Red-orange brick homes offer a distinct charm and character that stands the test of time. These warm-toned exteriors range from deep russet to lighter clay hues, creating a natural foundation that can either blend harmoniously with the landscape or make a bold architectural statement. Before selecting complementary colors for your brick home, it’s essential to understand the specific undertones of your brick—whether they lean more toward red, orange, or brown—as this will significantly influence which colors pair most effectively.
The enduring appeal of brick homes comes from their durability, low maintenance, and natural insulating properties. However, choosing the right complementary colors can dramatically transform the overall appearance, either modernizing a traditional brick facade or enhancing its classic appeal.
Analyzing Your Brick’s Specific Tone
Before selecting paint colors, take time to analyze your brick’s exact shade:
- Observe your brick at different times of day to see how natural light affects its appearance
- Look for underlying tones (yellow, brown, or pink undertones can affect color pairing)
- Consider whether your brick has a consistent color or varied tones throughout
- Note any existing mortar color, which can influence overall color perception
Best Exterior Color Combinations for Red-Orange Brick Houses
Neutral Color Palettes That Enhance Brick Beauty
Neutral colors create a timeless aesthetic that allows your brick to take center stage while providing a clean, cohesive look.
White and Off-White: Pure white trim creates a crisp, dramatic contrast against red-orange brick, highlighting architectural details and lending a classic appearance. For a softer look, consider off-white or creamy tones that complement the warmth of the brick without the stark contrast.
Warm Beige and Taupe: These neutrals harmonize beautifully with red-orange brick, creating a cohesive color story that feels grounded and natural. Taupe, with its gray-brown undertones, provides subtle contrast while maintaining a warm overall appearance.
Soft Gray: Light to medium grays with warm undertones provide a contemporary counterpoint to traditional brick. This combination feels fresh and updated without clashing against the brick’s natural warmth.
Bold Color Choices for Statement Appeal
For homeowners seeking to make a distinctive statement, several bold color options work surprisingly well with red-orange brick.
Navy Blue: Deep navy creates a striking contrast with red-orange brick while maintaining an elegant, timeless appeal. Navy blue doors, shutters, or gables can add a touch of sophistication and visual interest.
Forest Green: Dark, rich greens complement the earthy quality of brick while providing beautiful contrast. Forest green shares the natural, organic quality of brick while offering color diversity.
Charcoal: Nearly black charcoal trim provides dramatic definition to windows, doors, and rooflines while allowing the brick’s color and texture to remain prominent.
Door Colors That Make a Statement on Red-Orange Brick Homes
Your front door offers a perfect opportunity to introduce a complementary accent color that sets the tone for your entire home.
Classic Black: A glossy black door creates timeless sophistication and works with virtually any brick tone. The high contrast draws attention to the entrance while maintaining elegance.
Bold Blue Tones: From navy to teal, blue doors create a welcoming, distinctive entrance. Blue exists opposite orange on the color wheel, making it a natural complementary choice.
Rich Burgundy or Wine: These deeper reds can enhance the warm tones in your brick while adding depth and richness to your entrance.
Forest or Olive Green: Green doors provide natural harmony with brick exteriors while offering sufficient contrast to make the entrance stand out.
Modernizing Orange Brick: Contemporary Color Approaches
Many homeowners seek ways to update the appearance of their traditional brick homes without resorting to painting the brick itself.
Contemporary Trim Colors
Matte Black: Black window frames, gutters, and other trim elements create a modern, streamlined appearance that can instantly update a traditional brick exterior.
Charcoal Gray: Slightly softer than black but with similar contemporary appeal, charcoal gray trim brings a modern aesthetic to traditional materials.
Bronze or Copper Accents: Metallic tones complement the earthy quality of brick while adding a touch of luxury and contemporary flair.
Partial Facade Updates
Consider these approaches to modernize your brick home without completely covering the natural brick:
- Painting select portions of the facade (such as gables or rear extensions) in complementary colors
- Adding modern siding materials to certain sections while leaving brick exposed in others
- Incorporating contemporary elements like metal panels or wood accents alongside the brick
Siding Color Combinations for Mixed Material Exteriors
Many modern homes combine brick with other materials like vinyl or fiber cement siding, creating opportunities for interesting color combinations.
Complementary Neutral Siding: Light gray, soft taupe, or warm beige siding pairs beautifully with red-orange brick, allowing the brick sections to stand out while maintaining color harmony.
Monochromatic Approach: Selecting siding in a color similar to your brick creates a cohesive, sophisticated look where textural differences provide subtle interest.
Contrasting Dark Siding: Dark gray, navy, or even black siding creates dramatic contrast with red-orange brick, resulting in a bold, contemporary aesthetic.
Interior Color Schemes for Red-Orange Brick Features
When red-orange brick appears inside your home—whether as a fireplace, accent wall, or exposed interior wall—selecting complementary colors requires a slightly different approach.
