Choosing the best stucco color for your home exterior should usually depend on the design of the home and the environment surrounding it. Stucco can be used as an exterior covering for most any type of house, but it is most often used to create a European cottage look or on structures with Mediterranean styling. White and ivory are stucco colors that are often chosen for use with these home designs, as well as pale tones such as light gray, tan, or peach. For the Southwestern adobe look, many homeowners choose rust or peach tones.
When choosing the best stucco color for your home, it is probably a good idea to first purchase some samples and do a comparison board. Ideally, you should use the same material for your sample board that will actually be on the exterior of the house, because the color will often vary a bit depending onto what it is being applied. Once you have your sample board, take it to the building site and figure out which stucco color looks best against that particular environmental backdrop.
Another thing you can do with color samples is to blend colors together to create more dramatic or softer tones. For instance, if the original shade seems too vivid, you can often tone it down by adding gray or tan. To lighten colors, you can usually add white or ivory. If you come up with a stucco color on your own, you should take a sample of the color to a building supply center or paint store to see if it can be matched. It may also be a good idea to purchase more paint than you actually need, so you will have some on hand for future repairs.
The location of the home is often key when determining the best choice of exterior stucco color. For homes that are in a wooded or forested setting, a wide variety of colors look nice. You can choose a color that blends in with the environment, such as grays or greens, or go for colors that contrast. Whites and ivories often suit almost any backdrop, and in wooded locations, those colors would typically work well if the home design has a “cottage” feel. The adobe look is considered popular in drier climates, such as the Southwestern United States, and for that look, many people prefer to go with earth tones, such as peach, rust, and sandstone beige.
