TREND ALERT: Dark Home Exteriors

 

trend alert: dark home exteriors

When I posted about our plans for our back exterior makeover early this week, I had quite of few people comment that they didn’t like that we painted our house black.  Which I totally get.  Everyone has different tastes, and I respect that and appreciate their honesty. 

However one trend that I have been LOVING lately is dark home exteriors…especially black.  When we moved to Nashville, I noticed this trend a lot in many of the new builds in the areas. 

And since we had a clean slate at our fixer upper, I thought it would be fun to embrace this new trend. 

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Not only are darker exterior colors trending, but so are two-toned houses.   The house below caught my eye because it reminded me of our own home’s layout, and it was something I knew I would love to try and implement. 

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Even though a solid black exterior is pretty, like the one below, I knew I didn’t want to paint my WHOLE house black.  

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I was more comfortable painting just part of my house black, Ebony Fields, by Valspar to be exact. 

Black and white go together beautiful with wood tones, so I know that our wood deck will look beautiful agains the contrast.

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Black and white not only go well with wood tones, but also with gray tones, so I feel like our gray patio will tie it all together even more beautifully!

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And even though you may think black is a dreary color, I feel it is exactly the opposite.  Check out how cozy and cheerful it is when combined with lots of green and neutrals…

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Here is a beautiful painted black porch that feels classic and modern at the same time…

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So even though a black exterior may not be everyone’s cup of tea, when done correctly, if can turn out beautiful!

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I’m excited to see what ours will end up looking like!  And guess what?…it’s just paint!  haha!  If I decide I don’t like it, I’ll just paint it!  (My husband may not agree with that statement as much as me. haha!)

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So what do you think?  Do you like these dark exterior homes?  (Even if you wouldn’t pick it for your own home?)

I would love to hear your thoughts!

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Be sure to follow me on my Instagram stories HERE, because we will be painting our new board and batten black in the next week!

As a side note, I know that our country has been in a lot of turmoil lately, but I am still 100% proud to be an American.  We live in the greatest country in the world, and I am excited to celebrate her birthday tomorrow!  (And Jonathan’s birthday on Sunday!)

It’s going to be a great weekend, and I hope you have a wonderful one too. 

Love you lots!

Traci

53 Comments

  1. I am not completely on board with the black, even though I think some of the home pictures are attractive. Just not my cup of tea.
    I was wondering if it would make a difference in heating/cooling costs?

  2. I love the black homes! I am so over all the beige and grey homes. I live in a grey house (would love to repaint it) and every house around us is also grey! My vote is go for it. I’m looking forward to seeing it.

  3. Hi, Every one has brilliant ideas. You will be the first family found if we should have a snow storm. It is indeed an unusual color for aa home
    with children, All of the black and white houses you have shown us look great, just not warm and friendly.

  4. I love the black and white. It’s very pretty! Happy 4th of July to the greatest country and happy birthday Jonathan!

  5. I really like the black and white combination but living in Central Texas, dark roofs, walls, and cars are not practical. We only have two seasons. One is Summer and our Winter lasts about two weeks.

  6. Love the mix! Not something I’d ever have thought of as looking good, but love it. SO excited to see how yours turns out, and way to go with something different that you like!

  7. I’m anxious to seeing your finished home. Since you asked, I’m not liking the black, even in the photos you shared. For me personally, it doesn’t say “welcome”. But I have loved everything you have done so far with your homes, so I’m looking forward to possibly having my mind changed. :) Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

  8. I love this trend! Lately I’ve been using black a lot, my husband asked what’s wit the goth. It really update your pretty home. My sentiments exactly regarding our country. There are so many not good things going on right now. but I love it here. I believe in my heart of hearts that it will get better.

  9. I can’t wait to see your beautiful home when the painting is completed!!
    Have a fabulous weekend!!!
    🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇
    Happy birthday to Jonathan!! 🎂
    Love You From:
    Sandra ❤️😊

    1. I. Love.It. Just got a new black garage door, have black shutters and painted my front door black, Love it too!

  10. I love the black/dark home trend! They’ve been popular in Scandinavian country and our northern coastal areas and so, so pretty. I am happy to see them popping up everywhere now. We’re building on to our house (new family room and master suite) and adding a new deck & sun room. Hoping to incorporate some dark gray to go `with our Sherwin Williams Riverway painted house. By the way, welcome to TN. I live in Mt. Juliet!

