Winter is over, people are outside again, and if your home’s exterior has seen better days, now’s the time to fix it. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh coat of paint — the simplest, most transformative upgrade in the book. Few know this better than Little Greene, the family-run British brand with years of paint and wallpaper expertise. Now, with their outdoor paint collection, the House is bringing that heritage curbside.
I spoke with Ruth Mottershead, Little Greene’s creative director, about where exterior paint colors are headed for 2025 and beyond. Interestingly, the biggest exterior paint trends aren’t exactly new — many are long-standing favorites, simply reimagined in fresh ways.
"Some of our most popular colors are also the oldest,” Ruth notes. “For example, Celestial Blue was originally discovered on a color card from 1807 and can be used in a really contemporary way, both indoor and outdoor.” Unlike interiors, exterior colors shift at a more measured pace (no one’s painting their house "Brat" Green anytime soon). Several outdoor options remain in perennial favor for 2025 — white, for instance, never loses its expansive, uplifting appeal.
Opt for light, tonal grays in lieu of true blacks for an airer take on edgy exteriors.
Meanwhile, familiar, whispering grays are stepping in where stark black once dominated. Black has long been a favorite for exterior woodwork, but we’re seeing a shift toward softer, more complex says Ruth — such as Pompeian Ash. The effect is just as bold, but slightly less severe.
Greens are making their way outdoors, too. “By using these traditional muted green tones in combination, you can create a scheme that emulates the natural environment, delivering a feeling of restfulness and wellbeing,” Ruth explains. She recommends heritage-inspired shades like Kitchen Green and Green Stone, layered with earthy neutrals such as Book Room Green and Sage Green — tones that feel rooted and refined.
Ruth suggests pairing a green-based neutral, such as "Acorn," with bright whites like "Loft White" for freshness — no renovation required.
If you’re hesitant to commit to a full exterior repaint, Ruth suggests starting small. “Painting the front door is a simple and effective way of refreshing your exterior woodwork,” she says. Wooden furniture, planters, and shutters can also benefit from a contrasting exterior trim color, adding dimension and character without overpowering.
But the biggest shift isn’t actually in color — it’s in finish. According to Ruth, masonry paint — a highly durable, protective acrylic designed to withstand the elements — is fast becoming the go-to curb appeal upgrade for 2025.
“Dirt and water-resistant, with anti-fungal and anti-aging technology, it will give peace of mind whilst transforming an exterior,” says Ruth of Little Greene’s Intelligent Masonry Paint. Available in 196 colors and formulated to last 15 years before repainting is required, it’s weatherproofing with polish — not just refreshing a facade, but reinforcing it.
"Celestial Blue" and other classic colorways are just as at home indoors as they are out.
Heritage hues, refined finishes — 2025 exterior trends prove that the best updates build on what lasts. Ahead, Ruth’s standout shades and finishes for the year ahead — in with the old, out with the overdone.
Price: $52 per quart
We’re demanding more from exterior paint in 2025. Little Greene’s Intelligent Exterior Eggshell delivers on all fronts. A self-priming finish that works seamlessly on woodwork and metalwork, “it dries in just 2-4 hours,” says Ruth, “so you can achieve a beautiful finish with minimal time and effort.” Seen here in Green Stone Light, it’s a green that behaves like a neutral.
Price: $125 per gallon
For sheds, fencing, garden doors, window frames, or doors, Ruth suggests Celestial Blue, a soft, atmospheric hue that plays beautifully with white or red brick. “A timeless color, Celestial Blue will reflect the light beautifully, subtly changing throughout the day,” she muses.
Price: $36 per quart
When prepping delicate, patch-repaired, or friable surfaces, or transitioning between bold and pale colors, Little Greene’s ASP (All Surface Primer) is the way to go. The brand’s most technically advanced exterior primer ensures your light grays hold their depth and darker hues apply evenly — so 2025’s moody neutral color trends can shine without worry.
Price: $52 per quart
And speaking of lighter grays, Urbane Grey makes the perfect tonal pairing with Pompeian Ash, a rich dark gray first found in a prestigious National Trust property. Grays can be notoriously tricky — subtle undertones can reveal flaws — but thanks to its fast-dry, element-resistant formula, this is one shade even DIYers can trust. No primer required — just paint and go.
Price: $125 per gallon
“Many people opt for a bright white on an exterior wall, believing this will make a space feel larger,” says Ruth. But not all whites are created equal. “True whites reflect a lot of light” and instantly “make a space feel brighter and larger” — which means the key is keeping them that way. Enter Little Greene’s Masonry finish, the brand’s most robust formulation yet.
Price: $52 per quart
High-gloss, high-impact, and even better in Hopper, Intelligent Gloss is Little Greene’s water-based alternative to traditional oil gloss — equally tough, environmentally friendly, and fully washable. Suitable for exterior woodwork and primed metals, its got a sophisticated air with heritage credentials to match. Fun fact: the shade was first seen on the exterior woodwork of playwright George Bernard Shaw’s home. As bold and brilliant as its original owner.
Another key direction for 2025? Tonal layering. Pairing a light brown facade with deeper chocolate-colored accents, for instance, creates a rich, harmonious look. “Use the boldest shade for exterior woodwork and the softer tone for entryways and interior transitions,” Ruth notes, breeding a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
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