Our area’s natural light has a slightly warm cast—especially in the spring and summer—which means that cool paint colors can appear colder and warm colors can appear too warm if you’re not careful. Humidity also deepens colors, so a shade that looks soft on the swatch may seem a bit heavier in real life.

Translation: undertones matter—a lot. Keep them in mind when selecting colors to sample.

Warm Whites That Don’t Turn Yellow

If you’re a fan of classic white trim with brick exteriors, choose a white with a hint of cream or greige to balance the warmth of brick.

Great options:

• Sherwin-Williams Shoji White
• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Sherwin-Williams Alabaster

These whites give you a crisp, traditional colonial vibe without veering into harsh or chalky territory.

Greiges and Soft Neutrals That Love Brick

Greige (gray + beige) is essentially brick’s best friend, which is why it’s so popular. It softens the red/orange tones found in most bricks, keeping things looking clean and updated.

Consider:

• Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (a NOVA favorite for a reason)
• Sherwin-Williams Mindful Gray
• Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

These colors appear neutral in every season—even through our cloudy Virginia winter days.

Deep Greens for a High-End, Historic Feel

If you want something with spunk that still looks timeless, deep green is a stunning option on shutters, doors, or siding.

Consider:

• Benjamin Moore Essex Green
• Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green
• Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green

These shades pull out the cool tones in red brick and add a polished, heritage feel.

Navy and muted colonial blues look fantastic on homes in Northern Virginia, especially those with traditional architecture.

Consider:

• Sherwin-Williams Naval
• Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
• Sherwin-Williams Distance

Blue + brick = unexpectedly classy.

When Painting Brick Is Worth Considering

We often get asked: “Should I paint the brick?”  Sometimes the answer is yes—especially if the brick is mismatched, dated, or just not your style.

Pros:

• Instant update
• Instant transformation
• Can disguise patching or repairs

Painting brick is typically a significant preparation job that requires the right products to prevent moisture and peeling issues, as well as a contractor with experience in painting brick. It’s absolutely not a job for the inexperienced!

The Takeaway

With the right color palette, your Northern Virginia colonial can look warm, classic, and beautifully updated.

If you’re still unsure which direction to take, we’re always happy to discuss colors that might complement your specific brick tone.