Orange brick houses have a distinct charm and character that stand out in any neighborhood. The warm, earthy tones of orange brick create a welcoming facade, but many homeowners struggle when deciding what colors will best complement this unique exterior. Whether you’re planning to paint your front door, trim, shutters, or interior walls, choosing the right color palette to harmonize with orange brick can dramatically enhance your home’s appearance and increase its curb appeal. This comprehensive guide explores the most effective color combinations for orange brick houses, providing practical tips and design inspiration to help you make confident color choices for your home.
Understanding the Undertones of Orange Brick
Before selecting complementary colors, it’s essential to analyze the specific undertones of your orange brick.
Identifying Your Brick’s Undertone
Orange brick comes in various shades, each with distinct undertones that affect color pairing decisions:
- Red-orange brick – Contains warm red undertones and tends to appear more vibrant
- Yellow-orange brick – Features golden undertones and appears more muted
- Terracotta brick – Has earthy brown undertones and creates a more rustic appearance
The undertone of your brick should guide your color selection process. Take photos of your home at different times of day to accurately assess the true color variation, as lighting conditions can significantly affect how the brick appears.
Best Exterior Colors for Orange Brick Houses
Complementary Door Colors for Orange Brick
Your front door creates an immediate impression and serves as a focal point for your home’s exterior. These door color options pair beautifully with orange brick:
1. Deep Blues
Navy blue and indigo doors create a striking contrast against orange brick. This pairing works because blue sits opposite orange on the color wheel, creating a classic complementary color scheme that’s visually appealing.
2. Forest and Sage Greens
Green tones, particularly deeper forest greens or softer sage greens, complement orange brick beautifully. Like blue, green is a complementary color to orange but offers a more natural, organic feel that connects your home to the surrounding landscape.
3. Rich Browns
For a sophisticated, cohesive look, rich chocolate or espresso brown doors provide elegant contrast while honoring the earthy qualities of brick. This combination creates a grounded, timeless appearance.
4. Classic Black
Black doors offer timeless elegance and versatility with orange brick. The stark contrast highlights architectural details and creates a sophisticated, formal appearance that works with virtually any style of orange brick home.
5. Crisp White
White doors create a clean, fresh contrast against orange brick and brighten the entire facade. This classic choice works particularly well for traditional or colonial-style homes.
Trim and Shutter Colors for Orange Brick
The right trim and shutter colors frame your orange brick beautifully:
1. Neutrals
Beige, taupe, cream, and off-white trim colors provide subtle contrast without competing with the brick. These neutral options allow the natural beauty of orange brick to remain the star while adding definition to windows and architectural details.
2. Contrasting Darks
Dark brown, charcoal gray, or black trim creates dramatic definition and architectural interest. This high-contrast approach works particularly well on more traditional orange brick homes.
3. Coordinating Earth Tones
Olive green, terracotta, or warm bronze trim colors complement the earthy quality of orange brick while providing subtle distinction. This harmonious approach creates a cohesive, natural appearance.
Interior Colors That Complement Orange Brick
Many homes with orange brick exteriors also feature interior brick elements like fireplaces or accent walls. Here’s how to coordinate your interior colors with orange brick features:
Living Room Colors with Orange Brick
Living rooms with orange brick fireplaces or walls benefit from these complementary color schemes:
1. Cool Neutrals
Soft grays, greiges (gray-beige blends), and cool taupes balance the warmth of orange brick while creating a sophisticated backdrop. These versatile neutrals allow for flexibility with furnishings and decor.
2. Soothing Blues
From powder blue to navy, blue wall colors create beautiful contrast with orange brick. This combination feels both classic and fresh, particularly when accented with cream or white trim.
3. Natural Greens
Sage, olive, or muted forest green walls complement orange brick while establishing a nature-inspired color scheme. This palette feels grounded and organic, perfect for creating a serene living space.
Kitchen and Dining Room Options
For kitchens and dining rooms adjacent to orange brick features:
1. Creamy Whites
Warm whites with subtle yellow or pink undertones harmonize with orange brick while keeping spaces bright and airy. This approach is particularly effective in kitchens, where cleanliness and light are priorities.
2. Soft Yellows
Pale, buttery yellows enhance the warmth of orange brick without competing. This cheerful combination creates welcoming kitchens and dining areas.