  11. I Love ALL things Modern Traci! And this hits the bill for me! I think mixing Modern + Traditional and wood is a WInning combination. It’s going to look Amazing I know!

    Blessings

  12. Well I luv it!!! What change to the looks
    I luv black decor & a little of what ever
    Works. Great move to take the risk

  13. I love the idea of a black and white house! I think yours will look GREAT and yes, it is only paint! Very excited to see what you will do…Happy 4th of July and even better, Happy Birthday to Jonathan!!

  14. Love the black/white exteriors! Go for it! And, as you said, you can always paint over it if you don’t like it.
    Happy birthday to our great country and to Jonathan too!
    Be blessed!

  15. I have a feeling when you all are done with the whole project it will be beautiful just like the front of your house is.
    I doubt our homeowners association would ok it. They don’t exactly keep up with trends.😂 Have you seen that Geico commercial about the lady from the homeowner’s association? That’s the way ours is.😀
    Looking forward to seeing the finished project.

  16. Well oh, I do like the black and white houses. Or darker gray houses. I have a white large farmhouse style. The trim has been a dark green and now it’s a tan and I think the next time I painted I will go for a traditional black trim. I do not like the all black houses , they just look too dark and scary!
    But I really love following you and watching your adventures of remodeling and giving all of us great ideas and tips! Keep up the good work.
    I think you’re a wonderful wife and mom! Thank you for sharing your life with us!🌷💕😀

  17. Love it! And I know that you and Cy will make it gorgeous. It’s fresh and current and something different. And it’s just paint! Go for it! Nothing ventured…….

  18. I love the black, white and timber look, but I would worry about the black fading. I think the dark is a wow factor, but what does it look like 5 years later?

  19. I’m like you, I don’t think I’d want my whole house black, but I do love the trend of doing some black!! It’s so moody!!!

  20. If I remember correctly a few of the homes on the the 2019 Colorado Springs Parade of Homes were Black and White on the exterior and they were stunning! My sister lives in Colorado Springs and my mom and I go up there (from Texas) every year for the Parade of Homes. We only look at the really expensive ones for design ideas, home layouts, etc. Black and white exteriors are very modern and up and coming here in Austin. I think it will look awesome on your house! And like you said, it is only paint! I can’t wait to see the finished project.

  21. I haven’t considered black as an exterior paint color before, and have never seen it locally, BUT you have a great eye for what works so I bet the house will look great when you’re done. In your photo examples, the warmth of the natural wood tones seems to pull the design of black/white houses together. I can visualize a new porch-level natural wood deck extending from the white portion of the house along the full length of the black portion. Several big white pots with green junipers or other greenery on the porch/deck, up against the black wall, would look terrific. A combination of white, green, natural wood tones and black sounds like a modern color scheme that is both sophisticated yet warm.

  22. I’M WITH CONNIE MCDONALD, THESE HOMES ARE PRETTY JUST NOT MY TASTE IN HOMES. AND I WONDERED THE SAME THING ABOUT HEATING AND COOLING COSTS! LOL

  23. Go for it! If you don’t like it it’s just paint. I’m interested and curious to see. I would never be bold /brave enough to do it which is why I follow folks like you. 😃

  24. Traci! I love the black and white trend and can’t wait to see the finished “ baby”! In Oklahoma the trend the past few years has been white brick/ black roofs and trim and with our red dirt the bottom of the homes are always an orangey color and I feel like they all start to look the same also. I’ll have to start looking at new construction to see if people are on board here
    with the black. The metal roofs are definitely popular here on the more contemporary homes. Have a great weekend and Happy Birthday to J! 😎

  25. I loving it. I’m thinking with the huge black glass doors it’s going to tie it all together! Thx u
    For being adventurous and letting us all come along for the ride.

  26. The inspiration pics are gorgeous and I feel confident in your ability to make it beautiful! That’s what makes it even more fun because you get to wow everyone who was skeptical. I can’t wait to see the finished product!

  27. I would not paint my home black, but I love what you are doing to your home. It does look classy.

  28. Go for it Traci! If you don’t go with the black paint, you’ll always wish you’d tried it. I personally think it’s gorgeous; although I know it’s not for everyone. It’s unusual, but a black and green combination is one of my favorites. I think the greenery and warmth of the deck color will be so complimentary.

