Red brick houses are always in style. But pairing the right trim color with red brick exteriors can be tricky. The wrong tone can make your home look dated or clash visually. How do you choose exterior paint colors that enhance instead of fight against the bold red bricks?
The earthy feel of red brick houses calls for warm, welcoming paint colors. By choosing complementary tones for trim and accents, you can make your home’s brickwork pop. Read on for our top tips on red brick trim colors that bring out the best in your home’s facade.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Red Brick Trim
It’s easy to choose trim colors that don’t jibe well with red brickwork. Before offering paint recommendations, here are some red brick color combos to steer clear of:
- Cool-toned whites or grays: While crisp white trim can look stellar on some home styles, paired with red brick the high contrast tends to look jarring. Cool grays have a similar clash, making warm bricks appear dull and flat.
- Matching brick and mortar colors: Extending your brick’s color onto the trim may seem like an obvious pairing, but matching red trim to red bricks distracts from the texture and diminishes the brick’s visual impact. The same goes for matching mortar color, which tends to get lost against the bricks.
- Low-contrast trim hues: Light tans, browns or oranges might seem complementary, but without enough contrast the red brick will overpower the trim color. The trim gets drowned out instead of framing the bricks.
Key Considerations for Complementary Trim
With limitless paint options out there, narrowing down trim choices for your red brick facade can feel overwhelming. Keep these guidelines in mind as you evaluate colors:
- Warm, slightly yellowish whites are best for contrast: The warm undertones of shades like Alabaster or Cream White make red bricks pop while still keeping things classic.
- Contrast is key for trim colors to stand out: Don’t shy away from crisp whites — vibrant accent colors prevent bricks from dominating the color scheme.
- Creative accents bring added “wow” factor: Beyond basic trim, have fun with black window frames, rich wood tones on garage doors, or colorful front doors.
Best Red Brick House Trim Colors
Ready to dive into specific paint recommendations? Here are our top red brick trim colors that boost curb appeal and add a welcoming touch.
Alabaster SW 7008
It’s no surprise that Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster is hands-down the most popular trim shade for red brick homes. This creamy white has faint yellow undertones that sit perfectly with the warm red brickwork. Alabaster provides plenty of contrast to make the texture and color of brick facades pop.
Without skewing too crisp or too warm, Alabaster SW 7008 suits almost any red brick house style — traditional, modern or anywhere in between. It also pairs beautifully with many other exterior accent colors from black to navy to sage green.
Dover White SW 6385
For red brick homes with a lighter, brighter feel, Sherwin-Williams’ Dover White makes trim details stand out. As a versatile off-white with a slight yellow base like Alabaster, it puts the emphasis on dynamic red bricks instead of blending in.
Dover White is especially handy for east-facing facades or shady exposures. Its cheerful undertone helps reflect light onto those darker brick walls. Use it solo or accent with a vivid front door hue like Tomato Soup Red for extra flair.
Nacre SW 6154
Prefer something cooler than Dover White but warmer than stark bright white? Check out Sherwin-Williams’ Nacre. With a very subtle gray tone, Nacre sits right between Alabaster and Dover White on the warm-to-cool spectrum.
For contemporary red brick homes, Nacre creates an elegant, refined look. Its lighter color works well to highlight modern black window frames and minimalist architecture. Still versitile enough for traditional exteriors too, this trim shade effortlessly bridges styles.
Creative Accent Ideas Beyond Basic Trim
Don’t limit yourself to trim pieces when planning your exterior paint colors! Door colors, decorative accents and ancillary structures all impact the overall look and provide plenty of room for creativity.
- Black window frames and shutters: For nice snap against red brickwork, glossy black window sashes, muntins and shutters frame views with bold contrast.
- Warm metallics on fixtures and railings: Brushed bronze or antique copper finishes on lamps, hardware, gutters and handrails glimmer against brick’s earthy texture.
- Rich wood tones on garage doors and porches: Stained cedar or mahogany front porches, garage facades and entry doors enrich the exterior’s natural vibe.
Achieving Overall Exterior Color Harmony
With limitless possibilities, exterior color schemes can quickly turn chaotic. Avoid clashing hues with these tips for unified red brick house paint colors:
- Tie together trim, accent features and front door: Repeat your trim color on window frames, the garage door, chimney and other exterior elements for cohesion.
- Transition paint colors from dark to light: Start with the richest shades on lower levels, moving up to lighter hues on higher floors and the roofline.
- Echo a creative accent color: If you fall for a vibrant accent like raspberry or navy, incorporate metallic or wood finishes in that same color for balance.
With their striking look, red brick houses make an elegant design statement. Choosing the right trim color is crucial to make those bricks shine. Warm off-white is usually the safest default that allows texture and color to take center stage.
But don’t play it too safe! The creative possibilities are endless for accent colors beyond basic trim. Vivid tones on doors and decorative accents let you personalize traditional red brick with your own style. Thoughtfully tie the full exterior together and your home’s curb appeal will stop traffic.
