The 14 Best Light Exterior Paint Colors -

Choosing the best light paint color for your exterior tests the patience and sanity of many homeowners.

Between sneaky undertones, tricky exposures, and coordinating with stone, brick, roofs, and windows, finding that perfect shade ain’t easy.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

That’s why sampling and comparing ‘Designer-recommended’ shades is a great place to start your colorful journey. From light gray and beige to taupe, greige, and muted tans, these colors will get you ready to paint.

THE BEST PAINT COLOR DEPTH FOR A LIGHT EXTERIOR

The best depth for your home is always the one that best suits your exterior finishes (#funfact). However, if you’ve figured out that your best color is in the light to light-medium range, I’ve got some beauties.

The colors suggested have LRVs between 40 and 68

However, if you check these out and crave something a little lighter, I have another blog post full of off-white paint colors. You’ll find a link at the bottom. Those will have LRVs between 70 and 77.

If you don’t know what LRV is – THREE SLAPS WITH A WET NOODLE. Just joking, read this.

But before we dive into the deep end (bathing suit optional), let’s talk about exposure and how it can affect your exterior paint colors.

NORTH-FACING EXTERIOR

If your home’s exterior faces north, you could receive ‘good light’, but not direct sun on the front of your home.

North-facing light can enhance cool colors or undertones and slightly muted warmer colors.

The Best Paint Colors for North-Facing Rooms

EAST-FACING EXPOSURE

If your home’s exterior faces east, you get a reasonably bright, warm light in the morning, with colors washing out at noon. However, expect your home to look a bit drab and cool in the afternoon. This afternoon light can enhance some cool undertones and mute warm undertones.

The Best Paint Colors for East-Facing Rooms

SOUTH-FACING EXPOSURE

An exterior with southern exposure is the most balanced of the bunch, though, compared with others, it can SEEM warmer. While colors can wash out at noon, the rest of the time they often look their truest, if not a bit warmer than expected.

The Best Paint Colors for South-Facing Rooms

WEST-FACING LIGHT

A home with western exposure has a flat, cool morning light. However, it undergoes a massive transformation in the afternoon, increasing warmth as the day progresses to evening.

Morning western light can make cool colors look stronger and warm shades a bit muted. Afternoon western sun gets warmer and redder, and can easily throw a color off-whack.

Of course, your home might get a blend of the above, which always adds to the fun!

For most homes, the front of your home’s exposure is the most important one.

But there are exceptions. For example, the technical ‘front’ of this next home is around the back. In this case, the back of the home’s street-facing view matters the most…

Keep in mind that with drastic shifts in quality and color of light, you might not find a color you love on every side of your home at every time of day. Prioritize the sides of your home that YOU THINK matter most, based on your home’s position relative to the road, curb appeal, driveway, backyard pool, etc.

THE BEST TRIM COLORS WITH LIGHT HOUSE COLORS

When it comes to exteriors and light colors, here are the most common trim choices…

WHITE: For a cleaner contrast, choose a bright or true white. For a softer look, check out softer, warmer whites.

OFF-WHITE: Off-whites can be touchy with light depth home colors, as there’s not a huge contrast. Sample and compare carefully to make sure undertones coordinate.

DARKER TRIM: Whether you go a few tones darker than your house color or MUCH darker, this can be a popular choice, especially with non-white windows.

Now, let’s see what I’ve got up my colorful lil’ sleeves…

The Best Light to Light-Medium Exterior Paint Colors

Along with my favorite shades, you’ll get ‘colors to sample and compare’. These are VITAL -never choose a color for a big project without comparing it to similar shades.

1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ACCESSIBLE BEIGE 7036

Accessible Beige is a super-popular exterior paint color. Sitting on its buxom beige base, but lightly feathered with gray, it’s a good way to get warmth without too much of a golden hue. That said, it’ll jack right up in afternoon western sunshine (but any color will change, soooo).

This next Tudor-style exterior is a great example of Accessible Beige looking more muted than traditional, golden beiges…

Notice how Accessible Beige looks with the dark brown trim. In all, it looks lighter than it would against white trim, as white offers a different type of contrast.

