What Color Shutters Look Best on My Home? Timeless Tips for Style & Curb Appeal

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In Louisiana, shutters are more than just practical—they’re part of the region’s architectural character. Whether you're restoring a Creole cottage in New Orleans or updating a brick home in Metairie, the right shutter color can enhance your home's curb appeal, reflect your personal style, and complement the unique features of your property.

So how do you choose the best shutter color? Here’s a timeless guide to help you get it right.

 

How to Pick Shutter Colors

There are a few tried-and-true methods for finding the best shutter colors for your home.

The experts at Better Homes & Gardens recommend incorporating two to three colors into the exterior of your home. These should include at least one base color and one accent. If your home's siding will also be the main color, rather than brick, choose an additional complementary color for the trim. Your shutter colors should match the accent color you use for doors or decorative trim. Avoid shutter colors that clash with the other colors on your home. We'll discuss some tips for this below.

Matching Shutter Colors to Your Home's Style

Different architectural styles naturally lend themselves to different shutter color palettes. Here are some tried-and-true combinations:

Colonial or Traditional Homes

  • Go with: Black, navy, or dark green
  • Why it works: These classic colors pair well with symmetrical designs and brick or white siding.

Creole Cottages & Historic Homes

  • Go with: Soft blue, pale green, white, or custom pastel shades
  • Why it works: These colors honor New Orleans’ historic charm and vibrant street appeal.

Stucco or Mediterranean-Style Homes

  • Go with: Warm beige, olive, terra cotta
  • Why it works: Earth tones blend well with stucco textures and clay roofing.

Modern or Ranch-Style Homes

  • Go with: Slate gray, charcoal, black, or crisp white
  • Why it works: Clean and contrasting tones create a sleek, contemporary look.

Classic and Popular Shutter Color Pairings

Use this guide to pair your shutter color with your home’s exterior:

Exterior Color Great Shutter Matches Design Effect
White Black, navy, red, hunter green Bold, timeless, high contrast
Beige or Tan Charcoal, dark blue, sage Warm and welcoming
Gray Plum, white, slate, cobalt Sophisticated and clean
Brick Red Black, dark green, olive Rich and traditional
Light Blue/Gray White, stormy blue, soft gray Subtle, coastal, relaxing

There is still a wide variety of shutter colors to choose from (including custom colors).

Shutter Colors for Brick Homes

Different architectural styles naturally lend themselves to different shutter color palettes. Here are some tried-and-true combinations. Brick exteriors have warmth, depth, and texture—which means your shutter color should either blend naturally or create tasteful contrast.

Try these combinations:

Brick Color Great Shutter Matches Effect
Classic Red Brick Black, dark green, navy, taupe Traditional, timeless, strong
Whitewashed Brick Charcoal, slate, sage, soft gray Subtle, modern, elegant
Brown or Tan Brick Cream, beige, deep brown, olive Warm, natural, grounded
Painted Brick (white) Black, cobalt, hunter green, red High contrast, bold, Southern charm

Tip: If your brick has a lot of natural variation, look for a shutter color that echoes one of the undertones rather than competing with it.

Brick houses look best dressed up in dark colors or earth tones that complement the natural tones in the brick. Black shutters always look great, especially if you already have black accents.

shutter colors

The best shutter colors for brick houses use darker elements to add drama to a home. Typically, lighter colors or pastels can look artificial, though these can work if you have a lighter brick. Bricks come in a variety of subtle tones and colors, so take the time to figure this out. Your color swatches can help here, too.

Looking to Stand Out or Stay Subtle?

Neutral tones like white, gray, and black never go out of style. They create clean lines and broad appeal—especially if you're thinking about resale.

Bolder hues like navy, forest green, or deep red can express personality and charm, especially on homes that already feature vibrant or contrasting elements.

Especially in New Orleans, you have a wide variety of options if you're looking for shutters for a white home. Black or dark colors, like cobalt, can really make the shutters pop and dress up your home's exterior.

Light-colored shutters that are only a few shades darker than the rest of your home create a seamless, classic look for a more traditional home.

