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An easy way to change up the look of your shutters is to apply a fresh coat of paint, but you have to make sure the new color doesn’t interfere too much with all the colors in your brick exterior. Choosing the best shutter colors for brick houses to bring out the natural beauty of the material may seem difficult, but we’ve made it easy by outlining the top choices and some rules to keep in mind.
1. Red
Photo: Tupungato / Adobe Stock
You might not immediately think of red as one of the best shutter colors for brick houses, but it definitely is. Red matches so well because almost all brick has undertones or obvious red shades within it. Even so, red is a bold color choice and could overshadow the rest of your home, so make sure you choose a red shade that complements the existing colors in your brick.
For inspiration:
BEHR® 100 Mph
Clare Sriracha
Benjamin Moore® Country Redwood
Clare Big Apple
2. Brown
Photo: rickster007 / Adobe Stock
Many bricks are neutral in tone, so pairing them up with an earthy brown doubles down on that iconic and homey look. Believe it or not, brown on brown actually works here, provided that you go with a paint color that’s a couple of shades lighter or darker than the bricks. Red bricks go well with a darker brown, and the tan brick and brown shutter combo gives off a great vibe.
For inspiration:
Benjamin Moore® Cupcake
BEHR® October Leaves
Valspar® Swiss Chocolate
Clare Coffee Date
3. Tan and Beige
Photo: BryanE / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Tan and beige paints are popular choices among DIYers due to their natural yellowish undertone and compatibility with brick colors. Beige and tan are as neutral as they come, so they pair up with just about everything. Try tan or beige shutters with a red brick house for a unique combination, or use beige on a brown brick house for a retro feel. Tan even works with orange brick if you go for a darker and earthier color.
For inspiration:
Clare No Filter
Sherwin-Williams Eaglet Beige
Benjamin Moore® Crumb Cake®
Farrow & Ball Cord
4. Orange
Photo: Dwight Nadig / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Orange shutters are not as bold a choice as you think, especially if you go with a browner orange that leans on the earthy, neutral tones. Orange on orange is not a good look in most cases, but orange and red are actually a decent match. Beyond that, orange shutters with black bricks is a fantastic combination that brings just a little bit of aesthetic flair to all of that earthy neutrality.
For inspiration:
BEHR® Inferno
Clare Fire Sign
BEHR® Rumba Orange
Benjamin Moore® Pumpkin Pie
5. Black
Photo: Greg Pease / Stone / Getty Images
Pairing up moody black shutters with brick makes for a timeless and elegant color combination. Black shutters pair well with just about every type of brick out there, though you may run into some issues trying to integrate black shutters with black bricks (unless the goth look is what you’re going for.) Otherwise, try black shutters with red brick for a classic look or with tan brick for a splash of elegance that livens up those earth tones.
For inspiration:
6. White
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock
White shutters offer a pleasing contrast with every brick color, from black brick to red brick and back again to tan brick. You can’t go wrong picking a white paint shade for your shutters, especially if you’re looking to offset the earthy tones of natural brick. This timeless color not only integrates with every type of brick out there, but it also matches a diverse array of common exterior fixture finishes.
For inspiration:
BEHR® Nano White
Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa
Benjamin Moore® Cloud White
Valspar® Bistro White
7. Gray
Photo: Spiroview Inc. / Adobe Stock
That often-overlooked middle ground between white and black, otherwise known as gray, is a fantastic option for your shutters, no matter the type of bricks making up the exterior of your home. Gray goes really well with red brick, brown brick, and tan brick, but it can struggle with black brick (though tastes vary). If your black-hued bricks are on the lighter side of the spectrum, you’ll be fine.
For inspiration:
Clare Chill
Clare Motor City
Valspar® Grey Suit
Benjamin Moore® Gray
Tips for Choosing Shutter Colors for Brick Houses
Let’s look at some general combination tips. There’s no “right” color to paint a window shutter, after all, even when paired with brick. It all comes down to personal preference, your goal aesthetic, and the type of bricks on your home.
Colors look lighter when paired with dark brick: No matter which color you choose, remember that hues look around three shades lighter when used outdoors and paired with darkly hued bricks. Take this into consideration when trying to avoid too much contrast or when creating a purposeful contrast.
Not all bricks are created equal: There’s a vast difference between a rich red brick and a muted gray brick. Red brick houses boast their own popular color choices for shutters, and the same goes for every other color of brick out there.
Go with high-quality paint: This holds true for any exterior painting project, as the outside is completely exposed to the elements. In other words, high-quality paint is your friend, as the design typically allows for some weather resistance. Acrylic, latex, and oil-based paints all have their pros and cons here.
Remember the trim: The shutters attach directly to the window trim, so make sure that the colors of both fixtures don’t clash with one another or with the brick face. Try painting the trim and the shutters the same exact color to give the appearance of larger windows.
Consult a professional: Matching bricks with an appropriate shutter paint color is confusing before you get the hang of it. If you can’t decide on the best color, call in a local exterior painter for a consultation. They’ll take one look at your bricks and whip up a list of the perfect complementary shutter colors for your brick house.