As for depth, its LRV is 58, making it light but slightly lower in that range.

COLOR REVIEW: Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE

Accessible Beige has a lot of competition, a few of which might be better for you and your home – you don’t know until you try!

Sherwin Williams Natural Tan (#8 below) is a bit lighter and warmer
Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige offers a bit more depth if you find Accessible Beige washing out.
I would definitely look at Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (#5) as it’s a bit less warm and lighter.

2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS AGREEABLE GRAY 7029

Agreeable Gray is right up there with Accessible Beige in popularity. Not everyone wants warmth on their exterior, but they also don’t want gray – enter Agreeable Gray.

Agreeable Gray isn’t gray, it’s a greige-taupe with flexible undertones that suit a wide range of exterior finishes. With its LRV of 60, it’s on the lower end of the light range.

Now, let’s have a little fun (yes, this is fun in my distorted little color world)…

Here’s Agreeable Gray…

And here’s Agreeable Gray in afternoon western sunshine…

HOLY HOT BALLS, what the heck happened to Agreeable Gray? The sun. Again, any color will shift in that warm afternoon western sunshine.

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE

If you don’t sample and compare colors, 10 years of hard labor for you. Or at least 2 weeks, as you repaint your home after choosing the wrong color.

Check out the slightly darker look of Sherwin Williams Anew Gray (you’ll see this color shortly!)
Benjamin Moore Collingwood is great if your finishes need a purple undertone. Agreeable Gray can look slightly green at times, which clashes with some exterior surfaces.
Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray has a similar approach, but tweaked undertones. See which one your exterior finishes respond to best.

COLOR REVIEW: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

3. SHERWIN WILLIAMS BALANCED BEIGE 7037

If you want to go a bit deeper, I’ve got just the thing (that’s what she said). Balanced Beige is a light-medium beige. Along similar lines to Accessible Beige, it approaches beige with a warm, but muted backdrop.

Balanced Beige has an LRV of 46, so it’s a light-medium warm neutral. If your home gets direct sun, it often holds its own (but not in public, that would be rude).

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE

Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige (#1)…obviously.
Also, try a bit more softness with Sherwin Williams Shiitake
Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth (#13) has a bit less warmth, but similar intentions

COLOR REVIEW: Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige

4. BENJAMIN MOORE REVERE PEWTER HC-172

Not only is Revere Pewter timeless and classic on the interior, but it’s also a badass and beautiful choice for exteriors.

Here it is on shutters with Pearly White siding…

Revere Pewter is a warm gray-greige. On the exterior of a home, it can look lighter and warmer than expected. Sample it with some alternatives to see which settles best with your finishes and lighting.

Here’s Revere Pewter on the exterior of my Online Color Consulting client – House of Blue Hues…

And here it is on a cloudy day…

The Best Shutter Colors With Red Brick

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE

Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray is a touch grayer and a great one to compare with Revere Pewter
For a softer, less muddy look, strap on your buttless chaps and check out Benjamin Moore Rodeo.
I’d also sample Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray to see what a bit more depth looks like with my finishes.

COLOR REVIEW: Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

And remember, it’s not just about choosing colors you love, COORDINATE your color with your exterior finishes, including brick, stone, roof, and landscaping.

5. BENJAMIN MOORE EDGECOMB GRAY HC-173

Edgecomb Gray is an interesting choice. Not gray, cream, beige, greige, or taupe, it offers a pretty warmth without being obnoxious.

COLOR REVIEW: Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

As for depth, its LRV is 63, so it’s a moderate light depth – not too light, not too dark. Just keep in mind that paint colors often look 2-3 tones lighter in some exterior lighting.

Get the best paint color advice with Kylie M’s Online Color Consulting.

Edgecomb Gray looks equally as gorgeous on the trim and front door of this brick exterior…

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE WITH EDGECOMB GRAY

Definitely Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige (#1), they’re great alternatives for each other
Sherwin Williams Modern Gray is equally as pretty.
Sherwin Williams Natural Tan (#8) is a no-brainer. Compare these two to see which suits your exterior finishes best.
Find a few more gems in this CURATED Color Bundle – have fun sampling and comparing!

