20 Jan Exterior Colour Schemes 2026
What exterior colour schemes are in style for 2026? Which exterior colour schemes will suit your home? Should you go traditional or try to stand out? If you’re thinking about repainting your house this year, then you’ve almost certainly thought about these colour questions. We have researched the latest paint colour trends to bring you our top 2026 exterior colour schemes. And when you’re ready to repaint, Signature Painters can arrange a free Dulux Colour Consult and Colour Overlay to make sure you get your exterior colour scheme just right.
1. Warm Neutral Exterior Colour Scheme 2026
In 2026, we expect to see more warm neutrals like sandstone, beige and tan on house exteriors. Warm neutral colour schemes highlight earthy tones around a home and blend beautifully with natural stone, render, timber and lush gardens. Pair light warm neutrals with deep brown timbers and render for a richer look, or contrast them with crisp white trim to add sophistication.
Dulux’s 2026 Elemental colour palette is built around warm neutrals, so it’s a good source of inspiration for an up-to-date exterior colour scheme. We also expect classic neutrals like Dulux Oyster Linen, Porters Safari and Taubmans Pebble Bay to be more popular than ever.
2. Grey & White Exterior Colour Schemes 2026
While grey is no longer the ‘go-to’ exterior colour, it is not going away; it’s evolving. Grey has proven its longevity and versatility, as it suits almost every home style. In 2025, designers favoured soft, light, natural, warm greys. Soft warm greys with green undertones, like Dulux Feathersoft, remain a timeless, elegant choice for house exteriors.
In 2026, grey exterior colour schemes seem to be moving towards darker and stronger tones that make a confident statement, such as Dulux Teahouse and Wattyl Grey Ember Solagard. Dark colours can make your home hotter, but with the move to solar power and premium paint ranges that reflect heat, they seem to be back in vogue. Using two or three harmonious dark greys, complemented with warm timbers, tiles and lighting, will bring this look together.
3. All-white and cream Exterior Colour Schemes 2026
Shades of white and cream remain popular exterior paint colours. An all-white exterior colour scheme is popular in coastal locations and for Queenslanders with architectural details that add texture. The Hamptons trend has evolved to ‘warmer’ whites like Dulux White Dune Half, which look more restful and are less prone to glare in the Australian sun.
Instead of a single white colour scheme, designers are now layering different shades of white and off-white alongside natural materials like stone and timber to add depth and warmth. Paired with light natural materials, a soft white scheme can create a fresh, airy feel that’s both timeless and modern.
4. Blue Exterior Colour Schemes 2026
Blues have long been popular with homeowners seeking an alternative to grey or neutral exterior colour schemes. Mid-toned grey-blues offer personality without overheating, look calm and sophisticated, and remain a smart, low-maintenance choice in 2026. Deep, dark, moody blues are striking and can look great on both contemporary architecture and more traditional homes.
Whether light or dark, we are likely to see more green-based blues on house exteriors this year, as they are seen as balancing earth and ocean and reflecting the broader trend of aligning our homes with nature. Dulux Puhoi is a pretty, pale green-blue, while Resene has a beautiful range of darker blues, many inspired by Nature, like Resene Blue Bark (shown below).
5. Green Exterior Colour Schemes 2026
Green is loved for its versatility and remains a popular choice for an exterior colour scheme. In 2026, choose from earthy olives, dark moss, smoky eucalyptus greens, muted sages and sea greens. Whatever your preference, the key to a successful green exterior colour scheme is using muddier or greyer versions of natural greens.
Nature-inspired greens are ideal if you want to draw on your home’s surrounding leafy landscape or bushland setting. Earthy greens like Dulux Jungle Cloak blend well into the landscape, while Taubmans River Forest and Snow Olive create a quintessentially Australian bush feel.
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2026 Door Colours
While classic exterior schemes like neutrals, whites and grey-blues are safe choices, it’s easy to add a bold front door to give your home extra personality and a contemporary edge.
Some colour experts are predicting that 2026 exterior colour schemes will feature front doors in rich, comforting tones, like those in the Dulux 2026 Evoke Colour Palette. These shades of clay, muted orange, mustard, grape, red and deep aqua go well with Snowy Mountains and White Beach neutral house colours. Whether you want to bring a warm Mediterranean vibe with terracottas like Dulux Baked Clay, or embrace the move towards colours found in nature with greens like Taubmans Team Spirit, an accent door colour may be the perfect way to do it.
How to Get your Exterior Colour Scheme Right
When you’re choosing your home’s exterior colour scheme, your selections should be based on the feeling you want to create and your home’s aspect, style, surroundings and neighbourhood – not just on trends that may come and go. You may like to start by considering these factors first, and if you own a Queenslander, take a look at our blog on Queenslander exterior colour schemes. Before making any decisions, make sure you get a professional colour consult and colour overlay, and get colour swatches. It’s also essential to sample a few paint colours directly on the house, as they can look different under different lighting conditions. Signature Painters can help you with this process, enabling you choose a colour you love that adds value to your property. And of course, we guarantee your home will be beautifully painted by our Signature residential exterior painting experts!
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