To match the visually arresting and dynamic presence of New Orleans itself, choose a brighter color. Greens and blues are great options. If you're using a bolder color, make sure it's integrated as an accent color through the rest of your home as well, like on your porch ceiling!

 

Shutter colors for Beige Homes

White or black shutters can work very well with a beige home. White shutters, if matched to your window trim, can make a smaller house appear larger. Black shutters can especially pop on larger homes.

Think of other dark colors, too. Dark forest green and deep navy blues look great on beige homes, especially when the shutter color and the front door color are matched.

Shutter Colors for Tan Homes

Shutters on tan homes look best when they match the natural tones of the home. Darker earth-tone colors, like greens or browns, work well. And, as always, white shutters can add an effortless touch of simplicity.

Shutter Colors for Colorful Homes

Finally, if you have a home that's already colorful on its own—whether it's purple, green, or blue—there are a number of shutter colors you can choose from. White, of course, is always a great option, especially for lighter-colored homes.

Colors in the same tonal family as your home, whether a few shades darker or lighter, are also a great option.

Of course, New Orleans prides itself on its colorful reputation and that's reflected in the unique colors of homes that spread across the city. If your taste is eclectic and you want your home to reflect that, choose a color that pops. Shutters colors can provide a fun focal point to your home.

Consider Regional & Historic District Guidelines

If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA or in a historic district like the French Quarter, Garden District, or Old Mandeville, color choices may be limited to preserve architectural harmony. LAS works with homeowners to ensure selections meet any necessary regulations—without sacrificing style.

LAS Offers Unlimited Color Options with Built-in Durability

We offer shutters powder-coated in virtually any color, so whether you want to go bold or stick with the classics, we've got you covered:

  • Custom-matched colors
  • Resistant to fading, rust, and wear
  • Designed for Southern Louisiana’s humidity, heat, and hurricane season

Beyond Shutter Colors: Other Considerations

Choosing shutter colors is just the beginning. There are a few other choices you'll make that could impact your final shutter selection, like:

  • Fake vs. functional: Are shutters there for show, or do you want them to be operable?
  • Materials: What shutter materials work best in terms of where you live, your budget, and your use?
  • Style: As we'll discuss, with multiple shutter styles to choose from, which works best for your home?

Regardless of which shutters you choose, it’s important to work with a trusted professional for everything from deciding on shutter colors to final installation. They can help you understand all your options and provide expert guidance on which ones will work best for your home.

Type of shutters 

LAS Shutters + Windows offers six different shutter styles to choose from, including:

  1. Colonial shutters: Operable or decorative, these shutters feature a slatted look and complement a more traditional home
  2. Raised panel shutters: Select from a number of raised panel sections, or combine with slatted accents to highlight a beautiful brick or Colonial-style home
  3. Board and batten shutters: Featured on many of New Orleans’s historic homes, with boards running vertically secured by horizontal battens
  4. Bahama shutters: Top hinges allow these shutters to let cool breezes in (and keep hot temperatures out!)
  5. RollGard shutters: These are designed to roll down to completely protect your windows from damage during hurricanes and storms
  6. Accordion shutters: Accordion shutters are lightweight, seamless, and tuck completely away when not in use

LAS also offers storm panels and privacy walls to complete the look (and protection) of your home.

Storm protection

In the Gulf South, shutters are for more than just good looks. When hurricanes roll up the bayou, your home needs protection fast. Hurricane shutters protect your windows from flying debris and can actually help prevent your roof from being blown off when winds top 100 mph or more.

The best hurricane shutters comply with SCCCI and ASTM protection standards for hurricanes and are also available in a variety of styles and colors that look great when winds are calm.

 

See Your Color Before You Commit

Not sure which shade is right? Our team can help you visualize shutter color options with real product samples or in-home consultations. We proudly serve homeowners across New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Gulf South.

We Know Shutters.

LAS knows the Gulf South. Our shutters come in a variety of styles and are made with powder-coated aluminum. This provides a gorgeous, rich shutter color that lasts and doesn't need ongoing maintenance.

What does your dream home look like? If you're in the Gulf South, call LAS today for a free estimate on how you can get there. Before installation, our professionals will work closely with you to select the best shutter colors for your home.

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