Remember, even the slightest tweaks in undertones, temperature, and depth can make all the difference! SAMPLE & COMPARE similar shades before making your choice.

6. SHERWIN WILLIAMS KESTREL WHITE 7516

Kestrel White doesn’t get talked about enough, but it’s pretty amazeballs. This is in the light range (on the higher end) and has a great approach to beige and taupe. That said, it tends to lean into its warmth on the average exterior.

Kestrel White has an LRV of 68, so it’s the lightest color on this page. A color like this does well with a brighter white trim for contrast.

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE

If Kestrel White is close but no cigar, here are gorgeous alternatives to compare with it…

Sherwin Williams Moderate White, absolutely. It offers a bit more ‘beige’ warmth
If Kestrel White is too warm, check out Sherwin Williams Egret White, which offers more taupe/gray.

Check out my CURATED Color Bundle of flexible, warm neutrals like Kestrel White!

7. SHERWIN WILLIAMS REQUISITE GRAY

Just because a color has the word ‘gray’ in it, doesn’t mean it qualifies. That said, Requisite Gray DOES have a lot of gray, but it’s quite warm in exterior lighting and has a gorgeous taupe backdrop.

Before, the mustardy gold paint color wasn’t doing anything for this home…

Here’s how this home looks after…

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE

Absolutely, Sherwin Williams Versatile Gray for a warmer look
Sherwin Williams Popular Gray is great if you want a lighter shade
Find the above colors and more in this CURATED Taupe Color Bundle

COLOR REVIEW: Sherwin Williams Requisite Gray

8. SHERWIN WILLIAMS NATURAL TAN 7567

As mentioned, along with Accessible Beige (make sure you sample both), Natural Tan can be a gorgeous exterior paint color for a lighter, but not off-white look.

Natural Tan is a light, soft tan with muted undertones. While it can work up and look lighter on the exterior, it’s not as obnoxious as many stronger beige and tan paint colors, giving it a more modern look.

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE

Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige (#1, as mentioned)
Sherwin Williams Modern Gray is a gorgeous alternative – same idea, different color

COLOR REVIEW: Sherwin Williams Natural Tan

9. SHERWIN WILLIAMS SIMPLIFY BEIGE 6085

While many fear Simplify Beige, it’s amazing how nice it can settle on an exterior with its more pointed approach to warmth.

Beige paint colors often lean too orange or yellow on exteriors, whereas some that pick up a weeee willy wink o’ pink hit just the spot.

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Simplify Beige

Remember, exterior colors can look much lighter once applied!

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE

If Simplify Beige looks close to what you need, I highly suggest comparing some alternatives. That little tweak in undertone, depth, or temperature could make all the difference!

Here’s my CURATED Color Bundle, including Simplify Beige – have fun sampling and comparing!

10. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ANEW GRAY 7030

With a bit more depth than Agreeable Gray, Anew Gray is great for exteriors that get direct sun, if you find lighter shades washing out too much.

Again, just because a color’s name has ‘gray’ in it, doesn’t mean it leans hard that way – Anew Gray is definitely a warm paint color!

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE

For the love of everything good and gorgeous, check out Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray (#2)
I’d also look at Sherwin-Williams Intellectual Gray (#11), which is similar, but with slightly different undertones.
If your stone, brick, or roof isn’t 110% with Anew Gray, compare them to SW Requisite Gray and Versatile Gray, for sure.

COLOR REVIEW: Sherwin Williams Anew Gray

For sharts n’ giggles, here’s a smattering of some of the colors we’ve looked at above, and more coming below…

If you like the look of some of the lighter colors shown above, find them here: The Best Off-White Exterior Paint Colors

MOVING ALONG!

11. SHERWIN WILLIAMS INTELLECTUAL GRAY 7045

If your idea of warmth has more gray, Intellectual Gray is amazeballs. This is a soft, light-medium greige with a green undertone.

Don’t get your knickers in a knot (if you’re wearing any) that the word ‘gray’ is in its name. While it has a gray backdrop, it has a gooooorgeous warmth and organic look.

