Quick answer: Start with the brick that will stay, then coordinate the paint with the roof, mortar, stone, and fixed metal finishes. For Indiana homes, muted whites, warm taupes, charcoal, and weathered greens often work because they respect natural masonry instead of fighting it. Test large samples in morning, noon, and evening light before committing.
Color order: brick first, roof and stone second, body color third, trim fourth, door and shutters last. If an HOA reviews exterior changes, move that approval step before purchasing paint.
Why is brick harder to color-match than siding?
Brick is not one color. It may contain red, brown, gray, cream, charcoal, and the warm haze of mortar. A paint chip that looks beige in the store can turn pink beside red brick, yellow beside buff brick, or green beside a roof with cool undertones.
Brick also stays visible even when you paint the siding, trim, or shutters around it. The safest palette usually repeats a quiet tone already in the masonry or makes a controlled contrast. Pulling a brand-new color from nowhere is where exterior schemes start to feel disconnected.
How do you choose a paint color for a brick house?
- Photograph the facade. Look at it from the street, not only from the front step. Note the brick, mortar, roof, gutters, stone, and window frames.
- Identify the undertone. Place warm and cool sample cards beside the brick. The one that makes the masonry look calmer is usually closer to the right family.
- Choose the body color. Use a larger sample on the actual siding or a movable board held against it.
- Set the trim value. Decide whether the trim should define the openings or quietly blend into the body.
- Reserve the strongest color. A front door or shutter can carry more contrast than the whole facade.
- Check the rules. In neighborhoods with an HOA, submit the full color plan before scheduling exterior work.
What colors work with red, brown, or painted brick?
| Brick character | Paint families to test | Use caution with |
|---|---|---|
| Red or russet brick | Warm ivory, taupe, charcoal, muted green | Bright blue-white or strong orange |
| Buff or tan brick | Cream, soft gray-green, warm gray, deep brown | Very pink beige or icy gray |
| Painted brick | Close-value trim, quiet contrast, a grounded door color | Layering too many competing accents |
Should you paint the brick or only the siding and trim?
That is a maintenance and design decision, not only a color decision. Painting brick changes the surface and creates a future repaint obligation, while leaving the masonry alone lets the brick remain the anchor for the rest of the scheme. If the brick is damaged, damp, or historically significant, inspect it before choosing a coating.
Our brick and stucco painting service looks at the masonry condition, existing coatings, mortar, and moisture exposure. If you are only changing the siding, see the siding painting guide as well.
How should you test exterior colors in Indiana light?
Paint a large sample board or a generous test area on more than one side of the house. Central Indiana light changes across the day, and a color beside a shaded porch may read differently on a west-facing wall. Keep the sample up through a bright afternoon and an overcast morning before making the final call.
Use the same sheen and primer approach you expect for the project. A color test over raw wood, old chalky siding, or glossy trim is not a reliable preview of the finished system.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need three exterior colors?
No. A body color and a trim color can be enough. Add a door or shutter accent only when it supports the architecture and doesn't turn the facade into a collection of competing blocks.
What if the roof is being replaced soon?
Choose the roof first if timing allows. The roof occupies a large visual area and can shift how the same siding color reads.
Can a dark exterior color damage siding?
Some siding materials and product systems have color or heat limitations. Confirm the manufacturer's guidance and have the substrate inspected before choosing a very dark color.
Further reading: Westlake Royal Building Products' exterior color guide, our HOA approval guide, and brick vs. other masonry finishes. Updated 2026-09-01.