  29. I absolutely LOVE the trend Traci, and I can’t wait to see your home painted black. Your examples are gorgeous! I currently have a white brick MCM house with some black accents which we are about to expand. There will be lots more of the black on the house after the reno.

  30. We have been seeing the darker exterior colors here too ( Canada) . I must say I wouldn’t have thought of this color before but looking at the pictures I think it’s going to be beautiful. The accents will definitely add character too:) hats off to you both for giving this a try! Can’t wait to see the finished product. Happy 4 th of July, from your Canadian follower.

  31. Totally Black houses are just not for me.
    I am not a trend follower, never have been.
    whatever you do will be amazing!
    I like the others, am wondering if /how this will affect heating and cooling costs?
    as well as resale value?

  32. I absolutely love the black and white! Can’t wait to see how yours turns out! Happy Independence Day to you, too!

  33. I think what ever you do will be beautiful!! It’s paint if you don’t like it it’s an easy fix. Go for it!

  34. We were just noticing a black and white home while driving today. It looked very modern and pretty. While I probably wouldn’t get away with it (hubby did not care for it), I do like it! Yours will look fantastic, just like everything you do! Happy 4th. The 5th is our 40th anniversary! Hard to take in, the years fly by.

  35. Personally, I love white houses…but then I also love the pretty colors that they feature on shows like HomeTown…but I can also appreciate the beauty of your choice, even though I wouldn’t choose it for myself. However, I know that it will be attractive when you’re finished, and hopefully everything you’re dreaming of, and like you say, if not, it’s just paint. But I betcha people will be saying, “Oh, that looks so good!” Because you do have vision, Traci!

  36. I just LOVE how you take a risk and embrace the trends! Your homes always turn out amazing so I have no doubt this one will be gorgeous, too. God has truly gifted you and your husband and you inspire so many of us. Thank you and God bless you and America!

  37. Hi Traci,
    I consider myself to be a very traditional person and I think what you’re doing is going to be gorgeous! Black can have a classic and timeless look with the right accessories. If you’re looking to warm it up, add wood planter boxes, flowers, wreath on door etc… If you’re looking for a cooler, more sleek look – stainless steel even copper
    accessories to the outside spaces, the options are endless. You’ll have it looking beautiful – no doubt!! I can’t wait to see what you do with your baby!
    Happy Birthday to your son Happy 4th of July America !!

  38. We just built a house in a neighborhood of tan, gray and brown houses. We painted our home Hale Navy with white trim 😍 black and white was my second choice! Love your stories and your family! Blog on!!

  39. Traci……I have always loved the clean crisp contrast of black and white……even when I travel that is what I usually pack & throw in some gray & a pop of either red or pink….. so..I say… “Go For It…!” Like you say … “it’s just paint!”

  40. Hi Traci! While black exteriors is not for me, I do think it can be very sophisticated and classy. I do think of black as being a neutral that you can jazz up with other colors. Happy Birthday to our wonderful country and Happy Birthday to Jonathan!

  41. I haven’t seen you’all do anything I haven’t liked, so go for it! You have good taste and vision, I think I will like it on the side with the deck and proposed courtyard. I’m not liking the all black theme, but some of the partial ones were nice and at least different. I started painting one ranch style brick house I lived in a dark gray. I thought the color was lighter than it was. I started with the porch and went to one side in full sun to see if I would like it more than the shaded porch. I didn’t like any of it and had to repaint. Like one viewer mentioned, the porch did not look friendly or welcoming. But my porch was set in and not even with other outside walls, so it actually looked a bit scary. You don’t have the same architecture on that side.

  42. I love it! A few years ago we flipped a house (really interesting flip, the seller was a hoarder) and painted the exterior black. The contractors thought we had lost our minds. It turned out beautifully. You have great taste and continue to inspire!

  43. I’m really liking the black and white style, Traci. I think it looks so chic and elegant and a lovely change to the ‘all white’. I’m totally inspired by that deck with the cane seats and black wall – Gorgeous! Very classy.

  44. I am loving the black with white and wood tones! But not so much the ALL BLACK! It looks a bit scary to me – kind of a haunted house feel! I look forward to seeing your home as it progresses.
    Best to you,

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