With its LRV of 36, admittedly, it’s a bit darker than I thought I’d offer, but I love it too much to not mention.

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE

Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray is a bit lighter than Intellectual Gray with similar intentions
For more glorious green and warmth, Sherwin-Williams Gray Area is again, NOT GRAY, and a great one to sample.
I’d definitely compare Intellectual Gray to Sherwin Williams Mega Greige. Notice how this shift in undertones sits with your exterior finishes.

And because we’re in that range anyhooooo, check out the soft medium-depth of Benjamin Moore’s Ashley Gray…

12. BENJAMIN MOORE ASHLEY GRAY HC-87

If you’re exploring light paint colors for your exterior, you might feel nervous about the medium-depth range. Don’t be, you have a little Ginger tucked in your back pocket (who pinches upon request).

A warm neutral like Ashley Gray can be a great exterior paint color, especially with its skookum LRV of 33.45…

See, it’s not intimidating at all!

And now watch how it changes with sunshine. If you were looking for a sign, that rainbow says it all…

The Best Earth-Tone Neutral Paint Colors

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE

Ashley Gray has some serious competition…

Benjamin Moore Rockport Gray is wicked pretty with a bit more gray and less taupe.
Sherwin Williams Mega Greige is similar, but a bit lighter. If Ashley Gray’s depth worries you, sample both to see the shift.
While it’s a good tone lighter, Sherwin Williams Perfect Greige is a stunner.

Let’s bring things a little lighter with lucky #13…

13. BENJAMIN MOORE STONE HEARTH 984

Stone Hearth is the perfect happy medium – not light, not medium. And while it has a noticeable warmth, it’s nowhere near the traditional, richer beige world.

With its LRV of 48.45, look at how well it complements the brick on this next exterior…

Here’s Balanced Beige at a different time of day (looks like it gets a snippet of afternoon western sunshine on the bottom left)…

COLORS TO SAMPLE & COMPARE

Absolutely – Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige (#3) – these two are kissin’ cousins, which is illegal in some States, but in this case, it’s perfectly acceptable.
Bump up one notch to Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe – you won’t be disappointed.
Check out Sherwin Williams Versatile Gray to see what a touch more gray does for your home’s finishes.

COLOR REVIEW: Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth

14. SHERWIN WILLIAMS MODERN GRAY 7632

As far as passive, natural, organically warm exterior paint colors go, Modern Gray is one of my favorites.

Modern Gray has an LRV of 62, plunking it firmly in the light range and offering a decent contrast with the right white trim.

REVIEWS: SW Egret White | SW Modern Gray | SW Comfort Gray | SW Requisite Gray | SW Versatile Gray

Here are the absolute BEST COLORS to compare with Modern Gray.

However, if your idea of a good time involves a spicy little Ginger and lighter paint colors, check this out…

The Best OFF-WHITE Exterior Paint Colors

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Whether you found your perfect color or not, you might learn something from these common questions…

WHAT LIGHT EXTERIOR COLORS WON’T GO OUT OF STYLE

If you’re looking for a timeless exterior paint color, it’s not just about the color itself. More often, it’s the combination of finishes that makes an exterior color palette look updated or outdated.

The more trends you apply to your exterior, the better your chance of even a TIMELESS paint color looking outdated.

Many light depth colors, including light grays, beiges, greiges, and taupes, can look timeless with white trim vs. dark or black trim. They often look more timeless with white windows vs non-white or black windows.

WHAT’S THE MOST POPULAR LIGHT EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?

While many homeowners love the increased warmth of Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige, Agreeable Gray is a super popular color choice for the average exterior.

With its muted undertones and passive warmth, it’s also great for resale.

QUICK SUMMARY (TL;DR)

The best light exterior paint colors have LRVs between 55 and approximately 68.
For a bit more depth, sample colors between 30 and 54, as these hold up to natural light better and contrast more with white trim.
Coordinate your paint colors with your exterior finishes, especially any stone or brick, and consider your roof and landscaping as well.

How Exposures Affect Exterior Paint Colors

The Best Colors for Gutters & Soffits

What Color Should Your Garage Door Be?

Get the best paint color advice with Kylie M’s Online Color Consulting.