What Color Shutters for My White House?

jbirdwell6690 · 2025-04-21T14:41:22+00:00

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Hi! One of my shutters got blown off this morning in a windstorm, which is finally going to force me to replace all of them. The previous homeowners installed ones that were too short so it's been on my to-do list anyway.

I'm wondering what color I should get for this house, and also whether or not I should put them on the bottom windows. Would love any advice!

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Comments

Raury

it looks like you could get away with almost any colour, but personally I’d probably go blue. I would put them on the bottom windows, but make sure it is a tone that would work with the brick.

jbirdwell6690

I was thinking about blue! I may get some paint samples to hold up against the brick to see if they would clash

maxwellat

Hi @jbirdwell6690 you have quite a challenging house to work with in terms of shutters! You've got a dark brick facade below and a bright white above!

I would definitely go with an off white or a very light color to brighten the brick and then create some contrast with the white up above.. The brick will work well with any warm color - that's anyting on the side of the spectrum near yellow, orange, red…

If you look at the pic below you can see the brightening effect your new shutter will have on the brick!

DanielaAraya

I agree with Maxwell that a lighter color will brighten up the brick if you decide to add shutters to that part of the house. I'm personally a fan of light blue shutters on brick or white buildings. I think it balances charm and playfulness in a sea of standard exteriors, but that's just me ☺️

jbirdwell6690

yes! it's very challenging to find the right color since there's a contrast between the materials on the top and bottom. I've been tempted to paint the brick but very much resisting the urge since I think I would regret it.

this is great though!

jbirdwell6690

those pictures are 😍 — the blue is so, so pretty. I love the shape of the first shutter too! thank you so much!

MaryTexas

I have the same situation. Siding is white above red brick.

The shutters were black when I moved in. They were also plastic and broken.

I had wooden ones made and painted Lehigh Green which I believe is Sherwin Williams. Then I painted the door a nice rusty red. You can definitely cheer it up with lighter colors. I do think that it will always look top heavy if you do not also add them to the first story. This will be expensive though.

jbirdwell6690

Those are so cute! I wonder if I could just make some myself. It could be a decent cost savings!

MaryTexas

It did occur to me that you could repurpose those shutters that you will have to remove from the top as they are too short, and modify them to fit he bottom windows. It would require some skills but might work if they are in good condition. And if you are going with the same style.

Zephy

We had a brick-and-white house when I was growing up. The shutters were originally black; we later repainted them a medium gray-blue similar to the pictures shown above. It looked fine, though honestly I preferred the black, as it was snappier. I also like the idea of a very dark green that almost looks black, but richer. However, it looks like your brick is darker than ours, so dark shutters might be too much. You could also do a light greige-beige-khaki-clay color, on the warm side, which would look good with both the brick and the white.

MaryTexas

Jbirdwell. Someone did make them for me. The cost was 1/3 of ordering them from a shutter company. It was 16 years ago. he is coming back to repaint them as they are weathering.

I'm glad you like the look. One does not have to go with black and white but can still be subtle.

janis7169

Your house has a split personality. Me, I would paint the brick to match the top floor of the house, or try to unify the top floor with a brick color. Otherwise, you are just adding another color to further distract from the otherwise un-cohesive look. Once the two stories look together, you can add shutters in any color you like.

DanielaAraya

Glad you like it! 🙂

digna7412

Since you're asking, I personally removed the shutters because living in the High Desert meant they were always dirty or I had to broom and hose them off often. However, for your house, I would match the white paint color, mainly because that dark color makes them look like big ears sticking out. Or, you could have them match the bottom color of the house and make them actually fit the length of the window.

pam9426

I think I would go with a pale or pastel sage green. If you do go with blue, I would go with a light blue so that they brighten up the brick.

Good luck. Hope you post after pictures.

MaryTexas

I have been told by several construction professionals not to paint brick; it needs to breathe as it is a natural , porous material. You don't want moisture building up behind it. The color s fine. It just needs happier, fresher trim.

les917538546

I think a warm medium green - mossy-olive - could be wonderful. I would also think about a rich medium yellow-gold. You said you are aware the shutters are too short, but they are also too narrow. Shutters should be sized so that they look like they would cover the window if closed. I see one window has shutter dogs, which add to the authenticity, and would be a nice touch against the medium tone shutters. I would also get rid of those random-appearing finials below the siding. They connect to nothing, and look silly. If the front of your home is in shadow a lot, think about adding some landscape lighting and some plantings that are lighter green and green-gold tones. Good luck!

red167837

I would do all the shutters and front door a medium grey.