Living Room Colors with Brick Features
Cool Blues and Greens: Blues and greens create beautiful contrast with warm brick tones while providing a balanced, restful atmosphere. Consider:
- Soft sage green walls with brick fireplace
- Navy blue accent furniture against brick walls
- Teal accessories to provide complementary pops of color
Neutral Foundations: Create a sophisticated backdrop with:
- Warm white or cream walls that allow brick features to shine
- Greige (gray-beige) tones that bridge between cool and warm elements
- Soft taupe that echoes the earthy quality of the brick
Rich Accent Colors: Add depth with:
- Mustard yellow accents that complement the orange undertones in the brick
- Terracotta fabrics and accessories that create a tonal relationship with the brick
- Muted teal or turquoise for complementary contrast
Creating Balance with Brick in Interior Spaces
Balance the visual weight of interior brick with these approaches:
- Use lighter colors on walls adjacent to brick features
- Incorporate textiles with patterns that include colors found in the brick
- Select artwork that bridges between the brick tones and your chosen color scheme
- Balance warm brick with cool-toned furniture and accessories (or vice versa)
Roof and Gutter Colors for Red-Orange Brick Homes
The roof represents a significant portion of your home’s visible exterior and plays a crucial role in the overall color harmony.
Classic Dark Options:
- Charcoal or black asphalt shingles provide timeless contrast
- Dark brown roofing complements the warmth of red-orange brick
- Deep gray metal roofing offers contemporary appeal
Unexpected Roof Colors:
- Forest green roofing creates natural harmony with brick tones
- Burgundy or rust-colored metal roofing for a monochromatic effect
- Copper or bronze metal roofing that patinas beautifully over time with brick
For gutters and downspouts, consider:
- Matching them to your trim color for a cohesive look
- Copper gutters that develop a natural patina complementary to brick
- Dark bronze gutters for subtle distinction against the brick
Landscaping Colors to Enhance Your Brick Home
Your landscaping choices provide another opportunity to create color harmony with your brick exterior.
Complementary Plantings:
- Blue-flowering plants like hydrangeas and delphiniums create natural contrast
- Purple lavender and salvia provide beautiful complementary color
- Silver-leaved plants like Russian sage and artemisia offer subtle contrast
Harmonious Garden Choices:
- Yellow and gold flowers enhance the warm undertones in the brick
- Copper and bronze foliage plants create a sophisticated tonal palette
- Deep green evergreens provide year-round structure and contrast
Professional Color Selection Tips and Resources
Working with a Color Consultant
Professional color consultants can provide valuable expertise when selecting colors for your brick home:
- They understand color theory and how different hues interact with brick tones
- Professionals can visualize the finished result more accurately than most homeowners
- They stay current on color trends while respecting timeless design principles
Digital Tools for Testing Color Combinations
Several online resources and apps allow you to visualize different color combinations:
- Paint manufacturer websites often offer visualization tools where you can upload photos of your home
- Color scheme generators can suggest complementary colors based on your brick’s exact shade
- Home design apps let you virtually “paint” different elements of your home exterior
Common Questions About Red-Orange Brick Color Combinations
What color goes well with red-orange brick?
Red-orange brick pairs beautifully with:
- Neutrals like white, cream, taupe, and gray
- Blues ranging from navy to teal (complementary to orange)
- Greens, particularly forest, olive, and sage tones
- Deep charcoal and black for dramatic contrast
- Earth tones like warm beige and brown for a harmonious palette
What door color goes with orange brick?
The best door colors for orange brick homes include:
- Navy or deep blue for striking complementary contrast
- Black for timeless elegance
- Dark green for natural harmony
- Burgundy or wine for sophisticated depth
- Charcoal gray for contemporary appeal
How can I modernize orange brick?
Modernize your orange brick home with these approaches:
- Update trim colors to matte black or charcoal
- Replace outdated windows with contemporary styles
- Add modern lighting fixtures
- Introduce contrasting materials like metal or wood accents
- Consider limewashing or german schmear techniques for a subtle update without fully painting the brick
- Update the landscaping with structured, contemporary plantings
Final Thoughts: Creating Your Perfect Brick Home Color Palette
Selecting colors for your red-orange brick home involves balancing personal preference with design principles and color theory. Whether you prefer classic combinations that highlight the timeless quality of brick or contemporary contrasts that update your home’s appearance, the key is creating a cohesive color story that enhances your brick’s natural beauty.
Remember that lighting conditions, surrounding landscape, and architectural style all influence how colors appear on your home. Take time to test samples, observe them at different times of day, and consider how they interact with fixed elements like your roof and brick color.
With thoughtful color selection, your red-orange brick home can achieve the perfect balance of timeless charm and fresh appeal that will endure for years to come.
