, try Sherwin-Williams' 2026 color of the year, Universal Khaki. Remember that the sun will make colors look lighter and brighter than they do in stores. 

Warm white and beige also set the stage for other trendy, organic, and flexible paint shades, such as rust, taupe, brown, and olive green. "Green is an especially easy color to use outside because of all the greenery that you're probably surrounded by," paint color expert James explains (via YouTube), "Tate Olive [by Benjamin Moore] as an accent color for shutters and the front door adds an organic nature-inspired touch that blends really, really well with landscaping ... I think it's a perfect choice to tie everything together."

There are also architectural elements to consider when choosing your paint color. For homes with brick, stone, or stained wood elements, warm shades of beige, white, and other accent colors will complement the earthy materials. Aside from being trendy and blending with the landscape, warm, neutral colors can also boost your home's resale value, making them a smart move if you're planning to sell anytime soon.