Home
Fact-checked

At HomeQuestionsAnswered, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How do I Choose the Best Stucco Color?

Susan Grindstaff
Susan Grindstaff

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.

Stucco is applied with a trowel.
Stucco is applied with a trowel.

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 can be important when deciding on the best choice of color.
The location of the home can be important when deciding on the best choice of color.

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.

Discussion Comments

jmc88

@stl156 - That is an excellent point. If you pick a bland and uninteresting color for your house, then your house will be seen as bland and uninteresting. When choosing a color you do not want people to think you are a weird person and pick a color that does not at all go along with the surroundings and is also an eyesore. You want to be conservative, but not bland.

I also say that the most important thing to keep in mind is what type of house design you have. This may play more of a factor than the color itself. One color may work for a type of home and look great and look absolutely terrible on another type of house. I say it's best to ask someone you are buying the paint from and even show them a picture of your home when you go to buy the paint.

stl156

@cardsfan27 - I understand what you mean by your point but the problem with that is that someone wants to choose a color for their home that will last for several years so they might as well make it unique, as long as it makes sense.

My favorite color is blood red but it makes no sense for me to paint my house that color because it does not at all go with my surroundings. However, I do not want to just settle on plain white simply because I want to blend in with all the houses in my town. I myself have been a fan of light blue for a house in the middle of a town, because it is unique, but not as you said, a loud color and it will be able to set in a row of white houses without it becoming an eyesore.

cardsfan27

That is a good point. Although it does make sense to pick a color that fits the surroundings many factors have to be considered. When someone lives in the woods or out in the western area of the United States, they have unique environmental surroundings and a color to go with these surroundings would only enhance the visual display of the house.

However, if someone lives in the middle of a suburb or city there really is not a reason to pick a very loud or "out there" color just to be unique.

matthewc23

When I was younger my parents repainted my house from a light blue color, which did not really go with our environmental setting, to a beige color that they said looked a lot better.

I personally say that although this color does fit in with the surroundings more than the light blue it really looks ugly. I live in the middle of a small rural community and I do not really believe that when living in the middle of a town or city choosing color that goes along with the environment is always the best thing. I would have preferred plain white as opposed to beige, but my mother was insistent on finding the right color to fit our surroundings.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Stucco is applied with a trowel.
      Stucco is applied with a trowel.
    • The location of the home can be important when deciding on the best choice of color.
      By: beaucroft
      The location of the home can be important when deciding on the best choice of color.
    • Traditional stucco is porous and should be avoided in wet climates, but paint can help the material last longer in rainy weather.
      By: lenatru
      Traditional stucco is porous and should be avoided in wet climates, but paint can help the material last longer in rainy weather.