Outdated Exterior Paint Colors to Avoid in 2025: Why 'Builder Beige' Is No Longer a Favorite
In 2025, homeowners are making a shift towards more vibrant and characterful exteriors, moving away from formulaic paint palettes. Emma Bestley, co-founder and creative director of YesColours, suggests choosing colours that complement the surrounding landscape to create harmony between the home and nature.
Warm, Earthy, and Nature-Inspired Tones
The current exterior paint trends for homes in 2025 emphasize warm, earthy, and nature-inspired tones. Popular choices include Warm Greige, Cloud White, and Buttercream White, offering a modern yet timeless appeal. Additionally, earthy natural tones such as Olive Green, Terracotta Clay, soft sage greens, ochres, and warm mustards bring character and a grounded, organic feel.
Bold and Sophisticated Choices
For those seeking a more dramatic look, bold colours like Deep Navy, Forest Green, and matte blacks (including Black Onyx or Tricorn Black) are growing in popularity. These colours provide a sophisticated and upscale look, especially with textured siding and natural accents like wood or stone.
Light Blue Tones
Light blue tones, with their fresh and calming vibe, are another popular choice for 2025. These colours work well on many home styles when paired with crisp white or sandy trim, evoking coastal cottage vibes.
Matte Finishes and Sustainable Choices
2025 trends also favour matte or low-sheen finishes over high gloss to enhance texture and create more refined, memorable appearances. Colour-drenching, using similar tones on both house and trim, is growing in popularity for a modern monochromatic look. Sustainability is also a consideration, with low VOC paints and heat-reflective finishes being preferred.
Outdated Colours to Avoid
High-gloss and high-contrast black finishes are outdated choices for 2025, as they are repetitive, uninspired, and show dirt and imperfections. Similarly, plain beige, cream, and very bland neutral tones, often referred to as "Builder Beige," are considered tired, lack character, and typically require more upkeep. Instead, refined earth tones like olive greens and warm ochres are replacing them to add soul and uniqueness to exteriors.
Navy blue is another outdated exterior paint colour that is often overused in 2025. Ultra-bright primary colours are too juvenile or overly trendy on a home's exterior, especially on traditional architecture. Instead, pastels like baby blues and butter yellow are excellent alternatives for adding pops of colour and enhancing curb appeal.
In summary, to stay on trend in 2025, choose warm, earthy, and nature-inspired colours or bold sophisticated shades like matte black or deep navy. Avoid overly glossy finishes and steer clear of plain beige or builder beige tones. These choices reflect a move towards richer, textured, and more characterful home exteriors.
- The living room interior design in 2025 trends often incorporates warm, earthy, and nature-inspired colors, such as Warm Greige, Olive Green, and Terracotta Clay, to create a grounded and organic atmosphere.
- For those aiming for a more sophisticated art-inspired decor, consider a trendy color choice like Deep Navy or Matte Black in your kitchen, adding an upscale vibe, particularly with textured materials like wood or stone.
- As part of the 2025 fashion-and-beauty lifestyle, homeowners are gravitating towards matte or low-sheen finishes on their flooring, as it provides a refined and memorable appearance while enhancing texture.
- In the realm of home-and-garden trends, light blue tones, with their calming and fresh vibes, create a coastal cottage atmosphere when paired with crisp white or sandy trim, making a perfect decor choice for a living room.
- Instead of following outdated color trends, opt for sustainable choices like low VOC paints and heat-reflective finishes for exteriors, reflecting the shift toward earthier and more characterful aesthetics in contemporary lifestyle and design.
