The Best Exterior Color Combinations for Brick Homes in Ohio
Timeless Paint Schemes That Work With Ohio Weather and Architecture
Choosing exterior colors for a brick home can feel overwhelming. Unlike siding, brick already brings strong texture and color to the house, which means the trim, shutters, doors, soffits, and accents all need to work together without fighting the brick itself.
In Ohio, homeowners also have to think about weather, fading, dirt visibility, and long-term curb appeal. A color that looks great online may not always work well once it’s exposed to Northwest Ohio seasons.
At Ben Smith Construction, we’ve seen which exterior color combinations consistently look clean, modern, and timeless on brick homes throughout Ohio.
1. White Trim + Black Accents
The Modern Farmhouse Look
This is one of the most popular combinations right now for a reason.
Best for:
Red brick homes
Traditional ranches
Two-story suburban homes
Homes with black windows or roofing
The contrast creates a clean and modern appearance without completely changing the character of the house.
Popular combinations:
Warm white trim
Satin black shutters
Black front door
Matte black lighting fixtures
This look works especially well when paired with pressure washed brick and fresh landscaping.
2. Greige and Charcoal
Modern Without Feeling Too Dark
Greige — a mix between gray and beige — works extremely well in Ohio because it hides dirt better than bright white while still looking updated.
Pairing greige trim with charcoal shutters or darker accents creates a clean, higher-end appearance.
Best for:
Brown brick
Mixed-tone brick
Older homes needing modernization
This combination ages well and tends to stay stylish longer than trend-heavy colors.
3. Navy Blue + White Trim
Bold but Professional
Navy has become one of the strongest accent colors for exterior design.
Used correctly, navy creates a rich and polished look without being overwhelming.
Great uses:
Front doors
Shutters
Garage doors
Porch ceilings
Accent siding sections
Navy works especially well with:
White trim
Red brick
Light gray roofing
White columns
It adds personality while still feeling classic.
4. Earth Tones and Natural Colors
Safe, Timeless, and Easy to Maintain
Earth-tone palettes continue to perform well in Ohio neighborhoods because they blend naturally with landscaping and seasonal changes.
Examples:
Olive green shutters
Beige trim
Bronze accents
Warm taupe doors
Soft brown highlights
These combinations work especially well on:
Older brick homes
Homes surrounded by trees
Rural properties
Traditional architecture
They also tend to hide dirt and wear better over time.
5. Soft Gray + Natural Wood Accents
Clean Contemporary Style
Gray continues to dominate modern exterior design, especially when paired with stained wood features.
This combination works best with:
Whitewashed brick
Light red brick
Dark roofs
Modern exterior lighting
Adding natural wood elements like cedar posts, shutters, or porch ceilings helps soften the cooler gray tones.
Don’t Forget About Finish and Sheen
Color matters, but finish matters too.
For most exterior trim:
Satin finishes offer durability and easier cleaning
Flat finishes hide imperfections but collect dirt easier
Semi-gloss works well for doors and accents
Using the wrong sheen can make even good colors look cheap or uneven.
Pressure Washing Changes Everything Before Painting
Many homeowners choose paint colors before properly cleaning the house.
That’s a mistake.
Brick can darken significantly from:
Mold
Dirt
Algae
Oxidation
Pollution buildup
Professional pressure washing often restores the original brick appearance and changes how colors will actually look once the project is complete.
The Goal Is Timeless, Not Trendy
Exterior painting is expensive. Most homeowners do not want to repaint again in a few years because trends changed.
The best exterior color combinations:
Age well
Match the neighborhood
Work with the roof color
Fit the home’s architecture
Stay visually clean over time
A good contractor should help homeowners choose colors that still look great years later — not just colors that are popular online for six months.
Exterior Painting Services in Northwest Ohio
At Ben Smith Construction, we help homeowners throughout Northwest Ohio with:
Exterior painting
Brick home updates
Pressure washing
Surface preparation
Trim and accent painting
Residential and commercial painting
Whether you want a modern farmhouse look, a classic traditional style, or a complete exterior refresh, choosing the right color combination can completely transform the appearance of your home.