3. Terracotta and Clay Colors
For a monochromatic approach, softer terracotta or clay-colored walls can extend the warmth of brick features throughout the space. This creates a cohesive, Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic.
Exterior Paint Colors for Orange Brick House Walls
Some homeowners choose to paint portions of their orange brick exterior to update the appearance or create visual interest through mixed materials.
Partial Brick Painting Options
When combining painted sections with natural orange brick:
1. Warm White
Creamy whites with yellow undertones provide beautiful contrast without appearing too stark or cold against orange brick.
2. Gentle Grays
Light to medium gray with warm undertones offers sophisticated contrast while maintaining harmony with the brick’s warmth.
3. Soft Greens
Muted sage or olive green painted sections create a natural color story when paired with orange brick, connecting the home to the landscape.
[Image: Orange brick house with sage green painted gables and white trim. Alt text: “Orange brick house with complementary sage green painted sections and white trim details”]
Modern Color Schemes for Orange Brick Houses
For homeowners seeking a contemporary update for their orange brick home:
Contemporary Color Combinations
1. Charcoal and White
Combine sleek charcoal gray trim with white accents for a modern interpretation of the traditional orange brick exterior. This high-contrast approach feels current without attempting to disguise the brick’s character.
2. Black and Wood Tones
Black window frames, doors, and hardware paired with natural wood elements create a modern organic aesthetic that complements orange brick beautifully.
3. Monochromatic Terracotta
Embracing shades from the same color family as your brick creates a sophisticated, contemporary look. Pair slightly darker or lighter terracotta tones with the orange brick for subtle dimension.
Color Schemes for Red-Orange Brick Houses
Homes with red-orange brick require slightly different color considerations:
Complementary Options for Red-Orange Brick
1. Cooler Neutrals
Gray-blue or blue-green neutrals balance the intense warmth of red-orange brick, creating pleasing contrast without clashing.
2. Deep Teals
Teal combines elements of both blue and green, making it exceptionally complementary to red-orange brick. This sophisticated color works beautifully for doors and shutters.
3. Warm Whites
Creamy whites with yellow undertones harmonize with red-orange brick while providing clean contrast. This approach works well for trim, soffits, and fascia.
Expert Tips for Coordinating Colors with Orange Brick
Professional Advice for Color Selection
- Test colors in different lighting – Paint large sample boards and view them against your brick at different times of day before committing.
- Consider the roof color – Ensure your color scheme coordinates with your roof material, as this significantly impacts the overall appearance.
- Use the surrounding landscape as inspiration – Natural elements around your home can inform beautiful, harmonious color choices.
- Respect architectural style – Traditional homes often look best with classic color schemes, while contemporary homes can support more adventurous colors.
- Create consistency between exterior and interior – If your interior features orange brick elements, consider carrying complementary colors from outside to inside for cohesion.
Enhancing Curb Appeal Beyond Color
While color choices dramatically impact your orange brick home’s appearance, other elements contribute to overall curb appeal:
Landscaping Considerations
Thoughtful landscaping can enhance your color scheme:
- Blue-flowering plants like hydrangeas and delphiniums create natural color contrast
- Green foundation plantings provide a neutral buffer between the orange brick and other color elements
- Purple and violet blooms offer subtle complementary contrast
Lighting Effects
Strategic lighting can highlight your color choices after dark:
- Warm white lighting enhances the natural warmth of orange brick
- Spotlights on contrasting doors or architectural features draw attention to color accents
- Path lighting in complementary finishes extends your color scheme to the landscape
Final Thoughts on Choosing Colors for Orange Brick Houses
Orange brick provides a warm, distinctive foundation for your home’s color story. Whether you prefer classic combinations like navy and white or more contemporary pairings like charcoal and wood tones, the key is to understand your specific brick’s undertones and choose colors that either complement or thoughtfully contrast with those tones.
Remember that cohesion matters more than strictly following trends. The most successful color schemes for orange brick homes honor the inherent character of the brick while reflecting your personal style and complementing the architectural features of your home.
By applying the principles and suggestions in this guide, you can confidently choose beautiful, harmonious colors that enhance your orange brick house, creating a home exterior that’s both distinctive and timeless.
