16 Best Shutter Ideas That Add Instant Curb Appeal

Nautical Coastal Home Decor: Natural Air Circulation
Photo: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

We can bet you've driven by an adorable house with a bright yellow door and thought, "I wish I could do that to my house." Good news: You can! Painting your exterior window shutters is an easy and low-cost way to add curb appeal to your house. Bright shutter colors like aqua, red, green, and even purple will completely transform your home. If you've been looking for ways to add curb appeal to your home without an expensive add-on or an entire exterior coat of paint, adding a colorful hue to your window shutters is the ideal way to get I wish I could do that to my house curb appeal. If you've always thought a light blue door and shutters might work, now's the time to grab some paint samples. These colorful shutters are the easiest (and cutest!) way to achieve enviable curb appeal . Read on for shutter-design inspiration.

01 of 16

Add A Beachy Flair

Nautical Coastal Home Decor: Natural Air Circulation
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Bright turquoise shutters will make an all-white beach house stand out without looking cheesy. Paint the door the same color of turquoise for added cohesiveness. Pair it with a few palm trees, and you've got yourself a seaside oasis!

02 of 16

Paint The Upstairs Only

Exterior: The Sides & Back
Laurey W. Glenn

If you only have shutters on the upstairs windows, you have an ideal opportunity to add a little color without going overboard. This technique will add a sprinkle of color to your house. Tip: add a little decor, like these plant pots, to the porch and lower portion of the house, to bring the color down and throughout.

03 of 16

Mix Color With Neutral Tones

Colonial Williamsburg: After
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

For an understated, classic look, keep your door neutral and just paint the shutters. The shutters will act as a colorful border to the entryway. This will add the color you desire while insuring the house has a traditional feel.

04 of 16

Add Flowers

Julia Engel of Gal Meets Glam Charleston Home Front Porch Flower Pots
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lizzie Cullen Cox

Want the best curb appeal on the block? It may be as simple as adding some flowers underneath your shutters. Find a plant stand and coordinating pots to really make it pop.

05 of 16

Try All White

Properly Portioned Shutters
Laurey W. Glenn

Paint your house and shutters white for a fresh look. It's a classic choice that will give you the best modern farmhouse. Add pops of color in your decor and landscaping to really take advantage of the all-white exterior.

06 of 16

Go For Green

Garden Fresh
Laurey W. Glenn

Colorful shutters work on any architecture, even classic, old-school homes. Choose a deep forest green to instantly give an earthy feel to your home. Plus, any plants in your landscape will be brought out by the green shutters.

07 of 16

Paint the Garage Door Too

2019 Idea House Garage Doors
Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Liz Strong

Painting the garage door the same hue as the shutters will tie the exterior of your home together. Adding a bit of style to something like a garage door that typically can go overlooked, can make your exterior shine. Continue this trend of matching colors to your doors around the house, and even your mailbox.

08 of 16

Add a Painted Window Box

Charleston Window Boxes with Hydrangeas
Hector Manuel Sanchez

If you have window boxes, paint them the same color as the shutters for a bolder look. If you don't have window boxes, add them for instant charm. Plant some bright-colored flowers in them for an instant boost of happiness to your exteriors.

09 of 16

Go Bold With Color

Aiken Street House Plan (SL-1807), ColorWater Florida Front Exterior
Annie Schlechter; Styling: Page Mullins

Want to ensure your house gets some passerby attention? Get a little creative with your color selection. The shutters, the house, the front door, and the trim can all be painted a bold color and look fabulous.

10 of 16

Add Some Country Charm

Maximized the Stature
Laurey W. Glenn

French door shutters add so much character. Painting them your favorite color will leave you smiling every time you walk through your doors. Furthermore, adding french door shutters will elongate your space, and create an illusion of height.

11 of 16

Make a Smaller Statement

Cape Cod-style beach cottage in Orleans, Massachusettes with gray shingles, black shutters, and a water view.
Annie Schlechter; Styling: Jennifer Kain Defoe

Even the smallest shutters add curb appeal when they're painted a bright color. Match them to the doors, and voila! You've got yourself the cutest cottage on the block.

12 of 16

Coordinate with Porch Decor

House Plan 1825 Porch
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Why stop at the shutters when you can incorporate the color throughout your homes exterior? Large urns or porch furniture that coordinates with your painted shutters give your home an instant put-together look. Everything from the color of flowers you use to the chairs can be purchased in colors that are complementary to your shutter color.

13 of 16

Match the Roof and Shutters

Exterior: The Front
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Would you like to make even more of an impact? Look no further than matching your shutters to the roof. It's this kind of exterior that makes people stop and say, "I'd like to live there one day." For a special touch, add coordinating porch décor and landscaping.

14 of 16

Paint it Pastel

Julia Engel Gal Meets Glam White House with Blue Shutters in Charleston, SC
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Lizzie Cullen Cox

Create a soft look by adding pastel shutters, like these pale blue ones, to your house. They will soften the look of your house and lessen the intensity, while bringing a beautiful new shade to your exterior that will be sure to acrue compliments. Match the shutters to your flowers for a little extra touch of curb appeal magic. Just think of how beautiful blue hydrangeas would look with this home.

15 of 16

Consider Black Shutters

Get the Look: The Farmhouse Porch
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

While you may be skeptical and think black shutters might darken your home, they can actually make your exterior pop with the great contrast it adds to light-colored houses. We love how these black shutters look against this beautiful white farmhouse. The black adds a bit of elegance, and gives the home an all-around classic feel.

16 of 16

Create Contrast

Coastal Charm
Laurey W. Glenn

Choose a color for your shutters that pops with your house color, but doesn't overwhelm the eye. Here, we've got a classic white house that was done justice with these classic turquoise shutters. Paint the front door the same color to really add some charm.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles