What Color Should You Paint Your Shutters?

Historically speaking, exterior window shutters were once useful for security, privacy and/or insulation. Although they are seldom used for any of those purposes today, shutters can still add character and architectural interest to the exterior of your home alongside popular siding colors.

Shutter Styles

There are many shutter styles available, including single-panel, raised and inset panels, louvered, and board and batten. Board and batten shutters are particularly popular among today's homeowners wanting a cottage look or farmhouse charm. You can use LP® SmartSide® panel siding to create your own board and batten style siding in trending exterior house colors, too.

Adding Color to Shutters

Shutters are the perfect place for an accent color on the home. You will typically want to set the shutters apart from the body of the house by choosing a color that creates a significant contrast. Or, simply select a shutter color that is three shades darker than the siding color.

In order to keep the overall number of house siding colors to a minimum, doors and shutters can be painted the same color. This would be a good choice if there is concern that the exterior may become too busy.

Here's a modern design example: if you have blue accents on one side of the living room, it will look more balanced when you place some blue on the opposite side as well. The same is true for your exterior. If there are blue shutters situated on the left front of the house, painting the door on the right front of the house the same blue will create a sense of visual balance.

Painting shutters and doors the same color isn't the only way to go, however. If you decide to paint your door and shutters different colors, just be sure that either the shutters or door match another color found on the house. The modern design example below demonstrates how the red door color was chosen to tie in with the brick on the house's exterior.

Keep in mind that many houses don't require shutters, particularly if you want a clean, simple façade for your home. Modern and mid-century styles may look more appropriate with no shutters at all. Visit our inspiration gallery for a variety of home siding ideas, including a variety of shutter applications!

Whether or not you decide to use shutters on your home, the LP SmartSide ExpertFinish® color collection will help you choose beautiful exterior siding colors that coordinate perfectly. See a few color sets for inspiration, and don't forget to explore combinations with LP SmartSide Home Visualizer, our siding visualizer tool!