We spend most of our time enjoying our interiors, but this post is dedicated to the beauty of a great exterior paint color. Specifically, all the best exterior white paint colors for coastal homes that truly support your space in embodying this specific aesthetic. The paint color on the siding of your home sets the tone before you even step inside, and when it leans into the creams, bright whites, linens, and greiges, it offers a calm, welcoming quality that both you and guests will love.
If you’re considering refreshing the outside of your house and are interested in choosing between the large selection of coastal white paint shades out there, I know that finding the right shade can be a little overwhelming. Discovering the perfect one that you’ll love for years to come is a big decision. There are so many considerations, such as finding a tone that’ll fit your design style but also match the outdoor surroundings. Or picking a shade that works with the front door color you have in mind or an existing deck or porch.
That’s one of the reasons why I love white and cream exteriors. They look beautiful when natural light pours over them and give your home the laidback (but elegant) feeling that you hope for when living by the sea. Whether you love the brightness of a crisp white or appreciate the soft warmth of a cream or linen hue, keep scrolling for some of my all-time favorite white paint colors for coastal homes.
The Best White Exterior Paint Colors for a Coastal Home
Before we peruse through the prettiest white exterior paint colors, I wanted to share a little bit about the shades I’ve used all around my own home. The exterior of our house has prefinished siding in a shade that’s very similar to Benjamin Moore’s White Dove. The siding is Mastic Cedar Shake Shingles in white, and our shutters are custom-made out of Azek composite. We painted those in Sherwin-Williams Ancient Marble.
For our front door, we selected a Therma Tru option from the Classic Craft Artíssa Collection in Mahogany Grain 6-lite divided in the color Acorn. Our decking is TimberTech, and the color is Slate Gray with cathedral grain. All of the posts are also wrapped in Azek composite, as well as the skirting on the porch. I hope this helps you when it comes to choosing every shade for each feature around your property!
I’ve also put together a shoppable list of paints that you can swipe between to find your perfect shade.
Now, let’s jump into the best white paint shades and the benefits of each.
Bright White
There is no better place to start than with a classic bright white. It’s been a staple for coastal homes for a long time, and it’s no surprise why. A true white is crisp, clean, and classic. It doesn’t fade with the trends, and it’s incredibly versatile when it comes to matching it with front and back door shades, outdoor furniture, and landscaping. I recommend a true white like Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace or Sherwin-Williams Pure White if you want to give your home a fresh, just-painted look that won’t feel dated in a matter of months or years. It boosts your curb appeal and really gives it a classic Cape Cod or New England coastal cottage look. Once you have this base, consider shutters painted in navy or charcoal gray, or pair it with natural wood accents for a more grounded appearance.
The Best Bright White Paint Colors
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White
- Backdrop Supermoon
- Benjamin Moore Oxford White
- Valspar Ultra White
Soft White
If a bright white is a touch too stark, I recommend taking a look through soft white paint colors. These shades feel a touch more homey and, although they’re still bright, they have a hint of warmth that gives them a more welcoming energy. Think about hues like Benjamin Moore White Dove or Sherwin-Williams Alabaster. You’ll still get the fresh appearance of white, but in a way that’s a tad more relaxed and approachable. If your home is surrounded by greenery, trees, or climbing plants like ivy, I recommend a soft white to serve as the perfect backdrop. This hue will complement a variety of other shades, from neutrals like black and dark brown, to slightly more pigmented shades, such as teal and olive green.
The Best Soft White Paint Colors
- Sherwin-Williams Alabaster
- Benjamin Moore White Dove
- Glidden Linen Ruffle
- Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
- Backdrop Moonlight
Warm Cream
Maybe you’d like to lean into that warmth for the exterior of your home, but aren’t interested in committing to a beige, gray, or brown shade. In this case, a warm cream is the perfect happy medium. These colors give your home a cozy and inviting atmosphere from the moment you pull into the driveway. To get this look, consider colors like Benjamin Moore’s Navajo White or Sherwin-Williams’ Antique White, as these bring a softness to the exterior of your house. Whereas standard white hues might feel a little flat, cream brings depth and warmth. They’re the sun-soaked versions of white paint, which feel perfectly placed on a coastal home exterior. You can pair them with rattan, wood, woven materials, and soft colors like beige, tan, and greige.
The Best Warm Cream Paint Colors
- Glidden Creamy White
- Behr Natural White
- Benjamin Moore Chatsworth Cream
- Farrow & Ball Pointing
- Behr Belgian Cream
Greige-Leaning White
I’ll never underestimate the power of a great greige paint color! Within your interiors, this shade that mixes gray and beige is a beautiful option that brings the perk of both colors into one. It’s versatile, flexible, and looks great on your exterior walls, too. For the outside of your home, I recommend a lighter greige that’s closer to white. You can look to colors like Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster or Benjamin Moore’s White Wisp, which give a neutral, grounded quality to your home but feel as breezy as a traditional white. Greige-leaning whites also look wonderful on a variety of home styles, whether you’ve embraced a total coastal cottage vibe or have a modern farmhouse home close to the beach. They’re a family of soft colors and look nice when contrasted with navy, black, charcoal, olive green, and chocolate brown. If you love white but crave a little more nuance, greige is the one.
The Best Greige Paint Colors
- Farrow & Ball Slipper Satin
- Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist
- Backdrop Harvest Moon
- Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
- Sherwin-Williams Greek Villa
Off-White
Like cream, linen and off-white shades bring a depth that plain white hues don’t always have. These usually have a little more yellow mixed in and feel right at home in sunny locations or coastal areas where you’d like to infuse a little more light! I’d recommend looking at shades such as Farrow & Ball Wimborne White or Benjamin Moore’s White Opulence, as these all have a quiet elegance. Creams don’t demand attention; they simply attract it naturally. It’s the perfect shade if you want a quiet-luxury-gone-coastal vibe. They’re rich and luxurious. I’ve also included a few shades with cooler undertones on this list too, so you can choose what color temperature feels best for your home and surroundings. You can go one of two ways with this shade, depending on your final selection. Try them with warm woods and textures or cooler stone and metal details.
The Best Off-White Paint Colors
- Behr Off White
- Backdrop Moonstone
- Benjamin Moore White Opulence
- Sherwin-Williams Marshmallow
- Farrow & Ball Wimborne
